A Brief History of The Vibe Summit
Paraphrased from an article by Mal Sands, the creator of Vibe Summit.
In February 1995 the Santa Barbara Jazz Society hired vibraphonist Ruben Estrada's band to pay tribute to Estrada's idol Cal Tjader at the Sea Cove Night Club. When I heard about this I asked Estrada if it would be OK for me to invite other vibraphonists to sit in. Estrada said that would be fine. The event ended up being a huge success, and had many people asking when it would be done again. This is what turned out to be Vibe Summit I honoring Cal Tjader.
One month later, in March 1995, a much beloved and now departed Chuck Kane of the Los Angeles Jazz Society called to say that he had talked to a producer of a concert series at USC who had hired Ruben Estrada's band to play an afternoon concert. He had heard of the Summit at the Sea Cove and asked if I would organize a similar Summit for this event. I went ahead and made the arrangements and the show went on. The audience response was tremendous, lightening had struck twice. This was Vibe Summit II honoring the Estrada Brothers and Cal Tjader.
In 1996 Vibe Summit III took place at the Industry Hills Sheraton. A total of seventeen vibes players, including future honorees Terry Gibbs, Larry Bunker, Emil Richards, Dave Pike, and Tommy Vig participated playing a Tribute to Gene Estes and Cal Tjader once again. This time three-hundred people were in attendance. Loud cheers, thunderous applause, and a standing ovation greeted the mallet men at the close of the show. Cal Tjader had been honored three times in a row. It was now time to honor someone else.
In 1997, the Los Angeles Jazz Society (LAJS) had selected Terry Gibbs to be the Honoree at their Annual Tribute. Chuck Kane suggested that we organize a Vibe Summit honoring Terry Gibbs to coincide with his being honored at the Tribute. Santa Monica's Ash Grove Restaurant was secured, and a steller rhythm section of Dave McKay (P), Richard Simon (B), and Paul Kreibich (D) was hired. I invited all the vibe players including the legendary Red Norvo and Terry invited his former employer, the one and only Steve Allen, who eventually joined Terry in a vibe duet that brought the house down. (This was the year that the LAJS joined forces with Mal officially).
In 1998 the Summit moved to the Professional Musicians Local 47 in Hollywood. This venue has a huge rehearsal hall complete with sound equipment and technicians, which has been used for the event ever since.
A special thanks to Steve Tarango, and our wonderful volunteers for your help pulling the Vibe Summits together.
From an Article in th Quarter Notes:
On December 10, 2007 we lost one of the most dedicated supporters of jazz, in particular vibraphone jazz, in the Los Angeles area, and maybe the world. At 45 years old Mal Sands succumbed to double pneumonia after a short hospital stay. Mal was instrumental in the founding of the long running yearly Vibe Summit, co-produced by Mal and the LAJS, which in recent years has been held at the Musicians Union in Hollywood to large enthusiastic crowds. Mal was one of a kind and is surely missed! The energy he tapped while producing the Summits will never be equaled.
Click here to go to the gallery for "Vibe" photos
Vibe Summit Honorees:
I. 1995, Cal Tjader
II. 1995, Cal Tjader and The Estrada Brothers
III. 1996, Cal Tjader and Gene Estes
IV. 1997, Terry Gibbs
V. 1998, Milt Jackson
VI. 1999, Larry Bunker
VII. 2000, Emil Richards
VIII. 2001 Dave Pike
IX. 2002, Tommy Vig
X. 2003, Charlie Shoemake
XI. 2004, Victor Feldman and John Rae
XII. 2005, Gary Burton
XIII. 2006, Ruben Estrada
XIV. 2007 Herb Gibson
XV. 2008 Mal Sands
XVI. 2009 Joe Locatelli
XVII. Onaje Murray
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