Rico Belled -|- The Pursuit of Comfort

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Bass, Guitar, Rico Belled, Synths

Rico Belled - The Pursuit of Comfort

Rico Belled -|- The Pursuit of Comfort – [Back Scratch Music, 2010]

The pursuit started in 1998 at Jono Brown’s original Word of Mouth studio in West Hills, CA. In three sessions, basic tracks for 7 of the songs on the record were recorded live. We just set up like a band, amps and all, and ran the tunes. Most music at this time was recorded to a click and I wanted to do it the old fashioned way! The point was to make an album with no commercial considerations, no intended ‘radio-format’. Just a group of the best musicians I knew getting together to play some tunes.

Jonathan Dresel played Drums, Jeff Babko and Jay Minor a real Fender Rhodes, Yogi played guitar, and percussion duties were handled by Mike Faue and Ronnie Gutierrez. Lots of stuff was overdubbed by Anne King, David Crozier, Robert Kyle, and Dino Soldo and when my brother visited we recorded one of his tunes with just classical guitar, bongo and baby bass.

Origin Blue -|- May I Say You Something?

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Jazz, Origin Blue

Origin Blue - May I Say You Something

Origin Blue -|- May I Say You Something? – [S.T.W.O.M. Records, 2009]

“Whether developing a fresh harmonic, as well as rhythmic, approach to a standard, or working through densely layered and challenging arrangements by the band members, this is a trio for the new decade” – Tony Moreno

“A sincere friendship expressed musically in this impressive debut outing” – Andy Milne, Dapp Theory

“The sound these three gentlemen create is far from basic jazz…giving jazz lovers and non-jazz lovers a groove that invokes a plethora of emotions and allows them to let go and live in the moment…Origin Blue is not only a jazz trio, they are also ‘Masters of the Moment’ with an eclectic sound that can be simply described as “Feel Good” music” – Glendale News-Press

“A drop dead gorgeous interpretation of Soundgarden’s ‘Black Hole Sun’. For that alone they’re worth checking out” – LA Weekly

Drawing influences from nearly everything that crosses their path, ORIGIN BLUE creates music that is both easily recognizable and hard to categorize. The genre-bending trio combines all styles of music from funk to modern/contemporary jazz to rock and distills them into sounds that are as thought-provoking as they are danceable. The group has performed their music in venues worldwide, including the Blue Note Milan and Catalina’s Jazz Club in Hollywood, and they have collaborated with such celebrated musicians as saxophonist Francesco Bearzatti. Their debut album, “May I Say You Something?”, was released in November 2009.

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2010 Toronto TD Jazz Festival – June 25 to July 4

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Angelique Kidjo, Chris Potter, Harry Connick Jr., Herbie Hancock, Hiromi, Jazz, Maceo Parker, Stanley Clarke

The city’s largest music festival takes over this summer!
TD Toronto Jazz Festival – June 25 – July 4, 2010

Toronto ~ Late June signals not only the start of summer, but also the arrival of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival as it takes over the city for 10 incredible days. Local clubs, restaurants, venues and even a church or two will be playing host, creating a Festival network that includes over 40 participating stages all over the city. Now, that is a lot of jazz!

Harry Connick Jr. – Sun 06/27 (Canon Theatre)
A true consummate entertainer, Harry Connick Jr. has successfully launched careers in both acting and music with the corresponding accolades to show for it – 25 million albums sold worldwide, three Grammy Awards, an Emmy award and a starring role in a Tony winning Broadway musical. Harry appeared in his first jazz recording at the tender age of ten, by 18 released his solo debut and at 30 appeared in movies such as Independence Day, Copycat and Memphis Belle. It has been over 20 years since Harry last performed at the Festival and his return is long overdue. Welcome back, Harry. The hub of the Festival is Nathan Phillips Square and it is here where some of the biggest names in jazz can be found. Each evening, the Mainstage tent is transformed into an intimate concert theater.

California African American Museum Closes “Dance Theatre of Harlem” Exhibit

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African American, African American Museum, Arthur Mitchell, Dance Theatre of Harlem

With A Special Public Discussion, June 30 with Dance Icon Arthur Mitchell

Fireworks Accompany Exhibits Closing Date on July 4

Arthur Mitchell from CAAM’s “Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts”
photo credit: Elena Seibert

Los Angeles – So You Think You Can Dance? Know About Dance? Here’s a chance to witness memories of dance history first hand when a true dance legend comes to CAAM. Master choreographer, dancer extraordinaire and founding Artistic Director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), Arthur Mitchell will grace the California African American Museum (CAAM) with a special personal appearance and public discussion on Wednesday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m. as the grand finale event of CAAM’s very popular exhibit, “Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts.” As the first African American to become a principal dancer with a major ballet company to co-founding the Dance Theatre of Harlem School to leading the Dance Theatre of Harlem as a professional ballet company for four decades, Mr. Mitchell is an authentic embodiment of dance! His personal recollections about his life and career are sure to inspire movement in the young and old alike. The event is free, with RSVP’s requested at 213-744-2056. CAAM is located in Exposition Park at 600 State Drive in Los Angeles, CA. Parking is $8 at 39th and Figueroa Streets.