Jazz and Blues View by Eric Benson
What’s new with Jazz and the Blues news Well out with the Jack o’lanterns and in with the turkeys then on to the presents, presents, presents! My how the time flies when you’re trying to get through the week alive! With the change in weather getting dark earlier and colder there are those of us ready for the fall hibernation, but not me. The downtown with music, restaurants and the Art Walk scene continued unabated year round and beckons me on. This time of year it takes on a quieter calm nature & I might sip a warm steamy beverage in a nice cozy venue.
The State Theatre, home of the MAMA awards continues with some community friendly booking. Nov 2nd Dia De Los Muertos Music and Art Festival, Science on the screen: Another Earth Nov 10th, and Elvin Bishop Friday Nov 22nd, and for the kiddies: a visit from Santa with screening of the Polar Express on Dec1st. Elvin had the hit “fooled around and fell in Love” in the 70’s but still is smoking and puts on a Blues show not to be missed.
The Gallo continues to amaze me with their booking: Yellowjackets, Three Dog Night, Blues Traveler, Straight no Chaser, wow! For November: 2nd Craig Morgan, (Country music), 3rd Laurie Berkner, queen of kids music, 6th Marizo, Portuguese Fado singer, (Fado is a minor folk bases idiom like the Blues), 15th Million Dollar Quartet Broadway musical documenting the meeting of Elvis, Jerry Lee, Johnny Cash, & Perkins, 22nd Abba Mania. My pick for the month if you like cult lounge, pop & Latin Jazz flavorings is the group Pink Martini comes through Dec. 3rd.
And of the new venues on the scene is Rivets restaurant and bar. Some of the seasoned acts that play at Boardroom, Johnny & Kelly, Tim Allen, Joe Barretta are playing there weekend nights. The food & drink is good moderately priced but there is no cover charge. Another place for a quiet listen to music in ambient environment is DEWZ Restaurant’s Wine Bar. The Saturday night music is from 7:30 to 10:00 or so and features solo and small groups of musicians playing at acoustic volumes in the informal environment with folks enjoys wine tasting and a little noshing bites. I’m doing the booking bringing in Jazz & popular music with vocalists. In November we have: 2th: Francesca Bavaro, 9th John King & Robin Montgomery Jazz guitar duo, 16th: Pat Durr of Home grown guitar, vocals, 23rd Francesca Bavaro, and Tim Allen piano & vocals with the best of Elton, Billy Joel and other. I tend to book older seasoned artists but 2 young bloods I am excited about are Josh Rosenblum and Francesca Bavaro. You will see them regularly at DEWZ, Barkin’ Dog and other venues.
The new invigorated Hero’s sports Bar is booking rock, punk and some world shows. The after party of the MAMA’s with Don Maddox surviving member of Maddox Family Rockabilly band turned it out with fiddling to remember. For November so far: 7th Roddy Radiation, Skabilly Rebels, 15th the Moms, of us Giants.
On the west side: West Side Theatre brings in some Blues and roots music with some tributes that do justice. On Nov 9th Johnny Cash with James Garner, and 23rd with the Refugees. A little drive but well worth it once you get there with a wonderful vintage theatre converted into music & arts venue.
On the kickin out the jams side: Barkin’ Dog Thursdays with Dave Dow, (Jazz), Queen Bean Sundays hosts jam with acoustic, rock music.
Need to get, give me some input at: mbenson@fire2wire.com, or cell 209-918-7033. Peace out, Eric Benson
