Legendary Jazz, Blues, and Pop vocalist, Ernie Andrews, will perform with his longtime talented quintet, that includes Rickey Woodard on saxophone, Lanny Hartley on piano, Richard Simon on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums. Ernie Andrews has been performing for eight decades, starting in 1945 when he made his first recording. Ernie began performing in L. A.’s famous Central Ave.area in the 1940’s with many Jazz and Blues greats and later was featured in the documentary film, Blues for Central Avenue. Ernie has performed as a standout vocalist with Harry James, Cannonball Adderley, the Capp – Pierce Juggernaut Band, Kenny Burrell, Gene Harris, Jay McShann, The Harper Brothers , Plas Johnson, the Clayton – Hamilton Jazz Orchestra among many others. Ernie was influenced by vocalists Billy Eckstine and Al Hibbler, and is a contemporary of vocalist Joe Williams. Ernie has appeared on over 60 recordings in his career, 15 as a leader.
Saxophonist Rickey Woodard has played with many of L. A.’s best jazz musicians, was a member of the Ray Charles Band, the Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatham’s Sweet Baby Blues Band, the Frank Capp’s Juggernaut Big Band, the Horace Silver’s Band, and for 30 years, has been a member of the Clayton – Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Rickey has recorded 12 albums as leader/co-leader, and appeared on over 24 albums as a sideman. Rickey is one of the great, soulful, bluesy saxophonists who swings with the best.
Pianist Lanny Hartley is a composer and conductor with a strong gospel influence in his playing. Lanny studied at the University of Indiana, and has performed with dozens of well known jazz and pop artists. Lanny has conducted and directed 5 live Jazz and Blues Theater Performances, performed music for both Film and T. V., and has appeared on 8 recordings.
Bassist Richard Simon is an educator, producer, clinician, and conductor. Richard has performed with over 70 Jazz artists in L. A. and was mentored by jazz greats, Red Calendar, and Buddy Collette. Richard has been the program director for “Jazz America”, a non – profit organization established in 1994 in L. A. that provides free jazz education for 100’s of deserving youth in Southern California, exploring the music of jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Mary Lou Williams, and others. Richard has been a mainstay on the L. A. jazz scene for many years, and has appeared on numerous recordings.
Drummer Roy McCurdy attended Eastman School of Music in N. Y., and has performed with over 70 jazz greats including Coleman Hawkins, the Mangione Brothers, the Art Farmer Jazztet, Sonny Rollins, 11 years as a member of Cannonball Adderley’s Quintet, Kenny Rankin, Benny Golson,and numerous others. Roy has recorded with over two dozen jazz artists, and currently teaches at the USC Thornton School of Music, and the Pasadena Conservatory School of Music. Roy’s influences include Louis Bellson, Shelly Manne, Sam Woodyard, Buddy Rich, Papa Jo Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Lunceford, and Lionel Hampton. Roy appeared on 26 recordings with both Cannonball and Nat Adderley, 15 other recordings as a sideman, and over 40 recordings in his career. Roy has been a master drummer for 6 decades, earning the name, “The Dominator” and his rightful place as one of the great jazz legends.
