Blues&JazzView
by Eric Benson
If you luv music you’re gonna love this
I often hear from my older friends that there is “nothing happening” in the way of a club for our age group where you can see a show with some good food, drink and dance and home by ten. Well I am conspiring with some of our seasoned musicians in the Valley to do a Rhythm and Blues Sunday showcase at one of the local venues from 5 PM to 9PM with special guests each month featuring Blues, Motown, old school and Funk for listening and dancing. So if you are interested in this hit me at Mbenson@fire2wire.com<mailto:Mbenson@fire2wire.com> for an invite.
Another partner in crime for music in the area is John Griswold also embracing an older demographic. The basement of McHenry Museum he transforms into an intimate club setting with white table clothes, low lighting with wine bar and desert offerings. The next show is Saturday March 16th with Do Gadjo with Sam Wolfgang Rocha, the music is inspired by early Gypsy Jazz of Paris. Funds raised go to Red Tie kids grant program underprivileged kids in music in the area. Check out WWW.RedTieArts.org.
Blue Monday Party invitational jam at the Barkin’ Dog Grill celebrates March 11th bringing back again special guest Conrad Johnson Bass player vocalist and front man bringing on the R & B and Funk. Also in the Band; Johnny Valdes Guitar, Dave Hawks Drums, Kevin Marin Trumpet, Jamey Dubberly Trombone, Dave Dow and Eric Benson Keys, and Pat Governor Organ. We will be playing some Blues, Jazz, Funk, and Latin music for listening and dancing. 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!
And the Barkin’ Dog Grill, one of my favorite family friendly venues continues with some live music coming at you for March. March 2nd Tony & the Tough Times/Blues, 8th International Woman’s day with Patty Hughes, 9th Bum City Reunion Band/ Tower of Power Tribute-smokin!, 11th Blue Monday Party with Eric Benson with special guest Conrad Johnson Bass player vocalist, 13th Win Wednesday’s with Liz Knlder, 15th Valley Jazz Company/straight ahead Jazz, 16th Bourbon street Blues Band/Chicago style Blues, 22nd David Dow & Friends/ the Jazz standards, 23rd North Country Blue Grass Band, 24th Ernie Bucio & Evin Yadegar Annual scholarship Fundraiser, 27th Wine Wednesday with Steve Ashman from Zazu Pitts Motown Band, Davis and Rogers & friends, 29th Free Radical Jazz Quartet, and 30th Highway 99 Band/ R & B with some TOP thrown in. David Dow & Friends jazz jam every Thursday night 7 to 10 PM.
Thanks all the came out for the Jazz House Party with Jazz guitarists John Stowell, Johnny Valdes and John Albano at the home of Rex Platner real-estate agent with catered Mexican food by my son Christopher Benson, good attendance and everyone did not go away hungry. Stay tuned for more of these coming your way.
The Gallo Center kicks into gear with the 2019 schedule with more great shows. In March 1st Los Freres Meduses, 2nd Irish Rovers, 3rd Well shall overcome, 8th MSO Disney concert, 16th Don Felder /Eagles band member, 21st Blue Brothers Tribute, 29th Will Ackerman-4 guitars, and 30th Los de Mando. Complete schedule; Galloarts.org.
And slightly off the beaten path the Newman Theatre features for March;23rd; 2nd Frank Sulivan & Dirty Kitchen, 9th Boys of Summer / Eagles tribute, 16th Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong, 23th Rockin down the Highway /Doobies tribute and April 6th Rudy Parris /BB King tribute. Call the Theatre for details:
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>.
