Gig Seeker Pro

Michael Parlett

Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE

Band Jazz Latin

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press

"Mike Parlett at Kobe's Seal Beach California with 94.7 The Wave Radio Station"

BILL DUDLEY with MIKE PARLETT at KOBE'S Seal Beach.

All this July, I’ve been celebrating my 10th year here at The Wave. Last night was truly one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended during these 10 years. Saxophonist Mike Parlett assembled an All-Star line-up that kept the entire audience glued to the stage for nearly 4 hours.

Keep reading for the details! Mike Parlett is an imported treasure from England, but boy does he have the Los Angeles connections. Pictured left to right are yours truly, Bill Dudley, Mike (and his saxophone) the legendary vocalist Evelyn Champagne King, guitar man Freddie Fox, French guitarist U-Nam, longtime vocal great Lynn Fiddmont, and The Wave’s own Cookie Brown.

Cookie arrived at the The Wave the same year I did, and I always look forward to hearing her sing. She performed the Billy Holiday classic “God bless The Child”, and God indeed did bless Cookie with the voice of a nightengale. Evelyn joined Cookie for a rousing version of Chaka Khan’s ‘Tell Me Something Good” to a standing ovation. Freddie and Evelyn brought the house down with her 1978 dance classic “Shame.” U-Nam busted some licks with his hit version of The Crusaders‘ “Street Life”. Bill Cantos hit the vocals and the piano for several tunes, and Lynn Fiddmont did not disappoint her many fans. Her new CD “Lady” encompasses and showcases her strong versatilty. I think even Frank Sinatra would approve of her soothing treatment of his 1957 classic “All the way.” Gerald Albright also appears on this CD. As Frank would say it is a very easy listen “all the way” thru. Vocalist Steve Donn and guitarist Blake Aaron also stopped by to give Mike and the show some props.

Mike Parlett has played with all the best, including Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Randy Crawford, Jeffrey Osborne, and Najee, just to name a few. He also hosts The Mike Parlett show on Solar Radio every Sunday. He plays alto, soprano, tenor, and baritone saxophone, plus the wind synthesizer and seemingly a thousand different flutes. He needs a semi-truck to haul everything in for a show.

Mike has worked almost every Wave venue. His smooth blend of R&B, Pop and jazz classics are always a hit with our audience. You can catch Mike at iCugini in Santa Monica the 2nd Sunday of every month. Originally intended as a CD release party for Mike, it became a nearly 4-hour jam, with the audience totally engulfed in the performances.

The intimate setting of The Kobe contributed greatly to the vibe of last nights show. Tasty suishi and tender steaks also added flavor, (no pun intended). Don’t miss the next evening of live music NEXT Weds night August 4th. Chris Rob with special guest Jessy J will be on stage at 7pm. I will be hosting, and would love you to join me at The Kobe Steakhouse in Seal Beach, just off the I-405, Seal Beach exit. Go to KOBEBISTRO.COM Also MIKEPARLETT.COM - Bill Dudley with 94.7 The Wave

"Michael Parlett at 3 Vinos in Covina California with 94.7 The Wave Radio Station"

Covina restaurant and 94.7 The WAVE bring live jazz to Sundays

By Claudia S. Palma, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/20/2010 09:00:00 PM PDT

3 Vino's restaurant and radio station, the WAVE, 94.7, partner to bring Sangria Sundays to the Covina restaurant with live entertainment and dinner and Sangria specials. (Rachel Luna / Correspondent)
Of course, many of us wish the weekend would last just a little longer.
One group is hoping a new event called Sangria Sundays will help stave off the Monday blues.

"It's a nice happy extension to the weekend," said Talaya Trigueros, on-air host with radio station 94.7, The WAVE, which partnered with 3 Vino's restaurant and musician Mike Parlett to host Sangria Sundays.

The Sunday evening event, which kicked off two weeks ago, features sangria-and-dinner specials at 3 Vino's, accompanied by live entertainment from Parlett and his band and special guest performers playing a variety of easy listening, jazz, R&B music and more.

"This is great if you went to church (Sunday) morning, did some gardening in the afternoon, maybe watched some football and then you come here, to Sangria Sundays," Trigueros said. "I think the San Gabriel Valley is happy this is here and The WAVE is here in their neighborhood."

Trigueros hosted Sangria Sunday on Oct. 17, which featured raffle giveaways and guest performers that turned Parlett's three-piece band into a lively seven-piece band at times.

"We have different special performers and some legendary special guests," said Parlett. "We want people to enjoy some great music, great food and drinks."

Parlett, a producer from England and online radio show host at solarradio.com, said he was in Covina looking for a bank and saw the restaurant.

"I asked if they wanted any live music and they were looking to do some live music on Sunday (nights)," said Parlett. "I got The WAVE involved and the rest is history."

3 Vino's features live music and DJ's on various nights, including flamenco and Latin jazz on Sunday mornings.

The addition of live music on Sunday nights was only natural to restaurant owner Raul Trevino, who plans to expand the restaurant. He is also celebrating his restaurant's first year in Covina.

3 Vino's restaurant and radio station, the WAVE, 94.7, partner to bring Sangria Sundays to the Covina restaurant with live entertainment by musician Mike Parlett and friends. (Rachel Luna / Correspondent)
"The customers have been very supportive. We have people who come from all over California, some from Las Vegas and Mexico," said Trevino.

In his first venture into the restaurant business, Trevino, who came from the mortgage business, credits his travels for inspiring his vision of 3 Vino's.

"I've been able to travel to different places - to Latin countries, Europe - and the one thing I realized is no matter where you come from, we all like good ambiance, good music and to have a good time," Trevino said.

"I thought if I can just bring that to Covina ... and I think we've been able to accomplish that."

Trevino said the restaurant focuses on serving Latin dishes from places such as Spain, Peru, Cuba,

Customers dance along to jazz music on Oct. 17 as 3 Vino's restaurant and radio station, the WAVE, 94.7, partner to bring Sangria Sundays to the Covina restaurant with live music. (Rachel Luna / Correspondent)
Argentina and more.
The in-house sangria is also a recipe Trevino created, drawing on the many versions he tasted throughout his travels.

Trevino works to keep the restaurant involved in the community, hosting various events, such as fashion shows, that involve other city businesses.

"(3 Vino's) is part of the community," said Angelina Fierro, Covina Chamber of Commerce membership director. "The food is amazing, just the whole experience. It's Covina's Cheers. You come and hang out and everyone knows your name. You feel comfortable."

Covina Mayor Peggy Delach and Councilman Walt Allen III attended last Sunday's event, which featured music that ranged from classic Spanish ballads to '70s dance and soul.

"Another great thing is the city is giving us its full backing," said Parlett. "(Sangria Sundays) is one of those things you just have to come out and experience for yourself."

The WAVE is not new to partnering with restaurants to bring live music.

"We've been broadcasting live from a restaurant in Santa Monica for 10 years," said Trigueros.

The radio station also has other longstanding associations with restaurants throughout Southern California. Not all partnerships feature live broadcasting.

"I hope this is successful for both The WAVE, its listeners and 3 Vino's," added Trigueros.

3 Vino's is at 201 N. Citrus Ave., Covina. For more information, visit www.3vinos.com.

For more information on The WAVE and Mike Parlett, visit www.947TheWAVE.com and www.parlett.net.

claudia.palma@sgvn.com

626-962-8811, Ext. 2110
- San Gabriel Valley Tribune

"Michael Parlett at 3 Vinos in Covina California with 94.7 The Wave Radio Station"

"Breaking down the barracades"

Breaking down the barricades
July 2003

GEORGE LUKE talks to top saxophonist MIKE PARLETT about faith, music and cross-cultural fusion

FOR over a decade, saxophonist Mike Parlett has been a mainstay of the UK’s gospel circuit, but in a background role. Now he is about to take centre stage with a solo recording. Mike is in the final stages of production on his album, Welcome Into This Place. He describes it as “a cross-cultural jazz worship album”.

“It covers a lot of different genres,” Mike explains. “It’s made up of original compositions, plus some popular worship songs we’ve covered. There are some incredible jazz musicians on the album, but it’s also got a lot of vocal input. We’ve got Joy Rose, lead singer of the band Incognito, singing on a couple of tracks; we’ve also got Lurine Cato, who spent much of last year touring with Kylie Minogue, and another great singer called Mannix Lee. It’s been a really fun project to do.”

Mike, who played drums during his school days, turned his back on a secure career in accountancy to pursue his dream of being a musician. Since taking up the saxophone, he has worked with Iona, Graham Kendrick, Noel Robinson, and David and Carrie Grant, and had one unusual assignment in which his playing was used to replace the original saxophonist’s on Darlene Zschech’s live album (“I was in a studio, pretending I was playing live in Sydney!”). His secular credits include work with Take That, Jazz Africa and Right Said Fred.

“I grew up in a Christian home and went to an Anglican boarding school, where we had to go to chapel every morning,” he says. “I sort of stepped out of church during my teens; church didn’t have much relevance to me, and I was trying to find myself. Then one day in 1982 or ’83 – can’t remember exactly when – I saw Luis Palau preach at Mission to London. There was something about the message that really touched me, and I committed my life to Christ there.”

The ‘boring’ side of Mike’s work is handled through his company, Talent International. “That’s something I started seven or eight years ago, originally just to manage my band,” he says. “It’s grown into an agency which helps session musicians and vocalists find work within the music industry. There’s also a studio and a music management side to it as well.”

Welcome Into This Place is the second major project Mike has undertaken so far this year. In February, he was involved in Crossroads: an Indian dance theatre production, which premiered at the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff. Crossroads uses a fusion of jazz, Indian and African music and dance to tell the story of a young Indian girl brought up in Africa, who finds true love the West, to her parents’ disapproval. “It’s something that came to me about a year ago, when I met an Indian dancer by the name of Madhvi,” says Mike. “She does a style of dancing called Bharata Natyam, from southern India, and I thought it would be great to combine that with a variety of musical styles – both Western and non-Western. I collaborated with her and three other musicians.” Crossroads played to packed houses in Cardiff; later in the year it will be on at Sadlers Wells in London, and Mike is looking to take it on an Arts Council-funded UK tour.

Celebrating diversity and promoting racial harmony lie at the heart of all Mike’s work. “We live in one of the most cosmopolitan countries in the world here, especially in London,” he says, “and I feel people need to embrace that more. That’s what I’m trying to do with my music. I go to an African church in East London called Glory Life Church, which is pastored by a Ghanaian. I’ve learnt so much from being there, and have met some great musicians – including Ms Dynamite’s musical director, who also goes there.

“Opening yourself up to people from different ethnic backgrounds enriches your life and makes you look at the world differently. It makes you mature as a person. Half the problems we have in the world are caused by ignorance; we don’t understand why people do things in a certain way, so we close our minds to them.

“One privilege of being a musician is that you get to travel a lot, and I’ve come to appreciate the different ways Christians of various nationalities worship God. As far as my musical direction goes, what I’m trying to do is bring those things together – both with Crossroads, and with my album.”

• For bookings, info and albums, Contact Talented Productions 818 284 3943 or visit
www.talentedproductions.com

• George Luke is a journalist and broadcaster based in London

- George Luke - Writer

Discography

"Keep It Movin' " - Album released in 2012.
Available on iTunes & CD Baby

"Waiting on You" - Album released in 2005.
Available on iTunes & CD Baby.

Photos

Bio

Biography of
Michael J. Parlett
(310) 728-6697 studio (954) 822-5004 booking
Email: Management@parlett.net Website: www.parlett.net

Mike Parlett’s smooth, and skillfully moving, saxophone sounds made him a popular mainstream contemporary jazz artist in the UK’s jazz and gospel circuits in the 90’s. For over twenty years, Mike performed and recorded with many top artists around the world, eventually releasing his own “sold out” cd in 2005 titled “Waiting on You.” From 1996 through 1997, Mike performed as band leader at top venues from London to Dubai, such as Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Jazz Café, café Royal and many other establishments both in the UK and internationally. Throughout the 90’s, he played alongside some of the world’s biggest names, people such Roy Ayers, Lulu, The Jones Girls, Take That, Jazz Africa, Simply Red and M People.

His music – anchored in African American jazz and gospel – along with his musical training bestowed him the reputation of being a “serious” jazz artist among many of the music greats, such as George Duke, Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber and Najee. At his performances, Mike’s sheer love and enjoyment of his craft has been often observed as he captivates his audience, taking his listeners into an atmosphere charged with musical genius and gifted instrumentation. It has been commented by listeners that when Mike plays there is an invisible but tangible element to his sound that touches the heart and soul, making it an experience that goes beyond his ability to make his saxophone sing in perfect pitch and tone. All of this has made Mike one of the most accomplished jazz artist of this decade, and as he continues to trail blaze his way to the top of the American and international music industries alike, he is making an indelible mark as one of the musical greats of this new millennium.

Music Profile
Mike’s passion to be a musician was so great that he left his good paying job in Accountancy to play in the underground subway stations in London, getting little or no pay for his music. People said he was crazy but on hearing him play, he would get hired for sessions and gigs. He would play with jazz backing tracks and eventually began to make a good living from what he was doing.

“I took up the saxophone after listening to my heroes David Sanborn and Grover Washington Jr. I used to go and 'hang out' at jam sessions and played with some amazing musicians there and in the Church where I received most of my training together with playing alongside other more established singers and musicians at concerts and functions.”

Before completing his college education, Mike’s musical prowess opened the door for him to work with several renown recording artists and performers such as Richard Niles and renown singer, Clive Griffin on the album "Inside Out" in 1991; The Jones Girls’ "Coming Back" album in 1992 playing on 3 tracks as a session musician; Take That, playing horns on their single "Pray", and Gabrielle’s single "Going Nowhere" produced by Jonathan Wales in 1993. Mike’s exceptional musical abilities allowed him to cross over into progressive Christian rock, playing as a session musician with Terl Bryant on his album production titled "Psalm". Soon after college commencement services had ended, Mike was on a German-Dutch-UK tour playing with the band, Iona, in 1994. By 1998, Mike had worked alongside Joey Negro on his album release "Here Comes the Sunburst Band", and with renown gospel recording artist Darlene Zschech on her album "I Believe in the Promise" where he was credited for his horns contribution on 7 tracks.

By 2005, Mike’s reputation had expanded by becoming well known as a gifted and anointed saxophonist in several Charismatic and gospel circles. Mike ministered alongside such gospel giants as Morris Cerullo and Benny Hinn on the Mission to London tour at Earl’s Court Exhibition Center where 19,000 people were in attendance. At the International Gathering of Nationals tour hosted by Reverend Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Church of London in 2006, Mike was a featured artist playing alongside Ron Kenoly and Juanita Bynum. Earlier in 2005, he played in concert with Ron Kenoly at the Kensington Royal Albert Hall of London.

In 2006, Mike crossed the seas to the US and relocated in Southern California. This big move involved re-establishing his in-home studio from London to his new location in Los Angeles. This feat took a lot of maneuvering but the move afforded him the opportunity to continue hosting “The Mike Parlett Radio Show” on Solar Radio and later the Jazz Matrix Radio Show produced by Chris Standring with webcast to his fans in the UK. Since relocating to the US in 2006, Mike has worked alongside Norman Brown- Grammy award winning guitarist, jazz fusion maestro- Jeff Lorber, and singing legend Peabo Bryson along with Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm. In June of 2006, Mike performed on stage at the Huntington Beach J

Links

Website

Facebook

MySpace

Tech, Rider, Lyrics