Jazz continues at the Plaza Bistro this weekend

The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society has done an amazing job over the years of bringing top names in the jazz world to Sonoma Valley to play locally for no cover, bands that the following week command top dollar at clubs around the Bay Area like Yoshi’s and others. New Orleans is always attributed to be the place where the style of music started, and evolved into versions of Chicago, St. Louis and East and West coast styles, but there seems to be no argument where the word “Jazz” originated, and that was right here in Boyes Hot Springs on March 8, 1913, when “Scoop” Gleason was reporting for the San Francisco Bulletin on the San Francisco Seals baseball performance, and akin to todays version of the can of “Whopass,” wrote that the Seals had been “ … keeping their jazz in a can…and opening it at the tap of a gong…” Sonoma Valley was the home of Spring training baseball for the Pacific Coast League, until Major League Baseball came west in the 1950s. Names like Joe DiMaggio and Lefty Gomez came up in the Pacific Coast League. The jazz musicians of the day didn’t like the moniker that was being tied to their music, and even jazz great Duke Ellington resented calling African-American music jazz, referring to it as a “four letter word.” The music genre has come a long way over the years, and the phrase “jazz” has garnered acceptance with todays modern jazz cats, and some of them will be at the Plaza Bistro this weekend, starting tonight, July 27, with Noel Jewkes on saxophone, Keith Saunders on piano, Adam Gay on bass and Hamir Atwal on drums. Jewkes is one of the premier saxophone players in Northern California, working the San Francisco Bay Area for over 35 years. Saturday, July 28, it’s hometown favorite Jason Bodlovich and his Organix Guitar, which is a guitar ensemble specializing in Brazilian, jazz, gypsy swing, blues and more. Showtime both nights is 7 p.m. and there is no cover.

It’s “Food Truck Friday” tonight, July 27, at Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards and along with that, the local blues act the Rett Hamer Band will be in the tasting room, kicking off at 6 p.m. There will be specials on wine by the glass and bottle and guests are even encouraged to bring a picnic basket. The venue is family and dog friendly and there is no cover.

If you miss Rett Hamer tonight, you can catch them on Sunday, July 29, at the Swiss Hotel on the back patio kicking off at 3 p.m. There is no cover.

Ten Foot Tone is back at the El Verano Inn on Saturday, July 28, to help innkeeper Richard Danon celebrate his birthday, which has become somewhat of a tradition for the day. The band has gone through a transformation of sorts, with the departure of long-time drummer Luis A. Montes, and has bassist Gerard Serafini taking over the whole rhythm section, and to rave reviews we must add. There is no cover for the show that kicks off at 9:30 p.m. It’s requested by the venue that hippies use the side door.

The Moose Lodge is continuing its weekly music series tonight, July 27, and it’s open to the public as well. Tonight it’s a two-band bill with the Scallywags and Undercover, kicking off at 8 p.m.

There’s a new music venue in town, but it’s a secret, so you didn’t read it here. The Eric James tasting room has been hosting small jazz (there’s that word again) shows on the weekends to packed houses, and it’s not just the fine wine they make that is puling them in. Tonight, July 27, it’s Charlie Hickox and John Hunt for an 8 p.m. show and Saturday, July 28, the tasting room welcomes Macy Blackman and Bing Nathan, also kicking off at 8 p.m. There is no cover either night.

The Ledson Lounge has music tonight, July 27, from William Russell on solo-acoustic guitar, for a 6 p.m. start time. Saturday, July 28, the lounge welcomes Dan Daniels and Nicky DePaolo for an evening of “jazz with a smidge of Motown” for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.

If you’re looking for something different than jazz, something really different, you can check out Static People at the Olde Sonoma Public House on Saturday, July 28, kicking off at 8 p.m. The venue also double-booked, so you will get to see an additional act after Static Peoples show. The act had not yet been announced as we wrote this column.

Tom Martin will be playing solo acoustic at the Sonoma Springs Brewery tonight, July 27, kicking off at 7 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes the Timothy O’Neill Band to the snug tonight, July 27, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, July 28, it’s JoyRide, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, July 29, there is no music, but Duffy’s Tavern Dinner Theater, that kicks off at 5:30 p.m.

The Blue Moon Saloon has Uncle Jesse and the Porch Junkies on Saturday, July 28, for a 9 p.m. show. There is no cover.

Little Vineyards in Glen Ellen has a special show that features Josh Little on Saturday, July 28, that also included sinner from Chef Jeff Mall from the restaurant Zin. For tickets and more info, call 996-2750.

The Hellhounds will be in Napa on Saturday, July 28, for an 8:30 p.m. show at Uva Trattoria.

The Whiskey Thieves will be playing the Blue Cheese festival at Vinoce Winery in Napa on Saturday, July 28, kicking off at 3 p.m.

Sean Carscadden will be in the theatre district in Petaluma tonight, July 27, at 5:30 p.m. performing in Theatre Square.

Adam Traum will be at the Woody Guthrie 100th Birthday Jubilee in Railroad Square in Santa Rosa on Sunday, July 29, kicking off the day at 11:30 a.m.

Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island

Donna Godchaux Band – Friday, July 27
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343

Sopwith Camel – Saturday, July 28
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343

Neon Trees – Sunday, July 29
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000

Ottmar Liebert – Wednesday, Aug. 1
Napa Valley Opera House
226-7372

Leo Kottke – Wednesday, July 25
Napa Valley Opera House
226-7372

Petty Theft – Saturday, July 28
George’s Nightclub – San Rafael
415-226-0262

Acoustic Hot Tuna – Monday – Tuesday, July 30 – 31
Sweetwater Music Hall – Mill Valley
415-388-3850

Steel Pulse – Saturday, July 28
The Independent – San Francisco
415-771-1421