One of my favorite spots to frequent
on a hot summer night is Vito’s Italian
Ristorante at 918 13th St. Manager
Ray Ashak is bringing back Jazz & live
music on Saturday nights promoted by
Eric Benson Presents, that’s me. Music
will be Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, and Latin
music with a showcase for vocalists
from 8:30 to 11:30 catering to a quality
demographic with great food and full
bar.
John Griswold and his Global Music
Series continues July 10th with Brazilian
vocalist Fabiana Passoni with Stephanie
Ozer, piano and Bill Macpherson on
guitar. The event takes place at a John’s
House with catered food & bar available.
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.
And on the music Jam side of things,
the new Jax on H Street 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. (See schedule) Bring
your gear to jam! Also at Jax, Third
Thursday July 21st Art Walk with the
mighty Tim Allen on piano and keys.
The Copper Rhino does blues with
Rhythm Deluxe with vocalist Cheryl
Miller. They host a jam third Thursdays
to coincide with the downtown farmersmarket
on 10th Street from 7:00-9:30
and the third Thursday Art Walk, how’s
that for cross promotion?
The West Side Theatre in Newman
has Susie Glaze & the Hilonesome
Band July 8th, and Foreverland, a Michael
Jackson Tribute band July 9th, so
get ready for one of the better tributes
featuring the music of the gloved one.
Call (209) 862-4490 for the lowdown
on the hoedown.
Sips Bistro and Wine shop also features
music in a casual setting Sunday
afternoons from 6:00-9:00 with food
and wine tasting. Call Diana for more
details at (209) 527-7477.
The Boardroom located on the corner
at J Street and 16th Street continues
withan ambitious schedule of live music
5 nights a week. The Boardroom is a
nice upscale Bar catering to the working
professionals with live music including
Jazz, rock & roll, R & B in an intimate
showcase. There is a dress code so call
for (209) 409-8665 for details
If you feel like venturing into Turlock
The Vintage Lounge in a wonderful
small showcase for piano bar and
quality live bands Thursdays through
Saturdays with good crowds. Call for
the lineup: (209) 668-4680
And on the Zydeco side, Pete
Grimaldi the man with the squeeze box
brings his band the Blues Box to Ironstone
to open for Shayne Dwight July
2nd, and will be at the Stanislaus Fair
July 16th, a first for the band.
Big Earl & The Cryin Shame are almost
done with their album with Lucky
Lou working his magic with soundand production.
The Diva showcase of singers will be doing events for the
The Diva showcase of singers will be doing events for the
fundraisers and showcases in the area,
featuring Gloria Scott formerly of Sly
& The Family Stone, Tanya Sweet of
Valley Rhythm Section, Shelly Streeter
of The Sensations, Cheryl Miller of
Rhythm Deluxe, Cynthia Huttleson of
the Juke Joint Jumpers, Sonya Spence
of the Sonya Spence Band.These girls
can not only sing but the harmony and
spirit rock the house.
Learn to play! There are two amazing
cats to listen at; Jim Denoon and
Johnny Valdez. They both teach and
are nice people and the real deal. Jim is
at phone (209) 576-1330, or email him
at idjazzguitar@yahoo.com. Johnny
can be reached at (209) 968-1245, and
can be seen at Blue Monday Jam at Jax
on H Street.
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 All
the best, Eric Benson, peace out.
