After a winter hiatus, jazz is back in the Gallery Jazz Lounge at the Lodge at Sonoma starting tonight, April 9, with Jonathan Alford at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 10, brings Dick Conti to the venue for a 7 p.m. show as well. There is no cover for either night.
The Plaza Bistro also has Jazz tonight, April 9, with an appearance by the Joshi Marshall Project, Marshall is the son of legendary jazz bassist Fred Marshall. The senior Marshall played with names such as Vince Guaraldi and drummer Max Roach. The younger Marshall has recently worked with Pete Escovido and even rockers the Black Crowes. The project kicks off at 7 p.m. in the backroom and there is no cover.
Local guitarist Michael Hinton has a big show tonight, April 9, at the Highland Dell Resort in Monte Rio with blues legend Nick Gravenites. Gravenites was inducted into the Blues Hall of fame in 2003 and played in the Electric Flag with guitar legend Mike Bloomfield. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. For more info, call 865-2300.
A band that has been making a little noise in town lately is back again this weekend at the Blue Moon Saloon on Saturday, April 10. Izzy and the Kesstronics, out of Brooklyn, New York, will be laying down a blend of ‘50s rock and roll with a taste of classic country, ‘30s swing, surf and bluegrass. Yikes. The band is currently touring the U.S with 21 tour dates in the month of April alone. Showtime is 9 p.m.
The Blue Moon Saloon also has the classic Sunday night house jam that happens every week, with this Sunday, April 11, being no exception. The band brought their act down the road a ways last weekend for a set at the “Save the El Verano Inn” party at the Little Switzerland. Isaac Carter and Phil Herrschaft and the boys always lay down nice sets and it you’re a local player, just show up and ask for as time slot. There is no cover and the night kicks off at 10 p.m.
Imagery Estate Winery has local music both days this weekend, kicking off on Saturday, April 10, with Black Cab, making their debut appearance at the winery. The band also played a set at the El Verano Inn shindig last weekend. Sunday, April 11, the winery has local jazzy gents EZ Kewl. Shows both days start at 1 p.m. and folks are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the tunes.
Landmark Winery and Vineyards has the Americana sounds of Adam Traum on Saturday, April 10 at 1 p.m. That show will feature Traum in a solo-acoustic performance. There is no cover.
Steiners Tavern has the DJ sounds of Dr. XXXeno on Saturday, April 10, for a 10 p.m. show. Sunday, April 11, has the unplugged classic rock sounds of BackTrax at the tavern. The band is getting ready to re-create a portion of the successful Beatles tribute they performed at EDK, for the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation event coming up soon, so in addition to familiar rock classics, the band will be polishing up a Beatles tune or two. The show is an early one, starting at 5 p.m. and there is no cover.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has blues from the Hellhounds tonight, April 9, for an 8 p.m. show. The boys love to belt out Chicago and delta blues. The recent shows we’ve seen have the band about the tightest we can recall and put on a blistering set. Saturday, April 10, brings in Keystone Station for a night of traditional bluegrass featuring songs by the Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe. That show also kicks of at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 11, brings in Dave Aguilar and Peter McCauley, members of Tudo Bem, for an evening of everything but Celtic music. We hear they will be laying down some disco. That show goes off at 6 p.m. and there is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.
Jon Popenoe is a busy guy this weekend, kicking off tonight, April 9, on the road to Rickeys in Novato for a show with Tom Wolfe that goes off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 10, Popenoe will have his blues band in the gazebo at the Sonoma Marketplace at 11 a.m. Later that day, the blues boys head over to Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma for an afternoon show kicking off at 3 p.m. that is open to the public. For more info, call the brewery at 778-8776.
The Hellhounds are on the road to Napa at Uva Trattoria on Saturday, April 10, for an 8:30 p.m. show.