WorlBoy and the last couple of weeks

Hey all...Lots of stuff been happening. Did a concert with San Jose State University big band . Good band and man, the drummer had a hell of a pocket. The next day I did a lecture at the Kuumbwa in Santa Cruz on the history of the Jazz Trumpet. It was a mixture of playing tunes, talking about my experiences playing and backing up cats like Dizzy, Sweets and talking about various chop and equiptment techniques. Sue Crossman played piano and boy can she play some of the sweetest sounds around. Mucho thanks my dear for making me sound good with your happening work. I asked a singer to come up and sing with us and did she kick some serious ass! Her name is Nancy Pasterknack and I guess her main gig is that she's a free lance newspaper reporter. But can she sing!! Look out for her, she's the real deal.
On the weekend I played with Pete Escovedo at the Artichoke Festival in Castroville. Mike Galisetus was the other trumpet player. Mike is a old friend of mine and is a real MF of a tpt player. Great lead playing, soloing and a hell of a educator too.
Played a session for Hugo Wazinger for a project he's doing with Shanna Carlson. Hugo is one of the most musical souls on the planet. Going in tomorrow morning to finish up a solo at the end of the ballad he wrote.
Played the Carnival festival on 22th and Harrison this afternoon with Pete E. Great band! Louis Fasman, Melecio Magdaluyo, Dave Gregoric and John Calloway were the horn players. Louis always plays his ass off and today was no exception. His solo on La Cuna was happening. Dave held down the bone duties pretty damn well. Tasty solos from him, Melecio and Calloway. Hey, tomorrow is Wayne Wallace and Fred Berry's birthdays!!! Two of the greatest cats in the world. Hope your day is filled with some happening wine and company. Much love to you both.
Gotta go....Sayonara everyone. Have a restful memorial day!

Worlboy at the Kuumbwa May 17th

Here's an email I sent out to my trumpet students and buddies......Hope to see you there!!!! Hi Everyone,
I hope this email finds everyone in good health, spirits and tootin' thru the roof!
I wanted to let you know that I'll be doing a overview of the history of the Jazz Trumpet tomorrow night May 17th from 7-9pm at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. I'll be talking about some of my favorite players, telling stories of those I've had the fortune to play with and playing my horn a bit. Pianist Sue Crossman will be joining me and it should be a fun evening. The event is free to everyone and if you feel like it, bring your trumpet and jam a bit with Sue and I. Or just listen and enjoy the evening. For more information, click on the Kuumbwa Jazz Center link and I hope to see you all there.
Best Wishes,
John L. Worley Jr
http://www.johnworley.com/
http://worleysworl.blogspot.com/

WorlView live at Santana Row 5/9/2006

What a cool gig we had tonight. Geoff Roach of the San Jose Jazz Society Santana Row and Lexus had us perform as part of their Summer Jazz series. Lots of SJ Jazz society staff and members were there helping out and many, many friends showed up to support us and what a great party it was. Helping to make it happen was Barbara Christmann, Director of Education & Outreach for the jazz society and sound man/bass player Myron Dove. Both of them made the sound happening and it was so comfortable to play. That's important if you're playing with 7 cats and you're blowing the flugelhorn. Wayne brought out his Wagnerian Tuba for the gig and played a couple of tunes. I'm inspired! I'm bringing the Post horn to the next gig and I might even write a tune for us to go off on! Special thanks to Kristine M. Haskett, Director of Development, Madelyn Crawford, Membership Coordinator and Rubelyn Lardizabal, Event Planning. They helped out with CD sales and were there to answer any questions folks had about the SJJazz Society. My wife Susan came by and funny how when she shows up, I play better. It's because she's my better half! Quite a few of her friends came by, Sue Vincent, Maureen Fox, Cheryl Hopkins, David Brimmer and others. It is so nice to see all the familiar faces. Thank you everyone for supporting us. It means the world to all of the cats in the band. Oh yeah, my podcast is up and running. Go to http://applausecastbusiness.podOmatic.com and scroll down to part 1 and start there. You can hear my interview with Steve Marra and Bill Hedges from ApplauseCast. Great cats and we all had a ball making it. After you check it out, email me and let me know how you liked it. Gotta run...See ya all soon.
John (rabid blogger, as quoted in the SJ Mercury News)

WorlView at Santana Row

Hey Cats, May has been a interesting month! So far I've played a concert at Yoshi's with Jon Jang, sat in with Celia Malheiros there too. I was at Open Path Studios today recording with Ed Johnson and lo and behold...WorlView is playing live next Tuesday May 9th at Santana Row! Here's a description from the San Jose Jazz Society's emailing: April 25th started a 23 week series of free jazz concerts sponsored by Santana Row. The concerts will be from 6pm to 9pm every Tuesday from May 2 to September 26.This Tuesday, the John Worley and Worlview ensemble combine a master trumpeter and beautiful ballads with an interesting Blue Note style and a touch of Latin Jazz. John L. Worley Jr. is a musician, composer, and owner of Dancing Sumo Records. John is also a jazz educator and has been a member in many of the Bay Area's creative music ensembles. He is a coach and instructor at the Jazz Goes To College summer workshops, Smith Dobson Youth Jazz Festival, -Get Jazzed in-school workshops run by the San Jose Jazz Society and a member of their Musicians Advisory Board. John will be appearing at this year's Monterey Jazz Festival. San Jose Jazz PodcastsJohn Worley begins the first of a series of podcasts produced by Applause Cast and the San Jose Jazz Society.This weekend, the first podcast featuring John will be published at http://applausecastbusiness.podomatic.com/. Scroll down to part 1 and then go to part 2.Come on down and check out why WorlView is one of my favorite bands to play with and is filled with some of my favorite people on the planet. Also, to see what else I'll be doing this month, go to my web site and click on the calender page. Hope to see you this coming Tuesday!!!! Peace, John

WorlView 5.0 concert last Sat and SJ Jazz Society fund raiser

We had a great concert last Saturday night. Truewind Music presenters Bev and Greg opened their house to WorlView 5.0 and 45 music lovers and it was a very special evening of friends, family and jazz. House concerts are a great way for the audience to be involved with the music. It's intimate and the communication that flows between everyone becomes effortless. The musicians feel more creative, and it’s easier to connect with the audience because of the rapport with the crowd. Greg used his sound engineering skills to tweak the sound so it was never overwhelming for anyone and perfectly balanced on stage. The cats Murray Low, Tom Bockhold, Curt Moore and Sebastien Lanson were superb and a joy to play with. It’s been a dream of mine to have a band with such fine musicians. And now every time I step on stage with these cats, I feel like I’m in heaven. What a great evening of fine music. Thanks to everyone who made it. It was wonderful playing for you all. There were some local South Bay performers in the audience. Jennifer Lee and Kat Parra were there checking out the scene. Kat Parra has a new CD that I had the pleasure of playing on and as soon as it comes out, you know I’ll blog the heck outta it. Jennifer Lee has a great CD out called “Jay Walking” and to quote myself last Saturday night, “its scrumptious”….ow! Other friends Kerry McCoy and AltaGracia, Shawn and Terri, Dan and Mia, Tom and Maria, folks from BoAs and many more were there to hang. Thanks to my wife Susan who sold CD’s for Sebastien and I. And a special thanks to Bev for the great dinner. And by the way, Bev and Greg are hosting another house concert very soon. If you watched the last episode of Desperate Housewives, the man who played Bree's father is Ronnie Cox. He's a very well known actor and has appeared in many movies. It turns out he is a folk music performer and he'll be playing there on Thursday, April 27th. Bev and Greg told me that he is a great singer/story teller and that it real treat to see him live. Check him out and if you’ve never been to a house concert, this should convince you to go to more than one.
On another note, the San Jose Jazz Society is having their fund raiser tomorrow night at Santana Row. Please find a way to make this event also. The SJ Jazz Society does so much to bring jazz to our community. They have been a pillar of strength to us all and what better way to say thanks by attending their fund raiser. West Coast jazz saxophone icon Bud Shank will be performing as well as others so check it out!!!! And help keep Jazz in the South Bay alive by supporting the San Jose Jazz Society.

WorlView 5.0 this Saturday 4/22 and other great news

Hi Friends,
I wanted to share some great news and remind you that WorlView 5.0 is playing at a house concert in Campbell, produced by TrueWind Music promoters Bev and Greg this coming Saturday. There is limited seating so if you're planning on coming, I would suggest that you call or go online and order your tickets soon.
The doors open at 7:30pm and the concert starts at 8:00pm. It promises to be an evening of great jazz in an intimate setting.
Joining me will be:
Murray Low - piano
Tom Bockhold - bass
Curt Moore - drums
and special guest from Paris, France
Sebastien Lanson - guitar
Now for the other good news. WorlView has been asked to play at the 49th Monterey Jazz Festival this year! As you know, MJF is perhaps one of the most prestigious jazz festivals on the West Coast if not in the world. I can't tell you how excited I am. I have played there 12 times for the last 14 years and this is the first time I'm leading my own band. It's like a dream come true. We'll be performing Saturday night September 16th at 9:45pm on the Garden Stage.
I hope to see you out there sharing the moment with us. And I hope that you come out this Saturday and support us and TrueWind Music in keeping Jazz alive and heard(!) in the South Bay . With many of the local venues closing, Jazz is getting harder and harder to find in our community. We would love to see you there.
Be well and don't forget to come up and say hello!
Peace,
John L. Worley Jr
http://www.johnworley.com/
John Worley and WorlView 5.0
Saturday April 22, 2006. TrueWind Music House Concert in Campbell.
Doors open 7:30 p.m. Music starts 8:00 p.m. $18 TrueWind Music
For more info or to reserve seats please contact Bev Barnett :e-mail Bev
or call her at (408) 378-6823

WorlView 5.0 gig Saturday, April 22nd

Hello Friends,
I want to share some good news with you. As you know, BoAs/Club Elite closed in February. Yet another local venue - Espresso Gardens - has been sold and is reputedly being made into another (!) sushi restaurant. Just when it seems that jazz is on the ropes in the South Bay, TrueWind Music promoters Bev and Greg come thru and start producing non-profit house concerts in Campbell.
On Saturday, April 22nd, TrueWind Music will present an evening of world class latin and straight ahead jazz with WorlView 5.0.
The venue is intimate and will give you a chance hear the cats in a very listener/friendly environment. We also have a very special guest who will play with us on this gig. My good friend, guitarist Sebastien Lanson has come from Paris to join us. Sebastien has been spending his time between Sevilla, Spain and Paris playing with various Jazz and Flamenco ensembles and promoting his CD, "In Transition" on Dancing Sumo Records. We also have the pleasure of Murray Low on piano, Tom Bockhold on bass, Curt Moore on drums and myself on trumpet and flugelhorn.
I am really looking forward to this gig! I've played house concerts with my good friend Ed Johnson and they are a real unique experience for everyone. The audience and the band become one within the music. This is a rare chance to participate in an evening of fine music with friends, family and music lovers. Seating is limited. I recomend that you either email or call Bev soon so you can be sure to join us for this very rare and engaging evening.
I hope to see you there!
Best Wishes,
John L. Worley Jr
http://www.johnworley.com/
John Worley and WorlView 5.0Saturday April 22, 2006TrueWind Music House Concert in Campbell. Doors open 7:30 p.m. Music starts 8:00 p.m. $18 TrueWind Music For more info or to reserve seats, please contact Bev Barnett:e-mail Bev or call her at (408) 378-6823

WorlBoy's last couple of days and future news

It's been a busy couple of days. Last night I played a little big band gig at the Golden Gloves boxing tournament with Dick Bright and the DBO. Here was the line up. Louis Fasman lead tpt, Charlie McCarthy alto sax, Tod Dickow tenor sax, Aaron Lington bari sax, Rene Jenkins trombone, Mike Hatfield piano, Dave Rokeach drums and Rich Girard bass. I saw Sugar Ray Leonard (but no Donald Trump), plenty of women in short shirts and skirts passing out beer bottle openers and selling t-shirts. Tecate girls, round card girls ect....Sex sells and they weren't too shy about it. It was the first time I've ever been to a live boxing match. I saw a knock out as well as some Women's boxing. I'm sorry to say that boxing does nothing for me. I guess I'd rather watch two or four folks wack a tennis ball back and forth rather than a couple of people hammer on each other. It seems so primitive. But, that's my opinion folks....The gig was cool but the sport bites.
Today I go back to Open Path to rehearse with Kat Parra's new project, produced by the maestro himself, Wayne "The Doctor" Wallace. We'll record her work on Thursday and Friday.
Speaking of the Doctor, Wayne is getting ready to record his 3rd Rhythm and Rhyme CD in a few months. David Yamasaki is flying in from Hawaii for that. It'll be great to see him and Joanie again.
Well that's all for now. Have a great day folks....

ReBirth of the Cool

Wayne and I will be co-leading a fantastic tribute to Miles Davis and his 80th birthday with a recreation of his historically important, "Birth Of The Cool". This celebration will be happening on July 14th at the Campbell Recital Hall, located on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. This will be a part of the Stanford Jazz Festival's concert series. Both Wayne and I are excited about the music, players and the historical significance of the gig. The Birth Of The Cool sessions were considered to be the birth of chamber jazz as well as the catalyst that launched the West Coast Jazz Movement that included Dave Pell, Shorty Rogers, Conte Candoli, Bud Shank and other West Coast legends
Here is a line up of the personnel.
Wayne Wallace- trombone, arranger and Co-leader
John L. Worley Jr - trumpet, flugelhorn, co-leader
Kristen Strom - Alto Sax
Fil Lorenz - bari sax
Diane Ryan - french horn
Steve Tyler - tuba
Murray Low - piano
John Hettel - bass
Jason Lewis - drums
Jamie Davis - vocals
Don't miss this one folks....it's gonna have a few surprises and most likely be sold out way ahead of time so......I'll have contact info for tickets soon.
John

Ed Johnson recording session and other news

Hey Cats,
I had the privilege of being in the studio today with Ed Johnson, his producer Scott Sorkin, saxophonist virtuoso Kristen Strom and one of the bay area's finest engineer's Gary Mankin.
Some of you may know of Ed Johnson. He teaches guitar at Griffith Strings in Palo Alto, Ca and writes hauntingly beautiful melodies that rival Ivan Lins, Toninho Horta, Hermeto ect.... The list goes on. Ed is one the bay area's best kept secret although when this new CD is released, the cat will be outta the bag. His band, Novo Tempo, is probably one of the most exciting and heartfelt bands I've ever played in. We've been together for 4 or 5 years now and this band is happening.
Keep an eye out for us at Santana Row(in San Jose, CA) and the Temecula Jazz Festival....
Tomorrow I go up to SF to play at the Golden Gloves Boxing exhibition with Dick Bright and his band DBO. I hear that Donald Trump and Sugar Ray Leonard will be there.
Sunday I'll be rehearsing with Kat Parra's group for her recording sessions that will happen next week. She is a dynamic singer and will knock a few people's lights out when her CD is released. Wayne "The Dr" Wallace is producing her CD and you know it's gonna be bad ass if Wayne is in the house. Look out for her soon, folks...
Well, it's late, my hall pass is up and it's time to say goodnight Gracie...
Good Night Gracie.

Foothill College Night Band concert

Foothill College in Los Altos, CA has two evening bands that rehearse on Tuesdays. John Gove is the director and plays trombone in the 8 o'clock band as well. The 6 o'clock band has some fine semi-pro players and swings pretty damn hard. The rhythm section has a good pocket and John's choice of material suits them perfectly. Kerry McCoy, a long time friend of mine since "74" plays bass trombone in it as well as Lori Stotko on trombone (and also was featured quite a bit on piano in the 8 o'clock band).
The 8 o'clock band is filled with local heavy weights Alex Murzyn on tenor sax, Johnny Baumont on bari sax, Paul Tarantino on alto sax, Modesto Bresenio on solo trumpet, Tom "Mr Sunshine" Bertetta on lead trumpet, Curtis Nash on jazz trumpet, Kelly Fasman on drums, John Hettel on bass ect...A couple guys sat in and sight read the concert in the sax section, Gene Burkert on tenor sax and Ron Graham on alto sax.
John picks charts mostly from the bands of Maria Schneider, Dave Holland as well as some stuff from the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis book and others. A couple of stand out solos came from Lori Stotko (almost on every chart!), Modesto on "Tones For Jones Bones" and others....The band played great and showed a maturity than comes from having so many experienced pro's in it.
There should be more venues available so bands of this caliber can be seen and hear more often. When is someone going to step up to the plate and open a place big enough that could serve our communities need for more culture. We need a space like the Improv in San Jose so we can present a higher quality of entertainment that reflects the talent that resides here. Any takers out there? If anyone has a thought or idea let me know. Email me or post to this blog and talk to me. For that matter, everyone should feel free to leave a comment or two (not any of those lame advertisements that pop up that don't have anything to do with the subject). I really hope to hear from some of you who read this blog.
Be well and thanks for helping to keep jazz alive here in the South Bay.
John
john@johnworley.com

WorlBoy updates

Here are a few notes about last weekends gigs.
The Rudy Salvini gig was fun. That was last Sunday in Alameda. The band swung pretty hard and I hope Rudy gets a few good takes for the next CD. He likes to record the band live on several dates and picks the best of the bunch. For those of you who are purusers of antique stores, head over to Alameda. I saw tons of them and I'm sure it would keep a guy like me busy for hours. I got bit by that bug from hanging around my Uncle Hobart, who collects everything from American Indian artifacts to furniture from the early years of our country when George Washington was the first president. My specialty is non other than trumpets, cornets and sheet music (go figure). I can't wait for a free day so I can look around a bit in those shops.
I played at the Tribute Show, dedicated to the Rat Pack last Saturday. They are going to close April 16th so if you haven't seen it, you better go soon. I like the music but the racial jokes suck. For God's sake, it's 2006! The world is a different place...isn't it? The band is good, theater is nice and the cast is ok. TheaterWorks on the peninsula presents a higher quality of work but in some ways, you can beat how swinging that music was back in the day.
next blog...Foothill College night band concert last Tuesday.....

more from Da Worlboy

Happy Birthday to Joy, my baby sister. She turns 29 (again) and I hope she is having a great day. You go Sis!!!
I had a fun rehearsal with the Rudy Salvini Big Band yesterday. Got to play some solos and lead. I used to be in the band years ago when Allen Smith, Fred Berry, Bob Yance and Johnny Coles (to name a few SF heavy weights) played in it. Allen used to mentor me quite a bit and I am a better player/human being from it. Allen played with everyone and I mean everyone. He retired from the band a month ago. I guess it was time. He'd been in the band since the 50's.
The trumpet section yesterday was made up of Tom Bertetta, Niel Levonius, Steve Campos and myself. It was good to see some of the other cats still hanging in there. I'm looking forward to the gig Sunday.
Tomorrow, March 17th is the 45 year anniversary of Booker Little, recording his Out Front album. Robbie Kwock and I declare March 17th as Booker Little Day!!!!! If you've never heard of Booker Little, look him up!!!! He was a freakin' genius on his way to changing jazz trumpet playing in a major way when his life was cut short at 23 years young of Uremia. He played on many Eric Dolphy recordings and also with Max Roach. Check him out....
Later......

WorlBoy goes to SF

Well, Dan Brown is the real deal. He turned 16 today and plays great alto, writes and arranges like someone way older and dresses like the cats used to back a few years ago when swing was king again. Aside from a few personnel glitches the gig was a blast. Joining me on tpt was Eric Wayne, Mike Olmos and Henry Huang. Henry took a solo today that would have given Tim Hagans a run for his moola. Every time I hear that guy he grows in leaps and bounds. Mike Olmos....well what can I say. He's the best young tpt player to come up in the area since Tom Harrell lit up the various venues from SF to San Jose.
My friend Larry Leight stopped by to say hello. We used to play in Vice Grips band called Zooma Zooma. I misss that band very much. I guess when Vice feels it, we'll get back together. It was the only band that I ever played in that had a one drink per set minimum!
Later that evening I went up to Foothill College to do a dress rehearsal with their night band which is run by John Gove. John is a killer trombonist and writer. We have a concert next Tuesday and we'll be playing some tunes by Maria Schneider, Basie, and Miles/Bill Evans. Lori Stotko will be featured quite a bit as well as Modesto Briesenio, John Hetttel and others.
Tomorrow I go up to SF again to rehearse with my dear old friend Rudy Salvini and the cats. More to come.....

WorlBoy heads up to SF

Tomorrow I'm going up to SF to play with a couple of my favorite trumpet players, Mike Olmos and Henry Huang in a band led by 16 yr old Dan Brown. I'm subbing for Dave Scott and he tells me that this kid is a young lion. Can't wait to check it out for myself.
Heard a couple of great concerts in the last two weeks. The first was Jon Faddis with the Stanford Jazz Orchestra led by Fred Berry. Jon sounded as great as ever. Bebop up to G's above double C with a few triple C's nailing all those in the way. How does the man do it? Inquiring trumpet minds want to know. Niel Levonius, a former student and frequently seen in the big band on stage at the Tribute Show at the Marines Memorial theater has been playing lead with the band for a few years now, held the lead book down quite well. Swinging his you know what off. Gillespiana is no easy work to pull off and if it wasn't for Niel (and Jon playing at times two octaves above him) anything could have happened. That piece is tough and the SJO did quite well. Fred kept them in line, on time and sounding fine. Way to go Fred. He's another one of my heroes!
Last week I saw Marvin Stamm and Bill Mays play with the Daddios band from DeAnza college as well as Homestead HS. Marvin and Bill have an uncanny ability to play as if they are twins separated at birth. Marvin is one of my all time favorite players, gliding thru every register with grace and ideas that would have made Clifford proud. Bill is the catalyst and has a way of slipping in something unexpected and turning it into a whole new world. What remarkable men. I'm just blown away at the beauty that flows from them. One fellow of note also is Ed Morrison. He is the lead trumpet player and probably one of the best that ever came out of the San Jose area. He's got the whole package. Total range throughout the horn, beautiful fat sound and makes the hardest lines sail effortlessly from his bell. Plus the guy plays great jazz!!!
This weekend I'll be playing with Niel in Rudy Salvini's big band. Rudy has kept his band together for 50 + years. More to come about Rudy, Allen Smith and my 8 years in the band.
Peace,
John

Fun gigs I've done lately

Yesterday afternoon, I had the great pleasure of playing with four of the South Bay's finest jazz musicians. It was with the Aaron Lington Quintet and we had a blast playing at the Improv in downtown San Jose. If you've never been there, check it out either for the comedy which happens nightly or the Sunday afternoon jazz series hosted by the San Jose Jazz Society. Aaron is one of the heaviest bari players to land in town. His playing has the fire of Pepper Adams, his compositions are subtle and intelligent and is a great cat all around. John Shiflitt was on bass, Tim Solook on drums and Dahveed Behroozi on piano. Aaron also has a new CD out (yesterdays concert was his CD release party) called "Cape Breton" on NohJoh Music. It was nice to play with such great cats and the audience got it into it. There were many friends and folks that I've never met before in the audience and the band was received warmly. Next post will include news about Wayne Wallace and my upcoming concert at the Stanford Jazz Festival's tribute to Miles Davis 80th birthday celebration. Peace, John

we've moved!

Susan and I have moved to new place in Mountain View. We had the most incredible friends help us with our transition. Louis Fasman, Lori Stotko, Kerry McCoy and Altagracia, David Brimmer, Cheryl Hopkins, Johnny and Mary Baumont, Victor and Denise, Sue Vincent, Steve and Falline.
We couldn't have done it without them!!!! Look for a spectacular house warming party you guys coming at ya like a mac truck!!!
We now enjoy a much bigger place, far nicer than the place we lived in for years. We will miss most of the folks we became friends with in our old complex. Susan has her own art studio. I have high speed internet so I'm happy as a bee.
There is so much going on at the moment. I'm playing a tribute to Burt Bacarach this Saturday at the New Octavia Lounge in SF with a singer I haven't met yet named William Morin. But it sounds like the gig will be a gas and if you want more info, go to www.williammorin.com
Well, this pup is pretty burnt so I'm going to say goodnight and more to come soon.
Peace,
John
ps. Look for a WorlView press release coming at you about a gig of all gigs WorlView will do in September......

Feedback about the closing of BoAs/Club Elite

Hi Friends,
Here are a couple of emails Matt and I have received about the closing of BoAs/Club Elite. Feel free to join in the discussion if you like:

Mr. Kitagawa - I think you are the right person to contact, but I'm not sure. I am hoping that by writing the entertainment department at the Merc, I will be able to encourage more people to attend live performances. If suspect that people in your department are already sold on them, but it so easy to just pop in that DVD or CD that live performers have a tough road to hoe. Also, I'm convinced that by not attending live performances, people miss out on the very best of what human society has to offer. My own journey into live performance started reluctantly by being pressured into chaperoning for school field trips. Figuring I might as well try to enjoy myself, I just relaxed and found that I was blown away. Between Arts Express (City of San Jose) and Stanford's Lively Arts student matinees, I've attended Indian Dance, Taiko drumming, Chinese acrobats, Silicon Valley Symphony, a saxophone quartet, solo pianists, poets, musicals, choirs and Bobby MacPheron. It takes a while for our neurological system to register the difference between a live and a recorded performance, but once it does its like going from black and white to color. Who wants to go back? Not me. Over the years I've started to reach out on my own and see what's out there. I've attended everything from opera in San Francisco to free solo singers at the park to rock concerts to bistro jazz. Though there were a few exceptions, the more obscure and "home grown" the event, the better it was. The best full productions I have attended have been with West Bay Opera. However, the most exquisitely pleasurable sensory experience I have ever had was an evening spent listening to a jazz combo at BoAs in Cupertino. An experience like that leaves you positively euphoric. As I listened, I couldn't help but think, "Now this is why I put up with the maddening hordes. its experiences like this that justifies the existence of cities." It is also an experience I wish every one could have, and I think they can. The cost was dinner and a $5 cover. Listening to music on the radio while I drive doesn't do it for me any more. Music coming out of that stereo is just a cheap trick. Yes, I listen to the stereo. But I now know what real music is about and I will no longer settle for less. Yours Truly - Deborah G.

So, John, if Boa's was such a success, how come it closed????
Mike V.

Hi Mike,
BoAs and the Club Elite were separate entities. The club was doing very well but the restaurant was having problems. The club was often sold out on weekends and would help the restaurant by bringing in customers for them. Sounds strange but the end result was the restaurant was losing money while the bar flourished. The bar flourished because Matt would bring in quality entertainment on a consistent basis and when the word got out, people would flock to the club.
Considering that Club Elite was a destination spot rather than one supported by foot traffic such as Pearl's in SF, they did very well.
John
Too bad about BOAS. You had a good run there...hope you can find anothervenue. Your band must have gotten to a new level, being able to play togetherso much..... That's all for now,Jim N.

Hi Johnny W,Nice message - well put! BBLV

WorlView 4.0 gig news and BoAs is closing!

Hi Friends,
Here is a email I just sent out to everyone. Feel free to post a comment or two about your feelings regarding the closing of BoAs. I'll miss that place.

Hi Friends,

Along with this Gig Announcement, I wanted to let you in on some sad news for Jazz in the South Bay.

First, the GOOD news: My quartet, WorlView 4.0 will be playing on, Friday Feb 17th at the Agenda Lounge from 7:30-9:45 PM. We'll be playing downstairs in the restaurant. Listeners seated closer to the band will ensure themselves the chance to hear better (hopefully) because the socializers will be in the rear of the restaurant. So, plan on making a reservation - if you possibly can. We really would love to see you there! Here is the contact info:

Agenda Lounge
399 S. First Street
San Jose CA
Reservations 408-287-3991

The SAD News: I'll be playing at Boas/Club Elite for the last time this Sunday, February 12th from 6-9pm with Rory Snyder and the Jazz Composers Quintet. We will be playing a mixture of different styles ranging from straight ahead, modern jazz as well as a ballad or two. Please call ahead for reservations, because this is the last night they'll be open. I know we'll be having a large crowd.
***Please notice that the reservation number has changed. If you would like to bring your dinner with you, feel free to do so. If not, Joe will have plenty of popcorn and peanuts for everyone.

As some of you may already know, Boas Restaurant closed approximately a week ago. Even though the Club Elite stayed open, they will close this Sunday much to the disappointment to everyone. Club Elite has been a great success for music lovers thanks to all of you jazz fans, to Matt Beasley and to the wonderful musicians who considered it to be their jazz "home" in the South Bay. It was a classy place, with good drinks, plenty of free parking in a safe area, where anyone could feel comfortable stopping by either alone or with friends or family.

Club Elite's success proved that jazz is a viable part of our South Bay community. We have to keep that thought alive as we look for a new home! If any of you have thoughts or suggestions for future places like Club Elite or you wish to thank Matt for his major efforts in keeping jazz alive, send them to Matt Beasley at mattbeas@aol.com . Or else, reply back to me and I will forward it along to him and also post it to my blog if that's ok with you.

Please join us Sunday as we say goodbye to one of the South Bay's brightest spots for jazz that served the community so honorably. Last chance, folks....We will miss it - as I'm sure you will too....

Club Elite
20030 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA
(DeAnza Blvd exit off 280, between DeAnza and Wolfe Rd.)
Call Joe Darny at 408-489-3133 for reservations.

Yours in Jazz,

John Worley Jr.
650-740-7004
www.johnworley.com

Big Apple on Weds

So, like I was saying, the Big Apple bite a chunk outta me but in more ways than one. I walked more that week than I did in a year or so. The sun was out, it wasn't too cold and things were exciting.
After the hang Tuesday night, I stayed with Brian, Callie and her roommate at Callie’s pad out in Brooklyn. That night, I could hardly sleep. There was so much noise on the street outside. Trucks driving by all hours of the night people talking and just lots of city noise.
The next morning, we went to a diner for breakfast and it was just like the stereotype diner. There was a cook in the kitchen yelling to what seemed to be no one in particular “I gotta cheese omelets here….hey, pick up this corn beef hash and eggs…” ECT. I couldn’t help but laugh. It was so right on the money.
Afterwards, I took the subway back to midtown where I met Matt and went out to lunch with Fred Berry and Q. We went to a place across the street from Carnegie Hall called Trattoria (something or another). Great Italian food with a beautiful antipasti bar with lots of fresh seafood. Fred told us a great story about how Jon Faddis took Dizzy there once and Dizzy went nuts on the antipasto bar.
That night Matt and I went out to the Cornelia Café in the Village and saw a band called Askenov’s Accident (?). It was a pretty avant garde band and I totally dug it. Cong Vu was the trumpet player and I think Chris Speed was there too. Cong Vu played the most unconventional trumpet solos I’ve ever heard. It was almost like he was hissing thru the horn. When you over blow your aperture and pump lots of fast air thru the horn, you get this high pitched hissing sound which he used more as a percussive effect than a melodic one. His normal tpt sound was dark and almost brooding and his ideas were very melodic.
The only drag about the concert was there were these guys sitting at the table across from ours talking so loud that it was very distracting. Everybody kept turning around looking at them but they kept talking. The weird thing was they were there for IAJE!?.
Afterwards I met Brian and we went his pad to crash.
More to come later…….