Photos by Rob Hoffman
The Santa Barbara Jazz Society welcomed award-winning vocalist and Los Angeles favorite Janis Mann. She “wows” audiences with a broad repertoire of soul-stirring ballads, hard swinging modern jazz, sensuous latin tunes, and spirited blues all presented with her own deft improvisational twist. Beyond the vocal quality is imaginative delivery and interpretation that comes from experience in life as well as performance. The way she weighs and colors the lyrics in her singing place her in rare company. She’s performed with Diane Schuur, Roy Haynes, Kenny Werner, Terrell Stafford, Dave Frishberg, Laurence Hobgood, John Clayton, the Caribbean Jazz Project, Ernie Watts, and many other jazz luminaries in addition to her own legendary shows. Her music appears in films and her recordings are a radio and streaming mainstay. JazzTimes Magazine says, “Mann is not only one of the most skilled vocalists around, but one of the most alluring as well.”
Jeff Colella is an endlessly inventive, post-bop pianist, and one of Los Angeles’ busiest jazz musicians. Besides performing as a solo artist and with his trio, he maintains a very active schedule as an accompanist, recording artist, composer, arranger, producer, clinician, educator, and now author. His new book, “Love Music” is available online at mymusicMasterclass.com. He has toured with Lou Rawls, Jack Jones, Sheila Jordan, and many others.
Considered one of the finest, most versatile and in-demand bass players, L.A.-based bassist Lyman Medeiros discovered a passion for jazz early in his life and that passion has fueled a fierce career. Lyman’s style and influences are as diverse as his own Portuguese, Polynesian and Irish background. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2000, Lyman has toured, recorded, and performed with legendary artists such as Steve Tyrell, Michael Buble, N’Dugu Chancellor, Kenny Rankin, Mike Melvoin, Greg Field, Bill Cunliffe, Patti Austin, Michael Feinstein, Mary Clayton, and many more.
Janis Mann February 2025
