Abrakadabra
Manhattan Beach, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Abrakadabra to perfrom at Peter Zippi Fund For Animals Benefit
Thank you for the great performance. You raised much need funds for our organization and the press you generated in the local papers raised the awareness of our group. Thank you Leslie Neff - Beach Reporter
Local Latin, pop and jazz band Abrakadabra will perform to raise money for Japan tsunami relief on Saturday from 7-11 p.m. at Kah Asian Restaurant and Lounge, 1019 Manhattan Beach Blvd. The restaurant will donate a portion of its sales between noon and midnight to the International Medical Corps, which is assisting in Japanese evacuation centers and aiding victims in their homes.
“We just wanted to do something to help in some way,” said guitarist Coleman, who approached Kah’s owners about the fundraiser when he booked the band’s first local performance since the disaster. “It’s all about feeling a part of the family of man – when one of us hurts, we all do. And it’s great when a portion of enjoying fine food with fun entertainment can help a charitable cause.”
The family of Kah co-owner, Lorisa Vejphuyarn, was involved in the Thailand tsunami that hit in 2004.
“I grew up in Thailand, and though I wasn’t there when that disaster hit, many in my family were on hand to help out directly,” Lorisa remembers. “My brother would’ve been in harm’s way, but his flight to Thailand at that time was delayed, and actually spared him. We know what it’s like to suddenly lose everything, and we chose the International Medical Corps because they assisted us in Thailand, too.”
For more information, visit www.kahasian.com , www.abrakadabramusic.com, or www.internationalmedicalcorps.org. To make reservations at Kah, call 310-545-4888.
- Easy Reader, Manhattan Beach, CA
“Thank you so much for the great performance – you guys are so professional and sound awesome – We always love to have you play.”
Bambu,Manager/Coordinator
FilAm Festival
”Thank you so much for the wonderful performance at the winery club party. I can’t tell you how many comments I had from people saying how much they enjoyed the music. I’m looking forward to seeing Abrakadabra at your upcoming shows in the Wine Country.” Enid, Hotel/Winery Manager
Churon Winery
“We always love having play at our Summer Concert Series. The turnout is great and everyone enjoys you guys. We’ll see you again this summer.”
John, Owner
Longshadow Ranch Winery
“I am so glad that Abrakadabra was able to kick off our “Sippin’ Into Sunset” concert series last year. Looking forward to your performances this summer.”
Stacey, Entertainment Director
Stuart Cellars Winery
“Great Music – Good players, very professional, and you had a nice turnout.”
Nick, Sound Engineer
Sainte Rocke
“Thanks for the great performance at our Holiday party at The Long Beach Aquarium. As always the music was great and everyone loved it. We’ll see you performing again soon.”
Larry, Officer
The Razor Company
- Abrakadabra
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the popularity of Abrakadabra’s Latin-influenced smooth jazz led to the six-piece vocal and instrumental combo becoming the house band at the jazz mecca The Lighthouse in Hermose Beach.
Abrakadabra’s lead guitarist, Jonathan Coleman, grew up and still lives in Hermosa Beach. He began learning to play the guitar there in the sixth grade from music teacher Jerry Goldbach, former manager of the folk group the Limelighters.
After cutting back on Abrakadabra’s busy schedule for family and business reasons, Coleman formed Gold coast in 2000 with Abrakadabra percussionist John Pickell. His work with Gold Coast won Coleman a Los Angeles Music Award for best unsigned jazz guitarist.
After 25 years, a newly reunited Abrakadabra has returned to recording and performing. The lineup includes Coleman, who sells real estate in Manhattan Beach; Pickell, a longtime employee at the Redondo Beach Post Office; South Bay native Tony Dellomes (keyboards, flute), who works on the fishing boats in Redondo Beach; George Ines Rossi (congas, ukulele, additional percussion); John Rodgers (bass); and Vince Brooks (drums, percussion).
Abrakadabra’s kick off show will be Saturday at a new supper club in San Pedro, the La Conga Bar & Grill, 465 W. Seventh St., 310-833-3388. Doors open at 6 p.m., with Abrakadabra’s performance beginning at 8.
For more information about Abrakadabra and Gold Coast, go to each band’s website: www.abrakadabramusic.com and www.goldcoastmusic.net.
-Sam Gnerre
- RAVE
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Jon Coleman
Guitar, Marimba, Vibraphone
Jon, who’s been writing, arranging, performing and producing music since the 1970’s, received a career high achievement when he was named Best Jazz Guitarist at the 2000 Los Angeles Music Awards for his work on Latitudes. His love affair with the guitar began in the sixth grade, and resulted in his taking classical guitar lessons for 15 years developing his signature finger-style technique. But musical creativity might actually be in his genes.
Jon studied music and played in the early 70’s while attending Cal Poly University, Pomona, adding marimba and vibraphone to his instrument repertoire, but it wasn’t until the ‘80’s that he played steadily with his group, Abrakadabra, in the South Bay area. They eventually became the house band at The Lighthouse, and played the jazz club circuit in Los Angeles to sold out crowds. Abrakadabra continues to perform regularly at numerous Jazz Festivals, Fairs and events thrilling audiences with it's driving, propulsive Rhythms and mesmerizing vocals
Forming a new smooth jazz trio in 2000 (Gold Coast) Jon co-produced an instrumental CD, Latitudes, that garnered extensive radio airplay throughout the world.
Tony Dellomes
Keyboards/Lead Vocals/Flute
Inspired by the sounds of Joe South, Tony began playing keyboards when he was 15-years-old. By the time he was 17, he was writing music and lyrics, as well as singing. Growing up in the South Bay, Tony studied music in school and played with a number of local bands before he moved to Hawaii. There he developed an affinity for the island sound, now deeply infused in Abrakadabra’s mellow signature. He and John Pickell became a songwriting team in the ‘80’s, creating most of Abrakadabra’s library of tunes, along with Jon Coleman.
John Rodgers
Acoustic & Electric Bass
A native of Orange County (OC), CA, John Rodgers started playing bass when he was 12-years-old. During his high school years, he played with various garage bands. After graduation, he moved to Hawaii and took up the acoustic guitar. In the late 70’s through early 80’s, John settled back in southern CA, and played bass in Cylinders, a local OC band whose EP was featured on KROQ. John still finds himself involved in many studio projects as a session player, and has been involved with University of CA Irvine Performance Art groups. .
George Ines Rossi
Percussionist/Vocals
(Congas, Cajon, Drums, Hand Percussion,
Keyboards, Ukulele, Bass)
George Rossi has recorded and/or toured with Hiroshima, Kalapana, Cecilio & Kapono, Marco Mendoza, Banzai, Jeff Kashiwa, Edwin Star, Yutaka Yokokura, Libre, Windfield Summit, and numerous other Latin, funk, jazz and gospel groups. He has toured across the US, Canada, and Mexico. George is a co-founder of Agape Beat, a percussion ensemble including Ronnie Ciago, David Owens, Michael Bissonette and Tim Jones, which is endorsed by Remo Drum Co. He served as Associate Musical Director for Isuda ti Emuna, a Filipino theater group. George has also worked with Nathan Wong, television and movie score composer, on a musical piece for an ABC Children's After School Special.
George studied music at Dick Grove’s School of Music and under Kevin Ricard. He now teaches drums and percussion, sings, writes and composes music. Though not a founding member of Abrakadabra, George joined the band after hearing the group play one night in a club in the early 1980’s.
Vince Brooks
Drums/Percussion
On a trip to Mexico when he was 18-years-old, Vince’s purchase of a set of bongos began his long-lasting love of percussion instruments. Inspired by the soul and energy in Santana’s music, Vince studied music at college and performed with the number one jazz ensembles at both Orange Coast College and Cal State University Long Beach. He currently resides in Littlerock, CA, and performs regularly with Hollywood Rockers, Blue Jewels Band, and with Robert Ortiz at various venues in Orange County.
Carter Aristie
Drums
Carter Aristie, a southern California native, started his musical career in the early 80’s recording tracks for the MUZAK Co
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