Got Blues You Can Use!
By Eric Benson
The Hodidaze are upon us and plenty to do in the downtown Modesto scene. People are starting to come back out to the downtown and arts and music. Please continue to support the arts in our community so they can flourish. We lost Chefs of New York Downtown. Hopefully, another business will come in that supports live music as Vinnie did. And the Blue Monday Party has its fans to return to keep it going!
Blue Monday continues to be twice a month the first and third Mondays and hopes to do more soon. The House Band features John Burt on sax, John Ady and Conrad Johnson on bass, and Dave Hawkes and Cortez Flores on drums with special guests at each event. The jam is open so come down! The Blue Mondays in December will be Christmas jams with Gustavo Ramirez Cuban pianist coming through and other special guests! We appreciate Chris Murphy and Gary Nelson who help sponsor Blue Monday. Café Urbano has a full bar and food available in a nice club environment from 7 to 10 PM. Urbano also has DJ dancing Tuesday through Sunday featuring Latin Based music.
A new noteworthy venue in Merced is Vinhos Wine and Tapas Bar, with good food and an expansive wine list with live music on the weekends. The music is Jazz, Blues and popular music in an intimate environment.
Always some great shows at Gallo Center but also check out some great venues out of town: Yoshi’s Oakland’s best jazz shows, Kuumbwa Music Center Santa Cruz and Piedmont Piano company and the Sound Room located in Oakland. I just rolled over to see Benny Green play solo Jazz piano infused with sushi rolls and tempura to purr too.
I hope things continue to improve and you all stay happy and healthy until we meet again! Cheery Mistress and a Nappy New Year!
