VAA Jazz Series features jazz sax
Jazz alto saxophonist Bruce Babad will join Vashon’s Todd Zimberg Band for an evening of eclectic and accessible jazz at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Heron.
Babad, who describes his shows as entertaining and full of musical surprises, started playing sax at age 10. He went on to study music at Central Washington University, where he received the distinguished Louis Armstrong Jazz award and backed up jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams and Mark Murphy. Babad has played with The Temptations, Natalie Cole and Barry Manilow. His first CD, “A Tribute to Paul Desmond,” held the number two spot in the nation for radio airplay. Now based in California, Babad is the director of jazz studies at Fullerton College.
For his Vashon debut, Babad will be accompanied by Todd Zimberg (drums), Lonnie Mardis (guitar), Todd Gowers (bass) and Maggie Laird (vocals).
Tickets are $18 for VAA members, students and seniors and $22 for general admission. Tickets are sold at the Blue Heron and www.vashonalliedarts.org.
Reggae returns to the Bike
Clinton Fearon & the Boogie Brown Band will return to the Red Bike at 9 p.m. Saturday.
Always a crowd pleaser on Vashon, Fearon and his band will play another roots-reggae show, which in the past has packed the dance floor.
Fearon is counted among Jamaica’s most talented musicians by peers and professionals in the reggae industry.
Admission is $10. All ages are welcome until 11 p.m., then 21 and older. Past shows have sold out, so organizers suggest buying tickets in advance at the Bike or by calling 463-5959.
New trio plays old and new songs
The Van Redeker Band, a new island trio, will perform solos, duos and trios at 7 p.m. Saturday at Havurat Ee Shalom.
The Van Redeker Band made its debut appearance last month at the “Hits of the Sixties” showcase at the Red Bike, where the group played a unique rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Pledging My Time.”
The group will play more dynamic interpretations of covers from well-known pop songwriters such as The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, JJ Cale and James Taylor, as well as original songs by veteran musician and songwriter Daryl Redeker.
The Van Redeker Band includes Daryl Redeker on lead guitar and vocals, Sara Van Fleet on bass guitar and vocals and Sam Van Fleet on guitar, keyboard and vocals.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and admission is $5.
Social Hour returns to O Space
The Rev will return with a cast of humorous cohorts and performers for Sunday Social Hour at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Open Space for Arts & Community.
Joining the Rev will be singers Lou Mangione and newcomer Terri Cole; VHS student and poet Maijah Sanson-Frey; the Sunday Social Hour Band with Loren Sinner, Chaz Reed and Steve Meyer; plus local sketch comedians Jeff and Cindy Hoyt, Jon Whalen, Lyn McManus, Jim Farrell and David Godsey.
Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door or $10 in advance at Vashon Bookshop or www.sundaysocial.brownpapertickets.com. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
