“Sit Down Baby” Otis Rush 1956,
“Caress Me” Jimmy Reed 1959,
“That’s Why I Love The Road” by Gary Allegretto
More Christmas In May Blues to come.
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
More Christmas In May Blues Party Band
Grand Canon | In Search Of America
German Couple In Search of America
On a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2001 BC (before kids) I heard a variety of languages French, Dutch and Japanese being spoken.
I asked a German couple why they decided to travel to the Grand Canyon?
They said, “They wanted to see the country that John Wayne came from.”
Now that’s a favorable idea about America. It’s about a hero. It’s a search for an ideal that brought that couple halfway around the world to America.
Hollywood in many ways has promoted that “self reliant pioneer spirit that won the West” and by this, I believe that America has a good reputation around the world.
I was made proud when I heard their story.
The Jazz Era of the 1920s – The Swing Era of the “30s” and “40s.”
Along with the international influence of Hollywood, American Jazz of the 1920s, 30s and 40s also contributed to the broad dissemination of American culture throughout the world.
The “Great American Song Book” is essentially a collection of Broadway Show Tunes “covered” “recorded” and made popular by artists such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and others.
American Jazz Musicians adopted this music and their interpretation and improvisation created a new art form and freedom of expression.
Please see this video honoring “The Greatest Generation”: 100th Birthday Party Swing Band @ Shakespear Club Pasadena, California
Shakespeare Club 171 S Grand Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Happy July 2025!
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
Speakeasy Jazz Pasadena, California
1920s Jazz Covers of Contemporary Music and “Jazz Age” Standards.
On this recording amongst the din of several spirited card games hear Guitar Piano String Bass perform excerpts of these songs:
“Ena Gotta Da Vida” by Doug Ingle, Iron Butterfly
“Honeysuckle Rose” 1928 Fats Waller & Andy Razaf
“Bad Romance” 2009 Lady Gaga & RedOne
“There Is a Mountain” by Donovan
“Doxy” 1954 Sonny Rollins
“Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue” (Has anybody seen my gal?)
“Seven Nation Army” 2002 Jack White, White Stripes
Definition:
“torcedor”
A person who rolls cigars for events is called a torcedor.
Torcedors are skilled artisans trained in the art of hand-rolling cigars. This term comes from the Spanish word “torcer,” meaning “to twist”.
For me, the only thing missing from this event was a thick haze of cigar smoke; they did have a torcedor rolling cigars but the smoking of cigars was enjoyed out side.
More Jazz Trios
2 words – “speak-easy”
Studying a subject is made easy by understanding the vocabulary of that subject. One’s understanding of a word is enhanced by knowing the “etymology” of the word; “where the word comes from” and “its original meaning.”
More Definitions:
“prohibition”
noun:
Definition #2. the prevention by law of the manufacture and sale of alcohol, especially in the US between 1920 and 1933
Derivation: late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin prohibitio(n-), from prohibere ‘keep in check’.
“speakeasy”
noun:
1. (during Prohibition) an illicit liquor store or nightclub
Derivation: “…so called because of the practice of speaking quietly about such a place in public…” Wikipedia
“86”
verb:
Definition #1. To remove. To end usage. Or take something out or away.
Derivation: Chumley’s, a famous and OLD New York speakeasy, is located at 86 Bedford Street. During Prohibition the “entrance” was through an interior adjoining courtyard “Pamela Court” used to provide privacy and discretion for customers. A New York tradition at the time “the cops” were on the payroll of the bar and would give a ring to the bar that they were coming for a raid. The bartender would then give the command “86 everybody!” which meant that everyone should hightail it out the 86 Bedford entrance because the cops were coming in through the Pamela Court entrance. Urban Dictionary.
Speakeasy Password
I can not confirm or deny the existence of a speakeasy somewhere in Pasadena. If it did exist it of course would be secret. One would have to know the password for entry…
“Psst!” try “Sword Fish”.
Here’s to great parties where no one has to 86!
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
Rocket Scientist’s Wedding @ The Athenaeum
See Video and Post: Rocket Scientist Plans Beautiful Wedding @AthenaeumCaltech by Elegant Music – Live Music, DJ Dance Music, Master of Ceremonies.
I think planning music for an event
is just as much fun as performing for that event.
Planning happens in the future.
Desired result envisioned.
Art forms brought together aligning factors; delightful composition.
See Video and Post: Successful Wedding @ Rancho Las Lomas by DJ / Master of Ceremonies Eric Zimmermann
Contributing factors include: location, design, lighting,
great food and great service by dedicated staff,
the acoustics of the event space and music.
There is beauty in a well planed event;
excitement grows as the event is successfully guided.
See Video and Post: Spanish Guitar and Jazz Piano Duo by Elegant Music
To this add the guests themselves
and the whole is certainly greater than the sum if its parts.
This is having fun!
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
Live Band Demo
Game Of Love
Teach Me Tonight
Limbo Rock
The Look Of Love
Stand By Me
Lay Down Sally
Proud Mary
Mustang Sally
Build Me Up Buttercup
Bad Girls
Smooth Operator
Besame Mucho
Caught Up In The Rapture
Don’t Know Why
Havana
Sabor A Mi
You Can’t Hurry Love
Valerie
Walking On Sunshine
Baby Love
Ex’s and O’s
My Guy
Chain Of Fools
Heard It Thru The Grapevine
I Wish
Lady Marmalade
Let’s Groove
Man, I Feel Like a Woman
Dancing In The Street
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Last Dance
At Last
Rock With You
Sing A Song
Something To Talk About
Sweet Home Chicago
Walkin’ After Midnight
Bad Girls
Boogie Oogie Oogie
Dancing Queen
Holiday
I Love the Nightlife
I Love You Like a Love Song
I Will Survive
We Are Family
Twist And Shout
It is so much fun to play with my friends :-)
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
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