Santa Cruz & Monterey Music: Love is in the Ear!

by Janet Leonard 

Santa Cruz & Monterey Music - February is for romance. But with the weather as cold as it has been, don’t let the need to cuddle at home detour you from taking your romance on the road for some wining and dining, best set to great live music. Happy Valentine’s Month!

Some music scene highlights:

Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz:  Thu. Feb. 14^th, Valentine’s Evening with Tuck & Patti, virtuoso guitarist and vocalist, a winning blend of pop and jazz has earned Tuck Andress and singer Patti Cathcart a loyal following throughout the world. Dinner is available with advance reservations. Fri. Feb. 22^nd, Robben Ford, premier blues guitarists named one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century” by Musician Magazine. Mon. Mar. 4^th, Donny McCaslin Group, from young saxophone tyro to world-class performer also the son of jazz legend Don McCaslin.

Severino’s Bar & Grill, Aptos:  Thu. Feb. 14^th, Don McCaslin & the Amazing Jazz Geezers, veteran pianist and vibes player starts at 6pm.

Coaster’s Bar & Grill, Santa Cruz:  Fri. Feb. 15^th, The Lovedogs, 50’s & 60’s rock & roll, psychobilly, rockabilly, some pop punk and modern rock.

Crow’s Nest, Santa Cruz:  Fri. Feb. 15^th, Billy Martini Show, energetic party band that performs a 70’s tribute show. Sat. Feb. 16^th, Touch’d Too Much, a rowdy AC/DC tribute band.

Don Quixote’s, Felton:  Thu. Feb. 14^th, Jayme Kelly Curtis with the Steve Abrams Band, the most romantic torch songs and an all star lineup including crooner Ukulele Dick and saxophonist Stu Reynolds. A dinner special will be available. Valentines Day favors for the first 50 couples!  Fri. Feb. 15^th, “Homeless Garden Project Benefit Concert”, consists of the John Michael Band with DB Walker & Star La’ Moan plus O.I.R. John Michael Band updates and expands upon the delta blues genre. Star La’ Moan aka Marla Stone Lyons performs funk, rock and jazz. O.I.R. aka Orgy In Rhythm does spicy, sexy, primal, party music. Sat. Feb. 16^th, Diego’s Umbrella, San Francisco’s world-renowned ambassadors of gypsy rock pirate polka.

Concerts in Retro:

Here are my reviews of some recent shows. Remember this is only my opinion.

At Chaminade Resort & Spa:  Being a Dewar’s White Label drinker, since I was 17 years old, I need to mention how much fun I had at the “Classic Malts” Scotch Whiskey Tasting and Education Seminar with Stephen Beal, one of the world’s fifteen Masters of Whiskey and a very funny man. This brought to us by the brilliance of Casey Dakessian who has planned Tequila tasting for Apr. 19^th.

At Vino Locale (Palo Alto):  My Alibi played at owner Debra’s birthday party at my favorite Bay Area wine bar. With very talented vocalist, Karen Geiselhart, belting it out and two excellent guitarists, Steve Milne and Jeff Weber sharing lead/rhythm guitar this band really knows how to play the fun songs that kept everyone dancing all night long. I will definitely let everyone know when My Alibi is playing in the Santa Cruz area.

At Don Quixote’s, Felton:  Debra’s birthday celebrating continued the following night with singer, songwriter, and folk-rock acoustic picker, Ellis Paul, (by the way one of her favorite artist). Paul, a bit tongue in cheek, very funny between tune banter and great musicianship played mostly originals kicking it out of the park accompanied by pianist, Croatian born, Radoslav Lorkovic.

Are you a local band that would like your CD reviewed in this publication?  Send your CD to Music Connection, c/o Janet Leonard, PO Box 1151, Aptos CA 95001. Call (831) 325-4605 or email janetfaplanet@gmail.com to tell me about gigs for live reviews. Put “Music Connection” and your band’s name in the subject line.