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Herb Albert

Nine-time Grammy Award winner Herb Alpert is coming to the South Bay
Legendary trumpeter and composer Herb Alpert, who’s won nine Grammy Awards over the course of his 50-plus-year career, is set to perform in Los Gatos at a benefit concert for Los Gatos Music & Arts, the nonprofit that produces the free Jazz on the Plazz summer concert series. Music & Arts also funds art programs, and jazz camps and workshops for youth.

Offering opportunities for young musicians is a cause that’s dear to Alpert and his wife, Lani Hall, who will perform together at the July 25 Jazz on the Plazz Gala fundraiser.

Alpert’s foundation has endowed the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and the Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts. Last year, the foundation also donated just over $10 million to the Los Angeles City College music department to pay music students’ tuition.

JAZZED UP IN LOS GATOS

Los Gatos’ cool-cat music series, Jazz on the Plazz, has announced its summer lineup, which will pay tribute to one of the most amazing women of song, Billie Holliday. “The Summer of Lady Day” will include quite a few women who have followed in her footsteps to create their own jazz sound, including cabaret singer Paula West, Canadian sensation Tia Brazda and the always wonderful vocalist Tiffany Austin.

The series kicks off at the Los Gatos Town Plaza on June 21 with Antonia Bennett and Nestor Torres, and other performers include Nicolas Beade and Full Spectrum Jazz, keyboardist Matthew Kaminski, Tony Lindsay, Natalie Douglas and Tom Wopat – yes, the one from “The Dukes of Hazard.”

But the other great treat comes July 25, when the legendary Herb Alpert and Lani Hall are set to perform at the Los Gatos Music and Arts Jazz Gala. That’s a fantastic “get” for the fundraising gala, and from what I’ve heard, it’s due in part to the continued sponsorship of Linda L. Lester, who is presenting the gala and co-presenting the entire series with El Camino Hospital. “We consider Linda L. Lester nothing short of a jazz angel and couldn’t be happier that she and so many sponsors are returning this year,” says Michael Jacobi, the executive producer of the series.

Tickets for both the Jazz Gala and premium seating are available at jazzontheplazz.com as well as the full line up of the Wednesday concert series — which is free for general admission.

Sal Pizzaro – Mercury News 03.12.17

Duchess jazz trio
blends great voices

Never underestimate the creative power of a short attention span.
New York jazz vocalist Amy Cervini can focus just fine when necessary. But as a performer, she admits to feeling “very restless,” adding, “I need to do different things all the time. I like to put myself in different musical situations and see what happens.”

Photos: Los Gatos Jazz Gala!

Annual fundraiser for nonprofit Los Gatos Music & Arts organization featured live Mary Wilson concert, a founding member of The Supremes.

Week Ahead: Los Gatos Jazz
on the Plazz, Senior Picnic

Don’t miss Kenny Washington Wednesday evening at Town Plaza Park.

Los Gatos: Jazz on the Plazz benefit offers ‘Supreme’ fun

A founding member of the Supremes, Mary Wilson, is the 2013 Jazz Legend who will be honored at a July 23 Jazz on the Plazz Gala, a fundraiser for Los Gatos Music & Arts. LGMA produces the Jazz on the Plazz and Music in the Park summer concert series. 

Catherine Russell

Sassy, savvy jazz/blues singer Catherine Russell a walking history book
Singer Catherine Russell has a certain feeling for classic jazz and blues tunes: Sassy and suave, she knows the territory. Russell is the daughter of pianist Luis Russell, who was Louis Armstrong’s music director, and bassist/singer Carline Ray, who played with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm during World War II.

Concert Series Lineup

Cold mornings and cloudy skies can only mean one thing: Los Gatos Music & Arts Jazz on the Plazz is just around the corner.
Alright, let’s say, just up the street.