January 14 to January 20, 2016
www.coachellavalleyweekly.com
‘O CANADA’ CELEBRITY TRIBUTE EVENTS BACKSTAGE JAZZ BY PATTE PURCELL CONCERT TO FEATURE FOUR CANADIAN LEGENDS SEASON JAZZ OFFERINGS IN THE DESERT AT THE INDIAN WELLS THEATER AT CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO’S PALM DESERT CAMPUS
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hania Twain, Michael Bublé, Celine Dion and Paul Anka tribute artists will perform in “O Canada” at the Indian Wells Theater at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus on Friday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling the Indian Wells Theater box office at (760) 341-6909. Parking is included in the ticket price. Donna Huber (Shania Twain) is a small town Canadian girl who has been on the road for the past 18 years, performing all over the world, singing all of Shania Twain’s hits. Twain endorsed Huber and said on live television that she is the best tribute to her anywhere. Adam Lucas (Michael Bublé) grew up in Sydney, Australia, and started singing at the young age of just 2 years old. He started writing songs and playing piano by ear at the age of 12 and began voice and piano lessons at age 14. Lucas went to Vancouver, Canada, at age 19 to pursue his dream of becoming a successful actor, singer and songwriter. He has been doing a tribute to Michael Bublé for the last 3 years. Brigitte Valdez (Celine Dion) is a mix of Greek, Spanish, Italian and French ancestry, and was born in Hollywood. Raised in Palm Springs, she is now fulfilling her lifetime dream of entertaining audiences. Beginning when she was old enough to stand on a wooden bench in her living room, Valdez has been belting out songs from Barbara Streisand, Whitney Houston, Sandi Patti, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey and Celine
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Dion. Singing professionally, she has toured the United States and abroad, performing in more than 30 arenas, for various major conventions, and as a stellar opening act. Performing live, however, is not Valdez’s only forte. She has recorded several solo releases at Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers, and is featured in many radio and television commercials. Buster Maxwell (Paul Anka) says that he remembers being alone in his aunt’s garage one summer, singing along to Paul Anka on a small AM radio. He was about 13, and says that’s one of his first memories of falling in love with making music. Maxwell’s appreciation of the legendary performer grew deeper as he began singing Anka’s songs in public. With a decade’s experience as a singing impressionist recreating multiple voices, he soon developed his “Tribute to Paul Anka.” This is one of the few impressions Maxwell has ever performed where all the songs have been written by the singer – a tribute to Anka’s deep songwriting talent. The Indian Wells Theater at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus is located at 37-500 Cook St. For more information about upcoming events taking place at the Indian Wells Theater, visit www.IWTheater.com. For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the campus’s Office of Public Affairs at msinger@csusb.edu or 760-341-2883, ext. 78107 or visit the campus website at www. pdc.csusb.edu.
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azz is coming back in a big way out here in the desert! A number of concert series are taking place building on earlier successes along with the best places to hear it. Here’s a run-down on some of the best Jazz Happenings this season. The new Celebrity Jazz Jam Series (monthly begins Monday Jan. 18, 5-8 pm under the stars at the prestigious Desert Willow Golf Resort. There are 18 national artists and local favorites participating in a 3 hour super jam that highlights some of the top names in jazz. The first one is headlined by guitarist Blake Aaron, who’s described by LA Times as a ‘genius on the guitar’. Aaron has already scored top 5 Billboard hits and is currently #3 on the charts with his iconic version of ”Europa.” He is joined by Greg Manning on keys who had the #1 hit of the year in 2013, vocalist Aysha who has a current top 10 hit with “Take me Higher,” Slim Man with his #1 hit “Faith in Us,” Rick Parma who is currently rising on the charts with his song. Darryl Williams, Joe Baldino and local favorites including John Carey and Rose Mallet. The jam incorporates jazz, blues, funk, and groove with national artists and local favorites. The Feb. 22 show will focus on Latin Jazz with artists including Gretje Anjell and Dori Amarillo, Bob DeSena, and a dozen more to be announced. Tickets are only $25 and schedule can be found at www.purplepass. com/celebrityjazzjam. Monthly dates year around are March 21, April 18, May 16, June 5, July 24, Aug. 21, Sept. 18, Oct. 17, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. Call 1-702-219-6777 for more information. The Grooves at the Westin Series (an Apaulo Production) starts their spring series on Feb. 6 with R&B and Jazz Allstars including Lou Price, Jonathan Butler (guitarist/singer), saxman Everette Harp, vocalist Lynne Fidmont and an all-star band including Brian Simpson on keys, Freddie Washington on bass, Land Richard on drums and Michael Paulo. It continues on Feb. 20 with Russ
Freeman and the Rippingtons; March 5th with the iconic Peter White; and March 26 with legendary guitarist Craig Chaquico of Jefferson Starship. Tickets are $85 VIP Reception (reserved table seats closest to the stage). Meet your favorite artist with gourmet appetizers, wine and beverages, $60 reserved table seats, $45 gold reserved seats and $35 general open seating. Tickets are available at Tix.com. Call 951-696-0184 for more information. Fitz’s Jazz Cafe has 3 more concerts. Call the box office for pricing and ordering 760340-ARTS (2787). Lisa Fischer - February 13, 8:00 pm/ Steve Tyrell - March 19, 8:00 pm/ Chris Botti - April 2, 8:00 pm. The “Jazz for Jazz Lovers” held at Pete Carlson Golf and Tennis features weekly artists in straight ahead jazz and some Latin jazz offerings. Jan. 15, the Frank Capp Quintet; Jan. 22, The Tom Scott Quintet; Feb. 5, The Banda Brothers Sextet; Feb. 12, The Jon Mayer Quartet featuring Ernie Watts; Feb. 19, Graham Decter featuring The Larry Fuller Trio; March 12, The Joe La Barbara Quintet; March 14, The Gerry Mulligan Song Book led by Mark Masters; and April 16, Blues by Mingus led by Mark Masters. Ticket prices vary call 1-760-568-3263 for details. Melvyns’ in Palm Springs Jazz Jam is on Sunday afternoons from 3 until 7 and is hosted by Michael Healey. Call Melvyn’s for reservations 1-760-325-2323. Vicki’s of Santa Fe has jazz nightly. This is straight ahead jazz and a soft jazz pop mix. John Stanley King LIVE! and “A Band of Four”- every Friday 8pm-12Mid/Pat Rizzo & Trio- every Saturday 6:30-10pm/JazzTime Band- every Sunday afternoon 2-5pm/John Stanley King & Trio- every Sunday evening 6-9pm/Carolyn Martinez & Trio- every Tuesday 6-9:30pm/Lizann Warner- every Wednesday 6:30-10pm/Rodeo Drive- every Thursday 4-6:00pm/Stan Watkins Latinevery Thursday evening 6:30-10pm. Call Vicki’s for pricing and reservations 760-345-9770. Patte Purcell - Muze Muzic pattepurcell@yahoo.com