JazzView
by Eric Benson
What’s new with Jazz and the Blues News?
If you luv music you’re gonna love this
Okay, I awoke at 3 o’clock in the morning with one of those crazy dreams that make you get out the clip board and take notes. I was thinking about the Beatles playing on tour in early days 7 days a week all night long until they returned to Liverpool seasoned and became the Beatles. On the Jazz side there are Jazz residencies in which a band picks a spot and plays for a while as happened in America in the 1950’s on with great players like Coltrane, Monk, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and others. So I had this Idea of doing a jazz festival with the Ultra lounge band with special guests every night with 8-piece band backing them up and doing this every 3 months year round. Stay tuned. We’re gonna make it happen. Okay on to the New Year with cheers and trepidation. Out with the old and in with the new.
Resolutions? Yes, I have mine that may be revised as needed when I don’t live up to them but I’m not ready to go to confession quite yet. For now it is to stay healthy and get in shape, and as Tommy Castro would say quit “all my nasty habits………I believe they’re killin’ me.” For me it is about family and friends and trying to keep the music flowing the best I can to create a scene in the downtown.
Blue Monday Party on the Latin Side returns to the Barkin’ Dog Jan 8thth to the Barkin’ Dog Grill with special guests Cuban Percussionist Carlos Caro and pianist Odaly’s Caro. 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, Jamey Duberly on Trombone, Dave Dow and you’re truly Eric Benson on keys. We will be playing some Latin, Jazz, Latin, Funk, and a little of everything else. And all Blue Monday bands are invited to come down and play a few. 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, or to listen and dance, it’s gonna’ be smoking!
The Gallo Center had some amazing Christmas shows. The new year brings in Jan; 2ndMotown Musical, 16th Pinkalicious Musical, 19th Beatlesmajesty, 20th the Temptations, 24th & 25thKinky Boots, 28th Renee Fleming and save the date Feb 11th Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen some amazing country music coming through.
And the Barkin’ Dog Grill, one of my favorite family friendly venues continues with some live music. For January; 8th Blue Monday Party with special guest Cuban Percussionist Carlos Caro & Odaly’s Caro, 12th Carlos Carlo & Odaly’s return with 5-piece band special guest Grammy winner Jamey Dubberly trombone, 13th Victoria Boyinton music for the soul, 19th Valley Jazz company, 20th Tony & Tough times, 27th Craig & Dave, and the mighty Dave Dow kicking out the Jazz Jam every Thursday night.
The Newman Theatre in Newman has some nice tribute shows for Jan; 20th Caravanserai, Santana Tribute plays the music of Santana from the heyday of 1960’s on, and 27th Skynnin Lynnyrd plays the music of the southern rock band.
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 mic 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>.
