Jazz & Blues View
by Eric Benson
What’s new with Jazz and the Blues News?
If you luv music you’re gonna love this
Wow and here we are again, Bam! The Holidaze coming at you. It seems only yesterday I was at the mall hearing “you have ten minutes to finalize your purchases”, as I broke into a cold sweat and started to run with other procrastinator shoppers gleaning last minute gems for the tree. Well this year is going to be different; I have made my list and checked it twice…going to find out whose naughty or nice, Christmas Daddy’s coming to town. Plenty to do this holiday season, with family, friends in the valley area and remember the reason for the season.
Blue Monday Party invitational Christmas jam returns on Monday December 10th with special guest Jazz and R & B vocalist Cliff Payne. Cliff is a seasoned vocalist who stills sings in the Zazu Pitts Motown Orchestra and many other regional acts. The Barkin’ Dog Grill House Band the Blue Monday Band will feature this time around: Johnny Valdes guitar, Tim Allen Bass and vocals, Dave Hawks’ drums, Pat Governor organ, Dave Dow and Eric Benson Keys and Horn section John Burt Alto Sax, Marti Martinez Tenor Sax and Kevin Marin Trumpet and Raul Slaps on Trombone. We will be playing some Holliday classics from Blues, Jazz, Latin, Funk and Pop. 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!
And the Barkin’ Dog Grill, one of my favorite family friendly venues continues with some live music coming at you for December; 1st Fun Strummers Ukulele Band, 7th Gottschalks Music Christmas Sampler, 8th & 9th Gordon Kennedy Kids Recital, 10th Eric Benson Presents Blue Monday Christmas Party Jam session, 14thth Valley Jazz company, 15th Aaron Rowan Presents, 20th Modesto Art Walk, 21stst Erika Moore Auburn Road, 22nd Gary Vessel & Jason Winfree Blue Grass, 28thth The Taillights Band, and 29thJohnny Rocket & Thrust. And every single Thursday Dave Dow pianist Extraordinaire hosts a Thursday Jazz Jam session for people to sit in and play some music.
The Gallo Center kicks into Christmas gear with the December schedule. In December: 1st Modesto Symphony Holiday Pops, 7th Central West Ballet Opening, Nutcracker, and Tiny Tim Christmas, 13th Opus Handbell Ensemble, 14th Special Choral Christmas, 19th Doo Wop Project, 20th Brian Setzer Orchestra, and 21st Dave Koz Christmas Show! Critics choice: if you have not heard Brian Setzer, or Dave Koz check them out!
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
209- 918-7033
Mbenson@fire2wire.com<mailto:Mbenson@fire2wire.com>
