Blues&JazzView
by Eric Benson
If you luv music you’re gonna love this
Okay it is hot, hot, hot with no reprieve in sight. Stay hydrated and come out from the air-conditioned safety zone when you can. The heat is great for the tomatoes but not for us. I used to cry about the heat in the east bay when it hit 80 degrees, Okay I will stop whining as the weather is gonna do what it is gonna do, the best we can do is run for cover. And hopefully the fires will be contained and we can all breathe easy. On to the business as hand!
One of our music community, friend and great Jazz drummer Rootie Marino has passed, RIP. Rootie and Cindy his wife ran their jazz club in Merced and brought in a lot of great music over the years and Rootie played with a lot of great players over the years including John Wyatt – Piano, Marti Martinez – Sax, Neal Griffin – Sax, John Ady – Bass, Mario Flores Latin – Percussion, Dave Wallace – Piano, John Albano – guitar, Carlos Caro – Latin Percussion, Joel Nixon on bass and vocals and many others. Rootie was a great drummer and ever better human being, no matter what he was going through in life, on the band stand he played his heard out with great musicianship and humor. He had a big heard and a lot more soul. He was a musician who loved and encouraged other players, always a team player, when not gigging he would come down to gigs in the area with Chris Cain, Dave Mathews, and the Blue Monday Jam and always enjoy others playing and encourage the younger musicians. He will be missed.
Blue Monday Party returns to the Barkin’ dog August 13th to the Barkin’ Dog Grill with special guest Cliff Payne once again and Saxophonist Darnell Robinson. Hosting the jam is house band Ultra Lounge, Johnny Valdes guitar, Tim Allen bass, vocals, Dave Hawks on drums, Horns Kevin Marin, and Marty Martinez, and John Burt Sax, Dave Dow and you’re truly Eric Benson on Keys and Pat Governor on organ. We will be playing a whole lot of Rock and groove music, Blues, Latin, Jazz, Latin, and a little of everything else. Call the Dog for reservations: 572-2341. If you play, come on down and sit in with the best musicians in the area, or to listen and dance, it’s gonna’ be smoking! Darnel has a new album out in the smooth Jazz groove format, so come down and check it out!
And the Barkin’ Dog Grill, one of my favorite family friendly venues continues with some live music coming at you for August; 4th Craig and Dave Rock, 10th Valley Jazz Company, 11th Bourbon street Blue Band with Izzy Alvarado, 13th Blue Monday with Eric Benson with guest Clif Payne Jazz vocalist and Sax extraordinaire Darnel Robinson, 18th Ernie Bucio Little big band, 21st Aaron Rowan showcase, , 24th Blues with Gary Gervase , 25th David Dow & Friends, 31st Blade Runner Band. And every single Thursday Dave Dow pianist Extraordinaire hosts a Thursday Jazz Jam session.
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: Queen Bean Sundays open mike night also in an all age environment. 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, email; Mbenson@fire2wire.com<mailto:Mbenson@fire2wire.com>.
