Meet Newly added Jazz Editor at Large.Coming July 30th Kristina McBride debuts at the Hipster Sanctuary with an in-depth interview with the soulful and quite sublime, vocalist, Dwight Trible. 
Category People to Watch
GEOFFREY’S INNER CIRCLE PRESENTS HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLEN PEARSON:DR JAZZ
posted by Robert J. Carmack #blues2jazzguy
COME ON OAKTOWN AND ALL OF THE EASTBAY
“LET’S MAKE THIS NIGHT FOR THE BAY AREA’s MOST HUMBLE JAZZ MUSICIAN AND EDUCATOR VERY SPECIAL…
Oakland’s best and brightest stars musicians, singers and actors
Lets make some noise for the “Fiery Fingers” of Glen Pearson Dr.Jazz
Friday, July 21st
Doors open 7:00 pm – Program starts 8:00 pm
Geoffrey’s Inner Circle
Special Guest Stars:
Faye Carol
Janice Maxie Reid
Nikita Germaine
Frankye Kelly
Kenny Washington
Special Presentation By:Yancy Taylor
At Geoffrey’s You Never know who might show up to play or watch you perform..even old friends that have moved away..lol!
l-r: Glen Pearson, Charles McNeal, Yancy Taylor & Robert J. Carmack July 9 2017
BUSTER WILLIAMS BUSTED LOOSE AT 75th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION CONCERT
Buster Williams & Jazz Journalist Robert J. Carmack photo by Robert Hill
posted by Robert J. Carmack
You know anytime you have a name like Buster , the bar is already set high! No need to worry as the 75 year old bassist did not disappoint the crowd attending the concert at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles last weekend(June 24). Buster Williams led an all-star team of jazz veterans into los Angeles anchored by the iconic drummer, Lenny White.
Lenny White drums
One of the surprises of the evening was the youngest member of the band in pianist,George Colligan. George is a jazz pianist, organist, drummer, trumpet player, educator, composer and bandleader based in Portland, Oregon. Colligan was born in New Jersey, and raised in Columbia, Maryland. He attended the Peabody Institute, majoring in classical trumpet and music education. In high school he learned to play the drums and later switched to piano. His playing is influenced by Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, and McCoy Tyner. The influences showed in many ways as he blistered solo after solo , which at times he seemed to levitate up from the piano stool, especially on a time honored classic as “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was”
George Colligan
Steve Wilson has attained ubiquitous status in the studio and on the stage with the greatest names in jazz, as well as critical acclaim as a bandleader in his own right. A musician’s musician, Wilson has brought his distinctive sound to more than 150 recordings led by such celebrated and wide-ranging artists as Chick Corea, George Duke, Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Dianne Reeves, Bill Bruford, Gerald Wilson, Maria Schneider, Joe Henderson, Charlie Byrd, Billy Childs, Karrin Allyson, Don Byron, and Mulgrew Miller among many others. He has eight recordings as a leader.
Steve Wilson.
Charles Anthony “Buster” Williams is THE “consummate” jazz bassist. Williams is known for his membership in pianist Herbie Hancock’s early 1970s group, working with guitarist Larry Coryell in the 1980s. Mid-1960s Buster recorded a plethora of sessions with Jazz Crusaders. He also worked in the Thelonious Monk Repertory Band, Mary Lou Williams Collective, Harold Land Quintet, Sphere and as the accompanist of choice for many singers, notably Ms. Nancy Wilson.
Buster soloing is as sublime as a “brand new Rolls Royce’s interior…his lines are impeccable, as he directs the band through his dynamics in the compositions. He gets the absolute maximum out of a quartet. with a drummer like White who paints as well as keeping time, but more importantly , the unit engages the audience into the story by the composer. Colligan’s experience with Buster, goes all the way back to the mid 90s, which gives him an edge to lead the band with his melodic solos into uncharted waters. Steve Wilson on Sax tends to provide at times, hummingbird-like precision playing of the melody. Followed by his own sub-themed compositions inside the original piece.. which acts like a butterfly leaving a cocoon. All in tow of placing the listener on the edge of their seats. He certainly made it a glorious occasion on last Saturday night performances. Salud!! Salud!! Master Buster. Thank You JAZZ BAKERY and RUTH PRICE!
“You Don’t Just Hear the Music,You Experience the Music”
Herbie Hancock
LA JAZZ PIANIST THEO SAUNDERS ADDED TO KEYSTONE KORNER 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR
posted by Robert J. Carmack @blues2jazzguy
LA based Jazz pianist Theo Sauders has been added to the official personnel lineup for Todd Barkan’s 45th Keystone Korner Anniversary tour, July 7th and 8th in San Francisco Bay area. Theo Saunders is a part of both Azar Lawrence quartet and Henry Franklin group regionally heard almost for the last decade. That band also featured the late Alphonse Mouzon on drums and Lawrence taking up the reeds chair. Saunders is more than capable of tackling the herculean task of balancing style and approach with passion and heart. He will be taking over for Benito Gonzalez, the young pianist from New York.
One need only look at Theo’s family pedigree, as it relates to performances in the arts.
Theo (Ted) Saunders was born and raised on the island of Manhattan, NY. His Russian heritage is masked by his name, which was legally changed along with the rest of his family so that his father, Nicholas, could get work as an actor during the Communist paranoia era of the 1950’s, which makes more sense when you know that he was the only actor in S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A. who could speak fluently in both languages without a trace of an accent in either. He comes from a family whose theatre and musical roots goes back four generations. He attended the High School of Performing Arts (along with fellow musicians, George Cables, Bob Moses, and Ray Maldanado) where he got the jazz bug and spent several years at New York University before leaving to pursue his jazz calling.
Highlights of his career include: Performing at the Village Vanguard for a week in 1969 with guitarist Sonny Greenwich, Jimmy Garrison, and Jack DeJohnette….Playing electric piano and clavinet on the Bill Evans/George Russell album, “Living Time” on Columbia Records in 1971…a member of John Klemmer’s group that opened for the first national tour of the VSOP band in 1978 (including a concert at Avery Fisher Hall)…. a member of Ted Curson’s group that played Monday nights at Sweet Basil for a year in the early 80’s……First gig in Los Angeles– a three month stint with Willie Bobo in 1974……six national tours with Freddie Hubbard between 1981-95…European tour and Japanese tour with Carla Bley’s band in 1983-84 and a DVD, “Live at The Montreal Jazz Festival” ( a band that included Joe Lovano, Steve Slagle, Steve Swallow, and Victor Lewis)… member of Bob Brookmeyer’s Quartet in Los Angeles from 1979-80 and touring nationally and also the Netherlands.
Theo (Ted) Saunders, a native New Yorker, has lived in California since 1985, but his musical career remains international in scope. Saunders’ musical odyssey has taken him to Five continents and more than twenty-Five countries.
He has performed in many of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals, concert halls and night clubs, with distinguished jazz artists including:
Freddie Hubbard, Carla Bley, Charles Lloyd, Bob Brookmeyer, Sonny Fortune, Buddy Collette, Eddie Harris,Ted Curson, James Moody, Bobby Hutcherson, Teddy Edwards, Jack Dejohnette, Joe Lovano, Jimmy Garrison, Pharoah Sanders, Harold Land, John Scofield, Slam Stewart, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims ,Reggie Workman, Curtis Fuller, Rashied Ali, Mike Stern, Benny Powell, Chris Conners, Morgana King & Roseanna Vitro,David “Fathead” Newman, J.R. Montrose, Brew Moore,Sonny Greenwich, John Klemmer, Mark Egan, Wilbur Ware , Steve Khan, Henry Franklin, Azar Lawrence, Carl Burnett, Jack Wilkins, Steve Slagle, Dennis Irwin, Roy McCurdy, Eddie Gomez, Cecil McBee, Rick Laird, John Heard, Al Grey, Barbara Morrison, Lanny Morgan, and this is a short list.
Todd Barkan’s Keystone Korner 45th Anniversary show promises to be an explosive evening and afternoon of pure unadulterated JAZZ.
(see below for a venue or time that suits you.)
Band personnel: Azar Lawrence, Eddie Henderson, Mel Martin, Theo Saunders(just added), Denny Zeitlin, Juini Booth,Roy McCurdy(just added) Akira Tana, Ray Drummond,Kenneth Nash, Charles McPherson, Gary Bartz and lots more.
Friday, July 7, 7:00 pm
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz
831-427-2227
Tickets: $30/35
Saturday, July 8, 2:00 pm
Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society ( just about sold out)
311 Mirada Drive, Half Moon Bay
650-726-4143
Advance: Adults $45/35, Students $25 (25 & under with ID)
Door: Adults $50, Students $30
FYI: Theo Saunders is also replacing Benito Gonzalez at a Los Angeles Concert July 4th at Zebulon Café
A McCoy Tyner Tribute Concert
Band features Bassist Juini Booth – Leader, Azar Lawrence Sax, Theo Sanders Piano, Drums Roy McCurdy,Robert J. Carmack poet /spoken word…
JULY 4th 2017 8pm – 10PM only
ZEBULON CAFE ONE NIGHT ONLY !!
Tixs: $10 advance $12 at door
Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive. Los Angeles,CA. 90039
(323) 662-0966 (contact club for advance )
KEYSTONE KLIPPINS’ ~ CELEBRATING 45 YEARS AT THE KORNER
On-Going Series: Keystone Klippins’ – 45 Years!!!
Robert J. Carmack jazz journalist #@blues2jazzguy
KEYSTONE KLIPPINS’ quick-snapshot look at the jazz journey taken by the man who presents it and the Men and Women who make it. 
Todd Barkan, The Man who started this journey years ago , is bringing it all back full circle. Starting the weekend of July 7th and 8th in the San Francisco Bay area at several Key(stone) venues July 7 & 8, 2017.
Three Exciting Dates of Electrifying Music for You
July 7th 2017 – KUUMBWA JAZZ CENTER 7:pm
Santa Cruz,CA.
July 8th 2017 – BACH DANCING & DYNAMITE SOCIETY
2:pm HALF MOON BAY,CA.
July 8th 2017 – PIER 23 on the EMBARCADERO -7:pm San Francisco, CA.
The action gets started with legendary artists performing
Charles McPherson..Gary Bartz.. Azar Lawrence.. Eddie Henderson.. Mel Martin.. Ray Drummond.. Kenneth Nash.. Benito Gonzalez.. Juini Booth, Denny Zeitlin & quite a few Surprises.
Plenty of BRIGHT MOMENTS!!
Since 1975, Barkan has produced more than 1000 award-winning recordings for American,Japanese and European record companies by artists such as Art Blakey,Bill Evans, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Jimmy Smith, McCoy Tyner, GroverWashington, Jr., Gloria Lynne,Hank Jones, Roy Haynes, Joe Lovano, Phil Woods, Bill Charlap, FreddyCole, Chico O’Farrill, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Kenny Barron,Jeff Watts, Red Garland, Lou Donaldson, Cedar Walton, Eddie Harris, Tommy Flanagan, Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band, Ravi Coltrane, Bud Shank, Jimmy Scott, Kenny Kirkland, Bobby Hutcherson, Dexter Gordon, Tete Montoliu, Cyrus Chestnut, Benny Golson, Eric Alexander, Mose Allison, Renee Rosnes, Joe Locke, Eddie Henderson, John Hicks, Paul Bley, Mongo Santamaria, Barry Harris, Manny Oquendoy Libre, Lewis Nash,Shelly Manne and Steve Kuhn.
“Voices of the Cats playing”
Azar Lawrence Tenor Sax
Robert: when did you first appear at Keystone?
Azar: Man! a long time ago ,I think it was either McCoy Tyner or Elvin Jones…Not sure, but I was real young back then.
Robert: what was your impression of the Club and more importantly, what was your impression of Todd Barkan?
Azar: Man, I dug the club right off the bat, the whole scene was cool and hip. Todd my man…he was so cool and professional, but a real sense of the music and where he wanted to go with it. One of my most memorable times at the Keystone..I believe.. I was gigging with Elvin Jones and George Cables, man, we were hittin’ that night. The club was built for high-level play, and the cats always delivered. Now that I think about it, that live recording with McCoy Tyner.. that was really top-shelf too… I’m really looking forward to this celebration of 45 years of Keystone. we will be doing a lot of playing, but a lot of remembering of the cats that ain’t here. Also, me seeing some cats I ain’t seen in a long time too.
Robert: Any new projects you can talk about?
Azar: I have two projects coming out in a few month, I will be launching an acoustical project with Benito Gonzalez ,Jeff Littleton and Marvin “Smitty” Smith. yeah, look for that in about 60 days.. Also in about 90 days, I have collaborated as co-producer with music producer John Barnes for a project called “Azar into the Night “.. both is poppin!
Please follow this series each week,we will feature a player that’s performing in Todd Barkan’s 45 year celebration of Keystone Korner. P.S. be sure to “like” or comment on the stories at this E-Zine Hipstersanctuary.com.
COMING JULY 2017 TODD BARKAN KEYSTONE KORNER 45TH ANNIVERSARY
JOIN TODD BARKAN & FRIENDS at
KEYSTONE KORNER 45th ANNIVERSARY
A Celebration of the North Beach Jazz venue in San Francisco
(Established July 7 1972)
Three Exciting Dates of Electrifying Music for You
July 7th 2017 – KUUMBWA JAZZ CENTER 7pm- Santa Cruz,CA.
July 8th 2017 – BACH DANCING & DYNAMITE SOCIETY – 2pm HALF MOON BAY,CA.
July 8th 2017 – PIER 23 on the EMBARCADERO -7pm San Francisco, CA.
The action gets started with legendary artists performing
Charles McPherson..Gary Bartz.. Azar Lawrence.. Eddie Henderson.. Mel Martin.. Ray Drummond.. Kenneth Nash.. Benito Gonzalez.. Denny Zeitlin & quite a few Surprises & BRIGHT MOMENTS!!
MORE INFORMATION and DETAILS Follow Hipster Sanctuary E-zine’s coverage and backstories in the coming weeks…#@blues2jazzguy
Coming soon in coming weeks Interviews with Mel Martin, Chuck McPherson , Azar Lawrence and others..
CELEBRATING JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH: PIERCE STREET JAZZ SERIES FREE TO PUBLIC
PIERCE STREET JAZZ SERIES 
Presented by La Sierra University
4500 Pierce St, Riverside, CA. 92505
@piercestreetjazz
Straight Ahead jazz in the Troesh Conference Center, Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University on specific dates at no cost.
Once a Month , Second Wednesdays… Guest Talent Varies
House Band: Henry Franklin Trio
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Charles Owns Tenor sax
Kirk Lightsey
Noland Shaheed
WALKING IN DOROTHY DANDRIDGES’S SHOES:HER FINAL NEW BEGINNING-~A MUSICAL
Feel the Music and Dancing of Dorothy!
Feel the Emotions of Her Life…….Her Final New Beginning!!
Walking in Dorothy Dandridges’s Shoes Her Final New Beginning! 
WANDA RAY WILLIS as
DOROTHY DANDRIDGE
2016 NAACP Solo Musical Nominee
in Limited Engagements
SUNDAY Performances only
APRIL 23..4PM until 5:30PM
MAY 21.. 4PM until 5:30PM
2 Story Theatre 710 Pier AVE.
Hermosa Beach, California
for tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com
http://www.dorothydandridgeonewomanshow.com
DOROTHY TELLS US ABOUT HER CAREER AND LIFE WHILE PACKING, PRACTICING HER DANCES, SINGING, ORGANIZING MUSIC AND SCRIPTS FOR PERFORMING IN THE SHOWS, WHILE STARRING IN TWO FILMS SHE WAS CONTRACTED TO DO…..SHE’S HAPPY AND EXCITED ABOUT THIS….FINAL NEW BEGINNING!
NORTH ON SOUTH CENTRAL AVE. THE MUSICAL SWUNG HARD TO A TRIUMPHANT NIGHT!
posted by Kamaad Tauhid @blues2jazzguy
North on South Central Avenue, the jazz and dance musical took their audience in a time machine and harkened it back to 1940s/50s Los Angeles . Back to the days of a thriving economy spurred on by lot of wartime jobs and plenty of vice to loosen up some of that money.. the scene was a stretch of town that took you from Downtown-north all the way south to Watts/Compton on a street named Central Avenue. This wonderful musical was completely the total package in every respect. Oh you had your great Musical numbers , sung by professional singers cast as not only singers but actors as well. The multi-award winning play was directed by multiple award winning Director ,Carla Dupree Clark, in which up to now has amassed 14 nominations and 7 awards, as director,co-writer or co-producer. This includes this 2017 project’s previous run in the mid-2000s which garnered 14 nominations and four awards. Clark is quite the able-bodied director that Hollywood should be calling soon. Supported by the partnership of TPC(Theater Perception Consortium) Mr. Larry Robinson Producer/actor/writer & set designer. as well as Tu’Nook( Barbara Alexander) Producer/Writer and casting director for the company. This crew has consistently nailed hit plays or musicals for the last decade or more.(ARE YOU LISTENING HOLLYWOOD!) First, Clark created a brilliant approach to opening the play by having a truth-teller or “Griot in a Tux” (Robby Royale aka Robert J. Carmack) comes out and tell you what you’re going to see, and how it was done, then, where.. after getting a few “Amen” on relating to the Black Hollywood moniker that was given the “L.A. Jazz scene” going back as far as the 1920s and 30s.
Blacks had their own way of “livin” and swingin” and going to Church… With a rich cast of characters, NOSC, opens in today’s time with an old man sitting at a bus stop, when a young man rolls up in a wheel chair .The story centers around the most famous and “notorious” club in LA history, The Club Alabam.. the West coast equal to New York’s Cotton Club. Glamorous patrons and famous black celebrity entertainers appeared night in and night out. 
Clark’s piece offers a glimpse into what it must have been like as a person living during the days of gangsters; Mickey Cohen, or a Bumpy Johnson like figure in a character known as “Black Dot” , a man who owned lots of businesses and kept the small time hoods in line to keep the Cops away from the real gravy. Carla Clark’s production juxtapositioned the great music of the times with strong vocals and acting like lead actress,Windy Barnes . Barnes portrayed owner of the Alabam along with Larry Robinson as husband and wife team, Eloise and L.C. Lomax. A stand out scene from the play ..the Lomaxs are in a pickle, when gangsters are blackmailing them to gain control of their very popular and profitable club. She absolutely nails a song penned by her & co-writer, Andre Washington entitled, “Hold On”.
Robert J Carmack /Robby Royale Windy Barnes/Eloise Lomax
Barnes, a veteran actress from the musical stage beginning with her California debut in the national touring company’s The Wiz. Eloise character provided glue to the story of the Alabam’s plight and the overall story of the Jazz scene in Black Hollywood. All the greats were present in this magnificent showcase of glamour and Soul. Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, (brilliantly portrayed by jazz vocalist Pat Sligh), along with special guest cameo performance by jazz and pop singer/actress Ms. Eloise Laws… performing a blistering rendition of “Dinah Washington’s What a Difference a Day Makes.
Also appearing on stage was a electrifying performance by Larry Robinson’s portrayal of Little Walter and Dr. Richard Sanders as Muddy Waters on guitar and Robinson “trading fours” back and forth on Harmonica(They Jammed hard). Its rare to get all of the feel of a real life club and the soul and panache to boot. But Clark’s production North on South Central is in my opinion, Fully Copacetic!
Hopefully this play is Broadway bound or at least national tour.. I also must mention the great music playing band, Conducted by pianist Duane Laskey.
WINDY BARNES FEATURED IN AWARD WINNING MUSICAL PLAY..NORTH ON SOUTH CENTRAL
posted by Robert J. Carmack #@blues2jazzguy
sultry singer/songwriter Windy Barnes
If you just happened to be in attendance at many of the early 80s Stevie Wonder concerts and just by chance wondered “Who was that searing angelic voice coming across the microphone over the music?” Well..chances are,that was Ms. Windy Barnes. “Windy” came whirling into Los Angeles as part of the national touring cast of the Hit musical, The WIZ in 1977. while all good things must come to an end, the The Wiz went on to score as a hit movie and quite a brand item. However, Windy’s sights were on bigger fish. Upon getting a call that Stevie Wonder was trying get in touch with her, Stevie heard her voice at a Richard Pryor Telethon. Stevie over the Television announced “If anyone knew her to please contact him immediately.. one thing lead to another, they finally connected. Windy spent multiple years as a member of Stevie’s backup group “Wonder Love.”
The experience while singing with the great Stevie Wonder, It was not anything I ever witnessed. During that time in my life, I was actually “Living Inside the Music” While touring with Stevie Wonder. Now known as Windy Barnes-Farrell resides still in Los Angeles suburb with her significant other.
This is Windy’s second time around with the lead role in North On South Central, a NAACP multi award winner, Directed by Ms. Carla DuPree Clark and co-written by Larry Robinson and Tu’nook(Barbara Alexander) TPC.
Windy is the total package, as she is also a prolific entertainer and songwriter too. She has written two originals for this musical,Hold On,Be Strong (co-written by Andre Washington) and “Perfect View” also co-written by Andre Washington ,both are featured songs in the famous night club, Alabam ,which she(Eloise) and her husband owns on Central Avenue during the heyday of “the so-called Black Hollywood” up and down Central avenue.” http://windybarnes.com/
In an interview with me recently, the vivacious Windy Barnes-Farell shared what her early up-bringing was like in Chicago. when she was only 3 years old, She would get up on a box in church and sing gospel songs and entertain the congregation every Sunday . “Barnes-Farrell went on to say, “I don’t think I ever thought I was Not going to be an entertainer. With that dream in her head, she left home at 15 years old by 16 she was working as a professional singer, holding her own among veteran singers and flim-flam artist who wanted to take advantage of her . She got her first big break by joining the Comedian Redd Foxx Tour in early 1970s..Windy was finally on her way to greater things. Windy Barnes Farrell noted for her soulful yet angelic voice, is also an accomplished actor, songwriter, producer and choral director. She has written and produced several CDs, numerous musical events, music videos and jingles that have been featured worldwide. Windy is founder and CEO of WINDY CITY ENTERTAINMENT (WCE), a music production company that develops and mentors singers with the WINDY BARNES INTERNATIONAL VOICE ACADEMY (WBIVA). ” Many of today’s young singers don’t have the proper training to “last, or cut it” with the music business, I would say to them. a. learn how to read music b. seek a coach and learn ear training. c. never let go of your dream.” Windy chimed in.
WCE has provided specialized entertainment for the following successful clients; Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows 2007 & 2008, KCET Holiday Celebration, Comedy Central PBS, House of Blues, B.B. Kings, Portman Ritz Carlton – Shanghai, Mandarin Oriental Hotel – Macau, Sirocco – Bangkok, Ed Weinberger, Pastor Shirley Caesar, the Jerry Lewis Telethon and the Lou Rawls Evening of Stars show. Windy has toured extensively with Stevie Wonder, Julio Iglesias, and Michael Bolton to name drop a few. WindyCityEntertainment.net
Windy has starred in various productions including Jezebel, The Wiz, Gospelrella and Voices. She is the proud recipient of the prestigious HAL Award for Theater Excellence. In addition,Windy has performed on five Continents and currently headlines internationally and locally at various venues in and around Los Angeles. “Windy…one of the most beautiful voices in America” – Julio Iglesias.
Go and Catch Windy as Eloise in the Award winning Musical play North On South Central directed by Carla DuPree-Clark & produced by TPC. Sunday March 26 at 5pm The Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro for ticket info (click on following link) http://www.wgt.tix.com or email this writer at blues2jazz2003@yahoo
