Mark's Fertility Pancake!

Note the symbolism!

--The Daily Fitchett

Open Solo Division at SYMF 2011

SYMF (Southwestern Youth Music Festival) winner
Nicholas Echeverry in the Open Solo division

Congratulations to Nicholas Echeverry, student at Long Beach School of Music, for his 2nd place win in the Open Solo piano competition at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival this past weekend! "Open Solo" division is a pretty competitive category- nice work, Nick!

-- See Nick Echeverry's Piano Blog --

Philadanco! Passion and Precision at Cerritos Performing Arts Center

Cerritos Performing Arts Center photographed by Lisa Kato Fitchett, 3/13/2011.

The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) founded by Joan Myers Brown in 1970, is a modern contemporary dance company that tours nationally and internationally. For 34 years, the company has traveled the country and the world, performing before sold-out audiences of diverse people of all ages, creed, ethnicity and cultural traditions. PHILADANCO has a history of being a trailblazer.  They were the pilot dance company to be part of the State of Pennsylvania, Comprehensive Education Training Act, arts training program, one of the first companies to hire our dancers on a 52 week salary, the first to own housing for the dancers and the first to own a debt-free facility. Philadanco is also the company which founded the International Conference of Black Dance Companies and International Association of Blacks in Dance which addresses the special needs of the African American dance community in a supportive environment, and produces an annual conference.

Lula and Irwin Washington with Mark Fitchett at CPAC.

Mark and I caught up with Irwin and Lula Washington (both big fans of the Philadelphia Dance Company) at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center on the night of Philadanco's performance. Lula Washington is the founder of Los Angeles based Lula Washington Dance Theatre.

After The Storm, Part 5

Oakhurst, California - A great afternoon of hiking and photography the day after a large snow storm blanketed the entire area surrounding our friend's family cabin.

After The Storm, Part 4

Wintry landscape in Oakhurst, CA photographed by Lisa Kato Fitchett.

We interrupt this week's bad news (Japan, tsunami, displacement, death toll) to bring you more photographs of the landscape the day after a big snowstorm in Oakhurst, California.

Potatoes Au Gratin

One of my favorite foods when I was a teenager was potatoes Au Gratin, so I am thrilled to present my version of this recipe here. This version is similar to making lasagna in that the key is layering.


Ingredients:
4 russet potatoes, sliced thinly (1/8 inch slices)
1 whole yellow onion, sliced into thin rings
1 stick butter
6 Tablespoons flour (or Wondra)
4 Cups milk
3 Cups shredded Mild Cheddar cheese
2 slices well-done toast (for breadcrumbs)
Salt, pepper to taste

The Planet of Sound

From The Planet of Sound - 

We discovered this cool blog on Tumlr - The Planet of Sound...Where's the "Love" button?

Leadership Redondo Aims to Raise $100k For Veterans' Park Band Shell

Rendering of proposed structure by Ottolia & Barnes Architecture. 

Redondo Beach, California - Who is Leadership Redondo Class of 2010? This group of dedicated volunteers initially set out to raise $70,000 to replace Redondo Beach's 50-year old band shell structure in Veterans' Park, not realizing that it would cost nearly $180,000 to get it done. Due to their persistence, coordination with the City of Redondo Beach, and the help of many contributors and supporters, it looks like this hardy group will succeed. Here are a few highlights about the group and participants in their capstone fund raiser which was held Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the Redondo Beach Historical Library.

Band Shell elevation drawing by Ottalia & Barnes Architecture.

"We first met in September 2009, no one in our group knowing any other group members...After nine months of meetings, we embarked on our project, never realizing what a truly challenging and rewarding project it would be. Somehow it seemed like this day would never come, but here we are, and thanks to all of you for making the trip in this awful weather to support our project to replace the aging Veteran's Park Band Shell here in Redondo Beach..."

--excerpts from the keynote speech by Leadership Redondo Class of 2010 Project Leader Larry Rosolowski of Razor Scooters (www.Razor.com).

Leadership Redondo Class of 2010, photographed by Lisa Kato Fitchett.

Leadership Redondo Class of 2010: Leadership Redondo Class of 2010 are: April Pitcairn (Pre-paid Legal Services), Marina Mora (Massage Therapist, Riviera Village), Brant Griffin (North Pier Fiduciary Management), Michael Ude (Custom Video), Gail Davis (Acme Clean Air), Susie Grant (South Bay Galleria), Ron Maroko (U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney), Chris Benson (City of Redondo Beach, IT Department), Michael Fitts (Endangered Habitats League Staff Attorney), Sandy Marchese (Protection At Location), Seth Berg (South Bay Music), Deborah Fehn (Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center), Kerianne Lawson (Beach Cities Health District).

Councilman Matt Kilroy, Steve Napolitano representing
4th District County Supervisor Don Knabe, Redondo
Beach Mayor Mike Gin, Councilman Steve Diels.

Dignitaries in attendance: District City Councilman Matt Kilroy, Steve Napolitano representing 4th District County Supervisor Don Knabe, Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin, and District City Councilman Steve Diels.

Major Contributors: Athens Services ($50,000) COO Gary Clifford, VP Finance Greg Huntington and wife Jasna, Director of Governmental Affairs Ed Chen; Deborah Fehn (member of Leadership Redondo 2010 and Director of Business Development) and Gold Sponsors ($10,000) Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance.

Architects Domingo Ottolia & Dorothy Barnes;
Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin; Project Leader
Larry Rosolowski; Stella Rothluebbers, Linda and
Vic Braden of family-owned Cornerstone Construction.

In-Kind Service Providers: Particular recognition goes to in-kind service providers who have donated $50,000 worth of services to the project. In-kind service providers are: Domingo Ottalia and his wife Dorothy, Ottolia & Barnes Architecture; Aurich Lawson, graphic designer; Vic Braden of Cornerstone Construction; and Jason Carter and Kathy Villa of Spectrum Catering who underwrote almost the entire cost of the catering.

Additional Donors: Other donors included Andrea and Mike Zislis of Shade Hotel, Rock'n'Fish, Mucho Restaurant (www.ZislisGroup.com), Steve and Jennifer Goldstein of PayRoll Management Solutions (PayRollManagementSolutions.com), Kayli Yoong, event party planner. Steve Goldstein is the Chairman of Redondo Beach Chamber Board of Directors, and a graduate of the Leadership Redondo Class of 2007.

The Mark Fitchett Band: Mark Fitchett (guitar), Bob Luna
(keyboards and vocals), Gregory Scott Alban (drums),
Donna Butler (vocals), Anthony Alvarez (bass).

The Mark Fitchett Band: Mark Fitchett (guitar), Bob Luna (vocals and keyboards), Anthony Alvarez (bass), Gregory Scott Alban (drums), with guest vocalist Donna Butler.

Coming Up Sunday: Mark Fitchett Band in Redondo Beach

Mark your calendar! The Mark Fitchett Band will perform a selection of jazz, classic rock and blues in Redondo Beach this Sunday, March 20, 2011, in order to raise money for the revitalization of the Veteran's Park Bandshell in Redondo Beach. The event includes catered dinner and silent auction, and is sponsored by Leadership Redondo Class of 2010, a group of South Bay volunteers who are trying to raise $70,000 to replace the hazardous 50-year-old public structure. The Mark Fitchett Band consists of Robert Luna (keyboards and vocals), Gregory Scott Alban (drums), Anthony Alvarez (bass), and Mark Fitchett (guitar), with guest vocalist Donna Butler.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

5:00pm to 9:00pm

Redondo Beach Historical Library

309 Esplanade

Redondo Beach, CA 90277

$100 per person / $1,000 per table

Please make checks payable to: Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation

Mail checks to:

Leadership Redondo 2010

c/o CS Business Management

2615 190th Street, #210

Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Or go to www.VeteransParkBandshell.com and click on the PayPal button to send your money directly.

The Veterans' Park Band Shell Project needs the funds raised by Leadership Redondo Class of 2010 are a group of volunteers who are trying to raise at least $70,000 within a six-month period to replace the crumbling current structure - in place since it was commissioned in 1957 - with a safer, new multi-use public structure by Domingo Ottolia of Ottolia and Barnes Architecture.

Thanks also to Spectrum Catering for their generous contribution to this event.

Interview with Freedom4U Founder Greg Allen

Freedom4U Community Youth Concert in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.

As the founder of non-profit organization Freedom4U on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Dr. Greg Allen is a prominent community fund raiser, and advocate for local youth in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.

The Daily Fitchett: Dr. Allen, what is Freedom 4U?

Greg Allen: Freedom4U, in a nutshell, is an organization that offers youth positive activities and creative outlets as an alternative to drugs and other destructive activities.

Concert for Youth Sponsored by Freedom4U

The Daily Fitchett: What motivated you to do this kind of work?

Greg Allen: After spending many years as a drug and family therapist, I saw firsthand how the lack of fun and safe social outlets for young people could lead them onto destructive paths. I also saw a need for a better local support system that could connect our young people, help them to pursue their passions, and provide the tools to work through the many challenges of adolescence.

DF: How did the organization get its start?

GA: We began Freedom4U to meet a clear a need for young people in the South Bay and particularly here on the hill. While families may have resources in this area, our middle school and high school students struggle to find fun ways to socialize and connect with each other in healthy and safe environments.

Freedom4U Concert for Youth

Our schools are excellent. We are a community of doting and dedicated parents. Most of our children are enrolled in some combination of after school lessons, organized sports teams, and volunteer programs.

But when Friday night rolls around, most of our young people want to hang out with each other. And there is often not much productive for them to do. That was the beginning of our vision for "Freedom4U".

So to we started the organization in 2002. Since that time, we have served more than 2000 young people per year, creating a wide range of programs to fulfill Freedom4U’s guiding mission; ‘to coach young people to fulfill their potential’.

DF: What events do you offer?

GA: We have created a Friday night concert series that has become one of the most popular nights out for our high school students and given aspiring young musicians the opportunity to perform in front of their peers in a safe, local and drug-free environment. We have also put counselors in all of the local high schools to provide support for students in working through major life challenges, from family and social issues to substance abuse.

DF: We also noticed that you have regular youth jazz jam sessions.


GA: Right! We built a monthly Jazz jam session at Trump Golf Course for young people interested in jazz and other improvised music. For this program, we brought in the some of the best young professional and college musicians in Los Angeles to help instruct our young people and perform on stage alongside them.

Other effective programs consist of: creative arts, life skills workshops for middle school boys and girls, parenting education and support, the 5th annual film contest is coming up along with a photography contest, leadership and service opportunities.

DF: It sounds like the program has really grown.


GA: It has. In July, we hosted our second annual “Jazz Through the Generations” Festival here on the Hill. This event featured internationally-known jazz artists performing alongside the participants in our youth programs, highlighting the importance of mentorship in the arts. We had over 1000 people attend this annual event at beautiful Terranea Resort.

Watch Behind-the-Scenes Video of Jazz Through the Generations.

DF: I remember the event was huge. Paul Smith, David Benoit, and Barbara Morrisson shared the stage with the younger up and coming musicians. "Jazz Through The Generations" was very well attended and was a great concert as well. Speaking of which, when is the next one?

GA: July 17th, 2011! We'll keep you posted. The next event that we have coming up soon is our 4th annual fundraiser 'Evening with the Stars'.

We are just beginning to realize the full potential of Freedom4U to make a difference in the lives of our young people. Our Priorities are: Community: Investing in young people; Character: Supporting young people in their strengths and confidence; Creativity: Being a laboratory for new ideas to be created, developed and expressed.

Freedom4U can only fulfill this mission with the generous help of the community. Together we can make a real difference in this community, providing our young people with the community support that they need, a place to pursue their passions, and important tools and skills that they will carry with them forever.

The 3rd Annual Evening with the Stars Lineup:
Olympic Gold Medalist Ron Brown, Redskin Jeff Severson,
Dr. Jeff Miller, Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Tillman,
LA District Attorney Carmen Trutanich,
Bear?Bruin Tim Wrightman, Van Barbieri,
Producer/Composer Tom Harriman, 49'er Cedrik Hardman,
Redskin/Bruin Billy Kilmer, CEO Bill Harris, GA

DF: What are the details of 'Evening With The Stars', and who is invited?


GA: Here's the details, and as far as who is invited...everyone! Please come and support the youth on the hill. Here's the invite:

Come to the 4th Annual Evening with the Stars
Mix & mingle with sports and entertainment stars
While listening to live jazz music
Fabulous silent & live auction items
Exceptional Trump National dinner and wine included

with stars:
NFL Hall of Famer Deacon Jones
Super Bowl Quarterbacks Billy Kilmer & Vince Ferragamo
US Olympic Gold Medalist & NFL All-Pro Ron Brown
US Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Tillman
and other Stars

Join us in honoring TV anchor Ed Arnold with the
George H. Allen Lifetime Achievement Award

Jessie and Greg Allen at event.

Where & When:
Trump National Golf Club Grand Ballrom
One Ocean Trails Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. 90275

Thursday, April 21, 2011
5:30 PM – 7:15 PM Silent Auction
7:15 PM - 9:00 PM Dinner, Music, Program & Live Auction

Business Casual Attire

Tickets: $100 if received by April 9th, $125 until April 18th

You may reserve your place online at:
www.freedomcommunity.com, call 310-897-5043
email: awakening02@hotmail.com or mail check to:
Freedom4U, 336 Tejon Place, PVE, CA. 90274

The Founders' Circle at the L.A. Music Center

The Founders' Circle at the L.A. Music Center photographed by Lisa Kato Fitchett.

"The restrooms in the Founders' Circle are practically reason enough to pony up the $30,000 donation to get in." - a female patron overheard at the L.A. Music Center. Pictured here: The Founders' Circle, a private club for donors who support the Los Angeles Opera. The Founders' Circle serves a pre-performance dinner, and h'ors doevres, cappuccino, and desert during intermissions. Oh yes, and there's nary a queue for the restrooms. Reservations are required. The club is located within the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion on the South end of the Music Center Plaza on North Grand Avenue. --The Daily Fitchett, 3/10/11.

The 6th Annual Celebrate Dance Festival in L.A.

The Alex Theatre in Glendale, California photographed by Lisa Kato Fitchett.

Glendale, California - The dance community of Los Angeles packed the Alex Theatre on North Brand Boulevard for the sixth annual "Celebrate Dance", a varied program of over half a dozen preeminent dance companies representing some of today's most exciting talents in contemporary, jazz, ballet, and modern dance.

The Regina Klenjoski Dance Company oozed, pulsed, undulated, bounced, glided and sailed through the air in their fearlessly athletic and original "Emoticons", under the sure artistic direction of choreographer Regina Klenjoski. "Everybody Knows" - a pas de deux from San Diego based Malashock Dance company - showcased lyrical pairings, shapes and vignettes, making virtuoso lifts, partnering, inversions, and gravity defying leaps look easy under the mature direction of John Malashock, another veteran choreographer.

BARE Dance Company turned the stereotype of serious modern dance on its head with "Unoccupied", a light-hearted, fun piece demonstrating expressive capability, musicality, and a very connected delivery while never losing its sense of humor. "Tethered" (from Wayward Glances), a beautiful, athletic and thoroughly modern pas de deux by choreographer Michael Mizerany was made postmodern by being set to Henry Purcell's baroque era opera Dido and Aeneus. Terri Best Dance almost bent the passage of time with its unexpected slow shifts in tempo, deftly controlled timing, muscular suspension, well-honed choreography, and refined delivery in "Threshold". 

While it is almost unfair to pick a stand-out performance from such a collective display of creative talents, special mention must go to Monat Dance for showing strong classical lines and elegant, ballet-based modern choreography in "Beyond the Edge". Never confusing technique with artistry, the company danced with the musicality of Ailey, the refreshing modernism of the Joffrey, and with perfectly synchronized, artistic details of heads, arms and hands moving as one, the unique and total togetherness of London's Royal Ballet corps. 

Finally, this reviewer must point to the achievement of choreographer Jamel Gaines and Creative Outlook Dance Theatre of Brooklyn in its Los Angeles Premiere of "Prize", a piece exploring identity, race, political dissidence, war, and peace. Impeccably performed by a quintet of powerful dancers (Amber Hill, Epiphany Davis, Cara Maldonado, De-on Sass, Victor Reddick) and set entirely to the rising and falling tones and cadences of President Barack Obama's speech excerpts, the company showcased phenomenally strong, talented dancers articulating a decisive artistic statement without the obvious polemicism that could have cheapened the performance. Stunning, exceptional performances by the outstanding soloists and universal appeal reminded this reviewer of Alvin Ailey Dance Company at its very best.

The attendees comprised a Who's Who of the Los Angeles and Southland dance community, including choreographers Deborah Rosen, Sophie Monat, Terri Best, Michael Mizerany, John Malashock, Macarena Gandarillas, Mike Esperanza, and Regina Klenjoski; costume designers Denise Lichter, Tina Haatainen, Lilia Lopez, Bradley Lock, Liz Pelster, and Sue Julien; soloists Blythe Barton, Bradley R. Lundberg, Johnny Zhong, Anh Dillon, Joey Thao, Christine Marshall, Nicholas Strasburg, and Dana Vultaggio; award-winning lighting designer Eileen Cooley; and members of the major dance and fine arts press.

Celebrate Dance 2011 was a smashing success, with its strong and varied program, mature artistic statements, and outstanding young talents performing before a packed theater. Executive Producer Jamie Nichols (the founding force behind Pasadena-based Fast Feet dance company, honored at the 19th Annual Lester Horton Dance Awards with the Furthering The Visibility of Dance Award, among many other prizes and recognition) is the marketing director, fundraiser, press contact and sole producer for Celebrate Dance. Ms. Nichols currently teaches Contemporary Jazz at Live Arts Los Angeles and Movement for Actors at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, California. Thank you for your contributions, Ms. Nichols. We can't wait to see what's in store for "Celebrate Dance 2012".

After The Storm, Part 3

Snow covered tree in the day's fading light, photographed by Lisa Kato Fitchett.

Snow covered tree in the fading light of day, from a series of snowy landscape photographs taken the day after a snow storm blanketed Oakhurst, California.

See Related Posts:

• After The Storm (Part 1)
• After The Storm, Part 2

--The Daily Fitchett, 3/13/11.

After The Storm, Part 2

Snowy Tree Tops. Photograph by Lisa Kato Fitchett.

We saw the late afternoon sun glinting off of snowy tree tops, and behind it, the cobalt blue sky trying to peek through lavender clouds. Subject: Travel, Photography, Oakhurst, California.

See Related Post:

• After The Storm (Part 1)
• After The Storm, Part 3

More Related Posts: Oakhurst, California.

--The Daily Fitchett, 3/12/11.

Midlife Crisis at the Long Beach Aquarium

Long Beach, California - Coming up in April, the members of the Adult Garage Band 101 rock camp, a.k.a. "Midlife Crisis" will rock the Aquarium of the Pacific on April 1st, 2011, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Midlife Crisis members are: Randy Berler (vocals and guitar), John Tailor (bass), Gregory Hex (vocals and guitar), Jim Crenshaw (guitar), Linda Thompson (drums), Barbara Jackson (vocals, keyboards, mandolin), Bob Warpehoski (vocals, keyboards), and Mike Grady(guitar). Adult Garage Band 101 is a class available to adult students of Long Beach School of Music, South Bay School of Music (Redondo Beach), and Peninsula School of Music in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Click on the picture here to see a bigger image of the poster and to get gig details.

Related Post: Restricted: No One Under 30 Allowed Midlife Crisis rehearses for their upcoming gig.

--The Daily Fitchett, 3/11/11.

After The Storm

Snow Storm Blankets Oakhurst, CA.  Photograph by Lisa Kato Fitchett.

On the day of a huge snowstorm, we drove in to Oakhurst, California. What you see here is the wintry scene that we witnessed as we hiked around on the following day.

--The Daily Fitchett, 3/10/11.

Cornish Game Hens

Cornish Game Hen, Rosemary, Lemon & Garlic. The Daily Fitchett.

The new big hit at our house is Cornish game hens, pictured below with rosemary garnish, potatoes au gratin, and mixed green salad with dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, and sliced pear. See the pinkness in the juice in the photo above? That's what I couldn't see when it was still in the baking pan. This one had to go back in the oven. In order to avoid this problem, make sure to check the internal temperature of the meat with a meat thermometer, and to use a large enough baking pan so as not to crowd the hens. If they are too close together, it will take significantly longer to cook. Another mistake that you can see in this photo was the raw rosemary garnish. Mark tossed the rosemary garnish back in the oven at the last minute to toast it for tenderness, better texture and flavor.  Once that was done, it was a phenomenal meal. Thanks to MoonAndBack on AllRecpies.com for posting the original recipe.

Essential Equipment:

• Large Baking Pan
• Large Rack that can fit inside the baking pan, and accommodate 4 Cornish game hens with space in between each (hens should not touch, nor be too crowded)
• Meat Thermometer

Ingredients:
4 Cornish game hens
1 lemon
8 sprigs rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 dozen cloves garlic, peeled
1/3 Cup white cooking wine
1 Cup low-sodiu chicken broth

Cornish Game Hens with Rosemary & Potatoes au Gratin.

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Rub hens with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Stuff a lemon wedge and sprig of rosemary into the cavity of each hen; Tie the legs together with string. Arrange on a rack placed inside a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around the hens. Roast for 25 minutes.
3. In a Pyrex cup, mix together wine, chicken broth, and 2 Tablespoons of olive oil; pour over hens. Continue roasting, and baste with pan juices and additional chicken broth/olive oil mixture every 15 minutes. It can be difficult to tell if the juices "run clear", so continue roasting hens and use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the hens reaches 155 degrees Fahrenheit. Each instance of basting reduces the temperature in the oven and adds on to the total cooking time, but it is oh-so worth it.
4. Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices, garlic cloves to a medium saucepan, add the rest of the chicken broth and olive oil, and boil on medium high until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise, spoon sauce and garlic over the hens, and garnish with rosemary. 

Here's another great link that I found regarding the proper way to cook these hens: How To Roast Cornish Game Hen on www.HowToCookMeat.com.

Cornish game hens are small, light, not too overpowering in flavor, and yet extremely tasty.  This dish goes well with red wine and French bread.  Serves 6-8.

--The Daily Fitchett, 3/9/11.

Cult of the Wrong Note: "Muscle Machine"

Last week we wrote about the new reissue scheduled for Mark's classic 90's rock/jazz/fusion album Cult of the Wrong Note. One of the songs off of that album is "Muscle Machine", a hard-driving funky uptempo tune with snarling guitar and a strong bass line. Muscle Machine is now available for preview on www.SoundCloud.com. The Cult of the Wrong Note are: Mark Fitchett: Guitar, Rick Hollander:Bass, Chuck Messana: Drums, Craig Roth: Keyboards.

Click here to listen.

Related Post:  Soon To Be Released: Mark Fitchett & The Cult of the Wrong Note

--The Daily Fitchett.

Herbie Hancock at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Walt Disney Concert Hall photographed at night by Lisa Kato Fitchett.

Los Angeles, CA - Herbie Hancock shared the stage with saxophone legend Wayne Shorter, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Vinnie Coliauta for an almost sold-out concert Saturday night at Walt Disney Hall.

The focus of the evening was the sonic explorations of four masters, beyond the bounds of a predictable groove, melodic motif, and chord progression. Which is not to say these guys didn't groove. They grooved, but far outside the expected bounds of bar lines and predictable time signatures.  And not to say there were no melodies and no chord progressions.  The arrangements were solidly tonal but pushed the boundaries of audience expectations with their extended scope and development.

The first two pieces, more recently written by Wayne Shorter, took over an hour to perform, setting the mood for an evening of improvisatory wizadry with their stretched out openings, long development sections, and expanded recapitulations. The third piece, "Maiden Voyage" finally took us back to familiar territory.  But even there, the Maiden Voyage melody was deconstructed and transmogrified, put in unexpected places, rhythmically phased, playfully transposed into different keys and then transposed back again.  Wayne Shorter's "Visitor from Nowhere" was another broad sonic territory for the four virtuosi to traverse, ideas and inspiration unfurling and multiplying under their direction.

The encore was Herbie Hancock's classic "Cantaloupe Island",   which began as mysterious ruminations by Dave Holland on bass, eventually coalescing into fragments of that world-famous "Cantaloupe Island" bass line, but holding back on being completely recognizable until Wayne Shorter stepped in boldly with the first two notes of main melody.  Saturday evening's concert was a window for the audience to see what can happen when masters step in with invited friends to deconstruct their own and each other's pieces.  Herbie Hancock - transformed, transmogrified, and transcendent.

Related Posts: LA Times Blog "Culture Monster" - Jazz Review: Herbie Hancock at Walt Disney Concert Hall

--The Daily Fitchett, 3/7/2011.

Jam Session: Knypstra, Cser & Fitchett

Knypstra, Cser & Fitchett

Palos Verdes Estates, CA - A wonderful set of standards was performed at this impromptu jam session with bassist Ravi Knypstra, pianist Laszlo J. Cser, and Mark Fitchett. Professor Cser, formerly an instructor of jazz composition and big band arranging at Los Angeles City College, is very much an impeccable pianist with a sharp sense of musical humor.

--The Daily Fitchett.