Learn some jazz history and enjoy the funky Latin jazz of Charged Particles! Of the band, reviewers have said: “A tight and enormously talented trio.” (Jazz Times Magazine) “Charged Particles is definitely dazzling.” (Jazz and Blues Report) “Fresh, energized jazz that showcases the trio’s individual technical mastery.” (Jazz News Magazine) “Tight interplay, spark, and personal flair.” (Los Angeles Times) “Something special: inventive, invigorating, mesmerizing, and virtuostic.” (Downbeat Magazine) The Ventura County Reporter called them "Tight, sophisticated, and playful. They showcased their camaraderie as much as their musicianship, gliding through their repertoire like the seasoned professionals they are and joyfully riffing on each other's improvisations. Not sure if the musicians or the audience had more fun, but a good time was definitely had by all."
What began as a concert celebrating John Coltrane’s birthday on September 23rd, 2023, at the Oaktown Jazz Workshops, eventually evolved into a full-blown recording project titled “The Last Trane to Africa,” which was released worldwide on January 23rd. Percussionist/bandleader Ian Dogole and his world-class collaborators will present an Afro-infused homage to the luminous legacy of one of the most important figures in twentieth-century music – John Coltrane. Merging Ian’s array of African percussion instruments and other indigenous percussion in concert with more traditional Jazz instruments such as piano, double bass, saxophones and drum set, attendees will enjoy a transcendent musical experience that is sure to uplift the spirit and delight the senses. Pieces will include “Africa,” “Tunji” and “Dahomey Dance” by John Coltrane; “John Coltrane,” by Bill Lee (Spike Lee’s father); “Afro Blue” by Mongo Santamaria, “Out of This World,” music by Harold Arlen, “Blue Nile,” by Alice Coltrane and “Togo,” a traditional piece originally arranged by drummer Ed Blackwell.
ivy room presents TUESDAY APRIL 7TH—PRISM BITCHLADY STARBEASTFUZZ KIT—Doors 7:00pm / Show 7:30pmAdvance Tickets Available / $15 Door—IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+PRISM BITCH—Life tilts from one extreme to the next. PRISM BITCH does as well. The Albuquerque for now trio—Lauren Poole [bass, vocals], Chris Walsh [guitar], and Teresa Cruces [drums, vocals]—hop from robust riff-ery to sticky sweet hooks before dipping back into moments of distorted bliss and warm melodies. With no shortage of unexpected thrills, they construct something of a sonic rollercoaster on their 2021 independent full-length debut, Perla. "We’re an aggressively friendly band," smiles Teresa. "We cover a spectrum of topics. The music can be serious and existential or super fun—just like real life". "When you listen to us, maybe you feel like we visited you at home, listened to what you had to say, and even helped you clean up," laughs Lauren.Lauren and Chris first met as members of a small theatre company, where they dreamed up a plan for a performance art project in the guise of a band. In 2015, they crossed paths with Teresa. Their initial project idea soon morphed into an actual band, which they named Prism Bitch. The group wanted to take "bitch" back and hold that word with pride. "When Lauren asked me to be a part of this performance art project, we wanted to make sure the songs were really good, which pushed us to focus more on the songwriting than the actual story," explains Chris. "This led to the creation of our band more so than a theatre project".Prism B!tch made their introduction with 2017's The Getaway EP before unleashing the self-titled Prism Bitch EP a year later. Along the way, they’ve amassed over 100K cumulative streams, won three Weekly Alibi "Best of Burque" Music Awards, and ignited iconic stages, including The Whisky A Go-Go, The Roxy, and Webster Hall.LADY STARBEAST—Defying traditional genre and embodying idiosyncrasy, Oakland-based dark pop artists Ilana Magill and Marc Martell join forces to form the project Lady Starbeast. Ilana is the songwriter and vocalist; Marc creates the instrumentation; and together they record and produce. Ilana combines sultry, powerful vocals with operatic background harmonies, dark, eerie and intricate melodies and a wild, irreverent spirit. Her lyrical content explores the introspective particularities of mental health, while using a broad lens to remark on the human condition. Marc’s dramatic electro-pop instrumentation gives the listener a glimpse into the inner-workings of their minds and hearts, making for a raucous and haunting experience.FUZZ KIT—Fuzz Kit is a SF Bay Area post-punk band, formed in 2023. With vulnerable lyrics and overdriven guitar, they compress sonic explorations into tight, hard-hitting songs. They harness the intensity of living in this world, with moody vocals over fuzzy guitar hooks and powerful beats.
ivy room presents WEDNESDAY APRIL 8THpartially seated show—Scott Amendola’s Floating ParadeFeaturing:Scott AmendolaNate BrennerRobert LopezMark CliffordRyan Schaeffer—Doors 7:00pm / Show 8:00pmAdvance Tickets Available / $20 Day of Show--IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+Scott Amendola’s Floating Parade—Scott Amendola: drums/percussion/electronicsNate Brenner: electrical bassRobert Lopez: percussionMark Clifford: vibraphoneRyan Schaeffer: electrical guitarGet ready for a vibe-y, grooving, sonically fun and rad experience. Floating Parade is about an unknown journey of bumpin' beats and soothing sounds. It will be hypnotic and engaging. Come join the parade. We'll go where we go and know when we get there, and know when it's time to move on.For Scott Amendola, the drum kit isn't so much an instrument as a musical portal. As an ambitious composer, savvy bandleader, electronics explorer, and first-call accompanist, he is a creative foil for some of the world's most inventive musicians. His closest musical associates include guitarists Charlie Hunter, Nels Cline, and Jeff Parker, Hammond B-3 organist Wil Blades, violinist Jenny Scheinman, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, and bassists Trevor Dunn and Todd Sickafoose. Amendola possesses a gift for twisting musical genres in unexpected directions.Nate Brenner is a bassist, composer, and producer best known for his work with the acclaimed project tune-yards. With Merrill Garbus of tune-yards, he has toured the world, released celebrated albums on 4AD, and recently co-scored Boots Riley's Amazon Prime series I'm a Virgo. Brenner also records under the moniker Naytronix, releasing four solo albums, and has collaborated with Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Ben Goldberg, and Thao & The Get Down Stay Down.Mark Pascucci-Clifford is a vibraphonist, composer, percussionist, pianist, educator, and producer based in Oakland, CA. A much sought-after performer and improviser, he is deeply involved in new music, jazz, free improvisation, classical music, and indie rock. He composes for and leads his own group, The Dirty Snacks Ensemble, whose 2022 release You Would Do Well was named "One of the Best of 2022" by Andy Gilbert of the Classical Voice and which headlined the 2024 Outsound Summit.Robert Lopez is a percussionist, educator, and researcher. His background in various types of music such as folkloric traditions of Brazil, Ghana, and Cuba, alongside contemporary chamber music and free improvisation, allows a malleable approach to sharing musical ideas. Since 2011, he has been an active member of the Bay Area music community working with groups like SO AR, the Red Room Orchestra, Grex, and Jordan Glenn's BEAK, among others.Ryan Schaeffer, guitarist, is an Oakland native who has played all around the Bay Area and across the globe. Ryan's unique musical background has influenced his instrumentation, creating a fusion of funk, jazz, and gospel that allows him to transcend genre.
About Bassist/Composer/Bandleader Fred Randolph brings his quartet of first call Bay Area musicians to Bird & Beckett for an evening of original compositions and arrangements. Check out Fred's cds at: https://fredrandolph.bandcamp.com/
Learn some jazz history and enjoy the funky Latin jazz of Charged Particles! Of the band, reviewers have said: “A tight and enormously talented trio.” (Jazz Times Magazine) “Charged Particles is definitely dazzling.” (Jazz and Blues Report) “Fresh, energized jazz that showcases the trio’s individual technical mastery.” (Jazz News Magazine) “Tight interplay, spark, and personal flair.” (Los Angeles Times) “Something special: inventive, invigorating, mesmerizing, and virtuostic.” (Downbeat Magazine) The Ventura County Reporter called them "Tight, sophisticated, and playful. They showcased their camaraderie as much as their musicianship, gliding through their repertoire like the seasoned professionals they are and joyfully riffing on each other's improvisations. Not sure if the musicians or the audience had more fun, but a good time was definitely had by all."