by Lola Rossi-Meza –
Smooth jazz guitarist, composer and producer Blake Aaron will kick-off the new music concert series JAZZ TASTINGS™ produced by Patte Purcell of Muze Music on Saturday, January 12, from 6 until 9 p.m. at the Emerald Desert RV Resort Ballroom, 76-000 Frank Sinatra Drive in Palm Desert. His latest single “You’re The One For Me” featuring vocalist Spencer Day was #6 in August and recently ranked #25 on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz Songs of the Year for 2012. He is currently in the studio recording his fifth CD Soul Stories which will include this Billboard hit.
Aaron will be joined at JAZZ TASTINGS™ by vocalist Derek Bordeaux. They’ve known each other for years and have joined to do some performances at Spaghettini Grill and Jazz Club and other “A List” Southern California jazz venues. Bordeaux’s soulful vocals give an added dimension to the Blake Aaron Show and will have the crowd up and dancing. Band members include Larry Kester on keyboard, David Levray on bass and Winston Butts on drums.
Born and raised in Redlands, California, Blake Aaron has two older brothers, “My Dad and brother played a little guitar,” said Aaron, “My Dad would sing us to sleep with an acoustic guitar.” He attended Kimberly Elementary School and recalls being exposed to music at a young age. “I played guitar and classical flute, but by the time I went to high school, I played in the jazz band but I also sang and played in a rock band, on the side.” After graduating from Claremont High School, he attended Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) and majored in music. “Just being there in college was important. You learn from other people by hanging out and jamming with other musicians in the practice rooms.”
He started his career as a studio musician, recording and touring with various bands like The Drifters, The Coasters, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Hiroshima and Mary Wells, to name a few. After college, he continued touring and played in numerous bands, in almost every genre; R & B, hard rock, top 40, pop and funk. “You name it, I played it with longer hair, leather pants and chains. I looked like a total rocker but I always played funk and jazz.” He continued this for a long time, while teaching, writing his own music, doing recording sessions and television performances.
Still touring all over the world, he looked into internet dating but didn’t specify a geographical location and started receiving mail from all over including China. He liked Asia and had been there several times and would visit his brother who lived in Thailand. The profile of a beautiful woman named Sina caught his eye and they met in Beijing. After dating for a while and after he made six trips to China, she moved to the United States where they married on July 16, 2006 at his Mom’s house in Claremont over-looking the city. “It was a beautiful wedding on the patio and in March of 2007, we returned to China and had a Traditional Chinese Wedding in full Chinese Dress with 18 courses of food. As a matter of fact, while we were there, we found out we were pregnant with our daughter Sina Michelle who was born in November.” Their son Skylar is five months old.
Aaron’s celebrated career as a guitarist includes a 15 year stint on network television’s Mad TV. He hosts The Blake Aaron Radio Show on 88.5 KSBR with Tina Anderson every Thursday from 3 until 6 p.m. where they interview the biggest stars of jazz and pop since 2008. It can be heard everywhere by streaming KSBR.com. (949) 582-KSBR.
Jazz vocalist Spencer Day was a former guest on the radio show and Aaron actually wrote “You’re The One For Me” two years ago with Day in mind. Together they debut the song on air last Christmas on the KSBR Christmas show on Cox Cable, channel 39. After the performance, they both knew it would be a hit.
This follows on the heels of the success of Aaron’s #1 Billboard hit, “Encantadora” in 2011. This mega hit featured Aaron with Najee on flute, another superstar in the smooth jazz arena. He toured with Najee and Keiko Matsui in 2012 and expects to tour with them again this year.
In February of 2012 he and his band opened the nationally televised 25th Anniversary for 94.7 the Wave Special at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles with Kenny G, Baby Face and Dave Koz, to name a few in attendance. “The place was packed and we were the opening act. After a video presentation, they announced my name and we performed my original song “Encantadora” and a very radical version of “Sara Smile” by Hall and Oates. We received a standing ovation when we finished that song.”
Aaron has been chosen as the musical director for NBC’s “Real Music Live” TV program airing after “Saturday Night Live” bringing a fresh vibe to music shows on the network.
There has been a major change in the smooth jazz radio stations as they’ve moved to a more contemporary format. Vocals are coming back into vogue. “The transitions taking place in the industry are allowing artists to experiment and innovate. I believe artists are taking more chances and it is refreshing.”
When asked his opinion of music in schools, he stated, “Music is extremely important to kids. It has been proven time and time again that music helps them academically. They are less apt to get involved with crime and it exposes them to a higher form of culture and art. In Europe, children know about every form of music like classical, jazz, rock and blues. I don’t think we can expect our kids to like any else but rap if that’s all they are exposed to. When they are exposed to music through their family or school or both, they will at least have an understanding of all the genres. Jazz is America’s own art form and most people don’t even know it.”
Aaron’s reputation precedes him. The LA Times calls him “a genius on the guitar”. His music is passionate, and fiery with an expressive style that is compelling, exciting, and romantic. He continues to receive glowing acclaim from both fans and critics alike. Fusing jazz, R&B, soul, blues, and Latin music, Aaron has created a unique, distinctive musical experience that remains unparalleled. Whether it is the passion of his CDs, the humor and spontaneity of his weekly radio show, or the excitement, fun and truly unforgettable experience of his live shows, come and share in the music that is Blake Aaron.
For tickets call Patte Purcell at (702) 219-6777. General admission is $20. VIP Reserved Seats are $25 or $250 for a table of 10. Tickets can also be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets under “JAZZ-TASTINGS”.
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