Jazz at The Cherry Presents: The Leon Joyce Trio

Local veteran jazz drummer, Leon Joyce, will be leading the way with this exciting jazz trio. Joining Leon will be legendary guitarist, Bruce Forman, and Brian Ho, one of the hottest jazz organ players to come along in a long time. Sunday, June 30th, at 2:00pm. Doors open at 1:30 for wine and light fare (included in the ticket price). Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com or by calling (831) 624-7491.

Get ready for an afternoon of exhilarating, straight-ahead jazz at its finest!

Sponsored in part by Lorna Pierce

Leon Joyce
Since relocating to Seaside from Chicago in 2011, Leon has been a mainstay of the regional jazz scene, largely in the Bay Area. Expect traditional and contemporary jazz stylings, fueled by a drummer whose feeling-laden, detailed style invokes Max Roach, Buddy Rich or Louis Bellson, rather than the brainiac power styles so present today. Joyce’s musical career began in high school, but was really shaped and nurtured when he joined the Marine Corps in 1976. He has supported artists as varied as Nancy Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Larry Coryell, and Ramsey Lewis.

Bruce Forman
Bruce’s life and musical journey provide an American saga which is still in full swing. His musical accomplishments include twenty-one recordings as a leader, countless sideman recordings, including Ray Brown, Bobby Hutcherson, Roger Kellaway, and soundtrack performances on three of Clint Eastwood’s distinguished films—most notably Academy Award-winning Million Dollar Baby. Deep immersion in American culture inspires Forman to contribute to the traditions that he draws from. His music and life reflect every step of his journey and demonstrate the awareness of an artist who’s at the top of his form and very much at home in the jazz world.

Brian Ho
When one thinks of jazz and the Hammond Organ, one name comes to mind - James Oscar Smith, or simply, Jimmy Smith. Well, get ready for Hammond-endorsed artist, Brian Ho, as he joins Leon and Bruce on our stage. Brian solos and comps with his right hand, while his left hand and feet play organ bass in the classic stylistic tradition of the jazz organ pioneers. The San Jose Mercury News says of him: “Brian Ho is a rising jazz star. These days, Ho is one of the region’s most promising young jazz Hammond organists.”

Host or Publisher Robert Reese