Jazz Brunch with the Wallace Stelzer Duo – Special Guest, Ray Zepeda
Sat., January 7, 2017; 12 Noon – 3:00 PM
Henry’s
2745 Broadway; New York, New York 10025; USA
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Houston cum New York jazz bassist extraordinaire, Wallace Stelzer (http://wallacestelzer.com/), has been the “Young Lion” in NYC for the last 5 years during which time he has held this residency at this upscale modern American bistro in Manhattan’s Upper West Side (http://www.henrysnyc.com/). Enjoy an epicurean American brunch and full bar menu while Stelzer, guitarist Brent Vaarstra (http://www.brentvaarstra.com/), and special guest from Los Angeles, Ray Zepeda on saxophone, feed your ears with tasteful renderings from the Great American Songbook and standard jazz repertory.
WJ3 Records Showcase – 2017 APAP Conference
Sat., January 7, 2017; 9:30 PM – 12:00 Midnight
New York Midtown Hilton – Harlem Suite (4th Floor)
1335 6th Avenue, New York, New York 10019; USA
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Legendary drummer and WJ3 Records label owner, Willie Jones III (http://www.williejones3.com/wj3-records.html), presents an evening of hard-swinging straight-ahead jazz with an all-star collective of prominent jazz artists from around the country! Led by NYC tenor saxophonist , Eric Wyatt (http://www.ericwyatt-music.com/html/), this session features a reuniting of Ron Carter Trio pianist, Donald Vega (http://www.donaldvega.com/), with former Los Angeles compatriot, saxophonist Ray Zepeda! Don’t miss this free show open to the public!
Flowbis
– with the Spazmatics
Sat., January 21, 2017 at 9:00 PM
Saint Rocke
142 North Pacific Coast Highway; Hermosa Beach, California 90254; USA
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The South Bay’s punkiest, funkiest band rolls into Hermosa Beach’s premier live music venue to funkify your soul! Be a part of this unique high-energy experience and party with the Flowbis (http://flowbis.com/) family and be sure to stick around for perennial 80s favorite, The Spazmatics (http://thespazmatics.com/)!
Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended as this show is guaranteed to sell out! Visit http://www.saintrocke.com/event/1397219-spazmatics-hermosa-beach/ for tickets. ($15 cover.)
Andy Fisher (lead vocals), Bill Gower (bass), Brendan Reynolds (drums), Ryan Faye (gtr.), Kenny Harrison (tpt.), and Ray Zepeda (sax).
Ray Zepeda and the Bakersfield New Music Collective
Re-Imagining Milton Babbitt: A Centennial Celebration for an Exceptional American
Tues., January 31, 2017; 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
The Mark
1623 19th Street
Bakersfield, California 93301; USA
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Bakersfield New Music Collective Artistic Director and Founder, Ray Zepeda, leads an All-Star ensemble of 16 of Bakersfield’s most forward-thinking players and new music advocates in this third-stream tribute to the father of American serialism – iconoclastic composer and musical thinker, Milton Babbitt – who would be 100 now! This Bakersfield Jazz Workshop program will feature pieces by Babbitt, Zepeda, and others from the Collective including remixes and jazz arrangements of Babbitt’s most seminal pieces. This ensemble will be featured on Zepeda’s next CD so come out and get a sneak preview!
Flowbis
Fri. February 17, 2017; at 9:30 PM
The Standing Room
1320 Hermosa Avenue; Hermosa Beach, California 90254; USA
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The South Bay’s punkiest, funkiest band returns to Hermosa Beach’s hottest, newest live music venue to funkify your soul! Be a part of this unique high-energy experience and party with the Flowbis (http://flowbis.com) family!
Andy Fisher (lead vocals), Bill Gower (bass), Brendan Reynolds (drums), Ryan Faye (gtr.), Kenny Harrison (tpt.), and Ray Zepeda (sax).
Dixieland Mardi Gras Church Service!
Sun., February 26, 2017; 9:45 AM
Historic First Lutheran Church
808 North Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena, California 91104; USA
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Ever thought Mardi Gras and religious practice could never mix? Come learn the Christian roots of Mardi Gras and enjoy a stellar Dixieland/New Orleans ensemble led by pianist, Mark McCormick, featuring Kenny Harrison on trumpet and Ray Zepeda on clarinet and soprano saxophone as they lift your soul with all your spiritual favorites, complete with beads and New Orleans decor! Be sure to stay afterward for a Mardi Gras style lunch provided by the church!
Mind, Body, & Soul
Fri., April 7, 2017 at 9:00 PM
Hermosa Saloon
211 Pacific Coast Highway; Hermosa Beach, California 90254; USA
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This Bakersfield funk powerhouse takes the stage at this classic Hermosa Beach venue by storm! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty all night long!
Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Christian Faulkner (gtr./voc.), Christian Dubeau (keyboard), Curtis Morero (drums), Brent Williams (tpt.), Mariel Austin (tbn.), and Ray Zepeda (saxes).
Ray Zepeda Quartet Plus with Donald Vega and Marcos Varela
plus Freddie Hendrix and Stafford Hunter
Fri., April 14, 2017; 9:30 PM – 10:45 PM
Club Bonafide
212 East 52nd Street; New York, New York 10022; USA
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Ray Zepeda is joined onstage by Ron Carter Trio pianist, Donald Vega (http://www.donaldvega.com/), top bassist, Marcos Varela (http://www.marcosvarelamusic.com/), and Mark Whitfield, Jr. on drums, in his NYC debut as a leader at this high-profile 52nd Street venue (https://clubbonafide.com/) owned by legendary bassist, Richard Bona (http://www.richard-bona.com/)! For this set, Zepeda is joined on the front line by Christian McBride and Billy Harper trumpeter, Freddie Hendrix (https://www.freddiehendrix.com/) and Duke Ellington Orchestra trombonist, Stafford Hunter (http://www.staffordhunter.com/).
Zepeda’s CD, Step By Step, on Soundsketch Records received widespread radio airplay nationwide and abroad and was the top-selling CD at the Bakersfield Jazz Festival on a bill of internationally-known artists. Moreover, significant chart movement was seen. This assemblage of smoking, thought-provoking tracks features L.A.’s top-shelf rhythm section including former Bill Evans Trio drummer, Joe La Barbera, in a tapestry of original compositions and adventurous arrangements of standards. Tonight’s performance at Club Bonafide will feature selections from this album and from his new album, America, to be released in late-2017.
Reservations and advance ticket purchases are highly recommended. Call: 646-918-6189 or visit https://clubbonafide.com for tickets. ($15 cover.)
Jazz Brunch with the Wallace Stelzer Duo – Special Guest, Ray Zepeda
Sat., April 15, 2017; 12 Noon – 3:00 PM
Henry’s
2745 Broadway; New York, New York 10025; USA
Map
Houston cum New York jazz bassist extraordinaire, Wallace Stelzer (http://wallacestelzer.com/), has been the “Young Lion” in NYC for the last 5 years during which time he has held this residency at this upscale modern American bistro in Manhattan’s Upper West Side (http://www.henrysnyc.com/). Enjoy an epicurean American brunch and full bar menu while Stelzer, guitarist Brent Vaarstra (http://www.brentvaarstra.com/), and special guest from Los Angeles, Ray Zepeda on saxophone, feed your ears with tasteful renderings from the Great American Songbook and standard jazz repertory.
The Standard Procedures with Special Guest, Ray Zepeda
Sat., April 15, 2017; 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Tomi Jazz
239 East 53rd Street, Frnt 3 (lower level); New York, New York 10022; USA
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The New Yorker caught this group at this venue last year and gave them a glowing write-up (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/04/18/tomi-jazz-bar-tab)! New York drummer, Ken Kobayashi (http://www.kenkobayashi.net), again drives this straight-ahead trio through the most daunting channels of the standard repertoire at this Japanese-themed Midtown-East jazz speakeasy (http://www.tomijazz.com) featuring Megumi Yonezawa (http://www.megumiyonezawa.com) on piano, Aki Yamamoto (http://akihiroyamamoto.com) on bass, and special guest from Los Angeles, Ray Zepeda on saxophone! Reservations are highly recommended at this cozy bar & grill. Call 646-497-1254. ($10 cover, $10 minimum/set, 2 sets nightly.)
Kama Ruby and the Rough Cuts – 31st Annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival
Sat., April 29, 2017; 12 Noon – 3:00 PM
California State University, Bakersfield
9001 Stockdale Highway; Bakersfield, California 93311; USA
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Kama Ruby’s (http://www.kamaruby.com/) first album, “Kama Ruby, Straight-up & Chilled”, and her sophomore album, “Kama Ruby: Rock Dreams in Jazz”, are both a mix of jazz standards, acid jazz, classic rock, and pop tunes. The recordings capture the live feel of her performances and her unique take on familiar works. Both albums have enjoyed international sales as well as considerable airplay on numerous jazz-oriented radio stations. Continuing a natural progression of how she interprets past classics, her upcoming third album will be best described as sitting in the “chill” genre. Entitled “Mind’s Eye,” the album is set for release in the Spring of 2017.
Appearing for the first time at this year’s Bakersfield Jazz Festival (http://www.bakersfieldjazzfest.com/), Kama Ruby and the Rough Cuts feature a stellar lineup of accomplished musicians from Los Angeles, Nashville, and the Bakersfield area. In addition to Ruby (lead vocals), the group features Jane Getz (piano, vocals), Peter Burns (guitar), Ray Zepeda (saxophones, flute), Tom Stillwagon (guitars, electronic effects), Glen Fong (bass), and Kyle Burnham (drums).
Flowbis
Sat. May 13, 2017; at 10:30 PM
The Standing Room
1320 Hermosa Avenue; Hermosa Beach, California 90254; USA
Map
The South Bay’s punkiest, funkiest band returns to Hermosa Beach’s hottest, newest live music venue to funkify your soul! Be a part of this unique high-energy experience and party with the Flowbis (http://flowbis.com) family!
Andy Fisher (lead vocals), Bill Gower (bass), Brendan Reynolds (drums), Ryan Faye (gtr.), Kenny Harrison (tpt.), and Ray Zepeda (sax).
Mind, Body, & Soul with Special Guest Keyboardist, Dave Schulz, of the Goo Goo Dolls – Memorial Day Weekend Funk Out
Hermosa Beach Arts Festival Main Stage
Sat., May 27, 2017 at 3:00 PMD
Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza
Pier Avenue; Hermosa Beach, California 90254; USA
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This Bakersfield funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://www.mindbodysoulband.com) headlines the Saturday of Hermosa’s legendary Bi-Annual Mega-Festival of the Arts (http://fiestahermosa.net/) with Goo Goo Dolls keyboardist, Dave Schulz! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty all day long!
Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Dave Schulz [http://www.daveschulzmusic.com/site/] (keyboards), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Christian Faulkner (gtr./voc.), Curtis Marrero (drums), Mariel Austin (tbn.), Brent Williams (tpt.), and Ray Zepeda (sax).
Herb Scott Capitol Jazz
with long-time Betty Carter bassist, Tarus Mateen
Wed. June 7, 2017; 8:00 – 11:00 PM
Mr. Henry’s
601 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; Washington, DC, 20003; USA
Veteran D.C. saxophonist, Herb Scott (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=522157341156094&id=219877768050414) assembles this collective of the Capitol City’s finest artists with special guest saxophonist, Ray Zepeda, from Los Angeles. Enjoy fine American cuisine while you groove to improvisational flights of fancy at this singular Pennsylvania Avenue haunt (http://www.mrhenrysdc.com/).
Orquesta Melao
Thurs. June 8, 2017; 8:00 – 11:00 PM
Eighteenth Street Lounge
1212 18th Street NW; Washington, DC 20036; USA
Capitol City raza fill up la casa and burn up this crowded dance floor for this phenomenal Latin/Salsa band featuring an all-star horn section of Donvonte McCoy (tpt.), Tony Tovar (tbn.), Sergio Nunez (alto/bari sax), and special guest from Los Angeles, Ray Zepeda (alto sax). Come find out why Orquesta Melao (https://www.facebook.com/orqmelao/) is the busiest Latin unit in the D.C. area and be on the scene at this hip, multi-room downtown club featuring a different type of music in each room from Latin, to EDM, to hip-hop and more (http://www.18thstlounge.com/index.php)!
Mind, Body, & Soul
Sat., June 10, 2017; 8:00 PM – 10:00 pm
Christ the King Church
1800 Bedford Way; Bakersfield, California 93308; USA
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This Bakersfield funk/soul/r&b powerhouse (http://www.mindbodysoulband.com/) lights of this fundraiser for a Higher purpose! Led by Rhythmm Epkins of English Beat fame, this cadre of heavyweights is guaranteed to move your soul as you move your booty all night long!
Rhythmm Epkins (lead vocals/bass/synth.), Power Morcillo (gtr./voc.), Christian Faulkner (gtr.), Curtis Marrero (drums), Brent Williams (tpt.), Mariel Austin (tbn.), and Ray Zepeda (tenor sax).
Previous Tours
2018 Tour | 2017 Tour | 2016 Tour | 2015 Tour | 2014 Tour | 2013 Tour