Black Note Music Group

When they start to make a name for themselves, most young jazz musicians think about settling in New York City, the center of the acoustic jazz world. But not Mark Shelby and his band, Black/Note. The bassist and founder of the group said he is glad to have made Los Angeles home for the band, which specializes in '60s style, post-be-bop renditions that often have a bluesy swagger. "You can make something happen wherever you are.

While the jazz world has been looking to New Orleans--hometown of the Marsalis brothers--and the East Coast for young lions to feed the music's current youth movement, a pride of West Coast initiates has been preparing to roar. Black Note, arguably the busiest band in Los Angeles, will go into the studio later this month to record for Columbia. The six-piece combo will play Sunday at the Orange County Register Jazz & Blues Festival at UC Irvine.

While the jazz world has been looking to New Orleans--hometown of the Marsalis brothers--and the East Coast for young lions to feed the music's current youth movement, a pride of West Coast initiates has been preparing to roar. Black Note, arguably the busiest band in Los Angeles, will go into the studio later this month to record for Columbia. The six-piece combo will play Sunday at the Orange County Register Jazz & Blues Festival at UC Irvine.

When they start to make a name for themselves, most young jazz musicians think about settling in New York City, the center of the acoustic jazz world. But not Mark Shelby and his band, Black/Note. The bassist and founder of the group said he is glad to have made Los Angeles home for the band, which specializes in '60s style, post-be-bop renditions that often have a bluesy swagger. "You can make something happen wherever you are.