Tag: daedalus howell

Daedalus Howell, live and in person

The Tuesday night market has music in the Grinstead Amphitheatre tonight, Aug. 14, with the Anton Schwartz Quintet, presented by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, kicking off at 6 p.m.

The Blue Moon Saloon has DJ Saucy 1 with special guests tonight, Aug. 14, at 9 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub presents the after party with 2Friends tonight, Aug. 14, after the Tuesday night market.

The Big 3 Diner welcomes Tom Martin to the dining room for a 6 p.m. show on Wednesday, Aug. 15. .

The Epicurean Connection has an open-mic, sponsored by Stacey Tuel from the Penny Hens, called “Words, Strings and Wild Things,” on Thursday, Aug. 16, and it’s clear to us that the wild thing will be Daedalus Howell. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has Elaine Dempsey on Thursday, Aug. 16, for a show that kicks off at 8 p.m.

The Community Cafe welcomes Songwriters in Sonoma on Thursday, Aug. 16, for a 7 p.m. show that will feature Chris James, Steve Kritzer and Ash Thursday, all performing original music. For reservations and more info, call 934-4090

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards has the Hellhounds on Friday, Aug. 17, kicking off at 6 p.m. and along with the band, there will be a Chevrolet Corvette showcase from members of Diablo Valley Corvettes and Corvettes of Sonoma County. There is no cover for the evening.

Murphy’s Irish Pub presents the Cork Pullers on Friday, Aug. 17, for an 8 p.m. show.

The Plaza Bistro welcomes Le Jazz Hot Trio on Friday, Aug. 17, for a 7 p.m. show.

The Moose Lodge has the Scallywags for an 8:30 p.m. show on Friday, Aug. 17.

The David James tasting room, in the Mercato next to the Chocolate Cow, welcomes Macy Blackman for an evening of jazz on Friday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m.

The Jack London State Historic Park welcomes the Trandescence Theater for a night of music on Friday, Aug. 17, called ‘What a Wonderful World” kicking off at 8 p.m. in the winery ruins at the park in Glen Ellen. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.transcendencetheatre.org/tickets

Jami Jamison back in town

The Tuesday night market has the Jon Popenoe Blues Band under the palm tree tonight, Aug. 16, and the back-lot stage will feature bands from the Sonoma Music Arts School camps; summer of rock and band workshop. Showtime is 5:30 p.m.

The after market party at Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes Tudo Bem tonight, Aug. 16, for a 7:30 p.m. show.

The Big 3 Diner in Boyes Hot Springs has Tom Martin on Wednesday, Aug. 17, for a 7 p.m. show.

Murphy’s Irish Pub brings in the Tonewoods to the Snug at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18.

The Olde Sonoma Public House has Josh and Nelson Kraft on Thursday, Aug. 18, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Meadowcroft Winery at Cornerstone in Carneros has another Songwriters in Sonoma series on Thursday, Aug. 18, that will feature Tony Gibson, Jon Williams and Trent Yaconelli. For tickets and more info, call 934-4090.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has Snap Jackson and the Knock on Wood Players for their pub debut in the snug at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards welcomes the Jami Jamison Band on Friday, Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the tasting room.

The Katmandu Corner has Sarah Summers on Friday, Aug. 19, for a 7:30 p.m. show.

Big music weekend in Sonoma Valley

If you’re a fan of live music, local or big names, this is your weekend. The amount of musical options this weekend is off the chart, so let’s lay it out here. For the big names, that starts tonight, May 20, with the former front-man of Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty headlining the kick off night of Sonoma Jazz Plus at the Field of Dreams. Opening the night on the big stage will be the Tedeschi-Trucks band, featuring Susan Tedeschi with Derek Trucks and on the outside stage, will be the popular Marin County act, Vinyl. The award-winning Sonoma Valley High School Jazz Choir will also be performing on a side stage as guests enter the festival pavillion, when gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21, brings Sheryl Crow to the big stage, with Hiromi the Trio Project, as the opening act. The Pimps of Joytime will be performing on the outside stage, and arriving guests will be serenaded once again by the Sonoma Valley High School Jazz Choir. Doors that night are also 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22, has an early start time, with doors opening at 3 p.m. for the Gipsy Kings. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will be opening and closing the show with sets at 3 and 6 p.m. Tickets are still available for all shows, by pointing your browser to www.sonomajazz.org.

Murphy’s Irish Pub is also in on the festivities, as part of the “Wine & Song” series, with over 17 hours of live local acts over the course of the weekend, and also as a fundraiser for the Sonoma Community Center. Saturday, May 21, kicks off at 1 p.m. with the Phil Herrschaft Band, followed by Arann Harris and the Farm Band at 3 p.m. The evening gets started at 5:30 p.m. with the Willie Adams Soul Revue and the night wraps up with the Sean Carscadden Trio at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 22, the music kicks off again at 1 p.m. with Tudo Bem, followed by the Jami Jamison Band. The Whiskey Thieves kick the evening off at 5 p.m. and the Brothers Comatose wrap it up at 7 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub, but donations for the Sonoma Community Center will be accepted.

The “Wine & Song” series portion of Jazz Plus will be held in venues around Sonoma Plaza on Saturday, May 21 – Sunday, May 22. The bands will vary each day, playing two sets, starting at 1 p.m. and kicking off Saturday, May 21, with the Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Group at the Plaza Bistro. Roessler Cellars will host the Rick Vandiver Quintet. Hopmonk Tavern Sonoma has the Evans Francis Group. Sonoma Meritage Martini and Oyster Bar will host Times 4. The Delta Wires will be at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. Roche Winery will present Santos Perdidos. The Swiss Hotel will have Horace-Scope. The Jazz + In-Schools Student Band and Burning Broadway will be at Union Bank at 500 Broadway. And that’s just Saturday. Sunday, May 22, has an earlier start time for the venues, at 11 a.m. to accommodate the early stage call of the Gipsy Kings on the big stage. Rue Manouche will be at Roessler Cellars. Sonoma Meritage Martini and Oyster Bar has the Fog City Stompers. Mo’ Fone will be at Roche Winery. The Swiss Hotel will have Du Gris. Tickets to the Wine & Song series are separate from the tickets to the big shows, and to purchase and for more info, point your browser to www.sonomajazz.org.

The Plaza Bistro, in conjunction with the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society has expanded their weekly event to two nights, starting tonight, May 20, with vocalist Frank Jackson, along with Larry Vuckovich and Al Obidinski. Saturday, May 21, welcomes Bryan Girard on alto and tenor saxophone, Tim Campbell on keyboard and Greg German on drums and percussion. Shows both nights start at 7 p.m. and there is no cover.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has music tonight, May 20, from Penny Royal, whose music leans in the direction of circus-noir gone gypsy. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Steiners Tavern has the Whiskey Thieves tonight, May 20, at 10 p.m. where they will be having a CD release party. Saturday, May 21, has the sounds of DJ Dave, for a 10 p.m. start. There is no cover for the show.

Olde Sonoma Public House in Boyes Hot Springs welcomes the Maldonado Brothers tonight, May 20. The brothers will debut several new originals. The band is evolving into a bit of a jam band that focuses on allowing their songs to breathe and develop as each member contributes their own stylistic renderings to the songs, including an increasing repertoire of original music spanning several genres. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and there is no cover.

Katmandu Corner, in the back of the Taste of the Himalayas, has the sounds of Dawn Angelosante and Joe Pennell tonight, May 20, for a 7:30 p.m. show. If you miss the duo tonight, you can catch them at Hopmonk Tavern Sonoma on Saturday, May 21, for a 5 p.m. show.

The Barking Dog in Boyes Hot Springs welcomes back the Joe Chaplain Band for an early evening show that will kick off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 21.

Landmark Winery and Vineyards welcomes Laurent Fourgo to the patio on Saturday, May 21, for a 1 p.m. show.

Many local acts are out on the road this weekend, starting with Adam Traum who will be at the Wipeout Grill in Greenbrae tonight, May 20, for a 6 p.m. show.

Ten Foot Tone will be appearing at the Tradewinds in Cotati tonight, May 20, for a 9:30 p.m. show.

The Tonewoods will be at Aqus Cafe in Petaluma tonight, May 20, for a 7 p.m. show.

The Hellhounds will be at Uva Trattoria in Napa tonight, May 20, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, May 21, has the Hellhounds in Calistoga at the Hydro Bar, for a 9:30 p.m. show.

The Jon Popenoe Blues Band will be at Uva Trattoria in Napa Saturday, May 21, for an 8 p.m. show.

Dana Land at the Plaza Bistro

Sonoma’s own jazz sweetheart Dana Land will be appearing at the Plaza Bistro tonight, March 18, for a 7 p.m. show. Land has been a mainstay in the local jazz scene since she decided to make her passion for jazz vocals a reality some years back, and sought out some local jazz musicians and produced an album, and she hasn’t looked back. She was instrumental in bringing jazz to the Lodge at Sonoma over the past few years, and also works the jazz camp for children during the summer. Tonight, Land will have with her Ross Gualco on piano, Kendrick Freeman on drums and John Hoy on bass and guitar. There is no cover for the show. In case you haven’t been to the Bistro in a while, they’ve switched the bar and the stage around in the back room, making for a different vibe from the room.

Jacuzzi Family Winery will host a return appearance of the Daedalus String Quartet on Saturday, March 19, at 5 p.m. No, this is not Deadalus Howells latest gig, last we heard he was still in Static People, this is a world renowned classical music act. The Daedalus String Quartet has performed in many musical venues in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan and has also been the Columbia University Quartet-in-Residence since 2005. Founded in the spring of 2000, the Quartet is composed of Min-young Kim and Ara Gregorian on violins, Jessica Thompson on viola, and Raman Ramakrishnan on cello. For more info on the show, point your browser to www.sonomaclassical.org. Tickets can be purchased at the website, or at the door, if available.

Local classical music buffs will be happy to hear that local violin protégé Nigel Armstrong was accepted into the Tchaikovsky Competition in Saint Petersburg, Russia, this June, which is a two-week competition and one of the most challenging in the world. Good luck to young Nigel.

The Sonoma Valley Chorale will have two performances, the second of which will be in Sonoma Valley at St Andrew Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 20, at 3 p.m. They will be joined by guests from the Church of the Roses and members of the St. Andrew Choir as well for a tribute to those lost in the events of 9/11, the holocaust and other world events. Tickets for the Sonoma show are available at Pharmaca, the UPS Store or by calling 935-1576. The Saturday, March 19, show will be at the Church of the Roses in Santa Rosa. For more info, point your browser to www.sonomavalleychorale.org.

Pete Olson and his Cajun House Party Band will be tearing it up at Little Switzerland on Saturday, March 19, for an 8 p.m. show. Olson has been a staple in the local cajun music scene for many years and you never know who is going to show up at the show to sit in with the band.

The Olde Sonoma Public House has the Keith Andrews Band tonight, March 18, for a 7:30 p.m. show. Saturday, March 19, brings the debut performance of Third Party to the venue. Third Party has former BackTrax guitarist Noah Hill laying down rock, blues and even some country tunes. Showtime is 7:30 and there is no cover for either night.

Wildflower Weed will be in the studio this weekend recording their new, as of yet untitled album, that will be recorded at the Sonoma Valley Music studios with Gerard Serafini at the helm. Look for a release in late spring.

Moondance Cellars will have the father- son duo of Tom and Dan Martin on back-to-back days this weekend, as part of the Savor Sonoma event. The elder Martin, Tom, will be in the tasting room at Jack London Village in Glen Ellen on Saturday, March 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tom is also a member of the Sonoma Mountain Band and the Carrtunes. Martin the younger, Dan, will keep the room hopping on Sunday, March 20, with his blues and reggae grooves. There is no cover for the music, but for more about the event, point your browser to www.heartofsonomavalley.com.

There will be a fundraiser for Tim Dixon on Sunday, March 20, at Murphy’s Irish Pub from 1 to 5 p.m. Dixon has been undergoing treatment for cancer for the past several months and spent many years living in Glen Ellen and Kenwood. Dixon designed many rock and roll posters in the late ‘60s for big-name concerts across the country and in Hawaii. Several years ago he was commissioned to do a very large oil painting for Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. Scheduled to perform are Faith Ako, Scott Gerber and Cori Wood, Dan Hicks, Steve Kahn, Tommy Thomsen, Ted Macklin, David Maloney and the Perfect Crime. There is a requested minimum donation of $10. For more info about the show, call 935-0660.

The Cork Pullers will be doing double-duty on Saturday, March 19, kicking off at Imagery Estate Winery for a 1 p.m. show. Then the band packs up and jumps in the band van and travels to the Sonoma Valley Grange Hall for the fourth annual “Chicken Spring Fling.” The dinner-dance will feature local produce from local farms and will celebrate the vernal equinox, or the coming of spring. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. Tickets and more info can be found by pointing your browser to www.sonomavalleygrange.org or by calling 996- 4373.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has a tribute to a long-time performer who passed recently: The life of John Kelley will be celebrated with his former band, Kith and Kin tonight, March 18, at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 19, brings the Perfect Crime into the new snug, also for an 8 p.m. show. E. Z. Kewl will be back at the pub on Sunday, March 20, for an early show at 6 p.m.

Cynthia Tarr and Cliff Hugo will be traveling up to the romantic hamlet of Mendocino tonight, March 18, to the Mendocino Hotel, where the duo will perform two sets, kicking off at 7:30 p.m.

The David Thom Band will be at the Lagunitas Tap Room in Petaluma on Sunday, March 20, for a 3 p.m. show.

Garen Paterson is back at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco on Monday, March 21, for an encore performance of “Martas Inferno” at 7 p.m.  For tickets and more info, call Garen at 337-2313.

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

The Pulsators – Saturday, March 19.
Peri’s – Fairfax
415-459-9910

Tom Rigney and Flambeau – Friday, March 18.
Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio
415-662-2219

Petty Theft – Tom Petty Tribute – Saturday, March 19.
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343

Michelle Shocked – Friday, March 18.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300

New Mastersounds – Sunday, March 20.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300

Gretchen Wilson – Sunday, March 20.
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123

Tips or beer.. do we play for free?

Recently my colleague and fellow musician, Daedalus Howell, posted an article to his blog and in his printed space in the Sonoma Index Tribune about how so many local consultants that have put in years crafting their expertise are constantly asked to give up their talents for free. The debate rages on in the local musician community here in Sonoma Valley as well, and reared it’s ugly head recently with yet another venue offering “tips and beer” in exchange for a musical performance. I have been a performing musician for over 35 years in what I would call a semi-professional manner. I have made money playing music, not enough to make me rich, but enough to feed my AGS problem (Acquired Gear Syndrome.. the habit of acquiring gear that you probably will use once).  I have been on both sides of the story. I’ve played ‘just for tip’ gigs that ended up netting me more money than I would have ever asked for, I have also played well paying gigs that before the first set even ended, I would have given all the money back to leave right then.

I have also done the freebie gig that led to actual paying gigs, that I would have not gotten had I not played the freebie. I have also done many more that never got me anything but exposure, from which many local musicians are dying.

There are so many problems with playing live music these days that I don’t even know where to begin, so I’ll honestly try to stick to the topic. And in in the full spirit of disclosure, this is my blog and totally my take. I encourage you to comment.

Back when I first started playing clubs in the early ’80s, bands got an average of $300 a night for a bar gig. Beers were a buck. Now beers are $4.50 and the average pay a bar band gets?.. you guessed it.. $300. Simple math would tell you that inflation alone makes that performance worth $1200 today.

If I am playing your venue ‘just for tips’ and your joint is so busy that without the band, you would have had Curly, Moe and Larry at the bar, even though the agreement was tips only, throw the band a bone after the show. Your cocktail waitresses are leaving with way more in tips than anyone in the band will make, and thanks to the band and the people they brought in, the waitress won’t be asking you for a raise that week… or quitting.

If the place is hopping and you are paying the band nothing while you sell way more plates of food, drinks, whatever than you would have without the band, then it is your duty to have one of your waitstaff work the room with the tip bucket.. twice a night. The band can’t do it.. they’re busy entertaining your customers that are buying things from you.. trust me.. patrons are not gonna not have that one more beer just because they tipped the band 5 bucks, but they’re also not gonna walk to the front of the stage and put the 5 bucks in the bucket either. It’s a two way street.

If you are a (bar, restaurant, coffee shop) and you clear away a 10×10 foot area for a band to set up in the corner of the room and provide them an outlet that may be in close proximity to where they’re playing and might be on the same circuit as the microwave, you are not a nightclub, and you can’t charge a cover unless all of it goes to the band. Period. You are also not the late  Bill Graham. You are a restaurateur or innkeeper. The band will draw people in, do for them what you’re in business to do when they arrive. Don’t charge them for the privilege of coming into your establishment and giving you money for things.

Most of the people the band will bring in will be their friends or family, as the venue has probably not advertised at all and EXPECT the band to not only play for next to nothing, but bring in people as well. These poor folks have been coming to see the musicians in all their configurations of bands for longer than you will ever know.. be nice to them.

You wouldn’t ask your chef friends to ” stop on by the store on your way over and pick up some food.. maybe you can cook something up” or your mechanic friends ” Hey, bring your tools, I’ve got a problem with my car.” If they offer.. Great!! But you wouldn’t expect it. Most musicians have day jobs, this is their passion, most would probably rather play than not play. It’s time to stop taking advantage of their passion. They are not solely vehicles to help you sell your wares. It’s nice to be respected and acknowledged for what is probably years of playing and practice that made them what you’re enjoying today.