Growing up in Southern California, and being into music since I was a toddler, I took advantage of some of the jazz clubs as a teenager back in the 1950's. My favorite memories are the nights my buddy and I spent listening to Howard Rumsey and the Lighthouse All Stars at the Lighthouse jazz club in Hermosa Beach. We were only 16 years old, but the bar tender let us drink coffee ... and we did, 'till closing time. Fell asleep in class a few times from burning the jazz/music candle at both ends. The LIghthouse is still there too ... at 1 Pier Avenue.
Also heard Big Jay McNeely and Joe Houston in jam sessions in an auditorium on the Santa Monica Pier.
Saw Cal Tjader at Zardi's jazz club in Hollywood when I was about 17.
Saw Dexter Gordon at Howard Rumsey's "Concerts by the Sea" jazz club in Redondo Beach. He blew the roof off of the place. Just great.
Saw Ella Fitzgerald with Mel Torme at the Hollywood bowl. It was Ella's last concert, I believe.
And the kicker ... I saw Art Pepper at Carmelo's in the San Fernando Valley. Absolutely great.
Also heard Big Jay McNeely and Joe Houston in jam sessions in an auditorium on the Santa Monica Pier.
Saw Cal Tjader at Zardi's jazz club in Hollywood when I was about 17.
Saw Dexter Gordon at Howard Rumsey's "Concerts by the Sea" jazz club in Redondo Beach. He blew the roof off of the place. Just great.
Saw Ella Fitzgerald with Mel Torme at the Hollywood bowl. It was Ella's last concert, I believe.
And the kicker ... I saw Art Pepper at Carmelo's in the San Fernando Valley. Absolutely great.