The Robin Nolan Trio
featuring special guest Howard Alden

Saturday night, June 4, 2005
8 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.)

Robin Nolan / Howard Alden

Post-show note from Roger: These guys were absolutely amazing and that's not just my opinion--most of the guests told me so! All 70 seats were sold plus 10 standing room entries. This was only the fourth gig they played together and the spontaneity of playing off each other's ideas was clearly evident. I found the interaction of their unique styles to compliment each other beautifully and seemingly bring the best out of each other. The height of the evening was for me in the second set when the band stepped out to let Robin and Howard play as a duo; the quiet intensity of the moment transfixed me and--by the wide eyes and open jaws around the room--everyone else as well. Here are a couple of pics from the evening: a wide shot sent in by guest Gints Klimanis and a close-up by guest Alex de Luca.

I'd be honored to have either of these guitar masters at the Rog Mahal, but to have them playing here together in the same ensemble is a special treat indeed!

For those of you who aren't aware of these extraordinary players, here's a quick bio on each of them.

Howard Alden

It is difficult to find a guitarist who has received more praise from the press:

"...undoubtedly the master of real jazz guitar playing today."- Jazz Journal International

"He may be the best of his generation," - Jazz Times

"Alden is the most distinctive of jazz guitar artists." - Village Voice

"Howard Alden's new solo release, "My Shining Hour" brings still more weight to the often repeated statement that he is likely the finest jazz guitarist of his generation. No one in recent memory has demonstrated such remarkable diversity, sophisticated phrasing, and subtle finesse on the guitar." - Just Jazz Guitar

"Howard Alden belongs to a small, elite group of the very best jazz guitarists in the world." - Legendary guitarist Johnny Smith

"utter assurance...crystalline sound, each note articulate and complete. His solos are succinct, orderly and swinging." - The New Yorker

"Beautifully paced lines... so imaginative and wide ranging in his ideas...The guitarist Howard Alden consistently makes records that are fascinatingly varied in style and source material, which he explores with revealing knowledge."
- New York Times

On his 25 CDs and many colaborative projects, Howard has recorded or performed with many of the greatest legends in jazz music. And in Woody Allen's recent film "Sweet & Lowdown", you saw Sean Penn play all those beautiful guitar parts but you heard Howard Alden.

Here's a sample of Howard's lovely 7-string guitar work. (That's right-- he plays a special guitar with an extra low string.) The tune is "My Shining Hour" from his 2002 CD of the same name. You can learn more about Howard Alden at www.howardalden.com.

It will be a very special treat to hear this guitar virtuoso at the Rog Mahal.

Robin Nolan Trio

Robin Nolan has established himself as one of the world's leading Gypsy Jazz guitarists, yet it is his originality and compositional flair that sets him apart from the rest. In 2003 alone, he received a standing ovation at New York's famous Lincoln Center, was invited to open the special Django Reinhardt 50th Anniversary Festival in Samois sur Seine, France and completed a sell-out tour of the United States promoting his recent CD 'Live at Samois'. You've heard him perform his own compositions in the 2000 film "Autumn in New York" with Richard Gere and Winona Ryder, and if you were cool enough to be invited to one of the late George Harrison's parties at his English country estate, you heard Robin perform there as he did on several occasions!

Featuring bassist Simon Planting and rhythm guitarist Kevin Nolan, the Robin Nolan Trio has performed at major venues all across Europe, the U.S. and Japan. From their start as an offbeat gypsy jazz / Django Reinhardt-inspired swing trio, they have grown into a contemporary jazz powerhouse, sought after not only for Robin's virtuosity but also for the artistry of his compositions.

Here's a sample of the Robin Nolan Trio called "Mediterranean Blues" from his 2001 CD of the same name. You can learn more about Robin Nolan at www.robinnolan.com.

Please RSVP to rlinn@rogerlinndesign.com, but only if you definitely plan to attend and promise to let us know if you need to cancel. Seating is limited to 70 people and usually sells out, so it's a shame to have to turn people away then find out later that seats are available because a few people didn't show.

Requested donation (all of which goes to the performers): $20 at the door.

Date: Saturday night, June 4th, 2005

Time:
7:00 pm: Doors open, hang out in the turret overlooking a view of the San Francisco skyline and, over snacks, tasty desserts and a glass of wine, meet others who value music and ideas.
8:00 - 8:45 pm: Show starts, 1st set
8:45 - 9:05 pm: Intermission, more eat, drink & chat
9:05 - 9:50 pm: 2nd set
9:50 - ?: People often stay a while; we won't kick you out

Where: At Roger Linn's home in the Berkeley hills. Click here for directions.