Los Angeles, CA – GRAMMY® Award-winning composer, trumpeter, and visionary bandleader John Daversa returns with the fourth installment of his dynamic live series, Improvisatory Observatory: Live and Raw at The Baked Potato, Exhibit 4, available everywhere on August 29th, 2025 via Blue Canoe Records.

Recorded at the legendary World Famous Baked Potato in Los Angeles, this raw and unfiltered live performance captures Daversa’s celebrated big band in full swing—pushing sonic boundaries and redefining the big band idiom in real-time.

“I’m ever grateful to this amazing band that continues to grow and push musical boundaries every night,” says Daversa. “And a big thank you to The Baked Potato for providing us a home these past decades.”

The album features three genre-defying tracks that explore humor, heart, and high-octane improvisation:

1. Some Happy Sh#t (15:29)
   Featuring John Daversa (EVI) and Kirsten Edkins (tenor saxophone)
2. 8-Track Albums (talking) (0:57)
3. Your Mother (talking) (19:33)
   Featuring standout solos from Paul Young (trombone), Charlie Morillas (trombone), Derek Pyle (trombone), George Thatcher (bass trombone), Anne King (trumpet), Zane Carney (guitar), and Phil O’Connor (clarinet)

Personnel Highlights:

• John Daversa – Director, Composer, Conductor, Trumpet, EVI
• Saxes/Woodwinds: Jeff Driskill, Phil O’Connor, Sal Lozano, Kirsten Edkins, Phil Feather
• Trumpets/Flugelhorns: Chad Willis, Janelle Finton, Barbara Laronga, Anne King
• Trombones: Charlie Morillas, Derek Pyle, Paul Young, George Thatcher
• Rhythm Section: Zane Carney (guitar), Jerry Watts, Jr. (bass), Gene Coye (drums)

John Daversa and his big band release his 3rd CD live from the baked potato titled, "Improvisatory Observatory: Live and Raw at the Baked Potato, Exhibit 3".  With and all-star band, John leads the listener on a unique journey of song and conversation. Now available wherever you get your music!

John Daversa and Tal Cohen team up again to deliver a spectacular live CD titled: "Live Deep Dive at Timucua: The Art of Duo Live Set 1". Now available wherever you get your music!

John Daversa releases - "Improvisatory Observatory: Live and Raw at the Baked Potato, Exhibit 2".

Critically acclaimed trumpeter, composer, conductor, and arranger John Daversa joins the roster of Blue Canoe Recording Artist's with the release of his newest project titled "Improvisatory Observatory: Live and Raw at the Baked Potato, Exhibit 1" as well as the re-release of 4 other album's:
​
* Live At Catalina's Vol. 1
* Live At Catalina's Vol. 2
* The Art of Duo, Vol. 1 (featuring Tal Cohen)
* The Official Bootleg: live at bluewhale

Featuring:
Trumpet: Iwan VanHetten
Piano, Keys: Russell Ferrante
Bass: Melvin Lee Davis, Jimmy Haslip (tracks #5,#7)
Drums: Will Kennedy
Percussion: Lenny Castro
Steel Pans: Andy Narell (tracks #7, #8)
Sax: Bob Mintzer (track #6)
Recorded at Castle Oaks Recording Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles
Recording Engineer: Rich Breen
Mixing: Iwan VanHetten (at VanHetten Productions, UK)
Mastered: Peter Beckmann (Technology Works, London, UK)
Photography - Anael Miantsoukina (Paris, France)
Art Design - Aaron Paddock

Tennessee-born jazz trumpeter Thomas Heflin delivers a remarkable new collection of songs, titled, “Morning Star”. This dynamic modern jazz, R&B, CrossOver album features eleven original compositions and one cover song by the late great James Williams.

Thomas Heflin is a virtuosic trumpeter, composer, arranger, educator and all of his talents are on full display with his latest release. Jazz and music fans will welcome this creative output from the  bright star of Mr. Heflin.