Jan. 26th @ Vitello's

"Sony Holland keeps getting better and better. She is the quintessential artist. Her calling cards are flawless phrasing, sultry tonality and bright energy. Her vocals shine on the slower and languorous ballads." Richard Connema - San Francisco Reviews

January 26 @ Vitello's Jazz and Supper Club
4349 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604
Reservations: 818.769.0905 - www.vitellosjazz.com

One Show Only @ 8pm ($15)

Vitello's is an essential part of the LA jazz scene. I am very excited to be performing there for the first time this month. I can see why they've been successful. The Italian restaurant downstairs is a lively and popular neighborhood joint and they've built an attractive supper club with excellent sound and lighting in the cozy space above it. A comfortable place to make a great night of it... many of LA's top session musicians live in and around the Studio City location so it has become their 'home court'.

Here's a little bit about the superb band who will be on stage with me for this concert.

Otmaro Ruiz

Otmaro Ruiz, piano: Originally from Venezuela, Otmaro moved to Los Angeles in 1987. Among his many credits are 5 years as pianist and musical director for Dianne Reeves. During this period Otmaro played on her CD “In The Moment – Live in Concert,” which won the Grammy Award 2001. Vitello's will be our first gig together and I am looking forward to it!
See www.otmaroruiz.com for more info.

David Hughes

David Hughes, bass: David played bass on my CD SANSSOUCI, but this will be our first time working together in a club. Yeah, man! Born in Sweden and now based in LA, David received his first important break when Wayne Henderson invited him to join the legendary Jazz Crusaders. Other credits include Chaka Khan, Melissa Etheridge, Burt Bacharach, etc... Currently he fills his schedule touring and recording with renowned pianist/radio personality David Benoit and with recording sessions and local performances spanning jazz to rock and classical music. 
For more see www.swedebass.com

Kendall Kay

Kendall Kay, drums: Kendall played percussion on SANSSOUCI. He was born in Durban, South Africa. Since arriving in Los Angeles in 1987 he has been a 'first call' drummer on the live jazz scene. His credits include playing or recording with  Kenny Burrell, Phil Upchurch, Bob Sheppard, Allan Broadbent, Kyle Eastwood, Rickie Lee Jones, Jack Jones and many more. I've had the good fortune to work with Kendall a bunch of times. Aside from being a remarkably sensitive musician (especially for a drummer!) he is a great comrade to have on the bandstand.

  

Jerry Holland

Jerry Holland, guitar: Jerry also played on the sessions for SANSSOUCI. What goes into making a musician out of a songwriter? Jerry gets up at 4:30 in the morning to practice for several hours every day. If I'm lucky he doesn't wake me up:) In jazz slang "he's been in the shed" and we inspire each other to keep taking the music to a higher level. Since jazz groups generally don't get a whole lot of rehearsal time it is great to have someone in the band who knows the material inside & out. As a songwriter Jerry wrote the music and lyrics to the #1 Country song FRIENDS as recorded by John Michael Montgomery on Atlantic Records. Jerry had staff writing deals with Warner/Chappell and Mike Curb Music in Nashville.

You might wonder how musicians can play a show with little rehearsal. Much of the important work is done well before the show. Jerry and I spend a lot of time on the arrangements to be sure the charts are clear for the band to follow. Notation can only go so far... it is the talent, experience, and interpretive skills of the musicians that bring the charts to life.

Please join us on the 26th.

A good audience is like having another great musician in the band!

Sony