Dave Lopez | Guitarist Composer; Jason Becker Benefit / Fundraiser

Melanie O’reilly | Ireland’s First Lady of Song

Dublin, Ireland born Melanie O'Reilly has become one of Ireland’s internationally known jazz singers. Now based in Wexford, she has performed extensively throughout France, Britain, Ireland, Wales, Norway, and the USA, including representing Ireland at the Schoenburg Hall Los Angeles and again at the European Heritage Festival in Normandy in 2019. She was a Visiting Scholar /Musician in Residence at UC Berkeley's Celtic Studies and received an award for "Artist with Extraordinary ability” by the US. While in the Bay Area, she was known as a Bay Area Treasure.  While in CA recently, she sang at Keys Jazz Bistro in SF, with the SImon Rowe Organ Trio and has performed regularly with the Bay Area jazz pianist legend Frank Martin. also with George Brooks, Fred Randolph, Jack Dorsey, Deszon Clairbourne, John R Burr. The late Larry Coryell was special guest on her celtic jazz album Enchanted Island.  She recently was Jazz Artist in Residence at Wexford Arts Centre, created Jazz Appreciation and Outreach series, performed her own unique song compositions for Culture Night Wexford, and has performed a special Swing Jazz in the Afternoon series in Ireland.  She is the creator and host of the award-winning radio series "Jazz on the Bay", originally broadcast on RTE Radio 1, which is has been broadcast monthly on the California jazz station KCSM.org [http://kcsm.org/] LINKS https://melanieoreilly.com/ [https://melanieoreilly.com/] https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873639047 [https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873639047] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celtic.jazz.9/ [https://www.facebook.com/celtic.jazz.9/] https://www.facebook.com/melanieoreillymusic/ [https://www.facebook.com/melanieoreillymusic/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanieoreillymusic/ [https://www.instagram.com/melanieoreillymusic/]  @melanieoreilly Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieoreillymusic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieoreillymusic/]

Emily Day | Jazz Vocalist and Band Leader

Lucky me! I had the honor to meet up with Emily Day for this episode of the Hot Jazz Network Podcast. A long time friend and musical collaborator, Emily is a talented arranger for her 6 piece band the Cosmo Alleycats, top notch performer, dynamic business person, and Bay Area's best female vocalist/jazz singer. About Emily Day: Emily Day's voice carries the history of American music. On stage, she combines her deep knowledge of jazz with her vocal acrobatics — simultaneously wild and precise. “Ella reincarnated”, “Sultry and wonderful”, and “Her voice is outrageous” are just a few comments from captivated audience members nationwide. Emily has been performing jazz since the age of 16. She holds a BFA in Jazz Voice from The New School and an MA in Popular Music Studies from the University of Liverpool. She served as an adjunct lecturer in Jazz Studies and music fundamentals at several Northeastern colleges and Universities while running her own private vocal studio for ten years. Upon moving to San Francisco in 2012, she fell in love with the city’s vibrant Swing scene and has been reconnecting to her Big Band roots ever since.  UPCOMING APPEARANCES:  Cosmo Alleycats, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, The Sausalito Center for the Arts.  Emily Day Swingtet, Thursday, Feb 13, 2025 at Mr. Tipple's in San Francisco, she will be joined by guitarist Luca Pino, and jazz violinist Nora Germain.  WEBSITE and SOCIAL MEDIA: www.cosmoalleycats.com [http://www.cosmoalleycats.com/] https://www.instagram.com/emilydaymusic/ [https://www.instagram.com/emilydaymusic/] https://www.instagram.com/cosmoalleycats/ [https://www.instagram.com/cosmoalleycats/]  VIDEOS:  Maybe I Do  https://youtu.be/Q8tskeV9hkE?si=yobIHv7_ODamjVxM [https://youtu.be/Q8tskeV9hkE?si=yobIHv7_ODamjVxM] In A Dream  https://youtu.be/Uxp2ilaRSyQ?si=QSiogQeFb5qKy4aF [https://youtu.be/Uxp2ilaRSyQ?si=QSiogQeFb5qKy4aF] Old Sweet Song https://youtu.be/eM63uv05xh0?si=cw527G4vgiezWNO8 [https://youtu.be/eM63uv05xh0?si=cw527G4vgiezWNO8] Problème C'est Moi https://youtu.be/u6DF8Nn0vp0?si=fOcTP7fmDO70eCRH [https://youtu.be/u6DF8Nn0vp0?si=fOcTP7fmDO70eCRH]

Johnny Beane | Podcaster, YouTuber, and Twitch gamer

Great Podcast with my friend Johnny. For those who aren't familiar, Johnny Beane is a versatile guitarist, musician, talk show host, guitar gear reviewer, and IRL streamer known for his passion for music. As a podcaster, YouTuber, and Twitch gamer, Johnny combines his love for music and gaming, creating engaging content for fans of guitar, gear, and gaming alike. Whether he’s breaking down legendary riffs, exploring iconic gear, or connecting with fans on live streams, Johnny brings energy and expertise to every platform.

David "Dawg" Grisman | Mandolin Visionary; Founder - Acoustic Disc

David "Dawg" Grisman: Stéphane Grappelli told me that, when he and Django first met and started playing together in between sets at a big hotel in Paris, he said they were basically trying to imitate Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti. George Cole: Thank you. Thank you for saying that. Listeners out there in podcast land, that is a very important piece of information, because if you read the books, people will try to tell you that Django was mostly influenced by Duke Ellington, who's great, and Louis Armstrong, who's great. We love all that. But I've always thought the same thing as you just mentioned. Welcome, welcome to the Hot Jazz Network Podcast. I'm your host, George Cole. On our show today, we have one of the most important musicians in American history. He's a legendary mandolinist and composer, but more important, he's also my friend. He's the creator of Dawg Music, has recorded with Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead, Doc Watson, Del McCoury, and countless others. Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only David Grisman, the man we call Dawg.

Dave Lopez | Guitarist Composer; Jason Becker Benefit / Fundraiser

Today on the Hot Jazz Network Podcast, Dave Lopez and George Cole announced an important benefit/fundraiser for the Jason Becker Creative Care Project. Jason Becker's story, if you haven't heard it, is one you'll never forget—a tale of brilliance, talent, determination, adversity, and ultimate triumph. A child prodigy on guitar, Jason rose to prominence as a teenager when he was one half of the legendary rock guitar duo Cacophony (with his great friend Marty Friedman). After wowing audiences worldwide with his amazing guitar skills and deep compositions, Jason auditioned for—and secured—the coveted position with David Lee Roth, following in the footsteps of Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai. He wrote and recorded the DLR album "A Little Ain't Enough" and was poised to take over the rock guitar world when a nagging pain in his leg was diagnosed as ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, a debilitating and fatal condition with a life expectancy of approximately five years. Jason did indeed lose the ability to play guitar, walk, talk, and breathe on his own. However, he never lost his will to live or his desire to create music. Communicating through a series of eye movements with a system developed by his father, Jason spells out words as well as musical notes and chords. He imparts his musical vision to his team, who then input the notes into a computer, edit the parts to his exacting standards, and generate charts for session musicians. Through this remarkable process, Jason composes his profoundly beautiful music, rich in melody and counterpoint, brimming with emotion. His inspiring music and life story have been the subject of countless news articles, magazine cover stories, and an award-winning documentary, "Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet." Not only is Jason still alive, but he's busier and more prolific than ever. His release, "Triumphant Hearts," showcases his gift for melody and deep knowledge of classical composition and orchestral arrangement. The album features Jason's signature, amazing guitar playing (recorded in the '80s and '90s) as well as performances by a who's-who of guitar virtuosos, including Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Neal Schon, Steve Morse, Paul Gilbert, Joe Bonamassa, and many others. Jason Becker isn't just an extraordinary musician; he's also one of the most positive, upbeat, and inspiring individuals alive. "I really feel lucky," says Jason. "I am surrounded by loving people, and I can still make music." DAVE LOPEZ Born in Chile, David Lopez's musical journey began when his brother introduced him to the world of guitar, rock, and Latin music. Growing up in Richmond, CA, Dave developed a passion for the diverse sounds of hip hop and heavy metal. Learning from the legendary musician and composer Jason Becker, Dave further honed his skills and later worked in studio management at the renowned Jackson St. Studios and Sound Wave Studios with artists ranging from 2Pac to Metallica. In 2003, he formed Flipsyde and toured worldwide with acts such as Snoop Dogg, Black Eyed Peas, and Busta Rhymes. Flipsyde's success included platinum and gold records, such as their 2005 debut album, "We the People" (Interscope). Their song "Someday" was chosen as a theme song by NBC for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and appeared on the soundtrack for the 2008 film "Never Back Down." Jason Becker Creative Care Project Launch Party Fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM Baltic Kiss, 135 Park Place, Point Richmond, CA 510-260-0571 https://www.baltickiss.com/ [https://www.baltickiss.com/] https://jasonbecker.com/ [https://jasonbecker.com/]