gator beat Archives - Sonoma Music Scene

Dick Conte Trio at the Plaza Bistro

Dick Conte is a Bay Area jazz legend, plain and simple. Conte arrived in San Francisco in 1961 and has since become an integral part of the Bay Area jazz scene with his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz, formidable jazz radio presence and his piano performances at clubs, festivals and various venues. Conte was one of the pioneers as a DJ on KJAZ, the fabled jazz radio station of the ‘60s and ‘70s, and continues his radio career today on KCSM and KKSF. Conte, as a solo act or with one of the many configurations of his band, has played essentially every jazz festival in Northern California and beyond, but is keeping it local these days. You can catch the legend tonight, Nov. 4, at the Plaza Bistro with his trio that consists of Steve Webber and Bill Moody. Showtime is 7 p.m. and there is no cover.

Conte will be busy all weekend as well, with a show on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Hotel Healdsburg in Healdsburg at 7:30 p.m. and then off to the Sand Dollar at Stinson Beach on Sunday, Nov. 6, for a 6 p.m. show.

The Plaza Bistro continues with jazz on Saturday, Nov. 5, with the Jeff Massanari Duo, also for a 7 p.m. start time.

There is a special event being held this weekend for a Sonoma Valley musician that has had a run of bad luck in the medical department. Saxophone player extraordinaire David Scott, had to undergo emergency surgery in late August and will not be able to work or gig for six months. You may know him from his work in Gator Beat, but we can attest that anytime we needed a sax player for a benefit, the call went out and David was there. His musician friends have put together a day of music to help him raise money to cover the medical and life expenses he will incur until he gets back on his feet. Six acts will come together on Sunday Nov. 6, from noon until 6 p.m. at the Tradewinds in Cotati. The acts include Foxes In The Henhouse, the Blues Defenders, the Pulsators, Yo Pizza Face, Peter Welker, and Gator Beat.

The Community Cafe is testing the waters for a Friday night music series, paired with a wine and dinner, and tonight, Nov. 4, will be Rich Little on his Chapman Stick. In addition, the meal will be paired with some of Little Vineyards award-winning wines. For reservations and more info, call 938-7779.

The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art will have a workshop on Saturday, Nov. 5, where children ages 12 – 18 will have a chance to make a playlist and then design a custom old-school-style album cover for the list. The workshop will be presented by one of the exhibitors in the current exhibit, Juan Luna-Avin. The workshop kicks off at Noon and requires registration. To register and for more info, point your browser to www.svma.org.

They will be swinging in Oakmont in Berger Center on Sunday, Nov. 6, to the sounds of John Simon, Swing Time and Music Works. The event is a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Oakmont to help with all the projects they do for the community. The event kicks off at 4 p.m. For tickets and more info, call 321-4583.

JoyRide is back in action at the monthly artists reception at the Sunflower Caffe today, Nov. 4, kicking off at 5 p.m.

Michael L. Castle will be at Whole Foods in the Sonoma Marketplace today, Nov. 4, for a 5 p.m. show. Castle is a master bluesman and lays down some great country and folk songs as well.

Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes back the Sonoma Mountain Band tonight, Nov. 4, for an evening of folk and bluegrass, starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, it’s the popular Andrew Freeman, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Nov. 6, has two scheduled shows; a Celtic pub jam at 3:30 p.m. and then Shades of Green at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.

The Kathmandu Corner has Dawn Angelosante tonight, Nov. 4, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Nov. 5, brings in Blue House, also for an 8 p.m. show.

HopMonk Tavern Sonoma presents Kunkel and Harris today, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m. Later the same day, it’s the Courtney Janes on the indoor stage for a 9 p.m. show. Saturday, Nov. 5, has Dan Goldfus at 1 p.m. and then J. L. Stiles at 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, welcomes in Greg Lamboy for a 1 p.m. show. There is no cover for any of the shows.

Stephanie Ozer is on the road this weekend with her duo, starting tonight, Nov. 4, in Healdsburg at the Hotel Healdsburg for a 7:30 p.m. start. Saturday, Nov. 5, has them in Sausalito at Osteria Divino, for an 8 p.m. show.

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

Sun Kings – Beatles tribute – Saturday, Nov. 5.
Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio
415-662-2219

Junior Brown – Saturday, Nov. 5.
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121

Super Diamond/Petty Theft – Friday, Nov. 4.
Bimbo’s 365 Club – San Francisco
415-474-0365

The Bangles – Tuesday, Nov. 8
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000

Moonalice– Friday, Nov. 4.
Southern Pacific Smokehouse – Novato
415-899-9600

Frobeck – Saturday, Nov. 5.
Southern Pacific Smokehouse – Novato
415-899-9600

Blues and Horseshoes for Cody

The Moose Lodge this Sunday, Feb. 27, will be the place for “Blues and Horseshoes,” a benefit for Cody Cordellos who was born with the skin condition “Epidermolysis Bullosa” (EB). EB is a skin disorder that with even the slightest bump or friction on the skin will cause blistering, akin to third degree burns. It is estimated that 50 in every one million live births have the condition, which crosses all races and genders. “Miracles Through Music” has put on several benefits in the past, and this one will feature music from the Sonoma County Blues All-Stars and Third Party. There will also be a spaghetti feed and horseshoe tournament, with the standing champs taking on all comers. The event kicks off at noon and goes until 5 p.m. For more info, point your browser to www.miraclesthroughmusic.org.

The St. Francis Dads Club is putting on a crawfish boil and Mardi Gras party on Saturday, Feb. 26, in Fr. Roberts Hall at St. Francis school. According to A. J. Riebli, the crawfish is being flown in from Louisiana and there will be king cake for dessert. The dance music will be provided by local Cajun favorites Gator Beat. Tickets are available in the St. Francis school front office.

Lokal on Broadway has an encore appearance of a group that appeared at the restaurant last month, the Adam Traum Acoustic Trio, featuring Pat Campbell and David Thom on Saturday, Feb. 26. The band will be laying down folk, country, bluegrass and some finger-picking as well. The show kicks off at 8 p.m.

Steiners Tavern will have the Tri Tip Trio tonight, Feb. 25, for an 8 p.m. show. The band features some local cajun legends, including local Bruce Gordon, and has garnished praise from cajun legend Queen Ida. There is no cover for the show.

Murphy’s Irish Pub continues the live music across the alley at the Taste of the Himalayas as the pub gets ready for its re-opening set for March 1.Tonight, Feb. 25, has the reggae-inspired tunes of Dan Martin for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Feb. 26, brings in Dawn Angelosante for some heart-felt melodies, also at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb 27, has members of Tudo Bem, Dave Aguilar and Peter McCauley for a performance at 6 p.m., and they promise to play “everything but Celtic music.” There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.

If you want to catch the whole Tudo Bem band in action, yep, all three of them, you can do that tonight, Feb. 25, at the Olde Sonoma Public House in the Fiesta Plaza in Boyes Hot Springs. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and there is no cover.

The Plaza Bistro has jazz legends Mad and Eddie Duran tonight, Feb. 25, for a 7 p.m. show. The duo has been a fixture in the San Francisco jazz circuit for many years. The two met at the Cotati Jazz Festival years ago and Mad sat in with Eddies band, and the rest, they say, is history. There is no cover for the show.

The Hellhounds are on the road this weekend, tonight at Spankys Bar in Cotati for a 9:30 p.m. show. Saturday, Feb. 26, has the bluesmen in Napa at Uva Trattoria for an 8:30 p,m, show.

Sukhwat Ali Khan will be in Oakland on Sunday, Feb. 27, at the Heartform concert, that kicks off at 7 p.m. For more info, point your browser to www.heartform.com

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

Wonderbread 5 – Friday, Feb. 25.
19 Broadway – Fairfax
415-459-0293

Sol Horizon – Saturday, Feb. 26.
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343

Gator Beat w/the Pulsators – Saturday, Feb. 25.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300

Halloween party time in Sonoma Valley

As if the typical characters of Sonoma Valley aren’t enough every day, just factor in an excuse to become even more of a character; an alter ego perhaps, and an event like Halloween. Then throw in a costume contest, live music and a tavern or two, and look out. Many venues are having celebrations this weekend; we’ll kick off the column with the rundown of all the weekends’ events. Tonight, Oct. 29, has vocalist Dana Land putting down jazz standards at the Plaza Bistro, and there will be a costume contest as well. Showtime is 7 p.m. Ten Foot Tone will be at the El Verano Inn for their annual appearance on Saturday, Oct. 30, with a costume contest and what has been promised as “spooky dancing.” Showtime is 9 p.m. BackTrax rock band will headline Steiners Tavern for their annual Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 9 p.m. Little Switzerland will have it’s annual party featuring some of the best punk rock in the north bay on Saturday, Oct. 30, featuring Modern Action, with members of the Bodies and the Briefs, Roadside Bombs, Get Dead, Oil!, High and Tight, the Porch Junkies and Scotch Eggs. That show gets underway at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, brings Showcase the Band to Lokal for a 2 p.m. show. Murphy’s Irish Pub has the Cork Pullers for their annual Halloween party on Sunday, Oct. 31, for a 6 p.m. start. The Blue Moon Saloon will have the Sunday Night Blues Jam on Sunday, Oct. 31, and will have a costume contest that winners will receive cash prizes for the best costume, as well as drink specials for all costumed attendees. The show kicks off at 9 p.m.

Sonoma Valley lost a true supporter of local music recently. Michael J. Kelley, who was involved in a tragic motorcycle accident over a year ago, lost his battle for recovery to a bout of pneumonia on Sunday, Oct. 17, surrounded by friends. There will be a memorial and fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Sonoma Valley Womans Club, kicking off at 4 p.m. After a short ceremony, many local musicians will gather for a song or two to remember Michael. The details are still being sorted out, but so far have Pete Olson, Sue Albano and Mark Dennis, Greg Volker, David Robbins and Dave Aguilar lined up. Anyone that knew Michael J. Kelley is welcome to attend.

Jess Petty and Ken Chambers will be at the Ledson Lounge on the Plaza tonight, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards will have EZ Kewl tonight, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m.

The Lodge at Sonoma has John Groves in the piano lounge tonight, Oct. 29, for a 7 p.m. show. Saturday, Oct. 30, brings John MacKay to the lounge. MacKay, originally from Canada and now making his home in New Zealand, is also an active composer and involved in different musical genres, including jazz, contemporary classical and theatre music. That show is also at 7 p.m. and there is no cover for either show.

Murphy’s Irish Pub will have Out of the Blue tonight, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, has Keystone Station from Marin County, playing traditional bluegrass in the style of Bill Monroe. That show is also at 8 p.m.

Olive & Vine will have blues from the Rett Hamer Band tonight, Oct. 29, for a 7 p.m. show. Olive & Vine is in Glen Ellen within the Jack London Village and offers small plates and has a nice wine selection. There is no cover for the show.

EZ Kewl is making the rounds this weekend as well, starting with a show tonight, Oct. 29, at Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards for a 6:30 p.m. start. You can also catch the hardest working band in Sonoma Valley at the Schellville Grill on Saturday, Oct. 30, for a dinner set.

Mondo American Beer Garden has the eclectic sounds of the Ralph Cetola Experience on Saturday, Oct. 30, for a 7 p.m. show. You never know who may show up to play with Cetola, including Cetola, but he always puts on a great show. The extravaganza kicks off at 7 p.m.

Steiners Tavern has the Sean Carscadden Trio tonight, Oct. 29, for a 10 p.m. show. With Carscadden will be Andrew Emer on stand-up bass and J. B. Duff on drums. There is no cover for the show.

Lokal will have the sounds of the Erik Lindquist Trio on Saturday, Oct. 30, for a 6:30 p.m. show. Lindquist grew up here in Sonoma Valley and has recently returned from Los Angeles. Lokal offers a nice selection of beers on tap and describes the menu as “European Soul Food.” There is no cover for the show.

There is an interesting show coming up the Trinity Church on Sunday. Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. A series of twenty four unique chamber music concerts being performed over a period of two years, each concert focuses on composers whose last names begin with a featured letter, from a to z. The series rolls into Sonoma Valley with concert number ten featuring the letter “J.” Admission is by donation, and part of the proceeds will benefit the church. The “J” concert will include three compositions, one from 1950 and two from 2010, by Sonoma resident, composer and pianist Warner Jepson, and will also feature the music of Leos Janacek (1854-1928), Paul Juon (1872-1940) and more. For more info, call the church at 938-4846.

Murphy’s Irish Pub will be welcoming back a favorite son on Monday, Nov. 1, when Whitney Lockert swings back into town from New York City. Since it’s knitting night, you can still knit, just to music. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Jon Popenoe will be at the Lagunitas Tap Room in Petaluma on Saturday, Oct. 30, for a 3 p.m. show.