The quintet includes Lolly Allen on vibes, Danny Janklow on saxophone, Jason Richards on bass, Josh Nelson on piano, and Paul Kreibich on drums. Band leader and vibist Lolly Allen plays with a tasteful and joyful style that is graceful and fearless. She executes on the vibes with arms flailing and mallets flying often producing a profound and hypnotic effect. A native of New York Lolly received a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, and studied with Danillo Perez, George Garzone, Cecil McBee, John McNeil, Bevan Manson, Steve Brown, Dominic Eads, and classical percussionist Gordon Stout. Lolly’s musical influences are many which includes Cal Tjadar, Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, Gary Burton, Terry Gibbs, Stan Getz, Ellis Rigina, Errol Garner, Ella Fitzgerald, Eddie Palmieri, J. Coltrane, C. Parker, C. Adderley, T. Monk, F. Sinatra, D. Ellington, and N. Riddle. Lolly has performed with many jazz artists including Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider, Hal Linden, Charlie Shoemake, Kristin Korb, Larry Koonse, Plas Johnson, Jigs Whigham, Kim Richmond, Gary Smulyan, Terry Gibbs, Ricky Woodard, and the Jazz Composers Alliance. Lolly has played many jazz clubs, festivals, and concerts both on the east and west coast. She has played the LA Jazz Societies Vibes Summit, and at the World Vibes Congress. Lolly’s musical style is a mixture of Milt Jackson, Walt Dickerson, and Cal Tjader. Lolly has recorded one CD entitled “Allen Haz Funk”, and will be releasing her second CD very soon.
Award winning saxophonist Danny Janklow first played the sax at age 11, and eventually did his schooling and graduated from Cal State Northridge. Danny is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, producer, and composer who’s playing is soulful, innovative, melodic, and swinging. Danny’s playing is both inspirational and passionate as he plays with an informed intellect and heart-felt spirit. Danny’s high energy style has taken him to Japan, Holland, and Mexico. Danny lists his influences as C. Parker, C. Adderley, J. Coltrane, B. Evans, O. Peterson, Debussy, Bach, D’Angelo, Radiohead, and Roy Hargrove. Danny attended Agoura High School, and was recognized by Wynton Marsalis as the first ever triple instrumentalist awarded Outstanding Soloist for saxophone, flute, and clarinet. Danny received a scholarship to Temple Universities’ School of Music, and was mentored by Dick Oatts and Terell Stafford. Danny won first place in the North America Saxophone Alliance Competition in Georgia, and won first place at the Detroit Jazz Saxophone Competition. Danny is an in-demand performer and band leader who has played several of the best jazz clubs on the east and west coast including at the Hollywood Bowl. Danny has taught at the Stanford University Jazz Camp, and was semi-finalist in the T. Monk International Saxophone Competition in Washington D.C.. Danny has worked with Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, George Benson, Aloe Black, Jose James, Wynton & Branford Marsalis, Benny Golson, Eric Reed, John Beasley, Ben Williams, Jason Moran, Wallace Roney, Savion Glover, Bill Holman, Gordon Goodwin, and Jimmy Heath. Danny has recorded one album entitled “Elevation”.
Bassist Jason Richards has performed in many Southern California musical settings. He recorded on Grupo Ayes “Guajiro Del Corazon”, and has played with Robin Connell, Lorraina Morro, the Latin Jazz “Mas Que Nada”. Jason won two consecutive Downbeat student music awards at Western Michigan University. Jason is a member of the eclectic band Homenaje, and is a member of the Interfaith Jazz at Mount Olives Lutheran Church. Jason has worked with Tom Scott, Kim Richmond, Nick Mancini, James Yoshiza, Jonathan Rowden, and Michael Cartwright.
Pianist Josh Nelson is an eclectic, inspiring, and brilliant virtuoso on the keyboards. A Southern California native Josh is a composer, educator, performer, and recording artist. Josh’s style can be considered Urbane and Bluesy, influenced by Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris. Josh has worked with Natalie Cole, Anthony Wilson, George Mraz, Jeff Hamilton, Richard Galiano, Benny Golson, Sheila Jordon, Greg Hutchinson, John Clayton, Seamus Blake, Matt Wilson, Sara Garazek, Dave Koz, Joe Chambers, Kurt Elling, John Pizzarelli, Lewis Nash, Peter Erskine, Tom Scott, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, and Christian Howes. Josh has played on countless albums, films, and TV shows making his first recording at the age of 19. Josh has 5 albums as a leader, and has played on a total of 8 recordings. Josh has appeared on NPR Jazz Night in America, and plays anything from jazz originals, standards, rock, and science fiction music. He has worked with Michael Kamen, Eric Idle, Clint Eastwood, and Jon Lovitz. Josh has received many music awards, and scholarships including the Louis Armstrong, and John Phillip Souza awards. Josh has accompanied vocalist Sara Garazek for 10 years, has taught at Soka University, and Cal State Northridge. Josh’s background is a wealth of study and experience. He possess rare musical attributes which include versatility, touch, and a true sound of his own that is a clean-burning mode of jazz.
Drummer Paul Kreibich began playing drums at an early age. He joined the school band at the age of 9, and studied with Bobby Wrate at the age of 12. Paul became a drum major at Costa Mesa High School, and soon was playing 5 nights a week on Balboa Island. Paul studied at Berklee School of Music, and with Forest Clark at Orange Coast College. Paul spent 2 years with the Vince Wallace Quintet, played in the Continental Circus, and toured with vocalist Carmen McRae in Japan, and throughout the U.S. including a stop at Carnegie Hall. Paul studied with Fred Gruber at LA City College, and performed with the Ray Charles Band for 4 years. Paul has toured with Mose Allison, Red Rodney, Woody Herman, Anita O’Day, Jeff Hamilton, Joe Pass, Charles Brown, Rosemary Clooney, and Lee Konitz. Paul has played on over 60 recordings with literally hundreds of jazz greats. Paul played with the Gene Harris Band for 6 years, and has taught at USC, Valley College, and currently at Cal State Fullerton. Paul is a great listener, and always plays with simpatico. He is a tasty brush player, and compliments any group marvelously with his crisp, rhythmic attack, and well executed licks. Paul plays with a swinging, powerful style that has a loose, groovy feel. Paul is always supportive, amiable, and personable. Paul is a regular member of and has recorded with the Luther Hughes/Cannonball Coltrane Project, Mike Barone, Karen Hammock, and the Jazz Cooperative.
Saturday April 15th at 7pm the Lolly Allen Quintet performing tasty, familiar, and well-liked jazz music by five talented musicians. Don’t miss it!!!!
