July 16th, Sunday
Artistry of Ballads, Blues, Swing with Ed Reed and Larry Vuckovich @ Piedmont Piano
Ed Reed and Larry Vuckovich share associations and experiences with a number of West Coast greats including Dexter Gordon, Hampton Hawes, Hadley Caliman, Art Farmer & more. They bring their collective musical experiences to the bandstand and put them through music expressing soulful feelings and emotions which only jazz veterans can produce who actually have lived this and traveled this life. Ed Reed, who recently had an exciting reception in New York, is one of the few singers around today who sings those special standards and blues with a feeling that will remain with the audience for a long time. Pianist Larry Vuckovich has accompanied some of the great vocalists in jazz such as Jon Hendricks, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Irene Kral, David Allyn, Leon Thomas, Anita O'Day & many more. Don't miss this unique presentation!
Venue: Piedmont Piano 18th and San Pablo, Oakland, CA
Admission: $20 Donation
Time: 4:00 PM
Information: (510) 547-8188
Featuring: Ed Reed, vocals / Larry Vuckovich, piano
July 17th, Monday
Dial "P" for Piano: Larry Vuckovich Quintet plays Sonny Clark @ Stanford Jazz Festival 2017
Sonny Clark was one of the great jazz pianists of the late '50s and early '60s, being a prolific sideman for John Coltrane, Art Farmer, Donald Byrd, Stanley Turrentine, and others on Blue Note, and leading his own trio for a number of under-rated but brilliant recordings. His music is a true hidden gem of jazz, and in this special concert, piano giant Larry Vuckovich performs his arrangements of a number of Sonny's rarely heard but exquisite masterpieces of bebop. Cited by another keyboard legend, Barry Harris, as one of the "premier west coast pianists," Vuckovich has appeared at many of the major jazz venues and festivals throughout Europe and North America. Along the way, he has played with jazz greats including Mel Lewis, Tom Harrell, Philly Joe Jones, Billy Higgins and many more. Larry was honored as a "Jazz Legend" by the Fillmore Jazz Heritage Center, along with Bobby Hutcherson, Cal Tjader and others who have contributed to San Francisco's vital jazz scene. Vuckovich's band features some of the top players on the West Coast, including saxophonist Noel Jewkes, with whom he shares half a century of bandstand experience. They both toured in vocalist Jon Hendricks' popular revue The Evolution of the Blues in the mid-1960s, and have performed and recorded in an array of settings over the years, including Vuckovich's 2000 tribute to Lester "Prez" Young, Young At Heart (Robbins Music). Larry Vuckovich has been close to Sonny Clark's piano style in music since the '50s and is honored to present this classic style of hardbop. Philadelphia born tenor saxophonist Rob Roth is the perfect partner for Noel Jewkes forming a close two-tenor team and interpreting authentically this style. Rounding out the group is a close-knit rhythm section of Jeff Chambers and Leon Joyce
Venue: Campbell Recital Hall, Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA
Admission: $15 / $40 General
Time: 7:30 PM
Tickets: http://www.stanfordjazzfestival.org/tickets/
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Noel Jewkes, tenor saxophone / Rob Roth, tenor saxophone / Jeff Chambers, bass / Leon Joyce, drums
Mentioned by Jesse Hamlin in his San Francisco Chronicle article.
July 22nd, Saturday
Vocalist Extraordinaire Clairdee with Larry Vuckovich and Jeff Chambers @ Forest Hill Concerts.
Vocalist extraordinaire Clairdee reunites with pianist Larry Vuckovich at Forest Hills Concerts. They have performed on various occasions at different venues and have displayed excellent musical chemistry. This promises to be an exciting evening of great standards, jazz classics and blues, showcasing Clairdee's masterful talents. Veteran bassist Jeff Chambers and Larry have performed together for over 25 years in numerous settings, including both instrumental and vocal, developing a close-knit rhythm duo. Clairdee is an international touring artist, playing to sold-out houses, and garnering rave reviews. In addition to leading her world-class band, she performs with symphony pop orchestras and big bands, and has worked with acclaimed instrumentalists. Larry Vuckovich and Jeff Chambers have played all over the world with many prominent musicians and at festivals.
Venue: Forest Hill Concerts Hill Christian Church, 250 Laguna Honda Blvd., San Francisco, CA
Admission: $20 Suggested Donation
Time: 7:30 PM
Information: (415) 890-4342
Featuring: Clairdee, vocals / Larry Vuckovich, piano / Jeff Chambers, bass
July 30th, Sunday afternoon
Music From Rio Comes To Calistoga – Celia Malheiros reunites with Larry Vuckovich @ Brannan's in Calistoga Celia Malheiros' music is unique. A native of Rio, a prolific composer, songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and impressive singer, Celia is self-taught, eclectic, and rooted in the myriad of folkloric sounds of her native Brazil and equally immersed in the universality of her adopted country – American jazz. With her own band she has performed throughout the U.S. at venues including the Monterey and San Francisco jazz festivals. She has toured Europe, the U.S., South America, and Asia as a solo artist as well as with her band, tRIO. She has received commissions from Wheaton College Choir and Akat Dance Company. Celia gives lectures, clinics and masters classes worldwide. Larry Vuckovich has produced top charting CDs, toured Europe, as well as performing at New York's Lincoln Center Dizzy's Club Coca Cola and the major jazz festivals on the West Coast. He continues his lifelong love of music by reviving jazz in Calistoga.
Venue: Brannan's Grill 1374 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA 94515
Admission: $20 on performance floor, $10 lower floor/bar area listening only
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Information/tickets: (707) 942-2233
Featuring: Celia Malheiros, vocals, multi-instruments / Larry Vuckovich, piano
August 6th, Sunday
THE ART OF THE BALLAD with Larry Vuckovich @ California Jazz Conservatory – The JAZZSCHOOL
Master jazz pianist and long-time veteran of the Bay Area jazz scene Larry Vuckovich returns to the CJC to share important influential jazz elements The Art of the Ballad concept will be exemplified, playing ballads in different formats, such as in 3/4 rhythm, in Bolero and bossa tempos as well as in groovy 4/4 walking style feel. Bebop style ballad playing will be exemplified as well, showing that special bebop phrasing with sophisticated syncopation and variation in dynamics. Rubato interpretation of the ballad will be emphasized as well. The workshop will include hands-on participation with pianists in attendance.
The importance of lyricism and melodic beauty in jazz will be showcased and will be demonstrated at the piano by Larry Vuckovich, who will also cite and play examples of the great ballad interpreters such as Lester Young, Ben Webster, Stan Getz, Brew Moore, Bill Evans, Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, and other greats. Also on the menu, the substitute changes in classic standards — the re-harmonization of the great tunes will be shown where the original message of the composition stays intact, without losing the beauty of the composition. Special voicings of jazz harmony and piano touch will be shown. Ballads offer such a wide range of moods, tempos, flavors, thus creating a variety of stylistic and creative interpretations. Jazz lovers who do not play an instrument will be able to appreciate this presentation by getting closer to this music.
Larry Vuckovich gained first-hand knowledge from performances or recordings with many of the jazz greats including Dexter Gordon, Charles McPherson, Charlie Haden, Tom Harrell, Bobby Hutcherson, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Jon Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin, Billy Higgins, Philly Joe Jones and Elvin Jones. Larry has been associated with several piano icons such as Bud Powell, Red Garland, Bill Evans, Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea. He was the only student of Vince Guaraldi.
Venue: California Jazz Conservatory 2087 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA
Admission: Advance $30 - Day of Workshop $45
Time: 12:00 PM (Noon) – 3:00 PM
Information: (510) 845-5373
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano
August 8th, Tuesday
Music From Rio Comes To The Seahorse – Celia Malheiros with Larry Vuckovich, Noel Jewkes, Vince Lateano, and Mike Hallesy @ The Seahorse in Sausalito Celia Malheiros' music is unique. A native of Rio, a prolific composer, songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and impressive singer, Celia is self-taught, eclectic, and rooted in the myriad of folkloric sounds of her native Brazil and equally immersed in the universality of her adopted country – American jazz. With her own band she has performed throughout the U.S. at venues including the Monterey and San Francisco jazz festivals. She has toured Europe, the U.S., South America, and Asia as a solo artist as well as with her band, tRIO. She has received commissions from Wheaton College Choir and Akat Dance Company. Celia gives lectures, clinics and masters classes worldwide. Larry Vuckovich has produced top charting CDs, toured Europe, as well as performing at New York's Lincoln Center Dizzy's Club Coca Cola and the major jazz festivals on the West Coast. Noel Jewkes is known as the premier saxophonist in the Bay Area, Vince Lateano is one of the most in-demand drummer around, and Mike Hallesy's swinging bass rounds out the band. The Seahorse has an excellent menu of Italian specialties.
Venue: http: The Seahorse 305 Harbor Dr., Sausalito, CA 94965
Admission: No cover charge!
Time: 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Information: (415) 331-2899
Featuring: Celia Malheiros, vocals & multi-instruments / Larry Vuckovich, piano / Noel Jewkes, multi-reeds / Vince Lateano, drums / Mike Hallesy, bass
August 12, Saturday
La Orquesta El Vucko @ Oakmont's The Berger Center
Larry Vuckovich's La Orquesta El Vucko, a non–typical Latin band with a twist, offers a wide ranging repertoire that goes beyond salsa. It includes Mexican classic boleros, South American favorites, Great American Standards played in Latin tempos, bebop classics with a Latin feel, Brazilian selections, World Music including Balkan Salsa, bluesy funky Boogaloo hits & more
Larry Vuckovich had the good fortune to perform with the greatest Latin jazz percussionists and musicians in history. They include José Mangual (who played and recorded with Charlie Parker and Erroll Garner), Cal Tjader, Vince Guaraldi, Frankie Malabe, Pete Escovedo, Benny Velarde, Louis Romero, John Santos, Hector Lugo – to name a few. During the 50s Larry hung out at the famed Black Hawk club, listening to the Cal Tjader Quintet that had one of the greatest Latin rhythm sections of all time, which included Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Al McKibbon and Vince Guaraldi on piano. Hearing this exciting quintet in person regularly and absorbing the feel for Latin music, Larry became Vince's only student learning from him, not only jazz elements, but the feeling and the concept for playing Latin jazz piano. Larry Vuckovich brings all of his varied experiences in forming La Orquesta El Vucko and making it a unique sounding Latin band. Soulful vocalist Valeriano Quevedo will sing some romantic Mexican boleros as well as standard classics in Latin rhythms. Master percussionist Louis Romero will add that special spark which will be enhanced by the excellent conguero/bonguero Hector Lugo, Noel Jewkes on flute and Mike Hallesy on bass.
Venue: Berger Center 6575 Oakmont Drive, Santa Rosa, CA
Admission: $20 at the door
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Information: larryvuckovich@usa.net
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Valeriana Quevedo, vocals / Louis Romero, percussion / Hector Lugo, congas, vocals / Noel Jewkes, flute / Mike Hallesy, bass
August 20th, Sunday Afternoon
Celia Malheiros with Larry Vuckovich Trio @ Immanuel Lutheran Church in Los Altos
Celia Malheiros' music is unique. A native of Rio, a prolific composer, songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and impressive singer, Celia is self-taught, eclectic, and rooted in the myriad of folkloric sounds of her native Brazil and equally immersed in the universality of her adopted country – American jazz. With her own band she has performed throughout the U.S. at venues including the Monterey and San Francisco jazz festivals. She has toured Europe, the U.S., South America, and Asia as a solo artist as well as with her band, tRIO. She has received commissions from Wheaton College Choir and Akat Dance Company. Celia gives lectures, clinics and masters classes worldwide. Larry Vuckovich has produced top charting CDs, toured Europe, as well as performing at New York's Lincoln Center Dizzy's Club Coca Cola and the major jazz festivals on the West Coast. Jeff Chambers will hold down the bass line with his well known and beloved groove.
Venue: Immanuel Lutheran Church – 1715 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA 94024
Admission: $20 Donation
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Information: (650) 987-4906
Featuring: Celia Malheiros, vocals, multi-instruments / Larry Vuckovich, piano / Jeff Chambers, bass
September 9th, Saturday
Two-time Grammy winner, violinist Mads Tolling & Larry Vuckovich present Improvisational Dialogue @ JB Piano in San Rafael.
Mads Tolling, a two-time Grammy Award winner is a nationally renowned violinist and composer. He tours and performs all over the world and his recordings received rave reviews. The program will include originals by both Larry and Mads plus jazz standards, Latin, Brazilian, swinging selections and ethno-jazz. Larry's original "Scandinavian Waltz," dedicated to the great Scandinavian musicians will be played this evening. These two European born jazz musicians who have absorbed the American art form of jazz and offer their unique interpretation in a form of a musical conversation.
Venue: JB Piano Company 540 Irwin St, San Rafael, CA 94901
Admission: $20 donation suggested
Time: doors open at 7:30 PM
Information: (510) 845-5373 Brown Paper Tickets
Featuring: Mads Tolling, violin / Larry Vuckovich, piano