Hans Ottsen: Upcoming Shows

Saturday, February 25th, 2012

Ellen Johnson and John Stowell Live

I was lucky enough to study with John Stowell just a couple times during his visits to USC in the mid '90's.  He's one of the most innovative, harmonically brilliant, and melodically gifted guitarists I've ever had the pleasure of hearing.  Ellen Johnson is a woman with a saxophone lodged in her vocal chords.  She is one of the few vocalists instrumental jazz musicians consider "on the level".  She's got chops.  The two of them will deliver a performance of brilliance rarely seen in our little corner of the world.  Do yourself a favor.  Buy a ticket.  Go to this show.  If I'm lucky, I might get to play a tune or two with them.

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

SAKE Bistro and Sushi - Mark Eddie w/ Ashley Broder and Hans Ottsen

Mark Eddie, in addition to being an awesome musician, is one of the best comedians you'll ever enjoy.  Ash and I are gonna be backing him up.  This is gonna be a terrific show.  I hope you can make it.

$25 registration fee includes: Limited Edition T-Shirt ($40 value), Live entertainment by Mark 
Eddie, Ashley Broder, and Hans Ottsen, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, product line available to purchase, 2 drink tickets, raffle ticket for door prizes. MUST HAVE PROOF OF REGISTRATION AND RECEIPT TO GAIN ACCESS. 

To register, click here: http://www.teedoff.com/launch341.html

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

Theater 150

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

2011 Fall Harvest Festival

Saturday, June 18th, 2011

Maverick Saloon

Night number 2 with Kacey Cubero and Friends @ Maverick Saloon.  Not to be missed.

Friday, June 17th, 2011

Maverick Saloon

If you haven't heard Kacey Cubero yet, do yourself a favor.  She's one of the most fantastic singer/songwriters I've ever heard.  Beautiful voice, killer songs, I can't say enough positive things about Kacey.  Her usual band is comprised of musicians like Bill Flores, Jim Rankin, Joe Baugh, Pete Gallegher - some of the best musicians around.  This show is a different lineup.  Kacey Cubero and Friends will include Ashley Broder (fiddle/mandolin), Hans Ottsen (guitar), Aaron Winters (drums), and others: It's gonna be an amazing night of music. All friends making music and having fun.  It's gonna be amazing.  Hope to see you there!

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Museum of Ventura County

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

First United Methodist Church

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

Ashley Broder and Hans Ottsen Live at the Top o' the Crown Plaza

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

J's Tapas And Lounge

The WORP Trio (Winters Ottsen Rankin Project) is a guitar-bass-drums trio with rock and roll and jazz influences.  We attempt (and succeed) to bring together familiar songs spanning 8 decades never forgetting the thread of improvisation, the heart of our inspiration.  J's IS UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP.  WAY DOWNHILL.  DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME.  THEY CARE NOTHING FOR VENTURA, ITS BEST ARTISTS, AND THE FOOD IS NOT WORTH HALF THE PRICE.  GO TO INnOUT INSTEAD.  YOU'LL MEET MORE RESPECTFUL PEOPLE AND GET MUCH BETTER FOOD.  TRY IT.  I'M SURE YOU'LL AGREE.

Saturday, April 16th, 2011

Zoey's Cafe

Phil Salazar and Jonathan McEuen are two of the greatest musical attributes Ventura, CA can call it's own.  Phil has played with an endless list of musicians of whom you've heard including Willie Nelson, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Bob Weir (Grateful Dead) and many others.  Jonathan is one of the most gifted singers and guitarists I've ever heard and has also shared the stage with countless musical giants.  This is their show but rumor has it I will be sitting in on a tune or two.  I am extremely honored every time I have the opportunity to make music with these guys.  Come to Zoey's and hear this music.  You won't regret it.

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Rubicon Theatre

Hans Ottsen will be playing with the Joel Clemmons Trio (Joel Clemmons - piano, Greg McFall - bass, Brad Ranola - drums) at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura.  We'll be playing originals composed by Joel Clemmons as well as some familiar tunes.  It's a wonderful venue and these guys are awesome musicians so I know it's gonna be a terrific show.  Hope to see you there! 

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Zoey's Cafe

Harlem Holler Trio is back!  Phil Salazar - fiddle, Randy Tico - bass, and Hans Ottsen - guitar

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

The WORP Trio @ J's Tapas And Lounge

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

Ventura County Fairgrounds

The WORP Trio (Hans Ottsen - guitar, Jim Rankin - bass, and Aaron Winters - drums) is sounding fantastic.  We've been adding new material which I know people are gonna love.  More modern standards!!!  What does that mean?  It means many new tunes are getting the WORP treatment.  You'll hear a diverse selection of songs from The Foo Fighters, Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd, and more plus some new jazz material a la Coltrane, Miles, and beyond!!!  This one is closed to the public, I'm afraid, but stay tuned.  We'll be WORPin' at a Ventura venue very soon!!!

Sunday, January 16th, 2011

The Channel Cities Jazz Club

The Ventura Jazz Orchestra will start its 2011 season at The Channel Cities Jazz Club.  

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

Suzanne's

HANSolo Live!  Hans' solo guitar format.  Sorry!  Closed to public!

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Private Function - Ventura

Ashley Broder (violin/mandolin/cello) is such a fantastic musician.  We're booking more and more gigs as a duo.  What fun!  Book us for your event!

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

Poinsettia Pavilion

I'm really looking forward to this show.  The Ventura Jazz Orchestra (the 18 piece jazz big band in which I play guitar) has been working hard, tightening up arrangements and adding new material.  We've got a new male vocalist named Glenn Novack.  He's terrific. His mother sang with Artie Shaw and it's obvious that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.  He, along with our female vocalist, Donna Greene, will be performing with the band at the Poinsettia Pavilion on Saturday December 4th.  Hope to see you there!!!

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Private Function - Santa Barbara

Phil Salazar (fiddle) and I have been rehearsing and I'm happy to say that we're planning some local shows so stay tuned.  This one's closed to the public I'm afraid.

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

Hans with SOLVEI @ The Ojai Retreat

SOLVEI is a wonderful vocalist with whom I'll be performing a wide variety of music.  Latin/Brazilian/Native American/Jazz and beyond with tons of improvisation , this performance should be a lot of fun.

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

The WORP Trio Live @ The Watermark

Come to The Watermark (598 East Main Street, Ventura) Thursday, September 23rd from 7:30 till 10:30pm and check out The WORP Trio - Jim Rankin (bass), Aaron Winters (drums), Hans Ottsen (guitar).  You can check out some of The WORP Trio's live recordings on the "LISTEN" page of this website.  It's jazz.  It's funk.  It's rock.  It's IMPROVISED.  You may recognize a favorite tune here and there too.  Hope to see you there.  NO COVER!!!

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Groovehound Live @ J's Tapas And Lounge

Groovehound is a jam band I played with a few years back.  It never really broke up, as many bands seem to do.  We all just got busy with other projects and Groovehound was sidelined.  The first Groovehound bass player, Evan Grosswirth (of The Preacher's Blues Band), has done the leg work to reunite Groovehound in all it's glory!  John Legreid (drums), Josh Davis (guitar/vocals), Hans Ottsen (lead guitar), Evan Grosswirth (bass), & David Herschowitz (keyboards).  I'm happy to announce this gig at J's in Ventura: Groovehound Live!!!  Get out that old tie-dye, strap on the Birkenstocks, and cruise down to J's Tapas and Lounge to hear your favorite Grateful Dead tunes done Groovehound style.  This show is gonna be GROOVY!!!!

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Ventura Jazz Orchestra Live @ Poinsettia Pavilion

A couple times each year The Ventura Jazz Orchestra puts on a dance to pay our rent at The Poinsettia Pavilion, the place we rehearse.   Here's the next one, September 10th at 7:30.  Come dance to some terrific swing music!  Hope to see you on the dance floor!

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

HANSolo Live @ 71 Palm

Hello Friends!  Here's a HANSolo gig.  Not sure if it's open to the public.  I'm waiting to hear from Lorenzo whether it is or not.  Anyhoo, I'm playing this one to support The Ventura Film Society.  If you haven't checked out any of the VFS Wednesday night screenings, do it.  They're invariably wonderful movies covering a wide range of subjects including art, world cultures, religion, you name it.   Ashley and I recently attended a screening of 'Water', an amazing movie about the tragic conditions forced upon Hindu widows in India.  We both found it to be extremely moving.  There's another screening coming up about Jean Michel Basquiat (a documentary, not the theatrical film, "Basquiat") a favorite painter of mine.  I'll definitely catch that one.  Regarding HANSolo @ 71 Palm, I'll letcha know ASAP if this gig's open to the public.

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Ventura Jazz Orchestra Live @ La Dolce Vita

I'm happy to say I'm back with the Ventura Jazz Orchestra!  I took a couple months off to play a few gigs, work on a few projects.  But I missed it.  So I'm back!  This thing is gonna be quite an event.  Check out the La Dolce Vita website for details on the cuisine.  Beautiful food, beautiful wine, beautiful place, beautiful music.

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Ashley Broder and Hans Ottsen Live @ Andres Wine & Tapas Bar

Ashley Broder (fiddle/mandolin/cello) and I (Hans Ottsen - guitar) have been wanting to book a little local gig for musical giggles and experimentation.  We met Andres, a comedian/club owner/very nice guy from Santa Clarita who has recently opened a very charming little venue called Andres Wine and Tapas Bar in the Ventura Harbor.   We played a few tunes for him and he booked us!  We'll be playing jazz, bluegrass, Celtic, tons of originals and whatever else tickles our fancy that afternoon.  We'll be there from 3-6pm, Sunday August 15th.  This show is FREE!!!

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Hans Ottsen with The Art Farmers

I've been playing a lot of parties lately and you what??? IT'S REALLY FUN!!!!!  What better occasion to play music: a bunch of folks getting together to enjoy good food, good drink, good people, and good music.  This time I'm playing with The Art Farmers - Brad Strickland (guitar), Chris Olsen (bass), Aaron Winters (drums).  I'll be playing guitar (of course).

I wish this was open for the public but it isn't.  Book one of my bands at your party!  That'll do it!

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

HANSolo Live (private performance)

I've been booking more solo guitar gigs for the past couple months.  This is great for me since I'm working on a solo guitar recording, HANSolo (should be finished by September).  I'm thinking of getting a regular, solo guitar gig going nearby.  Stay tuned...

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

Ashley Broder and Hans Ottsen @ Constitution Park

This is a fiddle festival which will be going on all day. Ashley Broder and I will be playing sometime in the early afternoon.  I'll post the time as soon as I know.  I know Phil Salazar is gonna be playing too (not to mention legions of other terrific musicians) so it should be a fun day!  There will be food and drink vendors and so on.  Hope to see you there!

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

Ashley Broder, Randy Tico, Hans Ottsen

I'm looking forward to this.  Randy Tico is an amazing bass player from Santa Barbara.  Anybody familiar with the local music scene will be familiar with Randy.  He's also the bass player for The Harlem Holler Trio, the project I share with Phil Salazar.  Like Phil, Ashley Broder is one of the most talented & musical fiddlers with whom I've ever had the pleasure of jamming.  She's well known in the Scottish fiddle world and I'm convinced you will hear a lot more from her.  She's also my girfriend:), not that I'd describe her any differently were she not.  Anyhoo, the three of us are getting together to play a private house concert on July 3rd.  I may, however, be able to get a few people in.  I'll keep you posted.

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Ventura Lion's Club presents Hansolo Live! (Sorry! This event is closed to the public.)

The Ventura Lion's Club presents Hansolo Live, Saturday, June 26th from 6pm till 8pm.  It's been a while since I booked a Hansolo gig.  For a while it was all I did but for the past couple years I've been focusing on my ensemble work.  I'm excited to return to my solo guitar roots.  I'm going to try to book a few Hansolo gigs this summer so stay tuned...

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Private Party (I can bring some friends though...)

This is a private party but I've been told I can bring a few friends.  If you're interested in hanging out with some good people and hearing Ventura's finest new improvisational trio, The WORP Trio - Hans Ottsen (guitar), Jim Rankin (bass), and Aaron Winters (drums), let me know and I'll see about getting you directions and so on.  I can't say enough about this band.  These guys are the finest of musicians and the coolest of human beings.  I'm looking forward to many years of killer music to come.  I'd play a Barney-The-Purple-Dinosaur Convention with these guys.  That's how much I enjoy this band.

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Zoey's Cafe

The Harlem Holler Trio is back!  Phil Salazar (fiddle), Randy Tico (bass), and Hans Ottsen (guitar) blur the boundaries between jazz, old time, bluegrass, rock, pop, you name it.  Friday, June 11th from 8pm till 11pm Come check out the fabulous new Zoey's, have a pizza, a glass of good wine or beer or sodapop or whatever's your poison, and enjoy some terrific local improvised music! $15 COVER

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Ashley Broder and Hans Ottsen (Sorry! This gig is closed to the public)

Wedding gig.  Closed to public:(

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Deer Lodge

THIS DATE HAS BEEN CANCELED

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Deer Lodge

The Shoemakers are a bunch of young guys with more talent than you'll believe.  Come check 'em out!  Regrettably, I won't be able to make this one but that doesn't mean it won't be awesome!  

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Deer Lodge

The WORP Trio (Hans Ottsen (guitar), Jim Rankin (bass), and Aaron Winters (drums/percussion)) will continue The Deer Lodge Thursday Night Concert Series with a happy-hour full of jazz/rock/originals and as per usual, tons of improvisation! Come hear the band that everybody's talking about but nobody seems to have seen! 6pm till 8pm, NO COVER CHARGE! Come to The Deer Lodge, have a drink, something off their superbly yummy menu, and enjoy some great music with The WORP Trio!!!

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

Zoey's Cafe

Finally!!! The show we've been waiting for!!! The W.O.R.P. Trio (Hans Ottsen (guitar), Jim Rankin (bass), Aaron Winters (drums)) is gonna play Zoey's at their new location, 185 E. Santa Clara in Ventura. This band is terrific. A blend of jazz, rock, pop, & originals, all used as vehicles for improvisation. Come check out Ventura's newest, freshest, some say finest guitar trio!!! Special low cover, only $5!!! 8pm till 11pm, Saturday May 8th!!! Call now for reservations!!!

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Deer Lodge

Ojai's famous Deer Lodge is beginning a new Thursday Night Concert Series. Ashley Broder (violin/mandolin) and Hans Ottsen (guitar) will start things off on May 6th from 6-8pm. No cover, terrific food, killer music... what else is there?

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Ashley Broder and Hans Ottsen Live at the Top o' the Crown Plaza

The Exploritas Group will be presenting Ashley Broder and Hans Ottsen as the final performance of this year's Ventura Music Festival. Get a load of this: Itzhak Perlman at 8pm Saturday, Herbie Hancock at 2pm Sunday, and Ashley and me at 7pm Sunday night! What a weekend! (What a pair or acts to follow!) More info TBA!

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Hans Ottsen and Randy Tico!

Ok. Here's the deal. The Ventura Botanical Gardens "Garden Tour" is finishing up this week. They're having a silent auction and a wine soiree at 530 N. Kalorama, Ventura, this Saturday from 4pm till 7pm. Some tickets are $25 and others are $50. I'll update the information as I find out more. Thanks for your patience. If you just wanna hear the music, I'm gonna see if I can get you in for less or possibly zero $$$. Bear with me.
Here's one thing I do know: The music is gonna be awesome. Randy Tico is a legend in the latin jazz community not to mention the music community in general. Stand-up acoustic or six-string electric, Randy's a joy to play music with. If you've heard Harlem Holler Trio you know what I mean. Unfortunately, no Phil Salazar this time. (He's playing a gig over at Zoey's.) Just guitar and bass, duo jazz!

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Famous Sports Bar and Grill

The 18 piece big band I play with, The Ventura Jazz Orchestra, will play a concert at The Famous Sports Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, CA. Different than the material we tend to play at dances, we're able to stretch more in a performance like this. I like it because I get to improvise to my hearts content!!! Come support a local orchestra, The Ventura Jazz Orchestra!!!

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Poinsettia Pavilion

Come support a local big band, the one I play with! The Ventura Jazz Orchestra is an 18 piece big band located in Ventura, CA.

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Ellen Johnson's Vocal Master Class

I recently had the honor of playing with vocalists Ellen Johnson and her friend, the legendary singer Sheila Jordan. Sheila Jordan has played with some of the biggest names in jazz: Charlie Parker & Charlie Mingus, to name just a couple. Anyway, Ellen is a wonderful singer and vocal pedagogue out of Ojai, CA and she will be leading a vocal master class on singing with guitar players. Guess who the guinea pig guitarist is??? Your's truly, of course;) I'll letcha know ASAP what it costs and where it'll be but you singers ought not miss it! It's gonna be a lot of fun!!! Hope to see you there!!!

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Zoey's Cafe

Hans Ottsen (guitars), Jim Rankin (electric bass), and Aaron Winters (drums /percussion) make up The WORP Trio. Nothing to the name really. After messing around with acronyms we came up with Winters-Ottsen-Rankin-Project. WORP seemed closest to 'warp', which is a good adjective for describing some of our arrangements. Name aside, this band is a lot of fun. Jazz standards, originals, and timeless pop favorites arranged as a vehicle for improvisation. Come check out the debut performance of The WORP Trio with special guest Phil Salazar (fiddle) and support local improvised music! Hope to see you there!
$15 cover - make your reservation now before it's sold out!!!

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Zoey's Cafe and Loft

Hans Ottsen (guitar), Phil Salazar (fiddle), and Randy Tico (electric and acoustic bass) are The Harlem Holler Trio. Phil and I started playing music together about three years ago. I hadn't played much bluegrass at all and was interested in learning about it. Phil wanted to further his knowledge of jazz so we started exchanging information. The result is The Harlem Holler Trio. Joined by bassist Randy Tico about 10 months ago, this drummer-less trio has developed into a very unique improvisational project. Come down to Zoey's, have a great dinner and enjoy some darn good (if I do say so myself), local, improvised music. We've added a ton of terrific new material! I'm looking forward to this one!!!
$15 cover - make your reservation now before it fills up!!!

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

J's Tapas And Lounge

The Art Farmers are a Ventura based jazz trio consisting of Brad Strickland (guitar), Chris Olsen (bass), and Aaron Winters (drums/percussion). I'll be joining them for a little dueling guitar action. THis is a really fun band. We usually play set of standards and get progressively more funk based as the night progresses. Whatever happens, it's always fresh and saturated with improvisation. Hope to see you there! No cover charge. 8pm-11pm

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Famous Sports Bar and Grill

It'll be interesting to see how they get an 18 piece big band into a sports bar. Honestly, I've never been there but I'm sure it'll be fun. Hope to see you there!!!

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Poinsettia Pavilion

Come dance your holiday blues away with the Ventura Jazz Orchestra, the 18 piece bigband with vocalist Donna Greene!

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Technology Development Center - Media Arts Studio

The Ventura Jazz Orchestra, the 18 piece bigband I play with, will be recording and filming it's latest incarnation. More on this later...

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Bombay Bar and Grill

I'll just copy from the website, http://www.allstarblues.com...

"Beautiful Ventura, California is the home of many talented musicians. To showcase this extraordinary cultural resource & raise money for local causes, Instrumental Music & The Bombay Bar & grill have joined forces to launch a new Ventura tradition; "The Wednesday night All Star blues revue. Beginning at 8:00PM Wednesday, December 2nd and continuing every Wednesday, the All star blues night will be the place to experience great live music of the areas finest musicians!"

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Zoey's Cafe and Loft

An old Ottsen family friend, Susie Longwill, has lived and worked with children in Mozambique, Africa for the past several years. Ashley Broder (mandolin/fiddle) and Hans Ottsen (guitar) will play a concert to help raise money for this amazing cause. Later in the evening, at 9pm, Todd Hannigan will perform.

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Chocolatine

Ashley Broder (mandolin/fiddle) and Hans Ottsen (guitar) will perform Celtic, old timey, bluegrass, jazz tunes and more at Chocolatine, the lovely T.O. French restaurant and chocolateur. Here's a chance to have a really nice evening, a quality dinner and couple hours of excellent music. I can't say enough good things about this wonderful gal, Ashley. You just gotta come hear her.

What a wonderful place! Sabrina and Hugo, the husband and wife team who own and run Chocolatine in Thousand Oaks, outdid themselves Saturday night. It was an intimate dinner, just a few tables, music and gourmet food. Ashley and I played for about two hours (which was terrific - I love playing music with that gal!!!), then we sat down for dinner. Crab cakes, rack of lamb in a tangy cranberry vinegar sauce with mashed potatoes and shallots, YUMMY!!!! I'd have done it for the food alone! This venue is something too. Ashley and I are trying to arrange a concert there. It's a charming place, very European and the acoustics are great! Lovely art on the walls. More to come from this unique little restaurant.

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Cal State University Channel Islands

Ashley Broder (mandolinist, violinist, and all around lovely person) and I (Hans Ottsen - guitarist) will teach Kuan Fen Liu's Music Appreciation class at Cal State Channel Islands. We have 1 hour and 15 minutes to get from Celtic music, through old timey and bluegrass, all the way through jazz. This should be fun!!!

What a terrific class! Ashley and I had so much fun trying to cover the evolution of secular improvised music in America (in just over an hour)!!! Since there's no way to even scratch the surface in such a time frame, we just had a good time. We played and talked about tunes from 'Nail That Catfish To The Tree' to 'Interplay' by Bill Evans. Celtic music to bluegrass/blues/jazz and anything in between we could get to. Quite a distance to bridge but we did it!!! Thanks Kuan Fen!!!

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

Sulfer Mountain

Halloween party to raise money to support youth in the arts!!! Great cause! Check out their website! Kacey Cubero and Hans Ottsen will perform songs off of her new record, 'Fill Your Cup'. Come check her out. She's terrific. There's a ton of other entertainment as well! Ticket Prices are $25.00 per day pre sold, $30.00 at the door and include cost of meal. Donations are tax deductible. If you do not have a pay pal account you can pay at the door. Family pricing available. Please email lucinda@trimurtienterprises.com for details.

Had a great Halloween playing a gig with Kacey Cubero and Ashley Broder. Both those gals are so musical and creative, how could I not have a ball??? We played tunes off Kacey's new album, "Fill Your Cup". AMAZING RECORD! And that's not just because Phil Salazar and I are on it:) I highly recommend it. Check out Kacey's stuff at http://www.kaceycubero.com/

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

The Elks Lodge

As part of the Ventura Film Society's Festival 2009, Samuel Beckett's "PLAY" (Anthony Minghella, IRELAND 2000) will be screened next Thursday night at 7pm. Afterwards Ashley Broder (violin/mandolin) and Hans Ottsen (guitar) will perform some Celtic music in honor of the production. The musical portion of the evening will begin at 9:15. Cover is $10 for both the movie and the music!

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Pierpont Inn

Hans Ottsen Trio will perform tonight at the Pierpont Inn Restaurant from 6pm till 9pm. Hans Ottsen (guitar) will be joined by Brad Ranola (drums) and Greg McFall (upright bass). Come grab a bite, a couple drinks, and hear some terrific jazz!!!

I had a ball last night playing with Brad Ranola and Greg McFall. The 'guitar trio' is one of my favorite ensemble formats. Thanks, Joel, for the chance to play with your killer rhythm section. And thanks to those of you who came out to hear us last night. What a fun night!!!

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Ventura Senior Center

The Ventura Jazz Orchestra is the 18 piece big band I've been playing with. I initially joined the band to brush up on my sight reading. After a couple rehearsals I was hooked. This music is so much fun!!!! Swing, latin, ballads... just terrific dance music. Put on your wing tips and come check it out!!!

Well, Lorenzo let me hang on to Tal's 'Tal Farlow' model Gibson a little longer so I used Tal's guitar to play this dance with my big band. A truly enjoyable evening, even though we were playing in what I'm convinced used to be an actual basketball court. They want us back next year but they're gonna try to find a different venue. Live and learn!!!

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

The Elks Lodge

Lorenzo DeStefano, renouned documentary filmmaker, is a 20 year friend of legendary jazz guitarist Tal Farlow. When Tal died, he left his very own Gibson "Tal Farlow" model guitar to Lorenzo. Lorenzo has asked me to play a short set of music on this rare and beautiful instrument. I've fallen in love with this instrument over the past couple days. You can see pics of it on the Photos section of this website. Come hear what I mean. Two films will be screened: "Talmage Farlow", the documentary about Tal, and "Los Zafiros", a documentary about the musical group The Sappires.

Just got back from the Tal Farlow gig. What a great time! I played that beautiful guitar for over an hour (twice the time I was asked). I coulda played it all night. The film was extraordinary. Ok, I'd seen it before, but it had been 12 years or so and I enjoyed it infinitely more the second time. Since I loved it the first time, that says a lot. Thank you, Lorenzo DeStefano, for the chance to play Tal's lovely Gibson.

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Pierpont Inn

Hans Ottsen (guitar) will join Joel Clemmons (piano/vocals), Greg McFall (acoustic bass), and Brad Ranola (drums) for an evening of jazz. The Pierpont Inn Restaurant is a very comfortable place to have a drink, grab a bite, and hear some great jazz. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Private House Concert

Phil Salazar and Hans Ottsen will play a house concert in the original Harlem Holler format, duo with guitar and violin.

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

Ventura Music Festival

Harlem Holler performs for the Ventura Music Festival.

Killer gig. Phil was great, Randy was great, and I felt good too. The steaks and chicken were BBQed by the head of Homicide for the Ventura Police Department. I think he could cook full time if he wanted to.

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Hollywood Beach Jazz Allstars

Benefit for a children's hospital.

This was a lot of fun. A fund raiser for a children's hospital, I got to play some jazz with a terrific quintet. Guitar, bass, piano, drums, flugelhorn. What a blast...

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Zoey's Cafe

Harlem Holler! New and improved! Hans Ottsen and Phil Salazar are so happy to introduce Harlem Holler's new bass player, Randy Tico. It's a pleasure to play music with Randy. The trio has never sounded better!

Waaaaay too much fun! Thank you, Zoey's!!! Full house, great people, killer music... what else could you ask for on a Friday night?

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

Century Plaza Hotel

Closed to public