trip to LA

[rodest]

Just got back from a trip to LA - usually make it out there about 3-5 times a year. Most of those trips I'm on gigs so I try to take advantage of the free trip by staying a while longer to catch some players in town. Here's what was in store last week:

Fri - 12/5 Steve Ferrone at LaVe Lee:
(w/ D. Garfield) One of my favorites from way back - a nice guy, got a chance to hang out.

Sun - 12/7 TRAP Benefit at LAMA:
Someone already posted about this earlier but didn't mention one act. After the faculty drum jam was vocalist Kevyn Lettau with her husband Mike Shapiro on drums. (not to mention R. Ferrante on keys). Mike is (I think) director of the drum dept. at LAMA. Anyway, he played on a 4 piece Sonor set with one crash and one ride cymbal. IMO he played some of the most tasteful and interesting ideas during this @30 min. set of pop/jazz tunes with his wife. (Even a Yellowjackets tune which Kevyn sang vocals to the melody (sax?) line!
Vinnie (who was under the weather) was Vinnie - ridiculous! Since it was kind of a long day already I opted to skip Toss Panos at the Baked Potato later that night.

Mon. - 12/8 Linda Eder at OC Perf. Arts Center:
Had to take my girlfriend to see this vocalist and got to see New Yorker Clint De Ganon playing this gig. Great player - saw him with Hiram Bullock some years ago.

12/9 - David Sanborn at Catalina Bar & Grill: Ist gig of the NEW Catalina on Sunset. Gene Lake was excellent - can see why he's a first call guy in NY. Spoke to LA keyboardist Jeff Babko before the 2nd set and he said Gene was one of his favorites.

12/10 - Steve Smith clinic at Drum Connection: also posted on earlier, excellent and informative. Unknowingly, I stood next to Pocketplayer and met Ladanny - both cool guys. Besides F. Gruber, Joey Heredia was watching from the back.

12/10 - Sandro Albert at Baked Potato:
Right after the Smith clinic I made it to the BP to catch the 2nd set of this guitarist with Dave Carpenter and Gary Novak. Novak played beautifully and powerfully, with a couple of nice solos.

12/12 - Carlos Vega Tribute at LaVe Lee:
also posted on earlier. Tris Imboden only played the first set (along with Chicago vocalist /bassist Jason Scheff, and Toto's David Paich) who also left after the 1st set. Thus, John Ferraro and Steve Ferrone played some of the same songs in the 2nd set that Tris played in the first. Interesting to hear their slightly different takes on the same tunes. Steve was his funky self and John played very supportive and solid. Bassist John Pena played all night except for a few tunes that Jimmy Earl sat in for. As Pocketplayer mentioned, Brandon Fields sat in and played an amazing solo. Surprisingly, (to me anyway), that was it as far as drummers playing went - I thought others might show up. FYI, I asked Vinnie at the LAMA show if he was going to be at the Vega tribute and he said probably not because he was going to be out of town. All in all, it was a great night and I saw Pocketplayer there and got to talk with Ladanny a bit more.

Sorry for the long post - just thought I'd share an eventful 'drum week' in LA. I'd never get to see this type of playing and players in Hawaii otherwise. Yes, the HODer's in LA do have it good as far as seeing world class players any day of the week!

[ladanny]

what a trip Rod!! I love it when people take FULL advantage of visits. Next time you come to town on a gig, PLEASE let us know so we can support and watch!

Great meeting you. Hope to hang together at NAMM.

Danny

[PocketPlayer]

Yo Rod...got to ask, who was the gorgeous beauty next to you at the La Ve Lee gig? [img]wink.gif[/img]
I was going to come over and say hi and then John Ferraro stopped on by and we started rappin'

If you ever get a chance to burn a CD of the Smith clinic...deal me in!

[ladanny]

Pocket, Rod was with TWO beautiful woman at the La Ve Lee show! I know one is his GF.