Announcements: 8 Legged Monster + CJO

The Quintet @ Anna's. Click for more photos.

First, I want to thank everyone who came out to our show at Anna's last week; it's very gratifying to play in front of a knowledgeable and passionate jazz crowd. I made a bootleg of the gig which came out pretty well, so check back soon for some live mp3s for your downloading pleasure.

Next, I have two shows coming up in the next couple of weeks that I wanted to tell you about--the first is this Wednesday, May 7th, when I'll be playing with 8 Legged Monster, a 9-piece all-star group of Bay Area bebop warriors focused on "the excitement of densely arranged small group big-band with a nod to tradition that still brings new life to the genre through exploration." The band has been making some serious noise locally since their founding last year, and I'm excited to be playing with them for the first time. It's going to be loud and raucous and swinging, so I encourage you to come out and support this big little band.

WHAT: 8 Legged Monster
WHO: Michael Irwin Johnson, guitar and arrangements; Noel Jewkes, tenor sax; Rob Barics, clarinet; Joe Cohen, alto sax; Tom Griesser, baritone sax; Ian Carey, trumpet; Joel Behrman, trombone; Eric Markowitz, bass; and Vince Lateano, drums
WHEN: Wednesday, May 7th, 10pm
WHERE: Club Deluxe, 1511 Haight St., San Francisco; Phone: (415) 552-6949
HOW MUCH: $10

You also may have heard that the North Beach landmark Jazz at Pearl's was closing, and then not closing, this month; word is that at the last minute, the club found a new owner, but will be continuing in the same tradition--and most importantly, keeping its two resident big bands. So I'll be doing my part to help celebrate the new start by playing a week from Monday (May 12th) with the 14-years-and-going-strong Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. So stop by for some thundering big band sounds.

WHAT: The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, directed by Tod Dickow
WHEN: Monday, May 12th, 8pm & 10pm
WHERE: Jazz at Pearl's, 256 Columbus Ave., San Francisco; Phone: (415) 291-8255
HOW MUCH: $15