About The Darek Oles Quintet

On Thursday December 18^th, at 7:30pm, the LA Jazz Quartet led by bassist Darek Oles will perform at Pete Carlson’s Golf & Tennis Jazz for Jazz Lovers Series. This all-star group consists of Darek Oles on bass, Chuck Manning on saxophone, Larry Koonse on guitar, and Joe LaBarbera on drums. Expect to hear the highest level of musicianship from these four talented musicians. Leader Darek Oles, originally from Poland established himself as a strong player performing with several top jazz groups. Oles has played major festivals and jazz clubs in several European countries, Cuba, and Mexico. At the age of 25 he came to Southern California to broaden his musical horizon. He received a full scholarship from California Institute of the Arts and studied with bassist Charlie Haden. Since his graduation Darek has taught at Cal Arts, UC Irvine, and presently at USC Thornton School of Music. Oles has conducted jazz ensembles and taught bass instruction for over the last 20 years. He is one of the most sought after bass players on the west coast and has performed and recorded with over 50 jazz masters and on approximately 100 albums. Darek has performed hundreds of concerts throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Several of his recordings have received Grammy Nominations. He has received Jazz Musician of the Year Award, Best Acoustic Bassist, and has gained worldwide critical acclaim for his first recording project “Like a Dream” with Brad Mehldau, and Benny Maupin. Currently Darek leads the LA Jazz Quartet and cites Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Keith Jarrett, and Bill Evans as his musical heroes. Darek has had a great musical relationship with Larry Koonse, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, Bob Sheppard, and Janis Siegel, all of whom recorded on the LA Jazz Ensemble CD. Darek has chosen his favorite compositions and recorded the music of Miles Davis-Bill Evans, Rodgers-Hart, Benny Golson, Tholonious Monk, Irving Berlin, Weill-Gershwin, Kahal-Fain, Tadd Dameron, and Tom Harrell with the LA Jazz Ensemble.

Saxophonist Chuck Manning has been on the LA Jazz scene for over 25 years. He has played with over 100 of the best jazz musicians citing John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Joe Henderson, Bobby Bradford, Sonny Rollins, and Pannalal Ghosh as musical influences. Chuck has made dozens of appearances and collaborations with jazz musicians recently recording his first CD, “Notes from the Real”. The music captures the feel of great jazz quartets of the 1950’s and 1960’s. It has emotional impact that is personal yet modern.

Guitarist Larry Koonse has been playing professionally since he was 15 years old. He made his first recording with his father, guitarist Dave Koonse. Larry was the first recipient of a Bachelors’ Degree in Jazz Studies at USC. Koonse has toured internationally with over 30 jazz greats and has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Academy of Music, The Disney Hall, The Sydney Opera House, The LA Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and in featured film. Larry has authored the Jazz Guitar Curriculum for the Players School and has co-led the LA Jazz Quartet recordings, receiving critical acclaim for originality and musical depth. Koonse has taught at the California Institute of the Arts for nearly 25 years and has made several recordings for the Jazz Compass label.

Drummer Joe LaBarbera has enjoyed a long and varied career in music, most notable his long association with jazz pianist Bill Evans. Joe is part of a jazz music family, his brothers’ saxophonist Pat LaBarbera and big band arranger/composer John LaBarbera. His father was a strong influence forming an early age family band. Joe attended the Berklee School of Music and studied under John Laporta, Charlie Mariano, Herb Pomeroy, and Alan Dawson. Joe’s professional career began with a tour with Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, Chuck Mangione’s Quartet, playing with small groups in jazz clubs, and in Symphony halls with full orchestras. Joe has played with over 20 jazz greats, such as Tony Bennett, Jim Hall, Phil Woods, Art Farmer, Gary Burton, Art Pepper, Bob Brookmeyer, Toots Thieleman, Bill Mays, Eddie Daniels, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie, Lee Konitz, Karrin Allyson, Bud Shank, and many others. In 1999 Joe created Jazz Compass, an independent recording company with Tom Warrington, Larry Koonse, and Clay Jenkins dedicated to the kind of music that has always been close to his heart. Today the Jazz Compass label has an extensive library of recordings. Joe has taught at California Institute of the Arts for over 20 years and has served on the National Endowment of the Art Council in Washington DC. Joe still performs and lectures at many colleges around the country.

Be sure to listen to four masterful musicians perform great jazz music at the highest level Thursday 7:30pm December 18^th at Pete Carlson’s Golf & Tennis located at 73-741 Hwy 111 in Palm Desert, Ca. Tickets available in advance by phone (760)568-3263 or in person and are $25.00 each. Students and active military are free! Don’t miss it!

When: Thursday, December 18, 2014. 7:30 PM
Where: Inside Pete Carlson’s Golf & Tennis
$20 Admission | Students are FREE
All non-profit proceeds benefit young musicians in the Coachella Valley.