Judy Wexler Band

January 11 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

$20 cover at the door

Judy Wexler – vocals

Los Angeles-based vocalist Judy Wexler has headlined at jazz festivals, performing arts centers and leading jazz clubs both nationally and internationally. All About Jazz says, “Judy Wexler is more than a mere singer of songs, she is an actress, mood painter, song archaeologist and vocalist par excellence.” She has released six albums, most recently Back to the Garden in 2021, a collection of 1960s songs from the Summer of Love. Her fifth CD, a collaboration with pianist Alan Pasqua, 2019’s Crowded Heart, presented “Jazz standards for the 21st century,” an anthology of ten modern jazz compositions by contemporary songwriters. Ted Gioia, New York Times best-selling author of The Jazz Standards and The History of Jazz said, “What a joy to listen to this album for the exquisite music-making of Judy Wexler and Alan Pasqua, but also for their astuteness in finding and featuring outstanding songs by current-day jazz composers.” She has been featured twice on NPR Weekend Edition with Susan Stamberg, who said, “Based on the evidence, Judy Wexler can sing almost anything.” All her albums charted at the top of the national JazzWeek radio chart, with two albums charting on Billboard’s Traditional Jazz Albums charts.

“Indie jazz sensation, versatile and sensual vocalist Judy Wexler weaves magic, charm and emotionally resonant grace through an array of exquisitely arranged contemporary songs.”

– Music Connection Magazine

www.judywexler.com

www.facebook.com/judywexler.music

IG: @JudyWexler

Brian Swartz – trumpet/flugelhorn

Trumpeter Brian Swartz is a diverse musician with a wide range of influences. He has appeared on Grammy®-winning recordings with artists including The Dixie Chicks’ Double Platinum “Taking the Long Way” which won 5 Grammy® Awards, John Beasley’s Monk’estra which garnered 6 Grammy® Nominations and one Grammy® win, and The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Scott Healy’s Tentet and Kim Richmond’s Concert Jazz Orchestra. He has also performed or recorded with The Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Robin Thicke, Patti Labelle, Natalie Cole, Dianne Reeves, Ivan Lins, Tom Harrell, Chucho Valdés, Brad Mehldau, Dave Douglas, Rickie Lee Jones, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The O’Jays, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Azar Lawrence, Buddy Montgomery, Joe Henry, Keb’ Mo’, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gerry Gibbs, Taylor Eigsti, Francisco Aguabella, The Los Angeles Jazz Collective, Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars and many more. Since 2005, Swartz has proudly held the trumpet chair in Oingo Boingo Former Members. He has released five jazz albums as a leader and has served as staff arranger for The Luckman Jazz Orchestra, John Beasley’s Monk’estra, Oingo Boingo Former Members and the ABC TV show, “Duets.” Brian’s film credits include the 2012 Oscar® Winning Animated Feature “Rango,” Jennifer Anniston’s “The Break-Up,” “The Cooler” starring William H. Macy and “Let Them All Talk” with Meryl Streep.

Jeff Colella – piano/arr.

Jeff Colella is an endlessly inventive, post-bop pianist. Besides performing as a solo artist and with his trio, he maintains a very active schedule as an accompanist, recording artist, composer, arranger, producer, clinician, educator, and now author. His long touring stints include 16 years as pianist/musical director for the legendary Lou Rawls; seven years touring worldwide with the Jazz Tap Ensemble; and several years as Jack Jones’ pianist/musical director. He has recorded and toured with a broad range of artists, including Diane Schuur, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Sheila Jordan, Kenny Washington, Anita O’Day, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Peter Gallagher, the Bill Holman Big Band, Stacey Rowles, Larry Koonse, Judy Wexler, David T. Walker, Bobby Shew, Bob Sheppard, Scott Whitfield, and Kevin Mahogany, among many others. His compositions have been recorded by other jazz artists, most recently on Close Your Eyes, the BFM Jazz release from renowned saxophonist Bob Sheppard. His albums as a leader include three trio albums plus his latest release, Lotus Blossom, a critically acclaimed duo recording with renowned bassist Putter Smith, which was named #3 on NPR’s Jazz Critics Poll.

John Leftwich – bass

Over the course of his prestigious career, John has performed and recorded with, and arranged music for, artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Hubert Laws, Sergio Mendez, Mark Isham, Milla Jovovich, Paula Abdul, Leo Kottke, Melody Gardot, Yasuko Agawa, Carol Duboc, and Lyle Lovett, and was the bassist on legendary singer Carmen McCrae’s record albums. He toured and recorded with Rickie Lee Jones for many years as music director, singer and bassist, and played in the movie “Let’s Get Lost” with Chet Baker. John has also composed, arranged, and played in numerous films and TV shows, including writing  arrangements for the Jim Carrey hit movie “The Mask,” and “Dreamgirls,” and featured performances on bass in “Despicable Me 2,” “Minions,” “Smallfoot,” “In the Wake of the Zaca,” and “The Cooler,” was score mixing engineer for “One Eyed King,” and composed scores for “Ten Tricks,” “Blood Done Sign My Name.” “A Letter to True,” “Double Bang,” “Chip Suey,” and “Gentle Giants,” along with many others. He continues to tour and record as well as composing music for TV and film.

Kendall Kay – drums

Kendall is a native of Durban, South Africa. After working with most of the major artists there, Kendall moved to the US in 1983, and attended the prestigious music program at North Texas University. After graduating, he arrived in Los Angeles in 1987 and has been playing and recording with a wide range of artists ever since. His resume includes work with Diane Schuur, Alan Broadbent, Phil Upchurch, Bobby Shew, Kyle Eastwood, Mary Wilson, Jack Jones, Mark Murphy, Bob Sheppard, Kenny Burrell, Phil Upchurch, Jon Faddis, Kenny Drew Jr., Nick Brignola, Frank Strazzeri, Bill Perkins, and Rickie Lee Jones.

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