Darrell Leonard's Line-Up Show
The Write-Off Room Studio City
May 8, 2023
Article by Don Parent
For Don & Ginger's Adventures in Live Music

Note: This is an in-depth Report, so it is long but worth the read. It even has a link to a video replay of Last Night's Performance and a Special Appearance by a surprise guest.

Another Great Night of Music is a Wrap at The Write-Off Room's new Studio City location.
The Famous Music Venue reopened one week ago. You could smell the new paint.
Not a bad thing. It was like the New Car Smell of a Luxury Sports Car.
What a great way to reopen with Darrell Leonard's "Line-Up".
Over the years, this big blues band has played the Write-Off Rooms' original location many times.
Last night Ginger and I drove to meet our old friends Kenny Lee Lewis and his wife Diane at the venue.
Kenny has been with the Steve Miller Band for 41 years.
Over the years, Kenny and Diane have performed with The Line-Up going back to the 1970s and 80s at other venues like Trancas Beach, California.
Kenny's wife, Diane Steinberg Lewis, is an award-winning Singer, Keyboard Star, and Actress.

Music History:
Trancas was an early 1970s & 1980s Launch Pad for many famous groups of today.

Click Here for more on Trancas Page.

The Trancas Market is still there, and during the Summer Months, they still have free Outdoor Shows similar to Concerts In The Park.
There is an article on this website for Lenny Goldsmith's "New Old Group" that performs there several times per Summer Season.

Pablitos:
Just before entering TWOR, we took advantage of the Great Pop-Up Taco Truck in the parking lot. We loaded up on Fish and Shrimp Tacos with all the toppings.
Poblito's is not your average Food Truck.

 

Show Time
"Yeah Baby Yeah"

There is nothing like the Adrenalin Rush of Live Music Shows. You can feel it start to build as you head from the parking lot and move toward the entrance,

As we walked in the door, I spotted drummer Herman Mathews.
(At left. Herman w/ Timothy B . Schmit of the Eagles)
It is hard to miss Herman. This Larger Than Life performer has played with so many great bands, including Greats like Kenny Loggins.
We last saw Herman a few weeks ago in Pismo Beach, California, performing with guitar Legend Albert Lee.
Last night, he was on the sticks for Darrell Leonard's Line-Up.
After catching up with Herman, we grabbed our front-row table, ordered drinks, and dug into our Stage Side Dinner.
Ginger and I were very excited to see Darrell's Line-Up live with this group of Top Studio Musicians.
Over the years, the Line-Up has always had a changing cast of the best Studio Musicians worldwide.
So, who is Darrell Leonard?

Darrell Leonard's Line-Up:

Grammy and W.C. Handy award-winning trumpet player and arranger Darrell Leonard has been in the LA recording scene since the early 70s. He toured and recorded with Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, and Dr. John.
He shaped the sound of The Line Up through his years arranging, playing, and recording with Taj Mahal, BB King, The Blues Brothers, Leon Russell, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Smith, Elton John, and The Rolling Stones. This sound led to his 14-piece horn band.

The Line Up's mix of big band blues and original music blends the music of Memphis, New Orleans, Kansas City, Ft Worth, and Los Angeles into a sound that is both familiar and fresh.

The band is composed of top-level LA recording and touring musicians.

Authors Note: Band Member Bios can be found at the bottom of this report. They are fun and fascinating to read. Don't miss them.

The Write-Off Room

Part of the fun of going to TWOR is meeting interesting audience members.
As we ate, the Club began to fill.
Kenny and Diane got there and grabbed their table right by ours.
Next to us was a couple, and the guy looked familiar. As we talked, I thought his voice sure was familiar as well.
He mentioned he worked on "The Price is Right"!
Finally, I got it. His name is George Gray and his voice is famous for "Come On Down"!!!
His wife, Brittney, was lovely.

Show Time:
At 8 pm, the band filed onto the stage and wasted no time Knocking Our Socks Off!!!
I could go on and on about how great this group of Master Musicians is, but fortunately for you, I included a link to the show's video in this article.

After about an hour, Darrell invited the remarkable singer Teresa James (below Rt.) on stage to sing with the band.
What a treat. Teresa's voice is all Smoke and Honey, with a big splash of Wood Barrell Whiskey thrown on top….
Originally from Houston, Texas, Teresa is now based in Los Angeles, where she has assembled a group of some of the top LA-based touring and session musicians in her band, The Rhythm Tramps. They have worked in the LA area and at blues festivals and clubs throughout the US and Europe for many years.

For the last 12 years, the band has also been a favorite on Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Blues Cruise.
She has released 8 CDs - her most recent, COME ON HOME, was released in August 2012 and has been getting regular airplay on stations around the world and charting for weeks on the Roots Radio Charts (topping off at the #3 spot). It has been listed on many 'best of' lists for 2012 and has received rave reviews from writers and DJs everywhere.
Teresa's Full Bio:

Special Guest:
Darrell had one last surprise for us as the show was winding down.
He said, "I want you all to meet my old friend."
As Darrell pointed to the back of the room, a Big, Tall, Sandy-haired guy stepped onto the stage.
There in the flesh was Mr. T. Bone Burnett!!!
There is too much to say about this guy for this already lengthy article. He was the musical genius behind the music for my favorite movie, "O Brother Where Art Thou".
Here is a link to more info. Prepare to be stunned.
https://livemusic2day.com/t-bone-burnett

Having Mr. Burnett come up on stage was a final YAHOO for a delightful night of music, old and new friends, and much more.

Click Here For Full Video Replay of the Show

Last Night's Line-Up and Their Bio's.

Don't miss these as the Bios are full of great Music History..…

Authors Note: I am amazed by the backgrounds of these World Class Musicians! That is why I included them in this article. It is fun reading for True Music Aficionados.
Their Full Bios are loaded with great stories of Saturday Night Live, The Blues Brothers, Tower of Power, Chicago and much more.

Herman Mathews: Drums
Dubbed "The Groove Guy" and often called "The Hermanator," Matthews moved to Los Angeles from Houston, Texas, with one thing in mind… to work! He has had the great fortune of working with such artists as Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Tower Of Power, The Isley Bros., Kirk Whalum, George Duke, Bob James, Timothy B. Schmitt, Tom Jones, Hugh Laurie, Greg Adams & East Bay Soul, Patty Austin, Chris Botti, James Ingram, Boney James, Steven Stills, Edger Winter, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Patty Austin, James Ingram, Sheryl Crow, "Baby Face" Edmonds, Chaka Chan, Carol King, SHeDAISY, Barry Goldberg, Ronnie Millsap, Fee Waybill, Bill Champlain, Maxi Priest, Debbie Gibson, Diane Reeves, Kenny G., John Farnham, Nia, Snuffy Walden, Sarah Nimetz, Greg Adams & East Bay Soul, Dan Aykroid & Jim Belushi, Michael Bolton, Expose, Angie and Debbie Winans, Rebekah, Meredith Brooks, Kina, Tiffany, Eric Burdon, Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps… During the early 90's he was a member of the house band "Into The Night, Starring Rick Dees."
Full Bio: https://www.hermanmatthews.com/

Bill Churchville Trumpet
Perhaps best known for his six-year tenure with legendary soul band, Tower of Power, Churchville recorded four albums with the group, performed six world tours, and was a featured soloist on TOP's 40th Anniversary Concert DVD. His signature trumpet sound has graced the recordings/performances of Elton John, Al Green, Santana, Bruno Mars, CeeLo Green, Billy Joel, Joe Cocker, Sergio Mendes, Blood Sweat & Tears, and his precise, nuanced artistry has been featured in Hollywood's top films and television productions, as well as live performances with superstars Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Bob Dylan, Prince, Tom Jones, Mavis Staples, Juanes, Jackson Brown, and countless others. Bill has musically contributed to the network television landscape in recent years as a house band member, arranger, and composer for the showsThe Arsenio Hall Show (2013), Lopez Tonight
Full Bio: https://centerstage.conn-selmer.com/artists/bill-churchville

Walt Fowler: Trumpet
Walt, originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, was born into a legendary musical family led by his father, renowned jazz educator Dr. William L. Fowler.

He started his professional career as a trumpet player at 19, when he joined Frank Zappa and the Mothers in 1974. In 1975, Walt and his brothers, Bruce, Steve, Tom, and Ed formed "The Fowler Brothers Band" and released two jazz albums to critical acclaim. After their release, Walt's musical career escalated as he toured with prominent artists such as Billy Cobham, Johnny Guitar Watson, Ray Charles, Buddy Rich, George Benson, and Diana Ross.
Full Bio: https://www.waltfowler.com/biography

 

 

 Bill Bodine: Trumpet (Bio Coming)

 

 

 

 

 

Ira Nepus: Trombone
I ra Nepus was born in Los Angeles, California, and was raised on the jazz heritage of his father, one of the key founders of the Hot Club of France in Paris during the late Thirties and was featured in his first jazz concert at the age of 15. Ira gives equal importance to all jazz styles, from traditional to contemporary.
He has performed/recorded  with Paul McCartney, Elton John, Leon Russell, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Elvis Costello, BB King  (Grammy Winner) and/or also recorded with some of the following greats: Benny Carter, Woody Herman, Del Courtney, Quincy Jones, Gerald Wilson, Nelson Riddle, Lionel Hampton, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall, and Cab Calloway to name a few.
Full Bio: https://www.iranepus.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=8

Tom "Bones" Malone
Trombonist, multi-instrumentalist, arranger & producer, is among the most experienced professionals in the business.
Tom is best known for his work with The Blues Brothers, David Letterman Show and Saturday Night Live.
Tom has played on 4,400+ television shows, 3,000+ radio & television commercials, over 1,500 recordings and thousands of live performances worldwide. Tom has made 2,700 arrangements for television.

Full Bio: https://www.tombonesmalone.net/

 

Tom Peterson: Sax
Tome is an American studio saxophone player, arranger, and educator. He is based in Los Angeles since 1970.
Originally from Minneapolis, Tom served in the U. S. Army Field Band (Studio Band) for three years before coming to California.

Tom has also played in notable Big bands, including the NBC Tonight Show Orchestra with Doc Severinsen for 17 years, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lew Tabackin Big Band for 7 years, 5 years with Bill Holman Big Band, and with The Bob Florence Limited Edition.
Full Bio: https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=Tom%20Peterson%20%282%29

Rickey Woodard: Sax

Rickey Woodard is a Los Angeles-based jazz saxophonist. He began his career touring with the Ray Charles Orchestra from 1980 to 1988 and then settled in Los Angeles, where he is a mainstay of the Los Angeles jazz scene.

In addition to leading his groups, Woodard is a member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and Jeannie and Jimmy Cheatham's Sweet Baby Blues Band. He toured with Horace Silver in the 1990s and has worked with top artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, John Legend, and Diana Krall. Full Bio: https://www.allsolos.com/soloist/198/rickey-woodard

Paulie Cerra: Sax
Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Paulie has carved a wide path in the music industry as an influential Blues and Soul-Saxophonist, Singer, Songwriter, arranger, and Producer.
Having a carrier spanning three decades, Paulie has spent much time on the road and in the studio. Having lived in Memphis, Nashville, Chicago, and now Los Angeles, he has soaked up every essence of the music coming out of these cities, which led to him sharing the stages around the world with many iconic musicians and artists.

Full Bio: https://www.pauliecerra.com/

Authors Note: Last night, Paulie sang one song. It was great. I would like to hear him sing more!!!

 

 

Terry Landry: Sax

Terry is a Saxophone player who has played with Stevie Wonder, Sheila E., Royal Crown Revue, Natalie Cole, & Tony Bennett. More recently, Landry has recorded with Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Dixie Chicks on their multi-platinum 2007 Grammy award-winning "The Long Way Home".

Authors Note: With the Deep Honk of his Baritone Sax, it is easy to see why Terry has the nickname Herman Munster. He is fun to watch!
Full Bio: https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=Terry%20Landry

 

Tom Canning: Piano

After studying at both Berklee School of Music in Boston and North Texas State University, Tom eventually settled in Los Angeles. He began performing and recording with such artists as John Klemmer, Delbert McClinton, Freddie King and T-Bone Burnett. A major turning point came in 1974 when he met then-unsigned Al Jarreau. For several years, Tom worked as Al's Musical Director, and eventually his co-writer and co-producer. Extensive international touring and recording led to seven albums, multi-platinum sales and numerous Grammy awards. Tom co-wrote such songs as "Breakin' Away", "Never Givin' Up", and "Roof Garden". He and Al collaborated again later on Jarreau's 2003 Album "All I Got" with the song "Lost and Found," a duet with Joe Cocker.

Full Bio: https://tomcanningmusic.com/biography

 

 

 

Doug Hamblin: Guitar:

Bio Coming Soon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Nelson: Bass
Bio Coming Soon