To truly pay tribute to a legend like Louis Armstrong, you better be worth your salt. So it's only fitting that modern-day jazz man Wycliffe Gordon accepted the task and nailed it. Named the 2013 Trombonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association (his ninth time winning the honor since 2001) and Downbeat Critics Poll “Best Trombone” victor for the second year in a row, Gordon possesses the kind of undeniable, blow-away talent that would surely make his idol puff those cheeks with pride. Catch him in Newport Beach at the Sunset Jazz party, where he'll play from his Hello Pops! cover album (and salute the master) alongside jazz musicians Don Shelton, Llew Matthews, Luther Hughes and Clayton Cameron.
Wed., Sept. 11, 6 N 7:30 p.m., 2013