Jazz & Blues View
By Eric Benson
If you luv music you’re gonna love this
And the seasons accelerating into the hollidaze and the inevitable, CHRISTMAS TIME! But when calm thoughts prevail, ah yes I remember the reason for the season, to be thankful and generous of heart to those around you whether they be family of stranger. As Leon Russell who passed recently said in verse, “always be kind to a traveling stranger; always keep your love light burning….. cause it might be the prince of peace returning.” And we also lost Mose Allison one of my favorite Jazz pianists of lyrical whit. I remember being at a beach house in half moon bay in the 1960’s with Psychedelic posters and LP’s from Hendrix to the Grateful dead. Pawing through some LPs to spin unearthed an album: Mose Allison, Mose in your ear. The quirky cover showed Mose grinning, I noticed tunes name “your molecular structure”, “your mind is on vacation” and had to give it a spin. While listening I read the liner note by Ralph Gleason on Mose and was intrigued. Over the years I saw Mose coming through the west coast many times in different venues, always a blast. His lyrics are timeless and even speak to us today: “this world is just one trouble spot, some have plenty and others have not… you know I used to be troubled but I finally saw the light… now I don’t worry about a thing cause I know nothing going to be allright. Mose toured 65 years, recorded 31 albums and had a life well lived. RIP Mose Allison age 89.
Blue Monday Christmas Party & Invitational Jam returns to the Barkin’ Dog Grill this Dec 12th with Ultra Lounge, with special Odalys Carro, a monster Latin jazz pianist. Also featuring past Blue Monday Bands, MCW Band confirmed so far. We will be playing everything from straight ahead Jazz, funk, Latin, rhythm and Blues and yes some POP. The band is a super group of all the best players in the area with 7-piece house Band hosting. The Blue Monday Band features: lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Dave Sousa, Johnny Valdes guitar, Tim Allen bass, vocals, Dave Hawks on drums, Eric Benson & Pat Governor for keys, and horn section: Andrew Rosenblum Sax, trumpet, and Jamie Dubberly trombone. The band plays Jazz, R & B, Funk, Latin, Rock, and a little of everything else with special guests sitting in for dancing and listening. Show from 7 to 10 PM with food and drink available in an all age venue. Call the Dog for reservations: 572-2341. If you play, come on down and sit in with the best musicians in the area, it’s gonna’ be smoking!
The Gallo Center for the Arts has bringing in some great shows, I’ve been there for Sheila E, (of Prince), Blue collar comedian Ron white, luv that red neck material still doing it 30yrs, Robin Ford guitar army, smoking, and the Guess Who, I should rent a room there!. For December; 3rd Holiday Pops with James Torme, 4th an Irish Christmas, 9th the Nutcracker, 15th Opus Hanbel ensemble, and SAVE THE DATE Dec 22nd Brian Setzer formerly of the Stray Cats Rockabilly Christmas show. Critics choice if you love the Stray Cats you gonna love this with full big band backing up one of the baddest singer, guitar slinger front man playing rock-abilly today
And John Griswold presents a New Year’s Party Dec 31st at the Barkin’ Dog with the David Correa Band, playing Latin guitar world fussion music for listening and dancing. The band has won best Latin band in the Bay Area for several years. Check out John’s site WWW.Red-Tie.org
If you love the Blues Turlock Community Theatre brings in Blues guitar slinger Johnny Lang Dec 4th.
One of our new venues the Tilted Turtle is going to start some Jazz and Rhythm and Blues showcase with local talent on Thursday nights in December, will keep you updated on local bands playing there. The room is newly remodeled with showcase for music and full bar, count me in!
Come back out for third Thursday Art Walk 5 to 9:00 PM for some great art, and music in the downtown! Lowdown on the jam session in the downtown: Barkin’ Dog Thursday night jazz jams with Dave Dow, Queen Bean Sundays open mike night also in an all age environment.
Remember please support our local live venue’s 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.
All the best, peace out! Eric Benson, cell 209- 918-7033.
