Larry Dunlap, piano
Chuck Bennett, bass
Akira Tana, drums
feat. Bobbe Norris, vocal

$15 cover charge.

Larry Dunlap and Bobbe Norris have been performing together since the late 1970s (and have been married since about the same time).  Born in the Bay Area, Bobbe was sitting in at the Fillmore District’s Bop City in the 1950s while still a teen and, “discovered” by John Hammond of Columbia Records, began to build a strong reputation and career in New York in the ’60s before leaving the business and heading back west.  Her partnership with Larry brought her back to the mic, and together they’ve been a strong draw in clubs, cabarets and concert halls for decades.

Larry entered the jazz business in Portland, playing with Leroy Vinnegar and Ralph Towner, before coming down to the Bay Area.  Beginning in about 1980, he toured for nearly three decades with Cleo Laine and John Dankworth.  Along the way, he has also performed with Ernestine Anderson, Larry Coryell, Art Farmer, James Moody, Gerry Mulligan, Rebecca Parris, Mark Murphy and Ernie Watts.  He’s well regarded as a composer and arranger as well, and for his work with Cape Verde-born composer Amandio Cabral which resulted in several fine albums.

In drummer Akira Tana and bassist Chuck Bennett, this group has two fine and seasoned musicians.

Born and raised in California, Akira Tana earned degrees from Harvard University and the New England Conservatory of Music. Tana has worked with Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Zoot Sims, Hubert Laws, Milt Jackson, Jim Hall, Art Farmer, The Paul Winter Consort, Paquito D’Rivera, James Moody, J. J. Johnson, Lena Horne, The Manhattan Transfer, Ruth Brown, Charles Aznavour, Maurice Hines and Van Dyke Parks. He has appeared on over 150 recordings.

Chuck Bennett, acoustic bass, was born in Santa Monica but has called the Bay Area home for decades. He has toured with Louis Bellson, the Beach Boys, and Maynard Ferguson and has played with Art Pepper, Tom Scott and others. He has extensive recording experience in Los Angeles and San Francisco for films, commercials, live theatre, and live radio.