Jazz Brilliance: Kaylene Peoples, Bunny Brunel – Gwyn Foxx 2.0 Live Shine in “A Journey Through Jazz”

(DailyMusicRoll Editorial):- Hollywood, California Aug 22, 2023 (Issuewire.com) – Friday, August 11th, 2023, was an exciting evening for Southern California concertgoers. A slew of high-profile musical events kicked off this music-filled weekend, including Kaylene Peoples: “A Journey Through Jazz” appearing at LA’s premier jazz venue, the Catalina Jazz Club, located in Hollywood, CA. “A Journey Through Jazz” featured the legendary bassist Bunny Brunel doing an unplugged mini set of straight-ahead standards on the upright and singer Gwyn Foxx 2.0 Live who performed an ode to old school with the music of James Brown and Al Green. The event was hosted by Television writer and comedian Kevin Foster. 

At the start of the evening, Kevin Foster warmed up the audience, bantering with the musicians on stage and interacting with patrons before the dynamic all-star rhythm section and five-piece horns ruled the stage for the music of James Brown. The appreciative crowd was enthralled as the two background singers sashayed up the stage, locking in step to the beat to “Get Up Off of That Thing” When donned in a long glittery hooded cape, Gwyn Foxx arrived and the band led the show into a well-crafted medley of James Brown’s hits, including “Get Up Off of That Thing,” “Gonna Have a Funky Good Time,” and “Please, Please, Please.” Foxx’s singing was bold and dynamic as she had the audience dancing in their seats to “I Feel Good”, “Papa Got a Brand New Bad,” “It’s A Man’s World,” and others, segueing into the lush Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together,” and performing her single “Never Gonna Leave Me.” 

“I never thought in a million years that my singing one James Brown tune from my setlist would inspire talented Kaylene Peoples to approach me with the idea of performing an entire set of 90-percent James Brown songs. But it did… and so did I. I have to say, it was a funky and fun experience! I noticed that the audience really was into it as well as my 5-piece horn section, background singers, and myself! One of the audience members came over to me and said, ‘Thank you for taking me down memory lane.’ It was awesome. What a great experience for us all! The sound was incredible, the venue is well known, the band was amazing, and the feeling was fantastic!”–Gwyn Foxx 2.0 Live

Bunny Brunel, known for his power fusion and as an internationally revered bassist & composer, took center stage on his 1950s vintage upright. Backed by drummer Land Richards (George Benson), guitarist Joe Calderon (Dianne Reeves), and pianist Mahesh Balasooriya (Natalie Cole), the quartet performed jazz standards, including “Some Day My Prince Will Come” and “Dolphin Dance.” Aside from the top-notch musicianship and flawless execution of improvisational jazz, the round of solos started the “journey through jazz,” reminiscent of a golden era. Brunel’s fluid and melodic soloing, coupled with his harmonics and trademarked style was a breath of fresh air and had a mesmerized audience clinging to every note.   

“Many people don’t realize that I actually started playing the bass on the upright. This show made me bring out the old friend that started it all. One thing I have learned through my musical career is it doesn’t matter what kind of bass you play, what’s important is that you PLAY the bass.  My set “Bunny Brunel Unplugged” gave me a chance to step away from fusion and my fretless, reminding me how it all started in the first place!” –Bunny Brunel, Founding Member of CAB & Grammy-Nominated Bassist

Kaylene Peoples entered the stage with a vodka martini in hand, introducing her drink as part of the show. After taking a sip, Peoples announced that she tossed her set list and decided to do authentic classic jazz by calling out the tunes that moved her at that moment. The audience was delighted when “Girl from Ipanema” sung in English and Portuguese was the first up–a fitting tribute to the late Astrud Gilberto. Next up was Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life,” which at the end of the song . . . “and I’ll live a lush life in some small dive, and there I’ll be while I rot with the rest of those whose lives are lonely too…” Kaylene unapologetically finished her martini, and in theatrical form, bowed her head. Peoples continued her set with Bossa-nova favorites that included “Once I Loved,” “How Insensitive,” “One Note Samba,” Agua de Beber” and then “Berimbau” which was sung in Portuguese. She performed Chick Corea’s “Spain,” ending strong on a high note, then encored with Brubeck’s “Take Five.” Highlights of Peoples’s segment were the unison scat with guitarist Joe Calderon on Paul Desmond & Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five,” the high energy of “One Note Samba” and Kaylene’s flute prowess, and the casual, yet extremely engaging reminiscence of the Brat Pack and the 1960s cabaret/lounge-style command of the audience, the band equipped with theatrics, resounding style and Peoples’s combined elegance and comedic timing were the perfect ingredients for an ideal audience experience at the Catalina Jazz Club.   

“Kaylene performs with such passion and energy. The scat sequence on “Take Five” with guitarist Joe Calderon was very technical and precise. Nice new wrinkle. Kaylene has a powerful command of the stage, and ironically people are [still] surprised when she plays the flute like they still don’t expect women to do that!”–Kevin Foster, TV Writer & Comedian  

“Following Gywn Foxx’s highly energetic performance and Bunny Brunel’s acoustic set with his exquisite musicianship, my show, “A Journey Through Jazz,” took a slight detour to a journey through my soul that evening. This year, I had taken a hiatus, rather than a soul-searching sabbatical as an artist, pondering the meaning of it all as not only a musician but as an entertainer. Coming back fresh to Catalina’s stage, I found my sweet spot. And that evening I let loose, and enjoyed myself and the audience!  I was able to engage, and it felt wonderful. It was a true celebration of the spontaneity of jazz!” –Kaylene Peoples

In attendance that evening were the following: Chuck Dennis (Oxnard Jazz Festival), Robin Lyle (Domino Theory), Tal Hawkins (The Silvers), actress Leigh Bush (ACCIDENTAL SQUATTER), and others.  The event was presented by First Take PR, with PR support by Music Magique, and promoted by Verdell Adams.     

ABOUT:

Recording artist KAYLENE PEOPLES is a powerful singer with a broad vocal range with performances that are a profound soulful journey with her carefully selected repertoire and heart-warming performances. A consummate musician and multi-instrumentalist, her flute (her soloing instrument of choice) speaks its own language! And nobody interprets Brubeck and Jobim quite like Kaylene Peoples! A former Miss California, former model, and a symphonic orchestrator and conductor, not to mention an LA Music Awards-winning Producer, Peoples has written and conducted countless arrangements for major labels, including Capitol Records, Universal Republic, Elektra Records, Polygram, and Warner Bros. Her arrangements can be heard on the Block Buster Films SERENDIPITY, AMERICAN PIE 2, RUBY, as well as her own multi-award-winning feature film REDEMPTION. And in her early career, Kaylene ghost-wrote for some of the most popular television series. She is impressively educated and has studied with Walter Scharf (FUNNY GIRL), Henry Mancini (PINK PANTHER), and David Raksin (LAURA), and has performed on and/or written arrangements for a variety of bands/artists including Oleander, Tracie Spencer, and others. Peoples has performed and/ & or recorded with Bunny Brunel, Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Larry Dunn, Hubert Laws, Jeff Goldblum, and Bobby Lyle. In the summer of 2022, Kaylene’s single “Corcovado” was playing on the Brazilian airwaves, and her CD ROMANTIC BOSSA-NOVA was Album of the Week for Smooth FM Portugal (including Canada & Brazil); Peoples won The Akademia Award for Best Jazz Song (from her MY MAN CD) for “Giant Steps,” featuring Hubert Laws, Bobby Lyle, & Bunny Brunel; and from her first jazz album ALL JAZZED UP!, her single, “Do You Remember?” topped the independent charts. Many of Kaylene’s songs from her many album releases are regularly featured on playlists, podcasts, and radio stations around the world.

BUNNY BRUNEL is a two-time Grammy-nominated bassist who has been associated with Chick Corea (9 years in Corea’s band, his first Grammy nomination, and several recordings), Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Tony Williams, and others. He earned a Grammy nomination for CAB 2 off of the eponymous release. He started his career with Chick Corea, and since has released over 18 CDs, including his newest Historical CD, BASS BALL 2, featuring Stanley Clarke, Larry Dunn, Kyle Eastwood, Patrice Rushen, Federico Malaman, Armand Sabal-Lecco, and other iconic jazz musicians. Aside from being one of the founding fathers of the Jazz Bass Fusion movement, Bunny Brunel has designed basses for Gibson, Carvin for 25 years, and ESP! But what sets him apart is his mind-blowing, dexterous musical chops – indeed an innovator of styles; NOBODY plays like Bunny Brunel! Watching him, whether it be fretless or on the upright, this man is a marvel with gaping audiences from around the world. He is an international icon and is the Editor at Large of the new VIRTUOSO BASS magazine. 

GWYN FOXX 2.0 LIVE is a soulful vocalist, who captivates her audiences with her sophisticated performances. She is also a recording artist, songwriter, and arranger who has graced countless stages as a solo artist and has supported other artists with step-out leads and/or background vocals. Foxx has worked with Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Phil Perry, Pattie La Belle, Chaka Khan, Chanté Moore, Paul Jackson, Jeffrey Osbourne, Jay King, and an endless list of countless more! Her scope of work includes Jay Leno, BET Awards, The GRAMMY’s, Soul Train Awards, Jerry Lewis Telethon, and various Motown female revue bands like The Supremes, and Martha Reeves, just to get started.

KEVIN FOSTER is a screenwriter/ script doctor/ and journalist specializing in the comedy and romantic comedy genre. With speed and creative flexibility, Foster’s uniquely high-brow comedy style is based on his varied vocational and life experiences. Hailing from Compton, California, Kevin is a former firefighter, athlete, sales professional, and martial artist. More recently, he has made a name for himself in the industry by adding his touches to existing projects, as well as writing sitcom pilots, scripts, and independent feature films. He’s a hired gun that “punches up” scenes by adding his unusual insight. Kevin works most often with Feline Productions, but he also writes political humor for various magazines and websites, including AGENDA. He is a comedian and television writer known for the TV series MONOGAMY three seasons; MY SISTER’S WORLD, and MATADOR PRINCIPAL. Kevin Foster’s conversational-style comedy has become popular with audiences as he does regular appearances at Flappers in Burbank! 

“A Journey Through Jazz” All-Star Personnel: Joe Calderon (Guitars), Mahesh Balasooriya (Piano/Keyboard), and Land Richards (Drums)

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