John Scofield Comes to Yoshi's
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Mar. 12‚ 2010
I first saw guitarist John Scofield back in the late '70s, replacing guitarist John Abercrombie in Billy Cobham's band, featuring the Brecker Brothers and again later with the incredible "Billy Cobham-George Duke Band" with bassist Alphonso Johnson of Weather Report. It was one of the most brilliant fusion quartets I'd ever seen, with searing solos and ridiculous prestidigitations; Scofield more than held his own. I would next see Scofield touring with the legendary Miles Davis at the Newport Jazz Festival in '84 and actually had the pleasure of working with him during his tour in support of his "Bump" album in 2000. Scofield returns to Yoshi's in Oakland this weekend for a series of shows along with Mulgrew Miller (piano), Ben Street (bass), Kendrick Scott (drums).
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Stanley Adler's "Arias Under Curves"
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Mar. 05‚ 2010
I first met Stanley Adler in 1980, during those heady days in NYC while performing with the art-rock group "The Same" and their mentor, Brian Eno. Amazingly talented, Adler would go on to audition for King Crimson, perform with Madonna, tour with the Crazy World of Arthur Brown and dozens of equally influential and creative musicians. These days, Adler makes his home in France, moving from electric and acoustic bass to his Steinberger 5 string electric cello, recording and performing with the "Symphony of Wrong", a delightfully French avant garde combo that must be seen to be believed. I caught up with Adler a year or so ago in Cannes, as he prepared to enter the studio to record this wonderful new solo album, "Arias Under Curves".
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Lisa Engelken's "Caravan"
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Feb. 26‚ 2010
One of my favorite groups from those halcyon days in DC were "The Zimmermans", fronted by the explosive vocals of "Lisa E", and featuring the songwriting and guitar talents of Jonathan Spottiswoode, the band made its CD debut in 1994 with "CUT". Spottiswoode would go on to NYC with his "Enemies", Engelken would soon make her way to San Francisco and find critical acclaim for her role in the Victoria Theater production of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch". Engelken would ultimately return to her passion, jazz. Following a triumphant concert at the 2008 San Jose Jazz Festival, Engelken ventured into the studio and produced one hell of a gem, "Caravan", including a fabulous reworking of Freddie Hubbard's classic "Red Clay".
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A Post Apocalyptic "Richard III" Comes to Diego Rivera
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Feb. 19‚ 2010
The Theatre Department of City College of San Francisco presents a post apocalyptic interpretation of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Richard III. The play will be performed at City College’s Diego Rivera Theatre. The piece is designed and directed by John Wilk, Instructor and Director in the Theatre Department of City College of San Francisco. One of Shakespeare’s most compelling play dealing with the politics of greed which destroys the fabric of a society parallels the corporate greed that has helped to weaken our education system and economic condition. The play is timely and once again we can see Shakespeare’s genius at work.
Two weeks only: Fridays March 5th and 12th @ 8:00PM Saturdays March 6th and 13th @ 8:00 PM, Sundays March 7th and 14th @ 2:00 PM at the Diego Rivera Theatre on the Ocean Street Campus of City College of San Francisco.
Little Brown Brother Comes to the Cadillac
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Feb. 12‚ 2010
Last October, I was treated to some stellar performances at the Asian Art Museum celebrating Filipino History Month. One of the artists that caught my eye was the phenomenal Carlos Zialcita on harmonica and his trio Little Brown Brother. Joined by guitarist Chris Planas and bassist Ben Luis, Little Brown Brother brought down the house with their blend of Filipino tinged jazz and blues. Today at Noon, Little Brown Brother will bring their full sextet, (Bo Razon, guitar, Mike Ferando on drums, Imanual Junedy on piano and Mio Flores on percussion), to the Cadillac Hotel during their month long concert series to benefit for the victims of the Haitian earthquake. With musical influences from the rich African-American traditions of jazz and blues; Latin jazz, salsa, boleros, and Brazilian sambas and bossa novas, Little Brown Brother’s sound artfully incorporates indigenous Filipino music and instruments as well as Spanish-influenced traditional songs.
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The History of Black Economic Empowerment
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Feb. 05‚ 2010
Today at noon under the rotunda of City Hall, San Francisco will kick off Black History Month with the "History of Black Economic Empowerment." The San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society put together this program, along with help from the Mayors Office of Neighborhood Services. Following an invocation by Pastor Aurelius Walker, will be performances by “Bumpity Thump”, African Drummers and Dancers, King Tut, Cultural Odyssey, Destined to Dance and Just B Cuz. Speakers include Al Williams - President of the AAHCS, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Supervisor Sophie Maxwell and Keynote Speaker Timothy A. Simon, Commissioner with the California Public Utilities Commission. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.
Addison Comes to Café du Nord
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Jan. 22‚ 2010
San Francisco is home to some of the most interesting politicians, musicians and artists I have ever seen. I was surprised to find out that these talented folks include the likes of past and present SF Board of Supervisor Presidents Matt Gonzalez, (bassist) & David Chiu, (violinist); Public Defender Jeff Adachi, (guitarist and filmmaker), the Sierra Club's John Rizzo, (guitarist) & Arthur Feinstein, (saxophonist), Port of SF's Rich Berman & Mission activist Eric Quezada, (saxophonists), activist Judy B. Onze, (singer), Fog City Journal's Luke Thomas, (guitarist), OVC's Brent Turner, (guitarist), BMW&L's Mark Mosher, (guitarist) and Beyond Chron's own Paul Hogarth, (pianist), just to name a few. Add Brightline Defence's Joshua Arce, (singer, songwriter, guitarist) and his band "Addison" to this eclectic mix.
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"Soundtrack for a Revolution" Comes to Third Baptist Church
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Jan. 15‚ 2010
Last Tuesday evening on KPOO fm's "The Community Worker", I had the pleasure of interviewing acclaimed actor and producer Danny Glover and Dan Sturman, director, producer of the Oscar hopeful documentary "Soundtrack for a Revolution". Also joining us for the discussion was Jackie Wright, president of Wright Enterprises on the upcoming screening of the film at Third Baptist Church on Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday this Friday, January 15th. They've also unearthed some new, never seen before footage for this documentary. "Soundtrack for a Revolution" tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music -the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality.
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Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes"
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Jan. 08‚ 2010
I'll never forget the day my mother asked me what I wanted for my 6th grade graduation present. Unhesitatingly I replied, "The Complete Sherlock Holmes". I've always been a fan of Holmes, having read all of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books. I had even read the well penned homage, "The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes", written by his son Adrian Conan Doyle and the author John Dickson Carr. Since then, I've seen virtually every film and read every story. One of these days, I'd like to see someone make "The Valley of Fear", Holmes' only adventure in America during the turbulent mining era of the 1870's. Of the films, "Murder by Decree", made in 1979 with Christopher Plummer and James Mason as Holmes and Watson respectively, is one of my favorites. As for television, the late Jeremy Brett long ago supplanted Basil Rathbone as perhaps the greatest Holmes ever, starring in the BBC/PBS series. Now comes Robert Downey and Jude Law in director Guy Ritchie's new film, "Sherlock Holmes". How would they fare in the pantheon of Holmes films?
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Rent Romus' "The Lords of Outland XV"
by E. "Doc" Smith‚
Dec. 18‚ 2009
March 18, 2010
