DENNIS GITTENS & ED KORNHAUSER

Sun, Jan 12

Settling the debate about whose birthday it really is, these two have combined forces for a great night of music. They’ll be mixing it up with some of Ed Kornhauser’s original jazz compositions as well as classics crooned by Dennis Gittens. Rounded out with a stellar band of Louis Valenzuela on guitar, Rob Thorsen on bass, and Kevin Higuchi on drums, this’ll be a birthday party for the books. No presents but party hats welcome. Dennis Gittens is a jazz singer hailing from the East Coast who now resides in San Diego. His love for music began at a young age, thanks to his grandmother's diverse music collection. Growing up, he was heavily influenced by artists such as Johnny Hartman, Sarah Vaughan, and Frank Sinatra. Gittens has developed a smooth and soulful vocal style that is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. He has performed at numerous venues in San Diego, sharing the stage with notable musicians and captivating audiences with his timeless sound and dynamic stage presence. San Diego-based pianist Ed Kornhauser holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University. His debut album “The Short Years” features all original compositions, and won for “Best Jazz Album” at the 2021 San Diego Music Awards. He plays for themattsmithneujazztrio, behind vocalists Whitney Shay and Leonard Patton, and also plays solo piano at Mister A’s. Working as a freelance musician in the greater San Diego area, Ed can be found backing a variety of local musicians and playing a diverse selection of music.