WIRE LA - Daily Los Angeles News & Events Magazine

Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band Perform December 29 at UCLA

FEATURED EVENT - Posted by Don Rose

-

For more than thirty-five years, Woody Allen and His New Orleans Jazz Band have been delighting audiences with a hot mix of New Orleans inspired music. The band’s sound is firmly rooted in the music that Woody Allen has loved since his childhood and draws inspiration from such legendary artists as Sidney Bechet, George Lewis, Johnny Dodds, Jimmie Noone and of course, Louis Armstrong.

-

Their repertoire consists of over 1200 songs and comprises a diverse collection of early 20th century popular tunes, hymns, spirituals, marches, blues and rags. In keeping with the spontaneous nature of the music every performance is an energetic collection of improvisations—there is no play list, nor do the musicians know what song Allen, in collaboration with band director Eddy Davis, will call out next. - Beginning as informal jam sessions and then becoming regular concerts every Monday night, the band has performed for thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world. For the last decade, the group has been regularly playing once a week at the Manhattan landmark hotel, The Carlyle.

-

In 1996, the band embarked on its first tour of Europe and was chronicled in the documentary film, “Wild Man Blues” and subsequent compact disc titled under the same. Since then, the band has returned to Europe on numerous occasions, most recently performing in Greece and Turkey.

-

This is the group’s first multi-city tour of California and Florida and they are pleased to bring their brand of New Orleans jazz to American audiences. Here is the Woody Allen ticket purchase link:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B0047479AA547F1 

Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge by phone, call (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

-

Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band perform on Thursday December 29th at Royce Hall, on the northern side of the UCLA campus. Recommended parking: Lot 4, entering from Sunset Blvd. Time of concert: 8 to 10pm.

More info (parking/directions): http://www.uclalive.org/visit/royce_hall.asp 

THE WOODMAN IS COMING! THE WOODMAN IS COMING!: Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band, December 29, Royce Hall UCLA

For more than thirty-five years, Woody Allen and His New Orleans Jazz Band have been delighting audiences with a hot mix of New Orleans inspired music. The band’s sound is firmly rooted in the music that Woody Allen has loved since his childhood and draws inspiration from such legendary artists as Sidney Bechet, George Lewis, Johnny Dodds, Jimmie Noone and of course, Louis Armstrong.

-

Their repertoire consists of over 1200 songs and comprises a diverse collection of early 20th century popular tunes, hymns, spirituals, marches, blues and rags. In keeping with the spontaneous nature of the music every performance is an energetic collection of improvisations—there is no play list, nor do the musicians know what song Allen, in collaboration with band director Eddy Davis, will call out next. - Beginning as informal jam sessions and then becoming regular concerts every Monday night, the band has performed for thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world. For the last decade, the group has been regularly playing once a week at the Manhattan landmark hotel, The Carlyle.

-

In 1996, the band embarked on its first tour of Europe and was chronicled in the documentary film, “Wild Man Blues” and subsequent compact disc titled under the same. Since then, the band has returned to Europe on numerous occasions, most recently performing in Greece and Turkey.

-

This is the group’s first multi-city tour of California and Florida and they are pleased to bring their brand of New Orleans jazz to American audiences. Here is the Woody Allen ticket purchase link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B0047479AA547F1 Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge by phone, call (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

-

Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band, Thursday December 29th at Royce Hall, 8-10pm at Royce Hall, UCLA campus.

NEW TRUTH: Woody Allen Films Can Make Money - BIG Money!

by Don Rose

-

We have all heard the old so-called truth about Woody Allen movies: sure, they may be funny, sometimes meaningful, even hits among critics and diehard fans, but they never make much money. Well, think again. Never underestimate the power of a writer/director at the top of his game to make a marvelous minor masterpiece, which I believe “Midnight in Paris” is. This crafted-with-care romantic comic fantasy may not rise to the exalted classic status that “Annie Hall” now enjoys, but perhaps that view is just the nostalgic 20-20 hindsight talking - and that happens to be one of the stimulating themes explored in this delightful film: that longing for a bygone era may not be all it’s cracked up to be (or: the past is a pretty perfect place, but I wouldn’t wanna live there).

-

One word of warning: watching this beautifully shot film may make you do what many a romantic has done for decades: move to Paris. (Is Owen Wilson’s character destined for the same fate? The film offers a joyous journey to find the answer.)

And I am pleased to report that Owen Wilson is back, baby… big time, with a superb performance that I hope will put his career back on track after a period of personal derailment.

-

So kudos to Woody Allen for proving that, at 75 (his age when the film was shot), he’s still got it… and can, when he so desires, make a movie of such charm, grace and meaning that we deeply desire it, too. So much so that “Midnight in Paris” has earned the title of being Woody’s most financially successful film ever.

-

Wire LA “MIDNIGHT IN PARIS” bottom line: SEE IT!

Preferably with someone you love… or want to.

-

“Midnight in Paris” Facts (from Wikipedia):

Directed by Woody Allen

Written by Woody Allen

/////

Starring

Owen Wilson

Rachel McAdams

Marion Cotillard

Kathy Bates

Adrien Brody

Carla Bruni (smart move by Woody, having the wife of the French President in his film! Euro box office, anyone?)

and

Michael Sheen

/////

Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics

Release date(s) May 20, 2011 (limited) June 10, 2011 (wide)

Running time 94 minutes

Budget = $17 million «< Almost ridiculously low for movies these days. Low breakeven point.

Box office = $124,485,000 «< Forget breakeven, we’re talking boffo box office, global hit. Congrats on your membership in the 100mil club, Woody!