Los Gatos Jazz on the Plazz: A Few Thoughts on Kenny Washington

There’s an old Al Jolson and Billy Rose standard called, Back In Your Own Backyard, a sentimental bit of schmaltz written in the '20s reminding us that happiness is a good deal closer than one might imagine.

The same could be said of great jazz. A

As much as I wax elegant about The Big Apple and its music scene, there’s no shortage of gifted players within a hop, skip and an eighth note of Los Gatos.

Case in point, The Michael O’Neill Quartet featuring Kenny Washington peforms at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 at Town Plaza Park, corner of North Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street.

Individually, these guys are world class. Together, they are something very special indeed.

Last year I had a chance to see them at their regular gig at The Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay and my first thought was, “I gotta get out more.”

These folks are the real deal. Michael’s band is in the pocket with a huge driving sound and Kenny Washington has been hailed by no less than Mark Murphy as, “The only contemporary male vocalist carrying on the tradition.”

So tomorrow night we welcome some Bay Area boys bringing it home. After all a little local knowledge can go a long way.

Jazz tonight … jazz tomorrow

Michael Jacobi

Executive Producer

jazz on the plazz

Los Gatos

www.jazzontheplazz.com