Does the thought of going out New Year’s Eve give you the jitters? Perhaps flashbacks of previous drunken disasters or heightened expectations on the importance of the night is giving you pause about going out. Given that it falls on a Saturday night this year likely means that the amateur partiers will be even more out in force and Ryan Seacrest and Anderson Cooper are sounding like a much more comfortable scenario. However, if you do choose to go out, there are plenty of options out there for all music lovers to enjoy.
A perennial musical favorite on New Year’s Eve – Pink Martini will be ringing in the new year at Disney Hall in downtown Los Angeles, with two shows on Dec. 31. The Portland, Ore.-based 14-piece orchestra draws inspiration from music from all over the world, crossing genres of classical, jazz, Brazilian Samba, 1930s Cuban dance and Parisian cafe music. Having the distinction of performing on the opening night of the Frank Gehry-designed concert hall, Pink Martini is back in downtown L.A., having last played on New Years Eve in 2008. Performances are at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and more information can be found at laphil.com.
If you feel like celebrating the new year in roaring 1920s style, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is throwing the Golden Stag New Year’s Eve Party at the legendary Park Plaza Hotel near downtown L.A. The event will feature live music performances from the Elliot Deutsch Big Band, one of the hardest-swinging big bands in the city, along with jazz guitarist and ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award-winner Brent Canter. The party will also feature an absinthe bar, cigars and a dance performance from the Astra Dance Company. General admission tickets are $50, or $150 that includes a reserved table service with hosted bar. More information on the event can be found at lacma.org/event/muse-new-years-eve-2011.
The Industry Cafe & Jazz on Washington Boulevard in Culver City is still going strong since opening over six years ago, with their eclectic entertainment booking policy. It had been a while since I checked out one of their jam nights, but after a few pops at a music industry party, I was ready to hear some down home blues and jazz and not talk about “the biz.”
On Wednesday nights, keyboardist Rose Gales presides over a dynamic blues and jazz jam session, anchored by Clarence Webb on tenor sax and various folks in the audience who come up and entertain a friendly audience.
Performers that night included Lady G.G., who besides being a strong blues belter, introduced herself as a cousin to the Brown Bomber from Detroit, the ex-heavyweight champ Joe Louis.
Also entertaining the packed house was tap dance and choreographer extraordinaire Chester Whitmore, who studied under famed hoofer Fayard Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers. On New Years Eve, the Industry will be featuring another no-cover blues and jazz show, so if you’re light in the pocket and feel like staying local, this could be the gig for you.
The Industry is owned by East African native Aron Tadesse, who grew up in the country of Eritrea, bordered by Ethiopia in the south and Sudan in the west. Besides providing a fun and friendly atmosphere, the Industry has a solid Ethiopian and soul food menu that Tadesse personally oversees. This restaurant and cafe is a diamond in the rough in Culver City and is further evidence of the diverse artistic and gastronomic influences of different countries in our local environs.
On Friday, Ghetto Tech DJ and rap recording artist DJ Assault will be making his way back to Echo Park, playing a headlining set at Echo on Sunset Boulevard. This Motor City native makes his home in Atlanta, GA now, however, his X-rated raps and scratching are always welcome in Los Angeles, where he has a rabid following. His signature track is not for underage kids, so you’ll just have to Google him to find out more. Go to attheecho.com/ to learn more about the event.
And last, Angels Piano Bar and Supper Club is featuring a no-cover music night with jazz vocalist Angie Wells on Dec. 28. Wells is a Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival winner and will be supported by Dave Mosco on the piano and Tim Emmons on stand-up bass. Angels is a fun and intimate space in Santa Monica on Wilshire Boulevard near 24th Street that serves vintage cocktails and comfort food.
Whatever you do, be safe and have a happy, healthy and musical new year.
Jonathan Weiss is a Los Angeles-based music supervisor for film, TV and advertising and a radio journalist. Email him at jonjaz@aol.com.