Since 1999, the Richard Glaser Band has been hard at work establishing a new set of standards for the Los Angeles jazz scene. Recently presented by Los Angeles Magazine as part of the guest line-up for their 8th Annual Best of LA® gala at the Pacific Design Center, the band has made the most of its reputation as a classy and original troupe, performing at such premiere music and nightlife destinations as Crustacean in Beverly Hills, the Greystone Mansion, the Santa Monica Playhouse, the Geffen Playhouse, Traxx at Union Station, the Hotel Cafe and Toppers in Santa Monica. Comprised of pianist/songwriter Richard Glaser, bassist Russ Turner and drummer Mark San Filippo, the band can attribute much of its success to its rich and spiritual devotion to straight-ahead jazz -- a fine blend of intimate ballads, fresh improvisations and swelling, blues-tinged arrangements crafted by music virtuoso and frontman Richard Glaser. Now joined by up-and-coming vocalist Mary Akpa and saxophonist Alfredo Rivera, the band has added a lyrical component to its singular approach to jazz that is creating instant song classics out of finely tuned compositions. In 2005, the band released its third album, That's Okay, an eight-song CD of new and re-vamped fan favorites such as "If You Knew My Pain", "Royal Presence" and "That's Okay".
Read more...