Jazz Group Hip Pocket at the Mitten Building!

Redlands-based jazz group Hip Pocket will perform Wednesday, October 14 to open the 2009-2010 Jazz @ the Loft series at the Mitten Building in downtown Redlands. Hip Pocket is led by Redlands resident and composer/arranger Sandy Megas, and is comprised of nine of the area’s most accomplished jazz musicians. According to saxophonist Loren Weisbrod, also of Redlands, “This concert will actually be the first time we’ve played in town since our Redlands Bowl performance last summer. We’ve played several Los Angeles-area venues recently, but are really looking forward to playing locally again. We hope many listeners who enjoyed the Bowl gig will be able to come down to the Mitten Building—it’s also a great location to hear the band.” Hip Pocket was named “Best Jazz” and “Best Instrumental” at the 2009 Inland Empire Music Awards last June, and continues to perform throughout Southern California. The group features four saxophones, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm section, and plays both original compositions by Megas as well as jazz classics and well-known standards. In addition to playing with Hip Pocket, band members also currently tour with the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, pianist David Benoit, and other recognized artists.