July 13, 2007

Luther Hughes and the Cannonball Coltrane Project at the Vault VIP Lounge 7/20

Contributed by Ronaldo Oregano

Orange County’s newest jazz club, the Vault VIP in the OC Pavilion in Santa Anna, will present Luther Hughes and the Cannonball Coltrane Project on Friday, July 20th. Initially formed as an homage to the 1959 Cannonball Adderley-John Coltrane landmark album, The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago, the Cannonball Cotrane Project continues to pay tribute to these jazz giants with arrangements and original compositions related to or inspired by Cannonball and/or Coltrane. The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago, recorded in 1959,was the only time Cannonball and Coltrane appeared together on record other than their work with Miles Davis. Luther Hughes and The Cannonball-Coltrane Project, in their first CD, pay tribute to the original 1959 album in a number of ways: the instrumental configuration; the style of playing; utilizing one track each featuring only the alto or tenor sax; and the inclusion of one of the tunes from the original album, "Limehouse Blues." Now working on their third album, the Cannonball Cotrane Project includes Luther Hughes on Bass, Glenn Cashman on Tenor Sax, Bruce Babad on Alto Sax, Ed Czach on Piano, and Paul Kreibich on Drums.

Luther Hughes has played bass with some of the biggest names in jazz in a career spanning over 30 years. Having recorded and performed on stage, and for film and television scores, Luther studied at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Long Beach City College and California State University Long Beach. Privately he has studied with Alex Cirin (Boston Pops/Jazz Bassist), Thomas Martin (Former Principal Bassist, London Symphony Orchestra), Nat Gangursky (Chicago Symphony), Sue Ranney (Principal Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra), Victor Sazar (Cellist LA Studios/CSULB), and Eileen Strang (Cellist, LBCC).

Luther's performing career extends beyond jazz to pop music and musical theater and television. Luther's performing experiences include working with: Gene Harris, Quincy Jones, Joe Henderson, Carmen MacRae, The Crusaders, Buddy Greco, Frank Wess, Teddy Edwards, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco, Jimmy Rowles, Tal Farlow, Bob Cooper, Kenny Burrell, Hampton Hawes, Willie Bobo, Dorothy Donegan, Don Rader, Rob McConnell, Mundell Lowe, Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatam, Sue Rainey, Morgana King, Dave Pell's "Prez Conference", George Van Eps, Phil Upchurch, Sam Riney, Joe Pass, Joe Farrell, Horace Silver, Jack McDuff, Lionel Hampton, Joe Williams, David Matthews, Gloria Lynn, Jack Sheldon, Poncho Sanchez, James Moody, Roy Meriweather, Anthony Wilson, Scott Hamilton, Richie Cole, Karyn Allison, Bud Shank, Nick Brignola, Al Gray, Bill Watrous, Joe Diorio, Pat Metheny, Sweets Edison, Cat Anderson, Barney Kessel, Laurindo Almeida, David Benoit, Ernestine Andersen, Harold Land, Charlie Shoemake.

Luther's career also includes teaching. You can currently find him teaching classes at California State University Fullerton and Fullerton College, both in Fullerton California. Luther has taught musicians in both the classroom and privately from his home studio. He has taught at the Musicians Institute of Technology (Hollywood, CA), Golden West College (Huntington Beach, CA), Rio Hondo Community College (Whittier, CA), California State University Long Beach (Long Beach, CA), California State University Fullerton (Fullerton, CA), Fullerton College (Fullerton, CA), Vanguard University (Costa Mesa, CA). Luther's current teaching schedule includes students at Fullerton College, and California State University Fullerton.

Luther is president of Primrose Lane Music, the musical director for La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort in Borrego Springs, CA, and has acted as musical director at several southern California venues including El Matador (Huntington Beach, CA), Mucho Gusto (Costa Mesa, CA), Vinni's (Costa Mesa and Laguna Niguel, CA), and The Vanilla Caffe (Orange, CA).

The Vault VIP Lounge at the OC Pavilion is Orange County’s newest jazz club, featuring locally acclaimed jazz musicians and offering the ambiance of a five star venue. Once a basement vault for a large bank, the Vault VIP Lounge has been transformed into a plush nightclub with hightop tables, leather sofas, intricate art pieces and romantic lighting. The Vault VIP Lounge Friday Night Jazz requires a $10 cover charge or free entrance with a dinner purchase in the world class Ambrosia Restaurant. Rare, imported beers, fine wines and premium cocktails are available for purchase along with a menu of salads, appetizers, desserts and a Chef’s Selection of Artisan Cheeses from around the world. After the CCP, the next upcoming performance at The Vault VIP Lounge is Award Winning Vocalist - Jeri Brown on Friday, July 27th. For more information, contact the OC Pavilion at 714-550-0550. Additional show information is available online at www.myspace.com/thevaultvip. For a reservation at Ambrosia, the OC Pavilion’s 5 star restaurant, call 714-550-0811

Yu can also hear the Luther Hughes and the Cannonball Coltrane Project on July 19th from 7 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. at Cavallino Ristorante, 8052 Adams Ave, Huntington Beach, CA (714) 536-6665.