2016 has been a great year for growth and new beginnings. The creativity flows. The fun continues. How lucky am I? I picked up 2 new basses this year, both Fenders. So I got plenty to boom boom boom with considering the collection of instruments those 2 get added to. The Fender Precision sounds great in Bobby Hurricane Spencer’s All Star band where I feel transported to New Orleans every time because of a fantastic drummer named Albert Trepanier Jr. This is the band with the trending video, over 112K people know “we got the blues”. It’s been great to play music with so many very talented people.
From the critics, our friends and the All Stars’ fans: “Mixing soul, funk and blues into a mighty gumbo, Bobby Hurricane Spencer Blues All Stars take you to saxophone driven blues heaven. This music will lift your spirits and move your body with deep soulful and funky blues. Easy listening putting a smile on your face, dancing in your feet and then some ice in your drink. If you like blues stirred but not shaken with jazz, doo wop, a touch of Latino and funk then you will enjoy the Hurricane’s All Stars – everyone of them a star in their own right!”— with Tom J Daniels, Livewires Live-music, Jazz LivingLegend, Bobby Spencer, Tadg Galleran,George Van Wagner, Albert Trepagnier Jr., Kelly Chappue, Leslie Baker and West L.A. Studios.
Leslie with Bobby “Hurricane” Spencer celebrating his birthday.
Upcoming show at Seabird Lounge Long Beach on Veterans Day Nov. 11, 2016. Come on down, shake a tail feather with us. Oh, and Happy Halloween all, may your evening be full of tricks and treats a few frights and lots of fun….
I got a good review when I least expected it. The gig was with Jimmy McConnell Quintet at the Valley Jazz Club. “Leslie Baker played a unique compact “traveling bass” with surprising full, rich sound proving it’s value to the band with her very active playing, showing off her skills as both a motivated supportive and feature player” Harvey Barkan Los Angeles Jazz Scene newspaper September 2016.
Leslie jamming on her upright electric bass by BSX
Bobby “Hurricane” Spencer and the Blues Allstars which includes me on bass, Albert Trepangnier from New Orleans on drums, Tadj Galleran on keyboard, George Van Wagner on guitar and Tyler Combs on vibes has a couple of videos out that are breaking my personal records for worldwide views.
As of now our video “I Got the Blues” has over 112K views since it’s release September 18, 2016. Pretty exciting. The same band with front vocalist Kelly Chappue on “Bad When I’m Good” (released Sept. 18) reached over 25K views!
I will update you as things go. Check it out! I put on my red dress baby…..I’ve been compared to a character in the Hobbit (in a red dress) in a comment at facebook.
Recent sightings at Clifton’s Cafeteria DTLA, LA Live and other spots in the works in and around Downtown and Hollywood. I’ve been floating among the ghosts with my friend pianist Chris Glik.
There is no charge for this performance. We will be recording live. Our presentation is very much a crossover of Jazz and Classical. We will be performing Claude Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio in it’s entirety (7 movements) and a few additional pieces to round out the program. This is under the auspices of Tuesday Musicale. The fabulous musicians who will join me for this new adventure are Flutist Ruth Kasckow, Drummer Kenny Park and pianists Chris Glik and Alan Geier . It is a lovely place with parking and additional parking if lots fill also at no charge. It is my sincere hope to fill the room with friends, fans and interested parties on that Sunday afternoon October 9 in Pasadena!
Leslie Baker and Friends Jazz Classical FusionLeslie Baker and Friends at Pasadena Central Library 10-9-2016
My own review of the debut performance Leslie Baker and Friends…..I am very pleased with how we played together and so grateful for the wonderful audience who gave us a standing ovation. Also big thanks to the organization Tuesday Musicale who in concert with the Pasadena Public Library sponsored the concert. We have recordings. More news on that later.
Joining Tuesday Musicale in Pasadena CA
Leslie Baker and Friends, the chamber group has come up with a new name for the group.
“Lotus flowers often appear in images of the Buddha. It is a symbol of things which are pure and good. A lotus is a flower that begins its life in the mud at the bottom of a pond and then rises to the surface to flower. It therefore reminds people that in the same way, people can rise above their problems and achieve enlightenment.”
up from the mud the flower blooms
Purity and rebirth are attributes I came across referring to what the Lotus Flower represents. It was a true pleasure to participate this year in a well established festival with a purpose to promote understanding. Special thanks to all who made special effort to make our band set go well and get some documentation of it. You know who you are.
Beautiful Day in the neighborhood of Echo Park CA.The OK Corralers takin’ it to the streets!Yeah, I’m a Leo.Tadg Galleran is an entertainer, player, singer, writer.I love playing bass, singing is fun. Gotta make that music!as I was saying,
Introducing Drummer Vocalist Tony Jones
What a Wonderful WorldTestifying! Tony Jones, Leslie Baker, Tadj GalleranTyler Combs brings us good vibesfun show, fun audience, fun timeup from the mud the flower blooms
So we’re hot! I’m doing what I can to not get bothered…..Full moon, Solstice, Fire’s, Father’s Day. Summer events and performances are rolling along.
Here’s what Father’s Day looked like for me as I enjoyed being the bass player for the Dale Fielder Quartet at Whisky Red’s Marina Del Rey, CA
Delicious
The Band Plays on the Patio, Bass and Drums under a Gazebo
Dale Fielder and Rick OlsenDon Littleton
On this very hot day the ocean breeze made things nice.
A lovely day
The biggest boat I’ve seen in this bayUsed to be Shanghai Red’s
The Venue
Bandleader Dale Fielder enjoying brunch after playing his heart and soul at Whiskey Red’s
This coming Saturday, 6/27/16 I will be with Lisa Casalino’s Band at the Grove, 3rd and Fairfax in front of Nordstrom from 6-9 An evening of fun, free for the public performance. It is always nice to see friends and fans at these shows.
We had a great time with Lisa and the band was definitely cooking with Ark Sano on keyboard and Dustin Haner on drums!!
Songbird Lisa Casalino leads her band.Thanks Joe Weinroth for the photo Lisa and Leslie making music.
July 4th I’ll be at Lacy Park in San Marino with the Tom Sullivan Band. We are part of a line up of bands followed by fireworks-big ones up close! Reservations and tickets required:
Happy 4th of July Weekend! Lots of bands, a parade—very Americana as I get to contribute to the festivities performing with Tom Sullivan’s Dixieland Band. We are being joined by a choir for our closing selection “Amazing Grace”. Tickets available- check Lacy Park, San Marino CA
And of course that is not all, just all for now…..stay tuned
