text: (Culver City, CA —) On Sunday, July 15th at 2 p.m., The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum, located at 4130 Overland Avenue in Culver City, will present another of the late Mimi Melnick’s Double M Jazz Salons. The much-anticipated concert will showcase, Trane Stories: A Tribute to John Coltrane. This unique collaboration, will feature Theo Saunders, piano; Teodross Avery, soprano and tenor saxophone; Henry Franklin, bass; Marvin “Smitty” Smith, drums and the rousing vocal and spoken-word offerings of Dwight Trible.
  A native New Yorker, pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader, Theo Saunders was raised by a family that was steeped in a rich musical and theatrical tradition. As a young teen, Theo accompanied his mother on piano at her frequent auditions for Broadway shows. His Russian and European ancestry, also provided a diverse tapestry to draw from.
  Throughout a distinguished career that spans five continents, Theo has performed with Jimmy Garrison, Coltrane’s longtime bassist, Harold Land, Bobby Matos, Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Jack DeJohnette, George Bohanon, Steve Swallow, Victor Lewis, Willie Bobo, Curtis Fuller, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Rashied Ali, Sonny Fortune, Azar Lawrence, Alphonse Mouzon, Ritchie Cole and Charles McPherson, among countless others.
  The chemistry on the bandstand among the untethered artists, is a unifying force that still allows them the freedom to create. Cadence Magazine says, “Saunders plays with an unobstructed passion and pulse which become the blood pumping through the ensemble’s veins.” Sidemen Smith, Avery, Franklin and vocalist Trible, will lend ample support as they showcase their own brilliance.
  Mr. Saunders has performed at several fabled venues including Carnegie Hall, The Jazz Bakery, Greek Theater, World Stage, Sweet Basil, Village Vanguard, The Montreux Jazz Festival, Avery Fisher Hall, and The Central Avenue Jazz Festival, among others. .
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  Educator, clinician, composer and risk-taking reedman, Teodross Avery will resurrect Coltrane’s spirit with his own fresh approach to this timeless legacy. Dr. Avery has performed with Hank Jones, Ben Riley, Donald Harrison, Roy Hargrove, Bobby Watson, three-time Grammy winner, Dee Dee Bridgewater and scores of others.
  Doors open at 12:30 p.m. At 1:00 p.m., Dwight Trible will briefly reflect on his life and stellar career, during an informal discussion with jazz historian Jeffrey Winston. The concert which features two sets, will begin at 2:00 p.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m., including a half-hour intermission at 3:00 p.m.
  In 1996, Jazz Baroness Mimi Melnick launched her first salon at her Encino home on Strawberry Drive. Mimi loved jazz. She organized the intimate salons to support L.A.’s jazz community. Producer Steve Isoardi notes, “We’re into the 23rd year of Mimi’s compelling series!”
  “We are very proud and extremely honored to carry the torch”, said Executive
  Director Lloyd Clayton. The MCLM, collects, preserves, exhibits and celebrates,
  the vast history and cultural heritage of Americans of African descent.
  Performance Portraits, a poignant exhibit by photographer Bob Barry, includes
  stunning images of iconic, world-class, artists. It may be viewed before the concert
  and during intermission. The exhibit is free.
  Seating is limited. Salon tickets are $20.00 while students who present a valid student I.D. card, will be admitted for $10.00, at the door on the day of the performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at https://goo.gl/7fVNUM or call (310) 202-1647.
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