Tag Archives: Warren Hill

Smooth Jazz News 16th Annniversary Party No. 2

Felicia Pennington, Evette Benjamin & Yvette Perkins celebrating Smooth Jazz News’ 16th anniversary at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (photo by David Hopley)

One of my favorite aspects of this year’s Smooth Jazz News anniversary brunch and jam session was our first-time guests. The people who sit in our reserved section at Spaghettini in Seal Beach are those who advertised with us the prior year. Many of them I had previously communicated with only by phone and through email. So, meeting them in person and sharing this special day was a whole lot of fun!

Cheryl Barnes & her husband Phil Cabasso sit in with the Derek Bordeaux Band at Smooth Jazz News' 16th Anniversary brunch party & jam session (photo by David Hopley)

Cheryl Barnes (right) and her husband Phil Cabasso (left) sit in with the Derek Bordeaux Band at Smooth Jazz News’ 16th Anniversary brunch party & jam session (photo by David Hopley)

It’s also quite thrilling for me to introduce artists to concert and festival promoters. Making a connection in this casual setting gives each of them a chance to get to know each other on a personal basis. It’s even more exciting when I discover that an artist got booked by a promoter they met during one of our parties. Saxophonist Elan Trotman met Kimberly Benoit of Rainbow Promotions at our event last year, and now he’s on the schedule for her Long Beach Jazz Festival in August.

Al Williams (drummer & Rainbow Promotions founder) with guitarist Freddie Fox at Spaghettini (photo by David Hopley)

And, thanks to the generosity of Cary Hardwick and Laurie Sisneros (co-owners of Spaghettini), we got a couple of slots of airtime during 94.7 The WAVE’s live broadcasts at both brunches. During the first of two Sunday celebrations on Jan. 24, Trotman got a chance to chat about his Barbados Jazz Excursion (http://barbadosjazzexcursion.com/) in October with Pat Prescott (The WAVE’s weekday morning host).

Warren Hill, Gregg Karukas and 94.7 The WAVE weekday afternoon host broadcasting live from Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (photo by David Hopley)

At our next brunch party on Feb. 21, saxophonist Warren Hill and keyboardist/composer Gregg Karukas got on the mic with Deborah Howell (The WAVE’s weekday afternoon drive host). Hill gushed about his 15-year-old daughter, Olivia Rox, and her journey as a contestant on the final season of “American Idol.” He also plugged his Cancun Jazz Festival, scheduled for Labor Day weekend at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya (www.cancunjazz.com).

Gregg Karukas & Craig Collier celebrating Smooth Jazz News’ 16th anniversary at Spaghettini (photo by David Hopley)

Karukas discussed the Divine Jazz Cruise, an intimate, all-inclusive luxury sailing with Michael Paulo, Ray Parker Jr. and Kiki Ebsen, scheduled for May 6-11. The five-day excursion aboard the Crystal Serenity cruises from San Francisco to Vancouver, Canada, with ports of call at Astoria, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Victoria, British Columbia (www.divinejazzcruise.com).

Jeff & Lynn Rudin of Divine Jazz Cruise (photo by David Hopley)

And, for the first time, we got to hang out with Lynn and Jeff Rudin, producers of the Divine Jazz Cruise, and vocalist Cheryl Barnes with her piano-playing husband Phil Cabasso. They got to meet and mingle with our regulars such as Al and Sandy Williams (Rainbow Promotions) and Evette Benjamin (City of Gardena, producers of the Gardena Jazz Festival).

Gregg Karukas sitting in with Freddie Fox (center) and Derek Bordeaux (right) during Smooth Jazz News’ 16th Anniversary Brunch celebration at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (photo by David Hopley)

Another first was that DW3 wasn’t able to perform at our second brunch because they were booked out of the country on several jazz-themed cruises. So, the Derek Bordeaux Band was on stage, and joined by some of our musical guests, including Karukas, Barnes and Cabasso.

Joanne & Herb Hein dancing at Smooth Jazz News’ 16th anniversary brunch & jam session (photo by David Hopley)

In this fast-paced world we spin around in where email and social media platforms have overtaken the truly personal form of communication, face-to-face engagement without the vice of a mobile device, it is refreshing to enjoy human connection with friends (old and new), delicious food, champagne, craft cocktails and uplifting music. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

Crowd enjoying music & brunch in Spaghettini’s lounge, which sold out during Smooth Jazz News’ 16th anniversary brunch (photo by David Hopley)

Thank you all for allowing us at Smooth Jazz News to serve this wonderful community of fans, artists, musicians, promoters, venues and record labels for more than 16 years!

By Melanie Maxwell

Buttermilk-fried chicken with biscuit & gravy and chicken and waffles are two popular menu items that are served at Spaghettini’s brunch in addition to their buffet! (photo by David Hopley)

For details on the next Smooth Jazz News Anniversary Brunch Party & Jam Session, scheduled for Jan. 22 and another date in 2017, visit this blog often and check out the magazine for further announcements. For more information on Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, located at 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, visit www.spaghettinisb.com or call 562-596-2199.

Sliced sirloin is an additional menu item served during Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Jazz Brunch in Seal Beach, CA (photo by David Hopley)

Vocalist Cheryl Barnes with her music director-keyboardist husband Phil Cabasso (photo by David Hopley)

Catalina Casino Ballroom is the SJN cover background

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Tiffany chandeliers light up the Catalina Casino Ballroom during the JazzTrax Festival (photo by Pat Benter)

The Catalina Island JazzTrax Festivals provides the perfect mix of elegance, the serenity of nature’s awesome beauty and the magic of music in a seaside island cove.

Each of the two festival weekends kick off with a Thursday night “Unplugged Under the Stars” concert on the sand at Descanso Beach. The main festival is held inside this historic Catalina Casino Ballroom, Friday-Sunday.

Built in 1929, the circular, 12-story high Casino perched at the edge of Avalon Bay is Catalina Island’s most recognizable landmark. However, the Casino is not a gambling facility. The name was derived from the Italian word meaning “a gathering place.” The building houses a movie theatre, museum and the elegant ballroom, which played host to dozens of big bands in the 1930s and ’40s.

Artistic lighting in the Casino Ballroom during the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival (photos by Pat Benter)

The recently restored ballroom retains its original exquisite style: a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, art deco decor, an arching 50-foot ceiling with five Tiffany chandeliers, an elevated stage and a vintage, full-service bar. The outdoor balcony encircles the ballroom and overlooks Avalon Bay and Descanso Beach.

Crowd enjoying the afternoon concert at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival (photo by Pat Benter)

The final weekend of the 28th Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival is happening Thursday-Sunday. Here is the lineup:

Thursday, Oct. 16: Peter White (Unplugged Under the Stars at Descanso Beach), 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 17: The Jennifer Keith Quintet, 7 p.m.; Generation Next featuring Nicholas Cole, Lin Rountree and Lebron, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18: Vincent Ingala, noon; Dirty Dozen Brass Band, 2 p.m.; Josh Vietti, 7 p.m.; David Sanborn, 9 p.m. After-party at Descanso Beach featuring DJ Jonathan Phillips, 10:45 p.m. (free admission)

Sunday, Oct. 19: DOTSERO, noon; Warren Hill, 2 p.m.; Greg Manning, 7 p.m.; Dave Koz, 9 p.m.

During intermission, festivalgoers often perch themselves on the balcony and admire boaters basking in the bay, scuba divers suiting up for spectacular underwater experiences, snorkelers flapping their fins through the waters’ surface and tourists taking it all in from the ground.

Fans enjoying intermission on the balcony during the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival (photo by Pat Benter)

In addition to the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, the Casino Ballroom is available for private functions, weddings and special events.

For more information about the 28th Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, check out the current issue of Smooth Jazz News, or visit www.jazztrax.com.

Casino Ballroom during evening show at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival (photo by Pat Benter)

The colors of lighting changes throughout the shows. Here is another view of the beautiful Tiffany chandeliers. (photo by Pat Benter)

Peter White celebrates 60th birthday at British pub!

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Peter White at his 60th Birthday Party at the Robin Hood Pub in Sherman Oaks, California (photo by David Hopley)

Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Warren Hill, Chris Standring, Michael Paulo, Vincent Ingala and a bunch of musicians and other friends celebrated Peter White’s 60th birthday with a Sunday brunch on Sept. 21.

Peter White’s 60th birthday party at the Robin Hood British Pub in Sherman Oaks, California (Photo by David Hopley)

Peter chose one of his favorite haunts, the Robin Hood British Pub & Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, California, for the venue. He also selected the menu, a traditional English breakfast buffet with bangers (over-sized sausages), home-fried potatoes, bacon, scrambled eggs, fish and chips, fried tomatoes, beans and peas. But, the party planning and decorating were handled by a group of his friends.

Mindi Abair (center) with her boyfriend Eric Guerra (left) serving up an English breakfast the buffett while Andre Berry (right) looks on (Photo by David Hopley)

Charlotte White, Peter and Robin’s daughter (photo by David Hopley)

It was an intimate affair that included White’s wife Robin Pao and their daughter Charlotte. Rick Braun, who will be joining Peter and Mindi on A Peter White Christmas tour, couldn’t make it because he was performing back East. But, his wife Christiane, and their children Emma and Kyle represented Rick at this festive occasion.

Christiane Braun, Luis Del Arroz, Peter White & Emma Braun (photo by David Hopley)

“Usually, we all see each other at shows or music industry events, but last Sunday I loved that we all got together where none of us were working so we could all just relax and catch up,” Peter said.

I don’t know if there was much relaxing, but there certainly was a lot of catching up and goofing around. A photo booth quickly filled up with quests in quirky poses, wearing funny hats, viking helmets, tiaras, satin crowns, over-sized glasses and holding up signs with sayings such as “princess,” “hot” and “someone alert the paparazzi.”

John Mahon (left), Peter White (center), John Menzano (right) & friends at photo booth (photo by David Hopley)

Peter White with Dave Koz, John Menzano, John Mahon, Charlotte White, Kyle Braun & friends in photo booth (photo by David Hopley)

I’ll be writing more about this lively event in the October-November issue of Smooth Jazz News, which features the birthday boy on the cover! Meanwhile, here are some photos from this wonderful celebration (all taken by David Hopley):

Peter White (center) with his friends from Seattle, Chrissy & Eric Yamada (photo by David Hopley)

Michael & Teri Paulo with friends at the photo booth (photo by David Hopley)

Olivia Rox (Warren Hill’s daughter), Charlotte White & Emma Braun (photo by David Hopley)

Olivia Rox with her parents, Warren & Tamara Hill at the photo booth (photo by David Hopley)

Eric Guerra, Peter White & Mindi Abair (photo by David Hopley)

Bud Harner (Chapman & Co. Management) signing Peter White’s birthday card (photo by David Hopley)

Peter White getting ready to blow out candles on his guitar-shaped birthday cake (photo by David Hopley)

Peter White & Jacqui Brown (Paul Brown’s wife) posing for photos while Peter’s wife Robin Pao (left) enjoys the fun (photo by David Hopley)

Brian Simpson, Dave Koz & “Third” Richardson (photo by David Hopley)

Warren Hill & Michael Paulo (photo by David Hopley)

“Third” Richardson, Vincent Ingala & Pat Prescott at Peter White’s 60th birthday party (photo by David Hopley)

John Mahon (who played drums with Peter live and on his first three CDs, and who now has been percussionist & backing vocals for Elton John for the past 18 years) and Chris Standring (photo by David Hopley)