On Nov. 16 at 2pm, big band music will resound at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center auditorium. Dave Eshelman and his 17-piece Jazz Garden Ensemble will take to this excellent stage to wow you with classic sounds. Prior to the Jazz Garden performing, the West Valley College Jazz Ensemble led by Troy Davis will present Cold Snap.
Relax to the music of Cedar Walton, Charlie Parker, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chuck Mangione and Michael Brecker.
The Jazz Garden Big Band plans to celebrate these greats in concert with Dave Eshelman’s arrangements of their well-known compositions. They’re calling it the “Bay Area World Tour III.”
If you are going through jazz music withdrawals since Jazz on the Plazz wound-down in August, there is hope (please note not Teri—the JotP organizer—this time) to hear some live jazz before next summer. Fasten your seat belts for an enjoyable afternoon along Oka Road, where there’s plenty of easy—and wheelchair-friendly—parking out front.
The Jazz Garden Big Band features some of the most active freelance musicians in the Bay Area. Many have performed with the band for decades.
Saxophones: Mary Fettig, Kasey Knudsen, Dann Zinn, Bob Kenmotsu and Bob Farrington. Trumpets: Marvin McFadden, Rich Bice, Mike Olmos and Erik Jekabson. Trombones: Matt Hall, Jeanne Geiger, Dave Eshelman and Rich Lee; Colin Hogan, piano; Randy Vincent, guitar; Dan Parenti, bass; Kelly Fasman, drums. Over half of these musicians are former students from Eshelman’s teaching days.
In selecting music for this performance Eshelman stated, “A few days after I chose this set list I stepped back and looked at it from a distance. I realized these compositions were representative of the most positive music in my book. I’m speaking of the honesty of the music, the genuine hopefulness that it projects, and the promise of better days ahead. On a subliminal level, I must have sensed a need to showcase this great music and recognize what it can do for those wanting a spiritual lift right now. I look forward to sharing it with our audiences.”
“You will not be disappointed,” said Eshelman. “We present good music with good players for good audiences. We really love what we do and sharing it with others. This will be a 17-piece big band with enormous talent.”
Details: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2:00 pm Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, 14855 Oka Rd., Los Gatos, with West Valley College Jazz Ensemble (Troy Davis, director). $30 general admission, $20 seniors, all students free with student ID.
Tickets: https://wvcperformingarts.ludus.com/show_page.php?show_id=200498840
The Bay Area World Tour III other dates and locations:
Friday, Nov. 14, 7:30pm, Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 471 Lagunita Dr., Stanford, with Stanford Jazz Orchestra (Mike Galisatus, director).
$32 general admission, $27 seniors and non-Stanford students, Stanford students, free.
Tickets: https://live.stanford.edu/partner-events/department-of-music/2025-26-season/stanford-jazz-orchestra/
Saturday, Nov. 15, 8pm, California Jazz Conservatory, 2087 Addison St., Berkeley. $30 general admission, $20 students.
Tickets: https://concerts.jazzschool.org/dave-eshelmans-jazz-garden-big-band/
