Tonight, Monday the 11th, and the next two Mondays as well, I'll be playing with the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra at "Jazz at Pearl's" in North Beach. The CJO, a 16-piece big band, is a San Francisco institution which has been featuring some of the region's finest jazz musicians (and sight-readers) every week for over a decade.

The repertoire includes classic charts by Thad Jones, Charles Mingus, Oliver Nelson, and many other legendary arrangers, as well as original arrangements written specifically for the band. I consider it a privilege (and a challenge) to play with the group from time to time.

So come on out for some rollicking big band sounds!

WHAT: The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
WHERE: Jazz at Pearl's, 256 Columbus Ave., San Francisco; phone: (415) 291-8255
WHEN: Mondays, September 11th, 18th, and 25th; sets at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $15

This Saturday night, I'm going to be playing a late show with Eddy Ellis O'Farrell—an eclectic rock/funk/latin band with a Zappa-esque twinge, led by singer and guitarist Michael Matias—at the Brainwash Cafe (and laudromat) in San Francisco. Evan Francis, my quintet's saxophonist, will also be playing with the group.

Come on down, and bring your laundry!

WHAT: Eddy Ellis O'Farrell
WHO: Michael Matias, voice/guitar; Ian Carey, trumpet; Evan Francis, saxophone; TBA, bass and drums
WHEN: Saturday, September 9th, 11 p.m.
WHERE: Brainwash, 1122 Folsom St., San Francisco. Phone: (415) 255-4866
HOW MUCH: Free.

This Saturday, I'm going to be appearing with Rachel Efron, a talented singer/songwriter/pianist with jazz, folk, and rock influences, at Anna's Jazz Island in Berkeley. It's also a chance to hear Ian Carey Quintet members Jon Arkin and Evan Francis, as well as bassist Dan Feiszli (who engineered our CD).

Hope to see you there!

WHAT: Rachel Efron Quintet
WHO: Rachel Efron, voice/piano; Ian Carey, trumpet; Evan Francis, reeds; Dan Feiszli, bass, and Jon Arkin, drums
WHEN: Saturday, September 2nd, 8 p.m.
WHERE: Anna's Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. Phone: (510) 841-JAZZ
HOW MUCH: Not sure, but probably around $10.

No new performances to announce as of yet, though we've got a lot of demos out there, so it shouldn't be long. (I'll also post a "recommended listening" entry soon.)

In the meantime, I've discovered that the video free-for-all site YouTube has become a real treasure trove of jazz history (at least until it gets shut down by copyright lawyers). Here's a great clip of Keith Jarrett (read my review of one of his shows here) playing Miles Davis's Solar...

There's also lots of classic Bill Evans, Miles & Coltrane, and even a trip to a trumpet factory with Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Enjoy!

First of all, thanks to everyone who came out last weekend to the Octavia Lounge. We had a great time playing and the room was perfect——intimate without being cramped. (And I hear the food was good, too.)

In addition to playing tunes from our CD, we premiered a couple of new compositions ("Disinvited" and "Contextualizin'"), and revisited some Thelonious Monk gems ("Ask Me Now" and the thorny "Four in One")——but I think the audience would agree that the highlight of the evening was Evan's blazing solo on "Chick's Tune" (by Chick Corea, naturally). Unfortunately the performance wasn't recorded, but hopefully we'll play there again and I can plan ahead to do some self-bootlegging.

The excellent photographer, writer and occasional pastry chef James Knox was also in attendance, camera in hand. Here are a few highlights:

Me and Dad and the sandwich board ("Chef's Cheesesteak"!)

It was especially good to hear Adam on a real piano.

Fred and Jon layin' it down.

Me and Evan trying to read and swing at the same time.

The entire set of 52 (!) photos can be viewed here. (If you like what you see, be sure and drop some compliments in James's comment box.)

We hope to have some more gig announcements for you soon. I'll also be posting some "recommended listening" notes on albums I've recently been wearing out. In the meantime, enjoy your summers and stay cool. (I mean that literally. Not "cool" like Snoopy when he puts on his sunglasses and listens to jazz. Although if you want to put on sunglasses and listen to jazz, don't let me stop you.)

This is just a reminder of our upcoming show this Saturday at the Octavia Lounge--we'll be playing music from our recent CD, as well as some new compositions by members of the band (and most likely a few standards and jazz rarities). It'll be a good chance to hear the group in a nice room with a real piano, and may be our only performance this summer.

Hope to see you Saturday!

What: The Ian Carey Quintet (Ian, trumpet & flugelhorn; Evan Francis, alto saxophone & flute; Adam Shulman, piano; Fred Randolph, bass; Jon Arkin, drums)
Where: The Octavia Lounge, 1772 Market St., S.F. (Directions available here.)
When: Saturday, July 8, 8pm-12am
How much: $10