THIS MONTH,

WE CELEBRATE MUSICIANS THAT GREW UP  

PLAYING IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

TWO BOPPING AND SLEEK ALTO SAXIST…

DAVE KOZ AND  

DANNY JANKLOW

SHOW HOW LOCAL BOYS CAN MAKE GOOD  

  IN THE “INTERVIEW”

SECTION

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CHECK OUT THIS SLEEK AND EXOTIC ALBUM BY BASSIST

MASSIMO BIOLCATI ALONG WITH 

LIONEL LOUEKE:

http://www.sounderscore.com

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GIVE AN EAR TO THE LATEST SINGLE BY

ARI  JOSHUA:

http://www.musicfactoryrecords.com

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HERE’S A CLASSY LIVE SESSION FROM GUITARIST 

GREG CHAKO: 

https://www.mint400records.com/themiamiprojectfans.html

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http://www.christianlarumbe.com

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CATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY ON CLARINET/VOCALIST 

RICK BOGART: 

https://tubitv.com/movies/100038564/from-bourbon-street-to-carnegie-hall-rick-bogart

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HERE’S SOME GORGEOUS SOLO PIANO WORK BY 

LA’S FINEST, ALAN PASQUA: 

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GROW WHERE YOU’RE  PLANTED…

“Oh, I’m packing my grip
And I’m leavin’ today
‘Cause I’m takin’ a trip
California way
I’m gonna settle down and never more roam
And make the San Fernando Valley my home

I’ll forget my sins, yes yes
I’ll be makin’ new friends
Where the west begins
And the sunset ends
‘Cause I’ve decided where yours truly really oughta be
And it’s the San Fernando Valley for me”

Yes, there have been movies and TV shows about the good ol’ San Fernando Valley.

I grew up in Encino, home of The Jackson Five, John Wayne, Clark Gable, Bob Barker, Paul Muni, Efrem Zimbalist Jr, Everett Edward Horton, Billy Eckstine, Dick Van Dyke…oh, I could go on!

The Valley was the quintessential bedroom community back in the 50s and 60s, bucolic and innocent.

Easy to make fun of it nowadays, but it has also become the breeding ground of fantastic jazz.

Back in the day when  houses were affordable, all of the studio (aka “jazz”) musicians bought cozy little homes in places like Encino, North Hollywood and Tarzana. They had kids, and some grew up to be musicians themselves, forming groups like Toto, who  were the sons of Joe Porcaro and Marty  Paich

In this month’s “No One Asked My Opinion, But…” article, we make a list of the jazz clubs that have come, and , sadly gone from the Valley. But at one time they all made an impact on aspiring musicians and fans.

In our “Interview” section, we talk to “Two Jewish Kids Who Made Good” without being doctors or lawyers. While playing slightly different styles, alto saxists Dave Koz and Danny Janklow have carved out successful and respectable musical careers.

The point of being a Valley Boy is simple; grow where you are planted. Famed jazz artist Buddy Collette turned down touring with Charles Mingus because he wanted to have a family life and raise his daughter in a proper way. There are worse reasons to stay local.

Staying where you grow up and carving out a local niche is a noble task

In the Bible, Job even defends his own life by using his remaining home as a badge of honor..

“I thought, ‘I will die in my own house,
    my days as numerous as the grains of sand. My roots will reach to the water,
    and the dew will lie all night on my branches.
My glory will not fade;
    the bow will be ever new in my hand”

There is a dignity to staying in your home town and keeping involved with your community. Who are your people? You may already be living with them, so revel in it.

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WE GET EMAILS: 

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George,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the GREAT write-up!
THE BEST TO YOU!!
John Klemmer