Jazz Round Table

Jazz and Studio Legend Don Randi is our guest this week. He tells us stories from the days in the studio with artists like Elvis, Nancy Sinatra, Frank Zappa, The Beach Boys, and more. he also talks about the producers back then including Phil Spector, and Brian Wilson.

Don played keyboards on over a thousand popular recordings and was a member of the remarkable “Wrecking Crew” of studio musicians during the explosive pop music era of the 1960s and early 1970s. Nancy Sinatra, the Beach Boys, the Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., Neil Diamond, and Linda Ronstadt are among the many music greats Randi has worked with and writes about in You’ve Heard These Hands

Don founded The Baked Potato jazz club in Los Angeles in 1970 and has owned it ever since, and he has released 20 jazz albums of his own, including the 1980 Grammy nominated New Baby and the 2013 Acoustimania.

Here are some links to things we discuss on the show:

Phil Spector Christmas albumDon’s Book: You’ve Heard These HandsDon’s albums - (here are two we talk about)Good Jazzy VibrationsAcoustimaniaThe jazz club Don founded: The Baked PotatoWrecking Crew Movie website

Don Randi – Keyboards

Performed with: Jazz Round Table #6 5-18-21, Acoustimania – 7/15/21

Bio – Don Randi is a composer, arranger, music director, and keyboard musician. As part of the legendary “Wrecking Crew” group of studio musicians, he made hundreds of hit records in the 1960s and 1970s. He founded The Baked Potato jazz club in Los Angeles in 1970 and has owned it ever since, and he has released 20 jazz albums of his own, including the 1980 Grammy-nominated New Baby and the 2013 Acoustimania.

Randi played keyboards on over a thousand popular recordings and was a member of the remarkable “Wrecking Crew” of studio musicians during the explosive pop music era of the 1960s and early 1970s. Nancy Sinatra, the Beach Boys, the Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., Neil Diamond, and Linda Ronstadt are among the many music greats Randi has worked with and writes about in You’ve Heard These Hands...MORE INFO!

Welcome to our Fifth Episode! This week's guests guitarists Pat Kelley from L.A., Joe Robinson from Nashvill via Australia, and Vinny Raniolo from New York!

We start the discussion by hearing each of their unique "origin stories" and how they got into playing and into jazz in particular.

Show Links:

We also talk about their albums. If you follow their bios below you'll see all their links but here are their albums on Apple Music:

* Pay Kelley - Apple Music* Joe Kelley - Apple Music* Vinny Raniolo - Apple Music

We also discuss Joe's and Vinny's teaching sites:

* Joe Robinson - Courses* Vinny Raniolo - Rhythmship

We also talk abouyt Vinny's Duo with Guitarist Frank Vignola and how much fun their show is. Click here to see their performance at the Tampere Guitar Festival

Pat Kelley – Guitar

Performed with: Socially Distant Show #2 1/14/21, Socially Distant Show #6 2/11/21, Pat Kelley Trio 3/25/21, Jazz Round Table #5 5/4/21

Bio – Recognized for his signature touch, harmonic dexterity, bluesy melodies and sense of rhythm, guitarist Pat Kelley has enjoyed a steady and successful career in Los Angeles as a studio and touring musician, recording artist, composer, producer, arranger, vocalist, recording engineer, and educator.

An integral part of the Thornton School of Music Guitar Faculty at the University of Southern California for twenty-four years, two of Pat’s books, Arpeggios for the Evolving Guitarist and Melodic Minor Guitar are part of the USC Thornton School of Music instructional series (Mel Bay Publications). Pat has also been on the faculty of the Monterey Jazz Festival Summer Jazz Camp, Guitar College Summer Guitar & Bass Camp, the University of Tulsa Summer Jazz Camp, and Interlochen Center for the Arts.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Pat grew up playing music with his Dad, other guitarists, singers, and bands, from the age of five. After majoring in music composition at the University of Tulsa, Pat moved to Southern California in the early 1970’s where he has recorded and toured with George Benson, Natalie Cole, David Benoit, Ronnie Laws, Hubert Laws, Tom Scott, Al Jarreau, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Dave Koz, Jane Monheit, Olivia Newton John, Melissa Manchester, Burt Bacharach, Jose Feliciano, and many others.

Performances with symphony orchestras include Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, Atlanta, Tulsa, Denver, San Antonio, Auckland, Nashville,

Welcome to our Fourth Episode! This week's guest Is Composer/Arranger Ron Jones!

The interview goes through Ron's long and interesting career as a composer and arranger from writing for his marching band in high-school through his work at Disney and on to Star Trek: The Next Generation and Family Guy. We also talk about both the technical and creative process in writing for T.V. and Film as well as for one's own pleasure.

Ron is a great individual with a lot of insight - I'm sure you'll enjoy what he has to say.

To give you an idea of what Ron is about here is a section of an email he sent me. I read this in the episode but wanted you to see it here as well:

“Musicians often need to be always in a flock, group, gathering. I am strange in that I chose to find some place 1,252 miles north of L.A. away from the flock. I always say, the greatest composition is not the notes we put on a page, or the music we make, but it is who we are, the inner music we create and even listen to. Regardless of what town a person lives in, each person must create a reality, a purpose, a meaning. Out of that equation and through unique human filters comes an art of the Soul. What I have created here is my lab. The Forest, the longer I know them, teaches many lessons. Different lessons than from coping with the crush of millions of people all fighting to climb an ant hill. There is all that inner dialogue and insight also. So much to talk about in a short space of time. The world hungers for meaning. Music is a vital part of that.”

Show Links:

North by Freaking West (the movie homage to Bernard Herman): https://youtu.be/lslsYkvR1NI

We aren’t able to post the video shown in the livestream but here is another song by the same band from the same gig:

the Jazz Forest band performs "Boundless" by Ron Jones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBnll9K8QpY

We do play a part of the SkyMuse Studio sizzle reel. Ron is in the process of updating the video and we will add that link when the new one is up.

Ron Jones – Composer, Piano

Performed with: Jazz Round Table #4 – 4/20/21

Bio – For over 37 years, Ron Jones has dedicated himself to the art of craft of composing. Most of his creative work has involved scoring music for TV and Film projects, produced by both major Hollywood studios and independent productions companies. After getting his degree in music composition and music theory, Ron moved directly to Los Angeles, in order to study at the famous Dick Grove School of Music.

What attracted Ron’s attention was that all the teachers were successful professional musicians, arrangers and composers who where actively involved in creating music for recording artist, TV and film and other real world music areas. Prior to graduation from Dick Groves, Ron started working as a composer for an NBC movie of the week and several network animated TV series, produced by Hanna-Barbera. Under the guidance and tutelage of Hanna-Barbera’s music director, Hoyt Curtin (Flintstones, Jetsons and many more), Ron scored hundreds of episodes of Hanna-Barbera’s popular animated series. Soon, Mr.

Welcome to our Third Episode! This week's guests are sax player/keyboardist Gary Meek, drummer Sinclair Lott, and keyboardist Carey Frank!

We talk a lot about teaching in this episode and get some great insights into music from our three guests.

Gary Meek has played with Dionne Warwick, Brazilian jazz artists Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, Jose Neto, Herb Alpert, and Al Jarreau.

We play a clip from Gary's upcoming album which features Flora Purim on vocals. Click Here to watch the full video

Gary also talks about his 60th Birthday Livestream Show! Click Here you see the full show.

Sinclair Lott is drummer in Los Angeles. Some of the musicians he has worked with include Freddie Hubbard, Frank Zappa, Tigran Hamasyan, Dianne Reeves, Mose Allison, Vanessa Williams, Big Joe Turner,Billy Childs, Tierney Sutton, Otis Rush,Eric Gale, and Mike Miller.

Carey Frank is a keyboardist in Los Angeles, CA. He has worked with the likes of Tedeschi Trucks Band, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Hot Tuna, The Wood Brothers, Marty Morell, Ndugu Chancler, Marshall Tucker Band, Eric Marienthal, Jane Monheit, Munyungo Jackson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Larry Goldings, Lenny Picket, T Lavitz, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Josh Smith, Eric Gales, Drake Bell, and Bob Mintzer.

Carey is a dedicated teacher as well. Click here to learn more about Lessons with Careyhttps://www.careyfrank.com/lessons

We play a short clip from Carey's Trio show at LiveAtZeroBPM's Thursday night jazz series. Watch the full show on YouTube or Facebook.

Carey Frank – Organ

Performed with: Brad Rabuchin Trio 06/11/20, The Rumproller Organ Trio 11/19/20, Best of 2020 Part 3 (remote guest) 12/22/20, Jazz Round Table #4 1/28/21, The Carey Frank Trio 3/11/21, Jazz Round Table #3 4/6/21

Bio – Originally from South Florida, Carey Frank is now living in Los Angeles, CA. He is fortunate to be an active musician, working as a soloist and with various other musicians, genres, and groups. He has worked with the likes of Tedeschi Trucks Band, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Hot Tuna, The Wood Brothers, Marty Morell, Ndugu Chancler, Marshall Tucker Band, Eric Marienthal, Jane Monheit, Munyungo Jackson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Larry Goldings, Lenny Picket, T Lavitz, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Josh Smith, Eric Gales, Drake Bell, and Bob Mintzer. Prior to moving to Los Angeles,

Welcome to our Second Episode! This week's guests are percussionist Joey De leon, keyboardist/composer/arranger Oscar Hernández, and bassist René Camacho!

In this episode we talk about the musicians' practice/creative time, Latin Jazz, and more.

Joey De Leon - Percussionist - Has played with such widely diverse artists as Queen Latifah and Al Jarreau to Juan Gabriel and Jennifer Lopez, to Barry Manilow and Cyndi Lauper. Joey plays a percussion piece live and we also play a piece he has recorded as a tribute to John Lewis and his daughter.

We play a clip from a video he did with a Korean artist Kelly Che and the Chestondi Project - "Sailor s Song" Click here to watch the full video.

Towards the beginning of the show we play a clip from a LiveAtZeroBPM show where all three guests played along with drummer, Jimmy Branley - the song we played a clip from was "ESPN Blues" - Click Here to see the full video of the Joey De Leon All-Stars

Oscar Hernández is a Grammy Award winning musician. He leads the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and is at the top of the field for composing and arranging in the Latin jazz scene on both coasts.

There are two clips from the show - both inspired by creating music during the pandemic. You can watch the full videos - click on the song title: "Ritmo Pa’ Ti" and "Romance Divino"

Oscar also plays a few pieces for us on piano

René Camacho - bassist - While known for his playing in the Latin Jazz world, having played with Tito Puente and Pancho Sanchez, he is an amazingly diverse musician who plays with the band War among many artists of different styles. He talks about the role of the bass player in latin music and playes a few tumbaos made famous by the great Latin Jazz bass players

During the discussion The guys talk about "Clave" the rhythmic "key" to a lot of Latin music styles. Here is the "Son Clave" that Joey talks about:

Rene Camacho – Bass

Performed with: The Joey De Leon All-Stars 9/17/20, Jazz Round Table #2 3/16/21, Conganas 4/8/21, Conganas – 6/31/21

Bio – Rene Camacho is an Acoustic, Electric Bassist and Vocalist originally from Tucson, Arizona, now living in Los Angeles. While trombone was his first instrument, he always had an affinity for the Bass and in his college years, Rene made the switch. Rene received a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies and Composition from The University of Arizona.

Since moving to Los Angeles in 1996, Rene has had the opportunity to explore many musical ventures, both in live performances and studio recordings. Rene began working with many Latin artists, shortly after moving to Los Angeles most notably, a five year stint with the Queen of Salsa,

Welcome to the first Episode! This week's guests are guitarist Michael O'Neil, keyboardist Gregg Karukas, and saxophonist Michael Paulo!

In this episode we talk about the musicians' practice/creative time, stories about people they've worked for, advice for the road, and more.

Michael O'Neill - Guitarist/Composer - Has toured with George Benson and Barbara Streisand for years. He's worked with Al Jarreau, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole amongst many other greats! He is also a TV/Film composer. The first tune he performs is Funky Fiesta from his album Once in Brazil. He also performs a solo guitar piece.

Gregg Karukas is a Grammy Award winning musician. He was a founding member of The Rippingtons, and has played with Dori Caymmi and Larry Carlton and others. He tells us a story about his first recording session which was with the naturalist Ewell Gibbons!

Gregg talks about his upcoming solo piano album "Serenata." Check out the preview Here!

The first song Gregg performs is The Girl in the Red Dress which is one of his biggest hits. He also does a solo piano improvisation which turns into a well known Milton Nascimento tune called Ponte de Areia

Michael Paulo - sax player and composer has played with Bobby Caldwell, Jeffrey Osborne, and Miles Davis among others. He tells a great story about recording a few tracks for Miles! We play a few clips from a recent Pay-Per-View live-stream broadcast he performed late last year.

The Song Michael talkes about in his Miles story is Give It Up from the album Rubber Band. Here it is on Apple Music

Gregg Karukas – Keyboards

Performed with: The Dave Hill Group 10/15/20, Socially Distant Jazz Round Table #3 1/21/21, Jazz Round Table #01 3/2/21, Dave Hill Group – 7/8/21

Bio – Grammy winning producer/keyboardist/composer Gregg Karukas (www.karukas.com) has many #1 hits from his 12 solo CDs that show his signature piano touch. A prolific, genre-crossing veteran of Smooth Jazz, Brazilian, and R&B/Pop, Gregg was a founding member of The Rippingtons in 1986 and has toured with Boney James, Dave Koz, Larry Carlton, Dori Caymmi, Ricardo Silveira, Sergio Mendes, Peter White, Rick Braun, Shelby Flint, Melissa Manchester, Alphonse Mouzon, Brenda Russell, Jeffrey Osborne and various Allstar groups in recent years.

 

– Gregg won the Grammy in 2013 for producing, composing, playing all keyboards, arranging….and engineering the Best New Age Album (Echoes of Love).

– helped launch Dave Koz Music Cruises in 2011 as Musical Director

– Gregg’s group was the house band for It’s Garry Shandling’s Show on Showtime.

– Gregg arranged and played the theme songs to Disney’s Ducktales and Chip and Dale’s Rescue Rangers; played keys on Rockwell’s Gold Album “Somebody’s Watching Me”

Trivia: Gregg’s very first LP session at age 18 was for natural...

Welcome to the new podcast! We are taking our Jazz Round Table shows and releasing them as podcasts! The Jazz Round Table show are the jazz talk (and play) shows and will be interesting and fun! Episode Zero is our preview episode to tell you a little more about what's coming up.

Episode #1 will be livestreamed Tuesday, March 2nd at 7pm PST. Guests will be guitarist Michael O'Neill, keyboardist Gregg Karukas, and sax player Michael Paulo.

Come join us if you can. If not - the shows are archived here and you can always subscribe to the podcast!

Thanks for joining us!