Blues&JazzView
by Eric Benson
If you luv music your gonna love this
“Doesn’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got till it’s gone” Big Yellow Taxi, Joni Mitchell.
Skip’s Music of Modesto closed their doors this month after being in business here for decades. Why you might ask? Well it may be the economy, buying online, less people playing music or buying at other locations in the area, whatever the reason it is loss for the community and a personal loss for me, The guys, you know the fellas; Gill, Travis, Mario, Tom and many others that not only sold you the merch but told you how to use it and helped you when you had a problem. Skip’s sponsored many showed many of us did over the years and loaned gear when I had an 11 hour problem with a show, fixed my piano with broken keys at a jam session numerous times and helped when I needed advise in what to buy. Please support your locally owned music stores so they can thrive and keep it happenin’ here locally. Think global, please shop local.
Blue Monday Christmas Party & invitational jam returns to the Barkin’ Dog Grill this year with special guests from all the Blue Monday bands that made the jam great!. We hope to be graced with Third Party Beatles Tribute, Big Earl and the Cryin Shame, Valley Rhythm Section, MCW Band, Ultra Lounge, DARC, Johnny rocket and Thrust, and others. The second Monday Dec 14th will be hosted with house band, the Blue Monday Ultra Lounge Band. Bringing back an amazing local front man vocalist, guitar and bass player Dave Souza. If you came last month you know Dave is amazing, with the Sensations last month rocked the house. We will do doing some of Dave’s standards, R & B, Soul, Funk and Rock to get the party started. On Blue Monday the house band Ultra Lounge, the usual cast of criminals will accompany him will be: Johnny Valdes guitar, Tim Allen bass, vocals, Dave Hawks on drums, Eric Benson, Pat Governor on Keys, Andrew Rosenblum on horns and sax, and Jamie Dubberly trombonist and arranger. The jam this month will features Jazz, R & B, Funk, Latin and a little of everything else with special guests sitting in for listening and dancing. Show from 7 to 10:00 PM with food and drink available in 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 for Christmas brings in: Dec 2nd Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Christmas show, Dec 18th Opus Handbell Ensemble, and Dec 21st; Dave Koz & Friends smooth Jazz Christmas.
The Turlock Community Theatre is doing a Winter Dance Party with tribute to Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper Dec 19th.
Congregation Beth Shalom Dec 5th is doing Latkes & Vodka, get your designated driver on standby.
And if Blues puts you in the mood, Mr. John Clifton and the Mofo Party Band are going to hit on Dec 18th at Peer Recovery Arts Project at 7:00. These guys play some down home Blues to sooth your soul, and to dance to too!
And don’t forget the Dickens Faire in front of the McHenry Museum on Dec 5th with music, crafts, farmers market in a tribute to a Victorian Christman.
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 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.
All the best, peace out! Eric Benson, cell 209, 918-7033.
