A huge congratulations to my friends in Zongo All Stars for winning best local band in New Times for 2013.  I have been making music with most of  these guys since I was 19 and I am glad we are getting some good recognition locally after all these years.  I would say we have forged a unique style and sound that I am proud of.  

I have posted dates for May.  Lots of fun shows on tap.  Time to get practicing!

I have added a new page to my site with regard to instruction.  Teaching music has always been a large part of my career and I feel fortunate to have worked with so many great students over the years.  I often have felt that teaching is one of the best ways to improve one's own musicianship and concept.  I always ask myself how I can convey information in a concise and meaningful way without losing the magic that surrounds learning music.  I always think back to the feeling of my first steps in learning music, becoming completely engrossed and entranced with the process.  

I am thankful that music still plays a large part in my life, and it inspires me every day.  Before I began to play an instrument I was obsessed with listening to music.  I collected it, scoured for information about it, and spent the majority of my income on concerts and albums.  I was hooked the moment I played well enough to recognize that I could play a song. Years later, I can only say that I am humbled that I have had many great musical opportunities and experiences, and I wake up each day continuing to try and improve my craft.   It has brought beauty to all the other parts of my life, and as life continues to change and evolve for me in amazing ways, I am lucky to have it with me for the ride.  Thank YOU for being part of it.  The pleasure is mine.

Looking forward to a few fun gigs in December with my projects.   One Time Spaceman will be opening up for one of California's premier rock bands, the Mother Hips, this Saturday at 730pm.   They have great vocal harmonies and Scott Thunes on bass who was the bassist with Frank Zappa all through the 80's.  Very nice guy.

I have some holiday jazz gigs lined up with my good friends Larry Arone, Charlie Shoemake, Karl Welz,  Darrell Voss, Jacob Odell, and Daryl Vandruff,  I always enjoy making music with these beautiful musicians.   I have been teaching jazz appreciation this semester at Cuesta College, and I have revisited some music (particularly early jazz) that I hadn't heard or thought about in a long time.  It was a very refreshing experience for me.

To top it off, the Zongo All Stars will be doing NYE in Avila Beach again this year.   I feel like the band just seems to get better and better, and I am proud of my band mates.  Paul Irving, our trumpet player/manager, is the driving force behind making it happen.  He had a close call in a car wreck this month but is fine, thankfully.  We couldn't do it without him and our incredibly dedicated and fun audience and friends.  Thanks to all of you!

Dylan Johnson Quartet at Seaventure 6-9 No Cover
12th Karl Welz- Sax Larry Arone- Pno Daryl Vandruff-Drums
26th Karl Welz- Sax Jacob Odell- Gtr Darrell Voss-Drums

Dylan Johnson Trio at Inn at Morro Bay 6-9 No Cover
14th Karl Welz- Sax Daryl Vandruff-Drums
21st Charlie Shoemake-Pno Darrell Voss-Drums
26th Jacob Odell- Gtr Darrell Voss- Drums

I am featuring my favorite local saxophonists this month.  We have some great ones!  Come check some of these great players!

14th Seaventure w/ Dylan Johnson Quartet feat. Darrell Voss-drms, Larry Arone-keys and Karl Welz- sax  6-9pm free
16th Inn at Morro Bay w/ Dylan Johnson Trio 6-9 free w/ Daryl Vandruff-drms, Scott Liddi-sax
23rd Inn at Morro Bay w/ Dylan Johnson Trio 6-9 free w/ Daryl Vandruff-drms, Aaron Wolf-sax
28th Seaventure w/ Dylan Johnson Quartet feat. Darrell Voss-drms, Jacob Odell-gtr and Karl Welz- sax  6-9pm free
30th  Inn at Morro Bay w/Dylan Johnson Trio feat. Daryl Vandruff-drms Ron McCarley-sax/flute

Here are some lineups I have for the rest of September.
Inn at Morro Bay- 6-9
9/14 Larry Arone-pno Isaac Laing-drms
9/21 Aaron Wolf- alto sax Daryl Vandruff- drms
9/28 Charlie Shoemake- pno Darrell Voss- drms

Seaventure 6-9
9/19 Darrell Voss-drms Jake Odell-gtr Karl Welz-tenor

This will be an exciting September.  I am teaching Jazz Appreciation for the first time at Cuesta College.  It was during my experience taking that class in my first year of college that I got the crazy idea to maybe try to be a professional musician and maybe teach someday.  I had this in the back of my mind through my whole career so far, and now it has come to fruition. I am beginning my fifth year at Cuesta and I am enjoying more than I would have guessed when i was 17.   I am thankful to have the opportunity, and feel very lucky.

Coincidentally, I will be leading my first steady jazz gigs in years.  The Dylan Johnson Trio and Quartet will feature my favorite musicians in (and maybe out of) SLO County.   I am hoping to work in much of my own original music that hasn't been played in years.  Very excited!  Jazz fans, please come out sometime!  Check the schedule for times/lineups.

Other notable stuff.  
Zongo All Stars will be receiving their first New Times Music Award on the 6th.  We will be playing a few tunes, as well.  I think Mark Adams, singer songwriter for One Time Spaceman, is getting one too.  Recognition is nice, especially with all of the good music around here lately.  

Better late than never.  August performances posted!  Dig this.  Bootsy Collins on bass.  Incredible!  This is a personal favorite!

I have put up my live dates for July.  Hope to see you out there somewhere.  

I have decided to go with a simpler design for my site, and I hope you like it.  Summer is going great so far, with a wonderful gig at Concerts in the Plaza San Luis Obispo with the Zongo All Stars, a fun gig with Andy Martin, an amazing LA trombone player, and some rest and relaxation in between.

Look for a couple of cuts from our new Zongo album that should be finished very soon on our website, www.zongoallstars.com. 

Here is a clip of our Plaza gig. What a great crowd!  We are so grateful.

So far this month has been all about listening to Congolese rumba and soukous. July dates are coming soon....

June dates are up.  Looks like it is going to be a music filled summer.  Hope to see you all out there!  
Some good ones that you shouldn't miss......   Zongo @ Swaparama (sounds very fun!) , and at the Crossroads Music Fest with some of the area's best bands.   One Time Spaceman at the first Firestone Beer Festival w/ Mother Hips.  Takes place at the Paso Fairgrounds.   I will also be backing trombone master Andy Martin at D'Ambino on July 1st.  Andy is one of the first call guys in LA and a great player.   Hope to see you out there.  

Just put up a new video of my pal Jacob Odell and I playing with Zongo in Big Sur to a minimal audience.  Sometimes we play the best music when the band is playing more or less for themselves!