The Le Van Family Musicians, right here in Brea.

I have been listening to Michael Le Van play Jazz Piano for the past 15 years.  He is one of the most talented pianist I have ever heard. Playing with the kind of passion that gives you the chills and just makes you smile without realizing it. I was told that Michael's incredible talent ran in the family. One day Michael was kind enough to invite me to his 50th birthday bash at his brother Eric's house. Eric Le Van is  a renowned international classical pianist and has 3 amazing talented children. On April 28th 2010, Solene LeVan age 12, was a Gold Medal Winner at the International competition of the American Association for Development of the Gifted and Talented at Carnegie Hall. Sarah Le Van, age 14, Sarah has performed with many orchestras and has given over 500 performances since the age of 7. Sarah and Solene have been seen on Disney Chanel, Pax TV, Fox and KDOC.
Sean Le Van, age 9, is a fine pianist who just won the Silver medal in the annual competition of the American Association for the Development of the Gifted and Talented, and performed at Carnegie Hall in April 2010, along with sister Solene.
So back to this Birthday Party. Because this is Michael's Party, there was a jam session in the living room with Michael's Trio and many other musicians that would jump in. Among these musicians were the entire Le Van family. I was amazed. I actually had tears in my eyes when the daughters performed.  How does one family end up with so much talent? It is just a part of them. Like walking or breathing is for the rest of us. They make such complicated music to perform, seem so easy and sound so amazing.
Well I found out now, that this same family is performing right here in my stomping grounds. Beautiful downtown Brea. If you want something different to do this Friday or Saturday, other then the same old same old, I highly suggest this, as it will be one of those nights that becomes an unexpected and wonderful surprise. Just as it was for me.
 For Tickets go to http://www.resonancerecords.org/rjsevents/levan.php

Why are saxophones made in different keys?

 A true C, for example is the same tone on whatever instrument it is played, namely 263 cycles per second. However, a true C is not necessarily called C on all instruments. On a tenor saxophone, which is known as a "transposing" instrument, everything is shifted down a tone (well, actually a tone plus an octave, but let's not quibble). That is, if you play a "C," you actually get a B-flat; if you play a "G," you get an F, and so on.

The reasons for this have to do with the difficult nature of the sax. On instruments with a linear arrangement of notes, such as a piano, transposing keys is easy--you just shift your fingers up or down the keyboard. On instruments like the sax and the cornet, however, the notes are obtained by various combinations of valves scattered all over the instrument. Changing keys would mean having to completely rethink your fingering. To avoid this difficulty, saxophones are made in a number of different ranges, soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone being the most common. Essentially, instead of your doing the transposing, the instrument does it for you. Thus if you think a tenor (B-flat) sax is too low for a given tune, you can get an alto (E-flat) sax instead. Using the identical fingering, you'll find the melody comes out about a half-octave higher. For ease of nomenclature, when sax players talk about playing a "C," they are talking about a particular valve combination (which is the same for all saxes), not the actual tone that is produced.

Most saxes today are either E-flat or B-flat, but years ago there were also C and F instruments, the former being called a "melody saxophone." Although it enjoyed some popularity in the 20s and 30s, it is rarely seen today. When C saxophones were still used, it made sense to write all sax music as though C were the home key--after all, C is the easiest key to sight-read, due to the absence of sharps and flats in the signature. Also, when they first invented this system, it seemed pretty obvious that on a C sax a "C" came out C, on a B-flat sax "C" came out B-flat, and so on. Admittedly, now that C saxes are uncommon, it seems a little perverse to have to choose between a B-flat and an E-flat as the result of playing a "C," but having known a few sax players in my day, I must say it seems only appropriate.



— Cecil Adams

Time for Doheny Blues Festival

Just a reminder that we are only 2 1/2 weeks away fro the Doheny Blues Festival..  We are talking beautiful scenery, Great people that love to have a good time, yummy food, and most of all "Awesome Music" I usually go VIP on the ticket because you get in before general public and your seats are closer to stage.  The main reason I like VIP is because I can walk right up to stage whenever I want and dance my tush off.  That area is closed off to general public. For me this is key but if not important to you then go with the general admission.  Any ticket is worth the wonderful day you will experience.
"This year I may have to go both days."
http://www.omegaevents.com/dohenyblues/

Chris Williams Benefit

Review of Chris Williams Benefit Event

I don't even know where to start on this review.  I can say that I witnessed true magic last night at the fundraiser for Chris Williams.  This was an  incredible concert, to help out a great artist, through a very difficult time in his life. Chris Williams has been very ill and needs an urgent surgery in order to get better.  Let me start out by telling you a little bit about Chris Williams.
Chris has been performing professionally since he was 15 years old.  He is now in his early 30's.  Chris has an outstanding ability to wow his audience with his incredible voice and his true passion for the music.  His scatting never ceases to amaze me. He sings the standard and makes them seem better then ever.  Chris nails it with the Latin Jazz accompanying his voice with some awesome bongo action.  What I really love the most about Chris,is his own work.  His music ranges from beyond moving to the desire to get up and dance.

Chris Williams He has earned many awards including four vocal solo awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and a major scholarship to the elite Berkley College of Music in Boston. His recording of “Comes Love” from his debut album Premodernism won Best Latin Song at the 2007 Orange County Music Awards.
So here is what I  witnessed last night.  LOVE.  I was expecting to listen to the 15+ musicians that I read listed on the flyer.  What did happen was at least 40 incredibly talented musicians showed up for their fellow artist.  I believe that it takes a very special man to have this much love and  support just pour out for you.   As Chris stated, when he got on stage to thank everyone.  "I have always wanted to be a jazz artist.  You don't get a badge or a football jersey for that.  You do, however, sometimes get in a financial bind.  But I am so in awe of how many great musicians are in this room." It was a very heartfelt speech.  It had myself and many others  in tears.
So these extremely foot tapping, tear jerking, smile making musicians not only showed up, but played their hearts out.  I thing my goose bumps were stacked 5 high.  They matched themselves up with their usual bands, they mixed themselves up with people they had never played with and they then would just switch it all up again .  I wish I could have gotten all the names but there were just to many and I just kept getting caught up in the tunes and forgetting to write.  Here is what I did get:

•  Edmund Velasco-Saxophonist "brilliant"  and the friend who made this gig happen  Thank You
• Charles Small-Guitar 
• Ramon Banda-Drummer "never disappoints, Great"
• Ruben Estrada (vibes) and the Estrada Brothers, "always a winner" 
• Justo Almario-Saxophonist & percussionist. "One of my top three favorites of the night." Listed among the 50 top alumni in the history of Berkley College Music.
•  Clayton Cameron-Brushes. "WOW"
• Ramon Banda-Drums "Always kicks booty," As he did here"
• Kye Palmer-Trumpet "regular in Jay Leno's Tonight Show"
•  Ron Stout-Trumpet and Vocals
• Mark Massey-Keyboardist
•  Dr. Scott Tibbs-Keyboardist
•  Matt Politano-keyboardist
•  Mike Bennett-Drums
•  David Miller-Bassist
•  Steve Venz,-Bassist
•  Ryan Rost-Bassist
•  Sam Montooth-Saxophonist 
•  Andrew Carney- Trumpet
•  Greg Parman-Bassist
• Tim Gil-Trumpet
• Blake White-Bassist
• Dion Wilson-vocals "incredible surprise"
• AND OF COURSE CHRIS WILLIAMS "WONDERFUL EVEN IN PAIN!"

Terrance Love, owner of Steamers night club and Helen Borgers from KKJZ hosted.  Terrance did most of the MC and was great.
Favorite moment of night!  Chris Williams singing "PURE IMAGINATION"

Ruben Estrada

Ednund Velasco

Ramon Banda

Rocking out to "Echo Love Chamber" and end up in the paper.

Crowds enjoy what Taste of Brea was serving | brea, crowds, taste - News - The Orange County Register


My girl friend Debbie and I were at the Taste of Brea last weekend to watch our favorite local rock band, "Echo Love Chamber".  We ended up in the OC Register rocking out.  If you love great Rock you have to check this band out.  Mark Cardinal- Vocal and lead guitar rocks  it out of the park You can't help but  dance.  His voice is as incredible as his guitar playing and the play list he chooses is never disappointing.. Sammy Burke- Bass guitar& vocals throws out some great sound and can do a mean rendition of Johnny Cash.   Chad Patchen-Drums & vocals knows how to keep it exciting.  I am telling you this band is tight.  Check them out sometime. http://echolc.second-level.net/main.html