Jazz & Blues View
What’s New with Jazz and Blues? May ’11
By Eric Benson
May will feature a lot of stellar jazz and blues! The Fat Cat Music House has a Monday night promoters meeting at the club from 5:00 to 7:00 to create a networking for promoters. Complimentary beer and pizza are provided. There have been some good shows and events with fellow promoters working together to get the word out. Another bright moment I have come across is the Gloria Scott Band. Gloria is a seasoned Jazz and Rhythm & Blues vocalist who sang with Sly & the Family impaired/Stoned in the 1970’s and was produced by Barry White. She now lives in Modesto and is playing with her band once a month at Blue Monday Jam at Jax on H Street. I guarantee you that you will see much more of her in the near future.
The Clarion Hotel located on 1612 Sisk Road continues with some quality Jazz and R&B showcases. Featured are: the Cartel Band, (seasoned R & B band), rotating with Valley Rhythm Section with dance floor to get your groove on. The event is promoted by Jai of Thin Line Productions and goes from 8:00-12:00 p.m. The Clarion also now has Reg Evans as house promoter for regional and national acts. Reg and Central Valley Music Group are bringing in “Hot Latin Nights” on May 7th with artists Mellow Man Ace, Joe Cooley, Spanish Fly, Angelina, Candy Man, and Fiesta Boys. He’s also bringing in on the smooth Jazz side Steve Oliver and Levi Hoffman on June 11th to the Whitmore Mansion in Ceres. Reg is also doing an urban Hip Hop show May 20th at Jax on H Street with Rappin 4tay with live band promoted by Cobalt presents and urban riot gear. Call for mo info: (209)521-1612 or (877)237-8013. Reg@Centralvalleymusicgroup.com
The new Jax on H Street, (formerly Clayton’s Restaurant), continues to host the Blue Monday Jam session every Monday night featuring the best in local bands hosting the jam playing Jazz, R & B, Funk, Rock, Reggae in an all-age venue. The lineup for May: Monday 2th Joe Barretta Band, Monday 9th Valley Rhythm Section, Monday the 16th MCW Band, Thursday 19th Art Walk with the mighty Tim Allen on piano and keys, and Monday 23rd Eric Benson & Ultra Lounge with special guest Derik Rolando on timbales and percussion, and Monday the 30th the Gloria Scott Band.
The Barkin’ Dog Grill has Threlle Productions & John Black Presents great Blues showings on Fridays. The Dog also continues to have quality Jazz on weekends and a Jazz Jam session Thursday nights led by Ernie Bucio and Dave Hawks. Call the Dog for more info: (209)572-2341
Mr. Smooth Jazz John Griswold has a new moniker, “GlobalMusicLive.Org”. He will do outdoor shows in series at his home starting with Jazz keyboardist Brian Simpson, (Dave Koz music director on June 5th). Tickets range from 25-45 with some of the best catered cooking you can get your chops into in Modesto. In the series will be Cuban music, Spanish music, world idioms, and even some American music thrown in. Call John at: (209)491-7185, or http://www.eArtsnews.com.
The State Theatre is bringing back world guitarist Jesse Cook May 6th for a return of a packed house performance. Call the State 527-4697 for the lowdown.
The West Side Theatre in Newman is bringing in the Kathy Kallick Band playing west coast bluegrass, folk, and American music. Call (209)862-4490 for the low down on the hoedown.
And don’t forget Nino’s Place, a bastion of live local bar bands that rock the house. The bands rarely disappoint for a dose of live music and dancing your backside off. Call (209)544-2050 for the lineup.
The Board Room located on the corner at J Street and 16th Street continues with live music 6 nights a week. The Boardroom is a nice upscale Bar catering to the working professionals with live music including Jazz, rock & roll, R & B with some our strongest local bands performing for listening upstairs in an intimate showcase. Phone (209)409-8665
The Blues Box lead by Pete Grimaldi has been doing zydeco music at the Eagles Hall in Modesto. This month Pete is doing an outdoor zydeco fest called a coyote howl at the Coulterville Café in Coulterville with dance floor.
I encourage all of you to send me your info and I will send it out on weekly email and in the Modesto View. Hit me at: mbenson@fire2wire.com, or give me a holler at (209)918-7033.
