E. Doctor Smith's Blog

I've seen some incredible jazz violinists in my day, Stephane Grapelli, Jerry Goodman of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Steve Kindler, the incredible Jean Luc Ponty, Eddie Jobson, the disgustingly talented Al Shankar and most recently Tracy Silverman. During last month's fifth night of Kwaanza at the African Cultural Center, I caught a glimpse of one of the most extraordinary electric jazz violinists I have seen in quite some time, the self proclaimed "Improv-o-linist", Kippy Marks. Marks delighted the crowd with his one man show of loops, samples and remarkable prestidigitations. Kippy comes to Rasselas next Tuesday night, with a full band for his latest CD release of "To the Mountain Top". You don't want to miss this. Kippy Marks has been delighting audiences with his inspirational compositions and lively performances for over 2 decades. Raised in El Paso, Texas, the Artist began his musical acclaim with performances with the El Paso youth symp...

I'm often intrigued by the offspring of great musicians. The sons and daughters of Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck and Pete Escevedo respectively, are among the best and have done their parents proud. The tradition continues with sons of three of my all-time favorites; the incredible guitarist Larry Coryell and his group "Eleventh House" were astounding in their day; organist Brian Auger and his "Oblivion Express" blew my mind on several occasions and Joe Sample's "Jazz Crusaders" redefined themselves and jazz for decades. Now comes the "Coryell, Auger, Sample Trio" to the Healdsburg Palette Art Cafe, taking up where their fathers left off. These inherently talented musicians combine their jazz roots with a funky blues. If you're game for a little weekend up north, take in some fine art and these fine young musicians. In July of 2007 while doing a gig with Julian's father Larry Coryell, Karma and Julian we...

I'm a lover of all things musical, world, jazz, rock, punk and yes, even pop, to name but a few. After all, one of my favorite Bay Area pop groups are the "Orange Peels", led by tunes-smith Allen Clapp and the lovely Jill Pries. It was Clapp who tuned me onto a group he happens to be co-producing, known as "The Corner Laughers". After listening to what's now become one of my favorite tunes, (the fabulously written "Stonewords"), as well as other cuts from their soon to be released new album, I knew I was hearing something special. Created in a San Francisco Bay Area lab by "mad scientist" Angela Silletto and indoor archaeologist Karla Kane, the Corner Laughers were genetically engineered to be the perfect band: one part 60s British invasion, one part 80s new wave and one part 90s power pop with a smidgeon of twee, mod folk and trad jazz. But something went wrong! Two evil rhythm-section geniuses from rival bands -- fueled by ...

I'm a huge fan of Tom Nunn and David Michalak, two incredible artists and musicians. This Saturday, their amazing ensemeble Ghost in the House will join the acclaimed all-saxophone ensemble, Rova at the Community Music Center in San Francisco’s Mission District. With their unique instrumental combinations the two ensembles will present an evening of adventurous music making – performing as Rova and Ghost in the House, but also mixing it up with different combinations of the two groups. ROVA will present a set of original works for saxophone quartet. For more than 3 decades Rova has explored ways to blend composed and improvised musical elements to create genre bending pieces to the delight of audiences around the world. Community Music Center is an ideal setting to get up close and personal with the foursome. Rova will offer the San Francisco premier of Steve Adams’ Parallel Construction #3 from his series of works that blends interval and set derived written sections...