Jazz and BluesView
If you love Jazz you’re going to love this.
By Eric Benson
The year marches on with morning chill and long shadows, and pumpkins and jack lanterns, then on to coolin the goose with all the trimming for Thanksgiving then, then with acceleration to light speed for the merriment of Christmas time in the city. Well there is plenty to plan for and be thankful for. Here’s some of my thought on my schemes on the low down on the get down coming up.
One of my fav’s, Bruce Forman, Jazz guitarist extraordinaire is swinging through on Friday Nov 7th at venue to be announced. Bruce is bringing in Cowbop, a five piece band playing Western swing music on steroids with bebop solo’s and fantastic arrangements, Johnny Valdes CD release party will be at the Blue Monday Party Nov 8th at the Barkin’ Dog, and working on a date to have Chris Cain Band come in to do a Christmas Show in December. Also workin’ on Steve Lucy and the Rhumba bums for the hollowdaze.
Blue Monday Party invitational Jazz and Blues Jam continued with great musicians of music lovers. Monday Oct 6th one the better Jazz guitarists alive today Eddie Duran, now 87 comes through as our guest artist. He is still playing some of the best straight ahead Jazz guitar you will ever hear. Eddie is one of the fathers of west coast jazz and has played with Vince Guaraldi, Cal Tjader, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, Red Norvo and others, and recorded a gazillion albums on west coast labels as a house guitarist. He will come down for Blue Monday Blues and Jazz jam on Monday Oct 6th. Eddie stylistically can play chord melody as well as effortless fluid jazz lines and is one of the nicest cats in the business. His wife Madeline Duran will accompany him on Sax with house rhythm section John Adey on bass, and Dave hawks on drums. So come down you won’t want to miss this Blue Monday Party. Will be playing music for listening and dancing. Show goes 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Call for reservations if you want a good seat.
Took a field trip to see Chicago at the Gallo and other than being very loud was a crowd pleaser, played the hits and kept the music flowing with only a short intermission. I’ll be back to see Art Garfunkel first Monday in November! The Gallo Center for the Arts continues with their diverse booking in Oct: 1st Emmylou Harris, 3 & 4th MSO with violinist Randall Goosby, 9th Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and 17th Gin Blossoms. The State Theatre has a fundraiser for the state Oct 2nd with film SOMM, hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting, 6 PM, and a tribute to the late great Robin Williams on Oct 5th with showing of Good morning Vietnam, and good will hunting. I saw Robin in the early days at Holy City Zoo and before we were kicks out for being underage his presence and humor changed my life, RIP Mr. Williams. My children watched Jumangi until the tape was threadbare.
Live music in DEWZ Wine Bar is back in Oct with live music Friday and Saturday nights 7 to 10:00 PM, incorporating the best local musicians playing in the intimate wine bar environment. I have not booked the month but featured artists are Francesca Bavaro, the mightly Tim Allen, John King & Robin Montgomery Jazz guitar duo, Josh Rosenblum, (smoking youngblood on guitar and vocals, Pat Durr from Home Grown, Mike Sawyer & Larry Stewart, Jazz guitar duo, Shelly Lamar pop vocalist, and many other local artists. Check the ModestoView.com calendar for updated info on these dates.
Fundraiser of Day on the Green Oct 4th: Big Brother and the Holding Company, Darby Gould of Jefferson Starship, Barry Melton, Home Grown with Barry McGuire. It happenin’ at the SOS club, phone 578-5801, bring tie dye and your hippy non-attitude! Also Oct 4th: West Side Theatre in Newman brings in the Black Irish Band. Also Oct 4th, and 5th: the lovely Barbara Morison comes to Sonora at the Dogwood Theatre. International Festival returns to MJC Oct 4th with festivities family friendly. On the Jam session front check out: David Dow hosting Barkin’ Dog Grill Jazz jam every Thursday night and the Queen Bean with Indie, acoustic jam every Sunday.
Remember please support our local live venues for live music and the arts. So take some time out to hear some live music and the arts of our own town as well this month, think globally and act locally. Questions call me at: (209) 918-7033, or email Mbenson@fire2wire.com<mailto:Mbenson@fire2wire.com> Peace out, Eric Benson
