pIZZA, pIZZA!!

Ok. I live in California, by way of CHI~TOWN and.....I cant wait to go back home and get me some Italian Fiesta. Italian Fiesta is, by far, the very best. Their pledge is "We use only the finest and freshest ingredients available; from the creamy butter in the dough to the spicy oregano garnish!'" Italian Fiesta has been on the South Side since 1951. Italian Fiesta pizza is a THIN crust chicago style pizza made with house tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and sausage. Every time I get off the plane in Chicago, this is my first stop. Italian Fiesta Pizzeria is the best pizza on the planet. Feeling a little Home sick!

Run Joel Run

Every 15 seconds someone in the world dies of a water born illness…

Joel Britton is going to do something about it. On May 2nd, Joel will join Team Generosity Water on a 13.1 mile run through Palos Verdes, CA to fund the building of wells in developing countries around the world. After all that training, Joel needs our support! Together, we can help him to meet his goal of $500. Donations can be made through the website (www.generositywater.com), or by mail. Checks payable to Generosity Water with “Run for Water Joel Britton” in the memo line can be mailed to:

Oasis Administrative Offices
12800 Riverside Drive
Suite 200
Valley Village, CA 91607

Any donation will aid Joel in his fight to bring clean water to nations less fortunate than our own.
For more info, email Joel at jbtravel@gmail.com!

J PARADISE

DEEJAY J PARADISE COMES FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO. A SECOND GENERATION DEEJAY, J STARTED PLAYING RECORDS FOR HIS PARENT'S SOCIAL GATHERINGS AT THE AGE OF 5. HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO READ, BUT HE ALWAYS NEW WHAT RECORD TO PLAY AND HE DID JUST THAT. DEEJAYING WAS ALWAYS A HOBBY FOR J. AND IN OCTOBER OF 1989 IT PAYED OFF. J BECAME THE FIRST HOUSE DJ IN ATLANTA GEORGIA WHEN A CLUB OWNER ENLISTED HIS HELP FOR A PARTY WHILE HE WAS IN ATLANTA VISITING. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, J OR DJ PARADISE AS HE WAS KNOWN THEN, BEGAN FLYING TO ATLANTA FROM CHICAGO ON THE WEEKENDS TO SPIN AT THE NEW YORK SOUND FACTORY. A RUN THAT WAS SHORT LIVED BUT WELL WORTH IT. J HAD ALREADY PRODUCED TWO 12' DISCS AND MORE WOULD COME BEFORE HIS DISAPPEARANCE INTO OBSCURITY. HE HASN'T BEEN HEARD FROM AGAIN UNTIL RECENTLY. HE NOW ONCE AGAIN RESIDES IN ATLANTA AND HE'S IN FULL GEAR! SUPPORT J PARADISE! A BORN DJ! CAN'T STOP THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jparadisemusic is a PodOmatic Pro Podcaster

www.myspace.com/djjparadise

PINK SLIP MIXERS

PinkSlipMixers.com is a unique "pink slip party" job networking event. Guests "Pay it Forward" by exchanging job search tips, forwarding job postings and encouraging other job seekers through the recession. PinkSlipMixers.com is a Groupsite powered by CollectiveX, the social collaboration platform built to enable groups of all kinds to get things done. PinkSlipMixers.com events are currently in California and will soon be expanding to at least 10 metropolitan cities in the United States.
For more information, go to: www.PinkSlipMixers.com.

HENRY FRANKLIN TRIO

THURSDAY April 23, 2009, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The Crowne Plaza LAX Hotel
BRASSERIE JAZZ LOUNGE
5985 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045
310-642-7500

HENRY FRANKLIN TRIO
Henry Franklin (B),
Theo Saunders (P),
Ramon Banda (D)

Henry "Skipper" Franklin is a jazz double-bassist born in Los Angeles, California. Through the years, the backbone of Franklin's music has been his work with Hugh Masekela, The Three Sounds, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Hampton Hawes and the Count Basie Orchestra. Henry has played and recorded Dexter Gordon, Gerry Mulligan, et al., as well as releasing a collection of albums by his own band.

Chicago Steppin'

“stepping is not just a dance, it's a culture...it's what we eat, think, and breathe”
R. Kelly

Chicago Steppin’ is a name given to a dance that has evolved over the years from various other dances. Originally created in Chicago's predominately African American community, the dance has morphed from its beginnings with the Jitterbug in the 30s and 40s, to the Offtime in the 50s, to the Walk and the Chicago Bop in the 60s and 70s.

The Chicago Step is now more widely known nationwide than it's ever been. Due to the popularity of songs like R.Kelly's "Step in the Name of Love", and Gerald LeVert's "Didn't We?", the nation has gotten a taste of the steppers style. Movies such as "Love Jones" (which depicts an event formerly hosted by local Chicago DJ Herb Kent, known as "The World's Largest Steppers Contest"), brought the dance and culture to the big screen. Stepping is usually coordinated into events called "Stepper's Sets", which typically cater to an older crowd. Due to the popularity of the aforementioned artists (along with old school artists), stepping is enjoying a nationwide "coming out party" with "Sets" popping up from New York to Los Angeles.

Chicago's Home Of Chicken and Waffles

Address: 3947 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL, 60653
Phone: 773-536-3300
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday

When it comes to a great meal, anticipation is often the best part. Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles, promises to up the ante on that classic soul food pairing of chicken and waffles. The restaurant on the corner of Oakwood Street and Martin Luther King Drive in Bronzeville went up in 2005. Stomachs growled. You could almost smell the warm waffle batter wafting through the neighborhood.

Owner Darnell Johnson, a Brooklyn native and wife, Tonya, a Chicago native suggested reviving Chicago’s up-and-coming Bronzeville neighborhood with a restaurant that has filtered its way into the national consciouness thanks to position as a go-to late-night spots for Chicago celebs(including Kanye West).

The fried chicken is the work of Carol Johnson, Johnson’s daughter-in-law, a native of Trinidad. Still, Johnson says the flavor is purely Southern. "It’s grandma’s old black-kettle Southern-fried chicken," he says. "You’re reminded of your grandmother when you eat our food.

"You can see the family’s influence on the lengthy menu. Most dishes bear the name of a family member. The Betty Lou ($13.90), a half chicken smothered in gravy with two waffles, is named for Johnson’s mom. The Saint ($9.40), a quarter chicken sans gravy with two waffles, is named for his son Selwyn Saint Johnson.

We tried Carol’s Treat ($9.60), a quarter bird smothered in thick savory gravy topped with sauteed onions. The flavorful chicken was crunchy, yet incredibly moist. This was one big bird, and I worried I wouldn’t finish the whole plate. Then I worried when I did. The side of buttermilk waffles was thin, hot, chewy and irresistible as well. Yes, Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles was worth the wait.

There are also straight-up soul food meals ($9.95-10.95): Chicken or catfish served with choices that include red beans and rice, mac and cheese, yams and collard greens. From what we tried, these dishes hold their own against any soul food in town.

We get the sense Johnson is trying hard to create a family-friendly vibe here. While it’s still a breakfast anytime kind of place, there will be no post-club hours and no booze—not even BYOB. But we’re glad to see more interesting selections than soda, such as the Sunrise (Lemonade and OJ) and the Sunset (Lemonade and Iced Tea); both are $2.80.

The dining room is handsome, with lots of earthy tones and exposed brick walls. A big central dining room is bracketed by rows of wide booths. We liked the artwork’s jazz motif, a classy touch that recalls Bronzeville’s historic musical tradition. Right now, Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles is entirely a sit-down restaurant, but once the dining room gets into a groove, Johnson says, look for a takeout operation to begin.

Ultimately, the pent-up interest in this restaurant reflects a real hunger for non-corporate fast food options in the neighborhood. When we went, there was a rather formidable line stretching from the front door down the long ramp leading into the dining room. When the hostess told us it would only be 15 minutes for a table, my friends and I shot each other skeptical "yeah, right" looks. Turns out, she was right. Despite the crowds, tables turn over swiftly. Besides, after waiting two-and-a-half years, 15 minutes more didn’t seem so bad.

Chris Lamorte

the Skipper

Henry "Skipper" Franklin and Crew
Henry Franklin, "The Skipper" - Jazz Bassist:
Born October 1st, 1940, Henry Franklin is a native of Los Angeles whose earliest memories of jazz were through his father, Sammy Franklin, a renowned trumpeter and bandleader.

There are more than 100 albums on which Henry appears, with many of them produced under his leadership. They include: The Skipper and The Skipper at Home (Black Jazz label), Three Card Molly, Bassic Instincts, The Hunter, Bass Encounters (Resurgent Music label), Colemanology, Ears Wide Open, Three Worlds, A Musical Tribute to Gene Harris featuring Three More Sounds, Summer Serenade (Beezwax Records), Shalabongo, We Came to Play (Jeru Records), Tribal Dance (Catalyst Records), Blue Lights (Ovation Records), Sakura (WJ3 Records), All God's Children (SP Records), Music to the 5th Power (SP Records), 3Bop (SP Records), and If We Should Meet Again (SP Records). Henry also published a method book for all bass players entitled, Bassically Yours.

The Skipper has performed for over ten years with his group at The Mission Inn in Riverside, California. His presence there is especially appreciated. He also continues to produce artists on his SP Label - including his latest CD Oh, What a Beautiful Morning! - to keep his and the world's love of jazz alive.

Contact The Skipper (951) 943-4740 for a copy of his newest CD!

Evening of Straight Jazz, The Skipper and Crew Admission: Free
Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Mission Inn Presidential Lounge 3649 Mission Inn Avenue Riverside, CA 92501

Jazz at the Merc Admission: $15 Henry Duo: Theo Saunders - piano Henry Franklin - bass
Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:30 p.m.
The Mercantile 42051 Main Street Temecula, CA 92501 951.308.6377

Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival, Skipper and Crew, Admission: $35
July 10 - 12, 2009
Temecula, California

Kanjiz Jazz Festival Skipper and Crew
September 9 - 15, 2009
Kanjiz Jazz Festival Serbia
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