Where’s Waldo?
Where’s Jack Neworth? Beats me. What day is it? For a guy facing some health issues that are no Laughing Matters, he sure does bounce around a lot. Not his choice, of course. He would much rather be back in his own bed, and let’s hope that comes about soon. He’s not even in Santa Monica now, but nearby, and seems to be getting good medical attention. Not that Jack likes attention. I’ve spoken to him frequently and he seems to be his same witty, sardonic self. It still seems like a good idea to swamp Jack with notes of appreciation for his many years of loving Santa Monica and hating all that Drumpf stands for, maybe short notes or postcards (53c). He should eventually receive them at this address:
Jack Neworth
2700 Neilson Way
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Typical Santa Monica Performance Weekend?
OK, not every four-day run is this good but… come on. We’re fortunate people, indeed. Take advantage.
Last Saturday 5pm, final performance of a long run of Paul Linke’s one-man tribute to his friend and collaborator Charles Nelson Reilly, Ruskin Group Theatre, SM Airport. Then over to Harvelle’s on 4th Street, 9:30pm, for smokin’ blues from Southside Slim. Sunday evening, down Pico to the venerable McCabe’s for Los Straightjackets, those anonymous hard rockers in Mexican wrestling masks, who thrill you with all instrumentals. Plenty of time to then head back to Harvelle’s to catch the amazing and unique Toledo Diamond, every Sunday night (for 20-some years straight).
Every Monday night you can go just outside SM to the Cinema Bar on Sepulveda to hear the virtuoso Django Reinhardt-style ‘30s jazz of The Hot Club of Los Angeles, and that previous Friday night, if you could manage a drive to the gorgeous Disney Hall in downtown LA, you could have heard a jaw-dropping performance of John Adams’ monumental “Naive and Sentimental Music” tribute to conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, here with his San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, also performing the beautiful Sibelius Violin concerto.
I’m still recovering, but with a smile on my face. It’s what I moved here for, from New Mexico 40 years ago, and boy was that the right choice.
Highly Recommended
Hot Club of Los Angeles – You can go to the Cinema Bar any Monday, 9–11:30pm, for more than a decade now, and hear these hot players run through Django Reinhart-style ‘30s jazz. They should have copies of their new album Nova there for sale. This amazing ensemble is a treasure, just over the border from SM. Mon 9pm, Cinema Bar, Culver City, no cover.
Yo-yo Ma, Kathryn Stott – If you are making the wise move to see Yo-Yo Ma, you should also see Springsteen. Oh sure, Ma doesn’t play nearly as loud or electrically as The Boss, but Bruce can’t caress a cello to make you cry. Both are transcendent musician-philosopher-world ambassadors who have deservedly risen to the top of their genres after decades, using music to convey something more than just melody. Both have global platforms they use to promote a worldview that we all are really the same, and that music can show that.
They have both boldly crossed genres and demolished barriers to demonstrate that human truth. If there is a global language, it is music. There is good reason why would-be autocrats (like the Blue Meanies) often try to eliminate or control music. Neither of these giants will be with us forever. This is a rare opportunity to see them on successive nights. I highly recommend that. Kathryn Stott is Ma’s longtime collaborator, recognized as one of Britain’s most versatile and imaginative pianists, and was praised by The Washington Post as “every bit Ma’s equal, playing with striking individuality.” Wed 8pm, Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA, $196-342.
Springsteen – If you are making the wise move to see Bruce, you should also see Yo-Yo Ma. Oh sure, Ma doesn’t play nearly as loud or electrically as The Boss, but Bruce can’t caress a cello to make you cry. Both are transcendent musician-philosopher-world ambassadors who have deservedly risen to the top of their genres after decades, using music to convey something more than just melody. Both have global platforms they use to promote a worldview that we all are really the same, and that music can show that. They have both boldly crossed genres and demolished barriers to demonstrate that human truth. If there is a global language, it is music. There is good reason why would-be autocrats (like the Blue Meanies) often try to eliminate or control music. Neither of these giants will be with us forever. This is a rare opportunity to see them on successive nights. I highly recommend that. Although the E Street Band has had the losses you would expect after half a century, most of the original bangers are there and they are essential to the sound and the experience. Does he still do three to four hour shows? Gawd I hope not. We want him to stay with us, don’t we? Thurs 7:30pm, Kia Forum, Inglewood, $111-1,399.
Recommended
Toledo Diamond – Unique, riveting, first class act. There’s nothing like it, it is high performance art and great decadent fun. Degeneracy is rarely so well disciplined. And the band is smokin’! Don’t. Miss. Toledo Diamond. Sun 9:30pm, Harvelle’s, Santa Monica, $12.
Coming Attractions (all Recommended): Toledo Diamond, Harvelle’s, 3/31, 4/7, 14, 21, 28; Hot Club of Los Angeles, Cinema Bar, 4/1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Ethan Iverson Trio With Peter Erskine, Darek Oles, Sam First, 4/5; La Traviata, LA Opera, 4/6, 14, 18, 21, 24, 27; Donald Harrison, Jazz Bakery, 4/7; Springsteen, Kia Forum, 4/7; Saint-Saens, Organ Symphony, LA Phil, Disney Hall, 4/12, 13, 14; Library Girl, Ruskin Theatre, 4/14; Mavis Staples 85th Bd, Youtube Theater, 4/18; Albert Lee, Mccabe’s, 4/19; Herbie Hancock, Disney Hall, 4/20; Academy of St. Martin in The Fields, The Soraya, 4/21; Rhiannon Giddens, Theatre At Ace Hotel, 4/25; Jacky Terrasson Trio, Jazz Bakery, 5/5; Kraftwerk, Disney Hall, 5/21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30; John Mceuen, Mccabe’s, 5/24; Chris Stapleton, Hollywood Bowl, 6/26, 27; Rolling Stones, Sofi Stadium, 7/10, 13.
Charles Andrews has lived in Santa Monica for 38 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else.