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Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Los Angeles Jazz "Positootly" Grows at the Grammys
Of the 109 Grammy awards given, 6 of them go to jazz albums. In the universe of music, with jazz accounting for less than 3% of all albums sales, you might say the Grammys are very generous giving the jazz area 6 trophies. But if you like this music, and you dig into the five people nominated in each of these 6 categories, you will find some astonishingly good music.
A refreshing turn of events here is that the vast majority of the nominees come from small independent labels. (Perhaps this is not a surprise as the major labels have pretty much abandoned new jazz and spend most of their time mining their catalogs over and over again). And another wonderful discovery this year is the large number of Los Angeles-based musicians showing up on the short list.
A perfect example of this is found in the “Best Jazz Instrumental Album” category: three of the 5 nominees are either LA-based, or self-professed “bi-coastal” musicians. The Clayton Brothers turn in a grand project, “The New Song and Dance” on ArtistShare. The sentimental favorite and front-runner will be James Moody’s album “Moody 4B” from IPO records. (Moody was one of my early heroes, and he will be sorely missed with his passing this week). But for the moment let me dwell on the outstanding project that John Beasley turns in, “Positootly!” on Resonance Records.
The follow-up to Beasley’s “Letter To Herbie”, this album continues to show the pianist’s many talents. His improvising is exceptional; the compositions are interesting, harmonically challenging but still musical and constantly swinging. John reunites with Jeff ‘Tain” Watts on drums, and adds bassist James Genus to the mix this time. Their playing together is intuitive and always joyful. “Tain” is a master of the toms, and he plays inside and outside the beat with equal skill.
The album takes the listener on a wonderful journey through many styles and aspects of jazz, from jazz trio to New Orleans funk to a little electric jazz, to tango and songs that could easily have been written and performed by Miles Davis’ classic quintet. The whole project totally holds together with John’s distinct piano style and writing.
It is a pleasure to hear Bennie Maupin stretch out on this record and do some straight-ahead blowing. Brian Lynch on trumpet keeps pace with Bennie, and the whole band swings especially hard on the opening cut “Caddo Bayou”, as well as “Black Thunder”
The few compositions that are not originals are well chosen. Beasley’s take on Jobim’s “Dindi” is unique – if I did not know the tune I might not even recognize it in this swinging version. His tribute to Bobbie Timmons is wonderful. Bobbie was one of the most overlooked pianists and composers in jazz, and it is great to hear one of his songs again.
If you think you know this album after the first 5 cuts, think again. Beasley’s take on Piazzola’s “Tanguedia III” kicks off the second half of this album and is probably the most inventive cut on the album. Each of the following songs is different and wonderful in their own ways. And whenever Bennie Maupin appears on a cut, with his soprano or tenor sax, it kicks the band up another notch.
Whether Beasley wins the Grammy or not, the nomination is well deserved, and this project deserves to be heard, and not just in jazz clubs. It swings and rocks, and is “Positootly” worth buying.
A refreshing turn of events here is that the vast majority of the nominees come from small independent labels. (Perhaps this is not a surprise as the major labels have pretty much abandoned new jazz and spend most of their time mining their catalogs over and over again). And another wonderful discovery this year is the large number of Los Angeles-based musicians showing up on the short list.
A perfect example of this is found in the “Best Jazz Instrumental Album” category: three of the 5 nominees are either LA-based, or self-professed “bi-coastal” musicians. The Clayton Brothers turn in a grand project, “The New Song and Dance” on ArtistShare. The sentimental favorite and front-runner will be James Moody’s album “Moody 4B” from IPO records. (Moody was one of my early heroes, and he will be sorely missed with his passing this week). But for the moment let me dwell on the outstanding project that John Beasley turns in, “Positootly!” on Resonance Records.
The follow-up to Beasley’s “Letter To Herbie”, this album continues to show the pianist’s many talents. His improvising is exceptional; the compositions are interesting, harmonically challenging but still musical and constantly swinging. John reunites with Jeff ‘Tain” Watts on drums, and adds bassist James Genus to the mix this time. Their playing together is intuitive and always joyful. “Tain” is a master of the toms, and he plays inside and outside the beat with equal skill.
The album takes the listener on a wonderful journey through many styles and aspects of jazz, from jazz trio to New Orleans funk to a little electric jazz, to tango and songs that could easily have been written and performed by Miles Davis’ classic quintet. The whole project totally holds together with John’s distinct piano style and writing.
It is a pleasure to hear Bennie Maupin stretch out on this record and do some straight-ahead blowing. Brian Lynch on trumpet keeps pace with Bennie, and the whole band swings especially hard on the opening cut “Caddo Bayou”, as well as “Black Thunder”
The few compositions that are not originals are well chosen. Beasley’s take on Jobim’s “Dindi” is unique – if I did not know the tune I might not even recognize it in this swinging version. His tribute to Bobbie Timmons is wonderful. Bobbie was one of the most overlooked pianists and composers in jazz, and it is great to hear one of his songs again.
If you think you know this album after the first 5 cuts, think again. Beasley’s take on Piazzola’s “Tanguedia III” kicks off the second half of this album and is probably the most inventive cut on the album. Each of the following songs is different and wonderful in their own ways. And whenever Bennie Maupin appears on a cut, with his soprano or tenor sax, it kicks the band up another notch.
Whether Beasley wins the Grammy or not, the nomination is well deserved, and this project deserves to be heard, and not just in jazz clubs. It swings and rocks, and is “Positootly” worth buying.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Still some seats left for the Holiday Jazz Party December 16
Reservations are filling up, but there are still some seats left. If you want to attend the Holiday Jazz Party for the Homeless, please call the Catalina Jazz Club today - tickets start at $25 ($15 for students) call (323) 466-2210
JAZZ PIANIST, GEORGE KAHN HOLDS 5th ANNUAL FUNDRAISER ASSISTING THE HOMELESS at CATALINA BAR & GRILL
Thursday EVENING, DECEMBER 16TH, 2010
Let the holiday season begin…with an evening of great Jazz that’s also a benefit for the Los Angeles homeless community. For the 5th consecutive year, Jazz Pianist, George Kahn, returns to the CATALINA JAZZ CLUB with a performance benefiting PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) VENTURES on Thursday evening, December 16th. Path Ventures, a community development corporation created by PATH in 2005, focuses on the construction of affordable housing for individuals and families in the Los Angeles area.
The George Kahn “Jazz And Blues Revue” will feature George on piano with an all-star band of LA studio musicians. Special guests include: John Fumo on trumpet, Chuck Manning on sax, Karl Vincent on bass, and M. B. Gordy on drums. Adding to the night’s entertainment will be vocalists Courtney Lemmon, Kelsea Cire and Dianne Wright.
The George Kahn “West Coast Jazz” Quintet is currently touring to support the new album, Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto. The 2-CD collection was released in June 2010 to outstanding reviews and national radio airplay.
The doors open at 7 PM for dinner and the show will begin at 8:30 PM. There is a $25.00 cover plus Minimum. (Students with ID, $15.00).
Special Dinner/show tickets are available in advance for a $100 donation to PATH VENTURES. Please contact Emily at 310-996-1171 or emilyr@pathventures.org for this special package.
All profits from the evening will go directly to PATH VENTURES
The Catalina Jazz Club is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. (just east of Highland Avenue - parking on N. McCadden Place). Dinner reservations suggested. (323) 466-2210.
This concert is generously sponsored by Mortgage Capital Partners.
Come see for yourself why Alfredo Cruz calls George Kahn “…creative, entertaining, intelligent, sophisticated and stimulating.”
www.GeorgeKahn.com
JAZZ PIANIST, GEORGE KAHN HOLDS 5th ANNUAL FUNDRAISER ASSISTING THE HOMELESS at CATALINA BAR & GRILL
Thursday EVENING, DECEMBER 16TH, 2010
Let the holiday season begin…with an evening of great Jazz that’s also a benefit for the Los Angeles homeless community. For the 5th consecutive year, Jazz Pianist, George Kahn, returns to the CATALINA JAZZ CLUB with a performance benefiting PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) VENTURES on Thursday evening, December 16th. Path Ventures, a community development corporation created by PATH in 2005, focuses on the construction of affordable housing for individuals and families in the Los Angeles area.
The George Kahn “Jazz And Blues Revue” will feature George on piano with an all-star band of LA studio musicians. Special guests include: John Fumo on trumpet, Chuck Manning on sax, Karl Vincent on bass, and M. B. Gordy on drums. Adding to the night’s entertainment will be vocalists Courtney Lemmon, Kelsea Cire and Dianne Wright.
The George Kahn “West Coast Jazz” Quintet is currently touring to support the new album, Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto. The 2-CD collection was released in June 2010 to outstanding reviews and national radio airplay.
The doors open at 7 PM for dinner and the show will begin at 8:30 PM. There is a $25.00 cover plus Minimum. (Students with ID, $15.00).
Special Dinner/show tickets are available in advance for a $100 donation to PATH VENTURES. Please contact Emily at 310-996-1171 or emilyr@pathventures.org for this special package.
All profits from the evening will go directly to PATH VENTURES
The Catalina Jazz Club is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. (just east of Highland Avenue - parking on N. McCadden Place). Dinner reservations suggested. (323) 466-2210.
This concert is generously sponsored by Mortgage Capital Partners.
Come see for yourself why Alfredo Cruz calls George Kahn “…creative, entertaining, intelligent, sophisticated and stimulating.”
www.GeorgeKahn.com
Monday, November 15, 2010
JAZZ PIANIST, GEORGE KAHN HOLDS 5th ANNUAL FUNDRAISER ASSISTING THE HOMELESS at CATALINA BAR & GRILL
Mark Your Calendars for Sunday December 16!
I have now been in the mortgage business for 22 years, and have had quite a ride with the ups and downs of our business. But as anyone who has been in the business can tell you, real estate has been very good to many, many people in Los Angeles. That is why, once a year I like to give back and help some of the people that are not fortunate enough to have a home to lay their head at night.
Once a year I host a Jazz Party and Fundraiser at my favorite jazz club, The Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. I put together a killer band and a great show including various guest vocalists, and we play our hearts out for PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) Ventures, a non-profit that builds permanent housing for people that have been homeless in Los Angeles.
This year the event is on Thursday, December 16. The doors open at 7:00 PM for dinner, and the music starts at 8:30. There are no long boring speeches. There is plenty of good food, drink and amazing music. My company, Mortgage Capital Partners, sponsors the music, so all the money we raise goes directly to PATH Ventures.
I could use your help, if you have a minute, especially if you live in the Los Angeles area:
1) Please consider buying a table at the show. A table for six costs $500, and includes a three course meal and the show (alcohol is extra). If you don’t have 6 people, you can buy a dinner/show ticket in advance for $100, and we will seat you with others. Please contact Emily at 310-996-1171 or emilyr@pathventures.org for this special package.
2) If you don’t want to come for dinner, you can still make show reservations for $25 per person ($15 for students). You can buy drinks or food when you get there, and while you are there you can make an additional donation to PATH ventures. For reservations, call Catalina Jazz Club (323) 466-2210.
3) If you can’t make the show at all, please consider sending a donation for any amount to PATH Ventures. If you send it before December 16, I can deliver it to the concert. Mail checks for PATH Ventures to attn: George Kahn, c/o 12400 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90025
4) I can also send you a copy of the press release and a flyer, so you can spread the word.
Please see below for details. I hope to see you at the show – it will be the best holiday party of the season!
All love,
George
JAZZ PIANIST, GEORGE KAHN HOLDS 5th ANNUAL FUNDRAISER ASSISTING THE HOMELESS at CATALINA BAR & GRILL
THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 16TH, 2010
Let the holiday season begin…with an evening of great Jazz that’s also a benefit for the Los Angeles homeless community. For the 5th consecutive year, Jazz Pianist, George Kahn, returns to the CATALINA JAZZ CLUB with a performance benefiting PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) VENTURES on Thursday evening, December 16th. Path Ventures, a community development corporation created by PATH in 2005, focuses on the construction of affordable housing for individuals and families in the Los Angeles area.
The George Kahn “Jazz And Blues Revue” will feature George on piano with an all-star band of LA studio musicians. Special guests include: John Fumo on trumpet, Larry Klimas on sax, Karl Vincent on bass, and M. B. Gordy on drums. Adding to the night’s entertainment will be vocalists Courtney Lemmon, Kelsea Cire and Dianne Wright.
The George Kahn “West Coast Jazz” Quintet is currently touring to support the new album, Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto. The 2-CD collection was released in June 2010 to outstanding reviews and national radio airplay.
The doors open at 7 PM for dinner and the show will begin at 8:30 PM. There is a $25.00 cover plus Minimum. (Students with ID, $15.00).
Special Dinner/show tickets are available in advance for a $100 donation to PATH VENTURES. Please contact Emily at 310-996-1171 or emilyr@pathventures.org for this special package.
All profits from the evening will go directly to PATH VENTURES
The Catalina Jazz Club is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. (just east of Highland Avenue - parking on N. McCadden Place). Dinner reservations suggested. (323) 466-2210.
This concert is generously sponsored by Mortgage Capital Partners.
Come see for yourself why Alfredo Cruz calls George Kahn “…creative, entertaining, intelligent, sophisticated and stimulating.”
www.GeorgeKahn.com
I have now been in the mortgage business for 22 years, and have had quite a ride with the ups and downs of our business. But as anyone who has been in the business can tell you, real estate has been very good to many, many people in Los Angeles. That is why, once a year I like to give back and help some of the people that are not fortunate enough to have a home to lay their head at night.
Once a year I host a Jazz Party and Fundraiser at my favorite jazz club, The Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. I put together a killer band and a great show including various guest vocalists, and we play our hearts out for PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) Ventures, a non-profit that builds permanent housing for people that have been homeless in Los Angeles.
This year the event is on Thursday, December 16. The doors open at 7:00 PM for dinner, and the music starts at 8:30. There are no long boring speeches. There is plenty of good food, drink and amazing music. My company, Mortgage Capital Partners, sponsors the music, so all the money we raise goes directly to PATH Ventures.
I could use your help, if you have a minute, especially if you live in the Los Angeles area:
1) Please consider buying a table at the show. A table for six costs $500, and includes a three course meal and the show (alcohol is extra). If you don’t have 6 people, you can buy a dinner/show ticket in advance for $100, and we will seat you with others. Please contact Emily at 310-996-1171 or emilyr@pathventures.org for this special package.
2) If you don’t want to come for dinner, you can still make show reservations for $25 per person ($15 for students). You can buy drinks or food when you get there, and while you are there you can make an additional donation to PATH ventures. For reservations, call Catalina Jazz Club (323) 466-2210.
3) If you can’t make the show at all, please consider sending a donation for any amount to PATH Ventures. If you send it before December 16, I can deliver it to the concert. Mail checks for PATH Ventures to attn: George Kahn, c/o 12400 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90025
4) I can also send you a copy of the press release and a flyer, so you can spread the word.
Please see below for details. I hope to see you at the show – it will be the best holiday party of the season!
All love,
George
JAZZ PIANIST, GEORGE KAHN HOLDS 5th ANNUAL FUNDRAISER ASSISTING THE HOMELESS at CATALINA BAR & GRILL
THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 16TH, 2010
Let the holiday season begin…with an evening of great Jazz that’s also a benefit for the Los Angeles homeless community. For the 5th consecutive year, Jazz Pianist, George Kahn, returns to the CATALINA JAZZ CLUB with a performance benefiting PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) VENTURES on Thursday evening, December 16th. Path Ventures, a community development corporation created by PATH in 2005, focuses on the construction of affordable housing for individuals and families in the Los Angeles area.
The George Kahn “Jazz And Blues Revue” will feature George on piano with an all-star band of LA studio musicians. Special guests include: John Fumo on trumpet, Larry Klimas on sax, Karl Vincent on bass, and M. B. Gordy on drums. Adding to the night’s entertainment will be vocalists Courtney Lemmon, Kelsea Cire and Dianne Wright.
The George Kahn “West Coast Jazz” Quintet is currently touring to support the new album, Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto. The 2-CD collection was released in June 2010 to outstanding reviews and national radio airplay.
The doors open at 7 PM for dinner and the show will begin at 8:30 PM. There is a $25.00 cover plus Minimum. (Students with ID, $15.00).
Special Dinner/show tickets are available in advance for a $100 donation to PATH VENTURES. Please contact Emily at 310-996-1171 or emilyr@pathventures.org for this special package.
All profits from the evening will go directly to PATH VENTURES
The Catalina Jazz Club is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. (just east of Highland Avenue - parking on N. McCadden Place). Dinner reservations suggested. (323) 466-2210.
This concert is generously sponsored by Mortgage Capital Partners.
Come see for yourself why Alfredo Cruz calls George Kahn “…creative, entertaining, intelligent, sophisticated and stimulating.”
www.GeorgeKahn.com
Thursday, October 14, 2010
For Your Consideration - send George to the Grammys!
Just got the GRAMMY List - how cool, I have songs from the new album, SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO for consideration in many categorys (this DOES NOT mean I am a finalist, just in the initial nominating ballot):
- Record of the Year, SOMBRAS DE NOITE (NIGHT SHADOWS)
- Song of the Year, SOMBRAS DE NOITE (NIGHT SHADOWS)
- Pop Instrumental, EVAN’S ELEVEN
- Improvised Jazz Solo, ANDY SUZUKI: EVAN’S ELEVEN
- Improvised Jazz Solo, GEORGE KAHN: MY FUNNY VALENTINE
- Instrumental composition, EVAN’S ELEVEN
- Instrumental composition, WALTZ FOR DIANA
- Best arrangement, instrumental OVER THE RAINBOW
- Best arrangement, vocals SOMBRAS DE NOITE (NIGHT SHADOWS)
IF YOU ARE A GRAMMY MEMBER, you can hear these songs at grammy365.com
http://www.grammy365.com/users/geokahn
and please vote by November 3 for your favorite songs!
- Record of the Year, SOMBRAS DE NOITE (NIGHT SHADOWS)
- Song of the Year, SOMBRAS DE NOITE (NIGHT SHADOWS)
- Pop Instrumental, EVAN’S ELEVEN
- Improvised Jazz Solo, ANDY SUZUKI: EVAN’S ELEVEN
- Improvised Jazz Solo, GEORGE KAHN: MY FUNNY VALENTINE
- Instrumental composition, EVAN’S ELEVEN
- Instrumental composition, WALTZ FOR DIANA
- Best arrangement, instrumental OVER THE RAINBOW
- Best arrangement, vocals SOMBRAS DE NOITE (NIGHT SHADOWS)
IF YOU ARE A GRAMMY MEMBER, you can hear these songs at grammy365.com
http://www.grammy365.com/users/geokahn
and please vote by November 3 for your favorite songs!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Passion Principle
I clearly remember the day about 20 years ago when I was visiting a Real Estate office in Marina Del Rey, looking for business. I was 1 year into being a mortgage broker, and had just landed a job with Jon Douglas Financial – the Marina office was one of my “accounts”. The manager of the office called me in to his office. He had heard that I used to play music, and that I still played in a band, now and then. He told me, in no uncertain terms, that I had better NEVER mention music in his office – I was there to do loans, and he did not want to hear anything except that I would be available to his Realtors, 24/7, to help them get their clients financing.
This was just one of many times in my business life where I ran into “my way or the highway”-type managers. These leaders programmed me to believe that if people knew I did anything else besides loans, they would not work with me and somehow they would think less of me.
But over the years something amazing happened. I realized that people are MORE interested in me when I shared who I really am. Authenticity is attractive. Countless people in California can do a home loan. Not everyone can do a home loan and play a burning solo on Miles Davis’ “All Blues”.
There has been much written about the work-life balance today: how to balance the demands of a workplace that has fewer people doing twice the work, while still having a family life, a creative life, and a spiritual life. Now I know, there are a handful of people that say, “I love my job! My job is my life!” More power to them, but really, I don’t know anyone that, on their deathbed, said “I regret that I did not spend more time at the office.”
So, how do you integrate your passion with your business? Well, the question behind the question is: What are you passionate about?
I am lucky. My parent’s blessed me with a creative streak a mile wide. I love to play and compose music. I love photography. I love to write, to journal, to blog. I love to paint. I let me passion for jazz constantly spill over into my daily business. I share my performances with people at netowrking meetings. When I start a new loan, my clients get a gift of a “new Age” CD that I produced, to help them stay calm. Then, at the end of the transaction, I usually send people a gift basket with one of my jazz CDs and a couple of bottles of nice wine. And of course I invite all my clients to the jazz gigs and events that I play at. In sharing my love of jazz I have done loans for owners of music studios, many people in the entertainment business, as well as lawyers and CPAs that work with entertainment clients.
Once you have found it, how do your share your Passion with your friends and business associates? It’s easy – just open your mouth, and say it. Your passion is contagious and attractive.
This was just one of many times in my business life where I ran into “my way or the highway”-type managers. These leaders programmed me to believe that if people knew I did anything else besides loans, they would not work with me and somehow they would think less of me.
But over the years something amazing happened. I realized that people are MORE interested in me when I shared who I really am. Authenticity is attractive. Countless people in California can do a home loan. Not everyone can do a home loan and play a burning solo on Miles Davis’ “All Blues”.
There has been much written about the work-life balance today: how to balance the demands of a workplace that has fewer people doing twice the work, while still having a family life, a creative life, and a spiritual life. Now I know, there are a handful of people that say, “I love my job! My job is my life!” More power to them, but really, I don’t know anyone that, on their deathbed, said “I regret that I did not spend more time at the office.”
So, how do you integrate your passion with your business? Well, the question behind the question is: What are you passionate about?
I am lucky. My parent’s blessed me with a creative streak a mile wide. I love to play and compose music. I love photography. I love to write, to journal, to blog. I love to paint. I let me passion for jazz constantly spill over into my daily business. I share my performances with people at netowrking meetings. When I start a new loan, my clients get a gift of a “new Age” CD that I produced, to help them stay calm. Then, at the end of the transaction, I usually send people a gift basket with one of my jazz CDs and a couple of bottles of nice wine. And of course I invite all my clients to the jazz gigs and events that I play at. In sharing my love of jazz I have done loans for owners of music studios, many people in the entertainment business, as well as lawyers and CPAs that work with entertainment clients.
Once you have found it, how do your share your Passion with your friends and business associates? It’s easy – just open your mouth, and say it. Your passion is contagious and attractive.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Another Nail In The Coffin
I love jazz. I love listening to jazz. I love playing jazz. Jazz does not frighten me - it excites me and invigorates me. And I am willing to support the music I love by purchasing the music and going to clubs to hear the music live.
But I fear, more and more, that I am a dying breed.
I read an interview last week with Vijay Iyer. If you have not heard of Vijay, he is an amazing pianist, and has been getting rave reviews for the last couple of years in many influential magazines. His album Historicity was voted BEST ALBUM of the year in Downbeat magazine this year (2010).
This acclaimed album has sold about 7000 copies so far, after 12 months. That is pretty sad - the BEST album of the year can't even sell 10,000 copies.
The spread of digital music is so complete and prevalent - and basically free - it is harder and harder to get people to part with their money to buy music.
So this week a friend of mine introduced me to the latest nail in the musical coffin: DIRPY.com
This amazing site allows you to search Youtube.com, and when you find a video you like it lets you separate the soundtrack of that video and instantly create an mp3 file for yourself.
AS I am writing this blog, I have been able to download a song from the Historicity album that was uploaded with an image to Youtube. I could also download and save his interviews, and some live performances that people have posted about Vijay.
Want some Charlie Parker? I am now downloading Bird and Diz playing "Hot House" in 1951 at the Downbeat Awards, when they received the best Alto Sax and Trumpet of the year awards.
Not much need to go to the local record store anymore...
But I fear, more and more, that I am a dying breed.
I read an interview last week with Vijay Iyer. If you have not heard of Vijay, he is an amazing pianist, and has been getting rave reviews for the last couple of years in many influential magazines. His album Historicity was voted BEST ALBUM of the year in Downbeat magazine this year (2010).
This acclaimed album has sold about 7000 copies so far, after 12 months. That is pretty sad - the BEST album of the year can't even sell 10,000 copies.
The spread of digital music is so complete and prevalent - and basically free - it is harder and harder to get people to part with their money to buy music.
So this week a friend of mine introduced me to the latest nail in the musical coffin: DIRPY.com
This amazing site allows you to search Youtube.com, and when you find a video you like it lets you separate the soundtrack of that video and instantly create an mp3 file for yourself.
AS I am writing this blog, I have been able to download a song from the Historicity album that was uploaded with an image to Youtube. I could also download and save his interviews, and some live performances that people have posted about Vijay.
Want some Charlie Parker? I am now downloading Bird and Diz playing "Hot House" in 1951 at the Downbeat Awards, when they received the best Alto Sax and Trumpet of the year awards.
Not much need to go to the local record store anymore...
Thursday, August 26, 2010
A Great Article about George Kahn and Courtney Lemmon
Kirk Silsbee just did a great write up about George and Courtney, performing tonight at First and Hope in Downtown LA.
A Blond Ingenue and a Middle-Aged Keyboard Sage Come Together at First & Hope
by Kirk Silsbee
Published: Friday, August 20, 2010 4:30 PM PDT
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - Strong musical marriages happen when one talent and artistic vision is complemented, encouraged and inspired by another. They flourish through creative stimulation and mutual respect. To musicians, these conjunctions are just as important as the matrimonial kind.
Jazz pianist, composer and arranger George Kahn shares one such union with singer Courtney Lemmon. The blond ingénue and the middle-aged keyboard sage make a striking pair and an example of inter-generational synchronicity. When she fronts his band, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Their special blend will be on display Thursday, Aug. 26, at Fedora, a small club inside the restaurant First & Hope.
Read the whole article here:
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2010/08/24/entertainment/doc4c6f02be5c7d4690657357.txt
A Blond Ingenue and a Middle-Aged Keyboard Sage Come Together at First & Hope
by Kirk Silsbee
Published: Friday, August 20, 2010 4:30 PM PDT
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - Strong musical marriages happen when one talent and artistic vision is complemented, encouraged and inspired by another. They flourish through creative stimulation and mutual respect. To musicians, these conjunctions are just as important as the matrimonial kind.
Jazz pianist, composer and arranger George Kahn shares one such union with singer Courtney Lemmon. The blond ingénue and the middle-aged keyboard sage make a striking pair and an example of inter-generational synchronicity. When she fronts his band, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Their special blend will be on display Thursday, Aug. 26, at Fedora, a small club inside the restaurant First & Hope.
Read the whole article here:
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2010/08/24/entertainment/doc4c6f02be5c7d4690657357.txt
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Looking Back at New Years Predictions
The internet is an amazing place. You post stuff, and it just never goes away. Pretty soon Google will need to add a category to remove all web pages over a few months's old - there is just too much "stuff" out there.
In poking around tonight I found an article I wrote on my blog back in January 2008 - 2 1/2 years ago, simply ancient news. I made some predictions: how did I do?
Pretty good! - except for the last one, where I predicted that jazz album sales would increase percentage-wise compared to the industry as a whole. Instead, the sales are dropping faster. Oh wel - the rest are pretty right on:
From January, 2008:
- The few remaining stand-alone music stores (Virgin, FYE, etc.) will close in the next 24 months. The few left standing will mainly sell fashion and "lifestyle" products, or become like Amoeba Records, catering to used CDs and collectors.
(This has pretty much happened)
- As attention spans grow shorter over the next 5 years, the concept of an "album" will gradually vanish, except for compilations, greatest hits packages and TV or movie soundtracks. These will succeed by pricing themselves low enough for people to see the value of the purchase, vs. 99 cent single-downloads.
(Certainly album sales have dropped dramatically, compared to downloaded singles...)
- By 2010 all the major labels will throw in the towel re: DRM (digital rights management). Ease of purchasing music online and competitve pricing (i.e., cheaper, but not totally "free") will offset the losing battle to stop people from copying digital music.
(Well, Apple started DRM-free downloads in 2009, as did Amazon and most other internet sites)
- By 2010 the major entertainment companies will view music as an "ancillary product" that is there to promote a movie or a line of clothing. Even major artists will start to view albums as little more than advertisements for more-lucrative goods like concert tickets and T-shirts.
(Miley Cyrus jeans, anyone?)
- Barring a couple of breakout artists, Jazz music will continue to be a niche market, but album sales will increase, as it becomes one of the few music forms that still holds up in an album format.
(Oops, wishful thinking...)
In poking around tonight I found an article I wrote on my blog back in January 2008 - 2 1/2 years ago, simply ancient news. I made some predictions: how did I do?
Pretty good! - except for the last one, where I predicted that jazz album sales would increase percentage-wise compared to the industry as a whole. Instead, the sales are dropping faster. Oh wel - the rest are pretty right on:
From January, 2008:
- The few remaining stand-alone music stores (Virgin, FYE, etc.) will close in the next 24 months. The few left standing will mainly sell fashion and "lifestyle" products, or become like Amoeba Records, catering to used CDs and collectors.
(This has pretty much happened)
- As attention spans grow shorter over the next 5 years, the concept of an "album" will gradually vanish, except for compilations, greatest hits packages and TV or movie soundtracks. These will succeed by pricing themselves low enough for people to see the value of the purchase, vs. 99 cent single-downloads.
(Certainly album sales have dropped dramatically, compared to downloaded singles...)
- By 2010 all the major labels will throw in the towel re: DRM (digital rights management). Ease of purchasing music online and competitve pricing (i.e., cheaper, but not totally "free") will offset the losing battle to stop people from copying digital music.
(Well, Apple started DRM-free downloads in 2009, as did Amazon and most other internet sites)
- By 2010 the major entertainment companies will view music as an "ancillary product" that is there to promote a movie or a line of clothing. Even major artists will start to view albums as little more than advertisements for more-lucrative goods like concert tickets and T-shirts.
(Miley Cyrus jeans, anyone?)
- Barring a couple of breakout artists, Jazz music will continue to be a niche market, but album sales will increase, as it becomes one of the few music forms that still holds up in an album format.
(Oops, wishful thinking...)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Generation Free, and the Sad State of Music Sales, as seen through a Jazz lens
Here are some statistics:
According to the NARM (National Association of Record Merchants):
In 2005 there were 21,000 albums released. The top selling album, from Mariah Carey, sold just under 5 million copies. All of the Top 5 albums sold in excess of 3 million copies. The next 5 all sold in excess of 2 million copies.
In 2009 there were 98,000 albums released. The top selling album, from L’il Wayne, sold 2.87 million copies. Only the top four albums of the year sold more than 2 million copies. An additional sobering fact is that only slightly more than 2000 of the albums released in 2009 (2.1%) sold more than 5000 copies.
According to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America):
Between 2005 and 2008, Total US dollar sales volume dropped over 30%. In 2009 this number dropped an additional 12.3% (this annual decrease is accelerating each year since 2005). CD sales actually dropped 20.5% in 2009, but the numbers were buoyed by an increase in digital sales by 9.6%
In 1999 Jazz music sales were 3% of total music sales.
In 2005 Jazz music sales were 1.8% of total music sales.
In 2009 Jazz music sales were 1.1% of total music sales.
Jazz has always been a niche market, but now that niche seems to be getting smaller. On top of that, if you look at the Billboard Magazine top 25 jazz albums from 2009, 18 of them were by jazz vocalists (or vocalists that released albums backed by jazz musicians).
OK, so now let’s do some assumptions, based on these numbers and jazz albums. (I know, these are projections and are based on manipulating these statistics, so don’t hold me to this).
Let’s say the jazz market recovers, to be 2% of the total music market (this could happen – sales have been averaging around 1.8% for the last 4 years). And let’s say that this represents the same percentage of total albums released. That would mean that around 1,960 jazz albums were released last year (who knows what % of this number is actually re-releases, or new releases of old material?). This means that there are about 38 new jazz releases coming out every week of the year.
If only 2% of these albums become “hits” (sell over 5000 copies), this means that only about 39 jazz albums a year have a shot at really being “noticed”. And if we use last years Billboard chart as an example, only 11 of these albums will be instrumental jazz. Wow.
Now add to this mix that the jazz audience continues to get older as the years pass, and that the younger generation, even if they are interested in jazz, are not “collectors” but are “samplers” – people that are happy to stream the music off the internet or download it for free from illegal music sharing sites, but not about to spend their cash on actually BUYING the music.
So why do I still make the music, and put out albums? The odds are stacked against it ever having any financial value. Why do I continue to promote the music that I love? I guess for me it is my preferred means of expression. It fills my soul. It helps fill the souls of those that come to see the live shows, and those that listen to the music. More and more it has to be about LOVE, not COMMERCE. And maybe, that is a good thing.
According to the NARM (National Association of Record Merchants):
In 2005 there were 21,000 albums released. The top selling album, from Mariah Carey, sold just under 5 million copies. All of the Top 5 albums sold in excess of 3 million copies. The next 5 all sold in excess of 2 million copies.
In 2009 there were 98,000 albums released. The top selling album, from L’il Wayne, sold 2.87 million copies. Only the top four albums of the year sold more than 2 million copies. An additional sobering fact is that only slightly more than 2000 of the albums released in 2009 (2.1%) sold more than 5000 copies.
According to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America):
Between 2005 and 2008, Total US dollar sales volume dropped over 30%. In 2009 this number dropped an additional 12.3% (this annual decrease is accelerating each year since 2005). CD sales actually dropped 20.5% in 2009, but the numbers were buoyed by an increase in digital sales by 9.6%
In 1999 Jazz music sales were 3% of total music sales.
In 2005 Jazz music sales were 1.8% of total music sales.
In 2009 Jazz music sales were 1.1% of total music sales.
Jazz has always been a niche market, but now that niche seems to be getting smaller. On top of that, if you look at the Billboard Magazine top 25 jazz albums from 2009, 18 of them were by jazz vocalists (or vocalists that released albums backed by jazz musicians).
OK, so now let’s do some assumptions, based on these numbers and jazz albums. (I know, these are projections and are based on manipulating these statistics, so don’t hold me to this).
Let’s say the jazz market recovers, to be 2% of the total music market (this could happen – sales have been averaging around 1.8% for the last 4 years). And let’s say that this represents the same percentage of total albums released. That would mean that around 1,960 jazz albums were released last year (who knows what % of this number is actually re-releases, or new releases of old material?). This means that there are about 38 new jazz releases coming out every week of the year.
If only 2% of these albums become “hits” (sell over 5000 copies), this means that only about 39 jazz albums a year have a shot at really being “noticed”. And if we use last years Billboard chart as an example, only 11 of these albums will be instrumental jazz. Wow.
Now add to this mix that the jazz audience continues to get older as the years pass, and that the younger generation, even if they are interested in jazz, are not “collectors” but are “samplers” – people that are happy to stream the music off the internet or download it for free from illegal music sharing sites, but not about to spend their cash on actually BUYING the music.
So why do I still make the music, and put out albums? The odds are stacked against it ever having any financial value. Why do I continue to promote the music that I love? I guess for me it is my preferred means of expression. It fills my soul. It helps fill the souls of those that come to see the live shows, and those that listen to the music. More and more it has to be about LOVE, not COMMERCE. And maybe, that is a good thing.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A Magical Night at Catalina Bar and Grill
The CD release party for SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO was an amazing success. A solid group of George Kahn fans - new and old - turned out in Hollywood last night to celebrate the album and party with me and the band. Catalina's is such a great club - wonderful piano, great sound system, lighting, ambiance... it is just a wonderful place to play and hear music.
The night started with the trio (myself, Karl Vincent and M. B. Gordy) playing "Eleanor Rigby", off the Cover Up! CD. Then Larry Klimas came on stage and joined us to play am arrangement of "Over The Rainbow". Larry was channeling Stan Getz, I think, and did a beautiful job. Then John Fumo joined us onstage to complete the Quintet, and we ran through a selection of originals from the new album. Some old songs ("Millennium Schmellenium", and "Freedom Vessel") and some new ("Waltz For Diana") were played. Roberta Donnay, my friend from San Francisco, joined us for the ballad "Out Of Time", and then came back to sing the new Bossa Nova, "Sombras De Noite" with Justo Almario joining us on a rare flute performance. It was great to hear Justo play the flute again, he plays all the wind instruments, including an amazing clarinet, and this was an especially beautiful solo.
Once Justo was onstage with us, all bets were off. Justo switched to Tenor sax, and joined in on burning versions of "Wes' Coast", and "Soul Sauce". Then Larry came back on stage and all three horns played on the new song, "Wayne's World", dedicated to Wayne Shorter. Larry and M.B. both played their asses off on solos.
Finally, Roberta joined us again onstage and sang "Compared To What?" with the whole band joining in.
BY 10:00 PM we had to wrap it up. I had revealed some (but not all) of the Secrets, and even spoke a little bit about the Jazz Ghetto (this is a work in progress). And before everyone left, they all got "party favors" - either a poster, a Midnight Brew coffee mug, or a Cover Up "floaty" pen. It was a great night, filled with old and new friends, (Bob Claster, my friend from Junior High School took the award for the oldest friend), and wonderful music.
The night started with the trio (myself, Karl Vincent and M. B. Gordy) playing "Eleanor Rigby", off the Cover Up! CD. Then Larry Klimas came on stage and joined us to play am arrangement of "Over The Rainbow". Larry was channeling Stan Getz, I think, and did a beautiful job. Then John Fumo joined us onstage to complete the Quintet, and we ran through a selection of originals from the new album. Some old songs ("Millennium Schmellenium", and "Freedom Vessel") and some new ("Waltz For Diana") were played. Roberta Donnay, my friend from San Francisco, joined us for the ballad "Out Of Time", and then came back to sing the new Bossa Nova, "Sombras De Noite" with Justo Almario joining us on a rare flute performance. It was great to hear Justo play the flute again, he plays all the wind instruments, including an amazing clarinet, and this was an especially beautiful solo.
Once Justo was onstage with us, all bets were off. Justo switched to Tenor sax, and joined in on burning versions of "Wes' Coast", and "Soul Sauce". Then Larry came back on stage and all three horns played on the new song, "Wayne's World", dedicated to Wayne Shorter. Larry and M.B. both played their asses off on solos.
Finally, Roberta joined us again onstage and sang "Compared To What?" with the whole band joining in.
BY 10:00 PM we had to wrap it up. I had revealed some (but not all) of the Secrets, and even spoke a little bit about the Jazz Ghetto (this is a work in progress). And before everyone left, they all got "party favors" - either a poster, a Midnight Brew coffee mug, or a Cover Up "floaty" pen. It was a great night, filled with old and new friends, (Bob Claster, my friend from Junior High School took the award for the oldest friend), and wonderful music.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The New Album is HERE!
The first review of George Kahn's new jazz album, Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto, has been posted on AllAboutJazz.com. Tell me what you think.
All About Jazz Review
The album is available here on CDBABY.com
All About Jazz Review
The album is available here on CDBABY.com
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sharing The Music
The journey that began summer of 2008
when I played the Temecula Valley Jazz Festival
and won a day at Park Hill Studio in Hemet
comes to fruition this week
with the release of the album that contains that session:
"Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto"
The journey included the recording date in January 2009,
shortly before my sax player Andy Suzuki moved to Berlin,
continued through having the tracks mixed in Los Angeles by Carl Sealove,
adding an extra song (the bossa nova "Sombras de Noite"),
and then the decision to use this album as a chance
to feature my original compositions, rather than arrangements of other people's songs.
Then mastering the recording at Future Disc,
the photo shoot with Mara Zaslove,
and having the design team at DiscMakers help put the package together.
And now, this week,
distribution starts through BDC,
and 400 terrestrial and internet radio stations
have a chance to play the music.
This is the week
sharing the music with friends
and with the world.
when I played the Temecula Valley Jazz Festival
and won a day at Park Hill Studio in Hemet
comes to fruition this week
with the release of the album that contains that session:
"Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto"
The journey included the recording date in January 2009,
shortly before my sax player Andy Suzuki moved to Berlin,
continued through having the tracks mixed in Los Angeles by Carl Sealove,
adding an extra song (the bossa nova "Sombras de Noite"),
and then the decision to use this album as a chance
to feature my original compositions, rather than arrangements of other people's songs.
Then mastering the recording at Future Disc,
the photo shoot with Mara Zaslove,
and having the design team at DiscMakers help put the package together.
And now, this week,
distribution starts through BDC,
and 400 terrestrial and internet radio stations
have a chance to play the music.
This is the week
sharing the music with friends
and with the world.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Only one week away! Catalina Jazz Club, Wednesday Julne 16
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Don Quixote
My quixotic search to be a Jazz Artist takes a new turn now
as I release my 6th jazz album.
Today I feel a lot like Don Quixote
tilting at windmills
pursuing a dream that has little connection with most people's reality.
Am I delusional
or do I just see real things that others don't perceive?
It is hard right now to separate the ego (is this just inflated self-worth?) from talent and ability.
It all started from my Mission
to share my music with the world.
I have a gift, and I need to share it.
I have always held that if I write music close to my heart,
it will have an impact on others
and the money will follow.
When it comes to music,
money is just one way that I get paid.
But I sold the first copies of the new 2-CD set yesterday
and that sure felt nice.
And it is a wonderful week, filled with music
August 10 - at Vitello's, with Roberta Donnay
August 11 - at The Hip Kitty, with Roberta Donnay
August 16th - at Catalina Bar and Grill for my CD Release Party!
as I release my 6th jazz album.
Today I feel a lot like Don Quixote
tilting at windmills
pursuing a dream that has little connection with most people's reality.
Am I delusional
or do I just see real things that others don't perceive?
It is hard right now to separate the ego (is this just inflated self-worth?) from talent and ability.
It all started from my Mission
to share my music with the world.
I have a gift, and I need to share it.
I have always held that if I write music close to my heart,
it will have an impact on others
and the money will follow.
When it comes to music,
money is just one way that I get paid.
But I sold the first copies of the new 2-CD set yesterday
and that sure felt nice.
And it is a wonderful week, filled with music
August 10 - at Vitello's, with Roberta Donnay
August 11 - at The Hip Kitty, with Roberta Donnay
August 16th - at Catalina Bar and Grill for my CD Release Party!
Monday, May 17, 2010
So Now That Smooth Jazz Is Dead...
In case you didn't notice, Smooth Jazz is dead.
It actually started dying two years ago, in 2008. In March of 2008 many of the radio stations that played "smooth jazz" changed their format. Here is a wonderful description of smooth jazz, by Marc Fisher, a writer for the Washington Post:
"Actually, it was a listener who uttered the phrase that a consultant used to sum up this fusion of instrumental music styles. At a focus group held in Chicago by Broadcast Architecture, the firm that first sold radio stations on the new format in the early 1990s, a woman who was asked to describe the songs being tested blurted out "smooth jazz."
What she was describing was a jazz-like sound without the jazz essential of improvisation, a melody-driven, generally instrumental set of songs played primarily on instruments used in jazz."
So what started in a marketing focus group has just died in a marketing focus group.
KTWV, "The Wave" in Los Angeles, has just officially dropped the word "Jazz" from their name and marketing material. KTWV, if you do not recall, was the first station in the US, way back in 1987, to take on this new format of "Smooth Jazz". The station has been gradually moving away from instrumentals to feature more "soft R+B" and other songs that copy the easy-listening radio style of KOST ("The Coast"). But now the move is complete. And what caused them to switch?
A recent "focus group" put together by The Wave found that just the word "jazz" scared people away. Here is how it was put by KTWV program director Jhani Kaye in the Los Angeles Times last week:
"The research pointed out that we needed to adjust the mix of music, to make it more welcoming to people who tuned in on occasion," Kaye said. "We discovered instrumentals had a highly polarizing effect on the audience."
Kaye said their research also found that the word "jazz" itself was polarizing — radio listeners "either love it or they hate it," he said.
"We don't need to give the listener a reason to tune away, especially since it's only a word," he said. " 'The Wave,' under its 'smooth jazz' moniker, was more of a niche station, and now it's more mass appeal."
He said the station had maximized its primary listeners, and if it wanted to grow, it had to attract new fans.
The changes seem to have paid immediate dividends. In January, the station placed 16th in Los Angeles/Orange County ratings, averaging 2.9% of the audience age 6 and older. In February, KTWV shot up to a fifth-place tie, at 3.5%. The station remained at 3.5% and placed sixth in March, the most recent figures available from the Arbitron ratings service.
"The music is much more recognizable than in the past," Kaye said. "An amazing thing happens when you play hits: The audience grows."
It actually started dying two years ago, in 2008. In March of 2008 many of the radio stations that played "smooth jazz" changed their format. Here is a wonderful description of smooth jazz, by Marc Fisher, a writer for the Washington Post:
"Actually, it was a listener who uttered the phrase that a consultant used to sum up this fusion of instrumental music styles. At a focus group held in Chicago by Broadcast Architecture, the firm that first sold radio stations on the new format in the early 1990s, a woman who was asked to describe the songs being tested blurted out "smooth jazz."
What she was describing was a jazz-like sound without the jazz essential of improvisation, a melody-driven, generally instrumental set of songs played primarily on instruments used in jazz."
So what started in a marketing focus group has just died in a marketing focus group.
KTWV, "The Wave" in Los Angeles, has just officially dropped the word "Jazz" from their name and marketing material. KTWV, if you do not recall, was the first station in the US, way back in 1987, to take on this new format of "Smooth Jazz". The station has been gradually moving away from instrumentals to feature more "soft R+B" and other songs that copy the easy-listening radio style of KOST ("The Coast"). But now the move is complete. And what caused them to switch?
A recent "focus group" put together by The Wave found that just the word "jazz" scared people away. Here is how it was put by KTWV program director Jhani Kaye in the Los Angeles Times last week:
"The research pointed out that we needed to adjust the mix of music, to make it more welcoming to people who tuned in on occasion," Kaye said. "We discovered instrumentals had a highly polarizing effect on the audience."
Kaye said their research also found that the word "jazz" itself was polarizing — radio listeners "either love it or they hate it," he said.
"We don't need to give the listener a reason to tune away, especially since it's only a word," he said. " 'The Wave,' under its 'smooth jazz' moniker, was more of a niche station, and now it's more mass appeal."
He said the station had maximized its primary listeners, and if it wanted to grow, it had to attract new fans.
The changes seem to have paid immediate dividends. In January, the station placed 16th in Los Angeles/Orange County ratings, averaging 2.9% of the audience age 6 and older. In February, KTWV shot up to a fifth-place tie, at 3.5%. The station remained at 3.5% and placed sixth in March, the most recent figures available from the Arbitron ratings service.
"The music is much more recognizable than in the past," Kaye said. "An amazing thing happens when you play hits: The audience grows."
Thursday, May 6, 2010
CD Release Party coming up on June 16
JAZZ PIANIST GEORGE KAHN
CD RELEASE PARTY
CATALINA BAR & GRILL ON WED. JUNE 16TH
SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO REVEALED
Hot on the heels of his sold out shows at The Culver Club,
Jazz Pianist George Kahn sets the summer on fire with his 7th album, SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO. To celebrate the CD’s release, George will be appearing at Catalina Bar & Grill at 8 PM on Wed. June 16th, accompanied by All Star players Karl Vincent (Bass), Larry Klimas (Sax), John Fumo (Trumpet) and M.B. Gordy(drums), plus surprise guests.
Carrying on the tradition of jazz greats like Dave Brubeck, Vince Guaraldi and Horace Silver, Georges’ SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO is a 2-CD set, filled with 26 tracks that feature some of the best jazz musicians on the west coast playing his original music. Included is a retrospective of songs from Kahn’s previous recordings, plus 6 new compositions that were recorded live in the studio in 2009.
The music covers a range of styles, from Bebop to Cool Jazz to Latin, Bossa Nova and contemporary jazz.
Tierney Sutton, Eric Marienthal, Justo Almario, Andy Suzuki, Brian Bromberg, and Alex Acuna are just a few of the artists that join George on this compilation. The album also features new renditions of two of the greatest jazz standards, “Over The Rainbow” and “My Funny
Valentine”.
Everyone that buys the new CD at the show will receive a special gift.
Please call the club to reserve best seating – this show will probably sell out!
The Catalina Bar and Grill - 6725 W. Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028
(near the corner or Sunset and Highland)
$15.00 cover charge
8:00 PM - ONE SET ONLY.
Call for Reservations: 323.466.2210
Or reserve online here
CD RELEASE PARTY
CATALINA BAR & GRILL ON WED. JUNE 16TH
SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO REVEALED
Hot on the heels of his sold out shows at The Culver Club,
Jazz Pianist George Kahn sets the summer on fire with his 7th album, SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO. To celebrate the CD’s release, George will be appearing at Catalina Bar & Grill at 8 PM on Wed. June 16th, accompanied by All Star players Karl Vincent (Bass), Larry Klimas (Sax), John Fumo (Trumpet) and M.B. Gordy(drums), plus surprise guests.
Carrying on the tradition of jazz greats like Dave Brubeck, Vince Guaraldi and Horace Silver, Georges’ SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO is a 2-CD set, filled with 26 tracks that feature some of the best jazz musicians on the west coast playing his original music. Included is a retrospective of songs from Kahn’s previous recordings, plus 6 new compositions that were recorded live in the studio in 2009.
The music covers a range of styles, from Bebop to Cool Jazz to Latin, Bossa Nova and contemporary jazz.
Tierney Sutton, Eric Marienthal, Justo Almario, Andy Suzuki, Brian Bromberg, and Alex Acuna are just a few of the artists that join George on this compilation. The album also features new renditions of two of the greatest jazz standards, “Over The Rainbow” and “My Funny
Valentine”.
Everyone that buys the new CD at the show will receive a special gift.
Please call the club to reserve best seating – this show will probably sell out!
The Catalina Bar and Grill - 6725 W. Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028
(near the corner or Sunset and Highland)
$15.00 cover charge
8:00 PM - ONE SET ONLY.
Call for Reservations: 323.466.2210
Or reserve online here
Sunday, May 2, 2010
CD Release Party coming up
Last Friday’s show at the Radisson Culver City was a sell out, but there will be more great music at the CD RELEASE PARTY on Wednesday, June 16. George’s band will be there, along with many special guests to celebrate the new 2-CD set, Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto. Please RSVP – this show will also be a sell-out!
The Catalina Bar and Grill is located at 6725 W. Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 (near the corner or Sunset and Highland)
$15.00 cover charge, ONE SET ONLY – Music starts at 8:00 PM. Call for Reservations: 323.466.2210
Catalina Bar and Grill Tickets
The Catalina Bar and Grill is located at 6725 W. Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 (near the corner or Sunset and Highland)
$15.00 cover charge, ONE SET ONLY – Music starts at 8:00 PM. Call for Reservations: 323.466.2210
Catalina Bar and Grill Tickets
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The George Kahn Quintet Returns to West Los Angeles for a FREE show on April 30
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010
GEORGE KAHN JAZZ CONCERT APRIL 30
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Los Angeles Jazz favorite, The George Kahn Quintet, will perform at The Radisson, Culver City, with two shows on Friday April 30th. The first set begins at 7:30 and the second set will start at 9:30.
Featuring George Kahn on piano, he will be accompanied by all star players
including, John Fumo on Trumpet, Larry Klimas on Sax,
Karl Vincent on Bass and M.B. Gordy on the drums.
George will be performing selections from his soon to be
released 7th album, “ Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto”.
Why should you come out for this show?
- There is No Cover charge for the show (The Culver Club charges a $15.00 min per person for drink or food)
- This is George’s first performance “west of the 405” since his Jazz Bakery performance in May 2009
- The Radisson Hotel offers FREE validated parking with the show
- It’s on a Friday Night! No school or work the next day!
- It is an “all ages” show – students are welcome to attend
(A 15% food and beverage discount is offered to Members of the LA Jazz Society and CA Jazz Foundation.)
Reservations are a MUST for this show - this show will sell out!
The Radisson is located at 6161 West Centinela Ave.
Culver City, CA 90239-3200
310-649-1776 for reservations. For more info:
http://www.in-housemusic.com/radisson_calendar.htm
NEW ALBUM UPDATE
The new album, Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto, is off to the manufacturer now. As a warm up, there is a new free download at georgekahn.com – one of the new songs from the album. JUST CLICK ON THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE THAT SAYS "DOWNLOAD OF THE MONTH". Please enjoy “Evan’s Eleven”, and watch for the CD release in June!
Featuring George Kahn on piano, he will be accompanied by all star players
including, John Fumo on Trumpet, Larry Klimas on Sax,
Karl Vincent on Bass and M.B. Gordy on the drums.
George will be performing selections from his soon to be
released 7th album, “ Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto”.
Why should you come out for this show?
- There is No Cover charge for the show (The Culver Club charges a $15.00 min per person for drink or food)
- This is George’s first performance “west of the 405” since his Jazz Bakery performance in May 2009
- The Radisson Hotel offers FREE validated parking with the show
- It’s on a Friday Night! No school or work the next day!
- It is an “all ages” show – students are welcome to attend
(A 15% food and beverage discount is offered to Members of the LA Jazz Society and CA Jazz Foundation.)
Reservations are a MUST for this show - this show will sell out!
The Radisson is located at 6161 West Centinela Ave.
Culver City, CA 90239-3200
310-649-1776 for reservations. For more info:
http://www.in-housemusic.com/radisson_calendar.htm
NEW ALBUM UPDATE
The new album, Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto, is off to the manufacturer now. As a warm up, there is a new free download at georgekahn.com – one of the new songs from the album. JUST CLICK ON THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE THAT SAYS "DOWNLOAD OF THE MONTH". Please enjoy “Evan’s Eleven”, and watch for the CD release in June!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
George Kahn Trio to perform at San Diego IndieFest VI
Well, it finally happened - I have a gig in San Diego!
George Kahn Trio to perform at San Diego IndieFest VI
When: Sat, March 27, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Where: 2906 University Ave, San Diego, 92104
Description: The George Kahn Trio gets out of the Jazz Ghetto and performs at IndieFest VI at 5:00 PM Saturday evening, on the Craig Yerkes Acoustic Stage -- on Kansas & University (outside Claire de Lune and Sunset Temple, 2906 University Ave., SD 92104) - tickets are $25 per person for the two day event – It is an all-day outdoor event starting at Noon and going until about 10:00 PM, with over 75 bands performing on 5 stages. Headliners include Metric, Nappy Roots and Far. Come join George for his premiere performance in San Diego!
For more information:
http://www.sayitrecords.com/sdimf/sdimf.html
George Kahn Trio to perform at San Diego IndieFest VI
When: Sat, March 27, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Where: 2906 University Ave, San Diego, 92104
Description: The George Kahn Trio gets out of the Jazz Ghetto and performs at IndieFest VI at 5:00 PM Saturday evening, on the Craig Yerkes Acoustic Stage -- on Kansas & University (outside Claire de Lune and Sunset Temple, 2906 University Ave., SD 92104) - tickets are $25 per person for the two day event – It is an all-day outdoor event starting at Noon and going until about 10:00 PM, with over 75 bands performing on 5 stages. Headliners include Metric, Nappy Roots and Far. Come join George for his premiere performance in San Diego!
For more information:
http://www.sayitrecords.com/sdimf/sdimf.html
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
George Kahn Music Featured on "Men Of A Certain Age"
Hi!
I had one of my songs featured on cable TV (TNT network) the other week – you can view it here:
SELECT TELEVISION AND FILM
TNT-MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE | GEORGE KAHN SONG FEATURED
TNT | MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE . This wry drama stars Emmy® winner Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Golden Globe® winner Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Enterprise) and Emmy winner Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street, TNT’s Salem’s Lot). It marks a return to series television for Romano, who created MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE with Everybody Loves Raymond Emmy winner Mike Royce. The two serve as executive producers, along with Rory Rosegarten and Cary Hoffman. George Kahn ’s composition, “Wes’ Coast” from his Cover Up! recording is featured in this episode during the house-warming party, about 3:30 into this part of the episode. Check it out…
Link: http://www.tnt.tv/dramavision/?oid=55615
—
Here is the full press release:
Subject: RE: Weekly ARC News Items
I had one of my songs featured on cable TV (TNT network) the other week – you can view it here:
SELECT TELEVISION AND FILM
TNT-MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE | GEORGE KAHN SONG FEATURED
TNT | MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE . This wry drama stars Emmy® winner Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Golden Globe® winner Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Enterprise) and Emmy winner Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street, TNT’s Salem’s Lot). It marks a return to series television for Romano, who created MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE with Everybody Loves Raymond Emmy winner Mike Royce. The two serve as executive producers, along with Rory Rosegarten and Cary Hoffman. George Kahn
Link: http://www.tnt.tv/dramavision/?oid=55615
—
Here is the full press release:
Subject: RE: Weekly ARC News Items
Monday, February 1, 2010
New Album News - Off To The Mastering Lab
The New Album Project 2010 is in the works!
The music is off to the mastering lab, and the album title and artwork are in the preparation phase. There are 6 new songs featured on the NEW 2-CD set from George, to be released in June 2010. Four are new originals, plus a new rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”, and a haunting version of “My Funny Valentine” performed as a duet with George on piano and Andy Suzuki on sax. Some of the new tracks were performed “live in the studio” with a power quartet of Andy Suzuki, George Kahn, Karl Vincent and M. B. Gordy. One song features the wonderful Luba Mason singing an Original Bossa Nova, “Sombras de Noite (Night Shadows)”. The album also features a previously unreleased song with Tierney Sutton on vocals.
The balance of the new album consists of 20 George Kahn originals, culled from the last 10 years of recordings. It will be a feast for the ears, 26 songs, over two and a half hours of music! More news next month...
ALSO: I am please to announce that the song "Wes' Coast" will appear in this week's episode of the new Ray Romano show "Men Of A Certain Age" on TNT - I hope you can check it out!
Favorite Websites for February
ART: My son Benji turned me on to this amazing artist that works only with Lego blocks:
http://www.seankenney.com/
MUSIC: Here is a blast from the past, and a proof of the danger of the Internet – I played in a punk/new wave band with Richard Haxton in the 70’s called “FUN WITH ANIMALS”. Weird Al Yanovic just chose their song “The Test of Love and Sex” as “The #1 Most Underrated Funny Song Ever!” about 200,000 people have checked it out now – join the FUN:
http://www.cracked.com/article/203_the-9-most-underrated-funny-songs-according-to-weird-al/
HUMOR: My other son, Evan, inherited my love of the absurd and he turned me on to a bizarre youtube video where an artist named Day Job Orchestra has dubbed strange words into the mouth of Star Trek characters – you have to see this to believe it, and be sitting down or you will fall over
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=414TmP12WAU
The music is off to the mastering lab, and the album title and artwork are in the preparation phase. There are 6 new songs featured on the NEW 2-CD set from George, to be released in June 2010. Four are new originals, plus a new rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”, and a haunting version of “My Funny Valentine” performed as a duet with George on piano and Andy Suzuki on sax. Some of the new tracks were performed “live in the studio” with a power quartet of Andy Suzuki, George Kahn, Karl Vincent and M. B. Gordy. One song features the wonderful Luba Mason singing an Original Bossa Nova, “Sombras de Noite (Night Shadows)”. The album also features a previously unreleased song with Tierney Sutton on vocals.
The balance of the new album consists of 20 George Kahn originals, culled from the last 10 years of recordings. It will be a feast for the ears, 26 songs, over two and a half hours of music! More news next month...
ALSO: I am please to announce that the song "Wes' Coast" will appear in this week's episode of the new Ray Romano show "Men Of A Certain Age" on TNT - I hope you can check it out!
Favorite Websites for February
ART: My son Benji turned me on to this amazing artist that works only with Lego blocks:
http://www.seankenney.com/
MUSIC: Here is a blast from the past, and a proof of the danger of the Internet – I played in a punk/new wave band with Richard Haxton in the 70’s called “FUN WITH ANIMALS”. Weird Al Yanovic just chose their song “The Test of Love and Sex” as “The #1 Most Underrated Funny Song Ever!” about 200,000 people have checked it out now – join the FUN:
http://www.cracked.com/article/203_the-9-most-underrated-funny-songs-according-to-weird-al/
HUMOR: My other son, Evan, inherited my love of the absurd and he turned me on to a bizarre youtube video where an artist named Day Job Orchestra has dubbed strange words into the mouth of Star Trek characters – you have to see this to believe it, and be sitting down or you will fall over
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=414TmP12WAU
Friday, January 15, 2010
More Grim News From the People that Brought You Pop Music
Here are some figures from Mina Kines at Fortune Magazine, in an article titled "The Plan To Save The Music Biz"
There were 106,000 new releases in 2008, compared with 44,000 in 2003, according to Nielsen SoundScan. (That is 290 releases a DAY, including Sunday!)
Of the 63 new releases that sold more than 250,000 copies last year, 61 were issued by major music companies.
In 2008, just 35% of album sales came from new releases, the lowest percentage since Nielsen began tracking the data in 1991. Instead of breaking new acts, major labels are increasingly relying on legacy artists and their catalogues.
Case in point: EMI with the Beatles. "EMI is run on catalogues," says Steve Knopper, author of Appetite for Self-Destruction, an account of the record industry's demise. "It prevents them from ever being completely destitute."
The record companies have become hung up on getting the "one hit", as opposed to developing the artist.
Jools Holland, a legendary British musician and television host, recently told British music magazine Uncut that classic albums from artists like Stevie Wonder would probably not exist today. "If downloading had been around in the mid-'70s, I'm sure there [would have] been no Songs in the Key of Life -- just 'Song in the Key of Life.'"
As my friend John Clayton says, "In the old days, 10 people a year would sell a million records. Now, a million people sell 10 records!"
No firm statistics have been released for 2009 yet, but expect there to once again be double-digit decreases in CD sales and revenue.
There were 106,000 new releases in 2008, compared with 44,000 in 2003, according to Nielsen SoundScan. (That is 290 releases a DAY, including Sunday!)
Of the 63 new releases that sold more than 250,000 copies last year, 61 were issued by major music companies.
In 2008, just 35% of album sales came from new releases, the lowest percentage since Nielsen began tracking the data in 1991. Instead of breaking new acts, major labels are increasingly relying on legacy artists and their catalogues.
Case in point: EMI with the Beatles. "EMI is run on catalogues," says Steve Knopper, author of Appetite for Self-Destruction, an account of the record industry's demise. "It prevents them from ever being completely destitute."
The record companies have become hung up on getting the "one hit", as opposed to developing the artist.
Jools Holland, a legendary British musician and television host, recently told British music magazine Uncut that classic albums from artists like Stevie Wonder would probably not exist today. "If downloading had been around in the mid-'70s, I'm sure there [would have] been no Songs in the Key of Life -- just 'Song in the Key of Life.'"
As my friend John Clayton says, "In the old days, 10 people a year would sell a million records. Now, a million people sell 10 records!"
No firm statistics have been released for 2009 yet, but expect there to once again be double-digit decreases in CD sales and revenue.
Monday, January 4, 2010
REFLECTIONS ON A DECADE
We got faster
Things got cheaper
Living became more expensive
We got connected (internet access more than doubled in the US)
We became less personal (electronic "friends" become normal)
We stopped writing
We started emailing (daily emails worldwide increased from 6 billion a day to 40 billion a day)
We stopped watching network TV
We started making our own videos (one third of all homes in the US now have digital video recorders)
We used to watch "ER" (the top TV show in 1999)
Now we watch "American Idol" (the top TWO TV shows in 2009)
TV became "Reality"
Music became "Free"
Movies became three-dimensional
Life became two-dimensional
The idea of "unplugging" became old-fashioned
Cellphone reception became a God-given right
Britney Spears did NOT go away.
We stopped following trends
We became our own trend
We became more "secure"
We became more nervous
Capitalism won the war
Capitalism lost its way
We made more children
We made less jobs
We became more unified
We became more divided
We elected a man who gave us Hope
We continue to Hope
I continue to Hope
(statistics c/o "The Decade" - Wall Street Journal 12/21/2009)
Things got cheaper
Living became more expensive
We got connected (internet access more than doubled in the US)
We became less personal (electronic "friends" become normal)
We stopped writing
We started emailing (daily emails worldwide increased from 6 billion a day to 40 billion a day)
We stopped watching network TV
We started making our own videos (one third of all homes in the US now have digital video recorders)
We used to watch "ER" (the top TV show in 1999)
Now we watch "American Idol" (the top TWO TV shows in 2009)
TV became "Reality"
Music became "Free"
Movies became three-dimensional
Life became two-dimensional
The idea of "unplugging" became old-fashioned
Cellphone reception became a God-given right
Britney Spears did NOT go away.
We stopped following trends
We became our own trend
We became more "secure"
We became more nervous
Capitalism won the war
Capitalism lost its way
We made more children
We made less jobs
We became more unified
We became more divided
We elected a man who gave us Hope
We continue to Hope
I continue to Hope
(statistics c/o "The Decade" - Wall Street Journal 12/21/2009)
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Join the California Jazz Foundation
'I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members.'
- Groucho Marx
This may be true for Groucho, but I have finally found a home on the Board of the Califonia Jazz Foundation.
The California Jazz Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization formed to provide services and support to jazz musicians and others who have made substantial contributions to the art form.
To start the New Year right, the CJF is having a Membership Party at Vitello's in Studio City on December 10, 1 - 5 PM.
Your ticket to the show includes a one year membership to the CJF, and is fully tax deductible! Tickets are $50 - $100 per person, or just $25 for students and musicians. (You don't need to bring your axe to prove you are a musician, just show up and pay the $25.)
Besides becoming a member, you get 4 jazz bands, and lunch, to boot! WOW, WHAT A DEAL!
You can click here for more information
I hope to see you there - I will be at the table in front, welcoming people.
- Groucho Marx
This may be true for Groucho, but I have finally found a home on the Board of the Califonia Jazz Foundation.
The California Jazz Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization formed to provide services and support to jazz musicians and others who have made substantial contributions to the art form.
To start the New Year right, the CJF is having a Membership Party at Vitello's in Studio City on December 10, 1 - 5 PM.
Your ticket to the show includes a one year membership to the CJF, and is fully tax deductible! Tickets are $50 - $100 per person, or just $25 for students and musicians. (You don't need to bring your axe to prove you are a musician, just show up and pay the $25.)
Besides becoming a member, you get 4 jazz bands, and lunch, to boot! WOW, WHAT A DEAL!
You can click here for more information
I hope to see you there - I will be at the table in front, welcoming people.
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