Nigel Armstrong Archives - Sonoma Music Scene

Junior Boogie wins blues harmonica award

Nigel Armstrong, Sonoma’s own internationally acclaimed violinist, returns on Sunday, March 25, for a concert in Andrews Hall at the Sonoma Community Center at 3 p.m. Since making his solo debut with the Baroque Sinfonia in 2002, Armstrong has performed concertos and showpieces with many orchestras in the United States and abroad, including the Boston Pops, the Norwegian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and the Burbank Philharmonic. He received his Bachelors Degree from the Colburn School Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Robert Lipsett, and is currently in the Diploma Program at the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, where he studies with Arnold Steinhardt and Shmuel Ashkenasi. Nigel began his violin studies here in Sonoma at the age of five with Leta Davis. The performance will include pieces by Beethoven, Paganini, Faure, and Tchaikovsky. Accompanying Armstrong for the show will be Marilyn Thompson. Tickets for the show can be purchased at Pharmaca, Readers Books or at the door.

Local blues harmonica player Junior Boogie has been bestowed quite an award. Boogie has been named the “Bay Area Blues Societies West Coast Hall of Fame Blues Harmonica Player of the year for 2012.” Boogie grew up in Sonoma and watching his buddies parents play, folks like Rick Binkley and Norton Buffalo, were his inspiration. Although Boogie played piano and guitar, he just kept coming back to playing the harmonica. “I like that I can just carry it around in my pocket” said Boogie. Boogie plays Seydel Harmonicas. He is being presented the award this Sunday, March 25, at 6 p.m. at the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame Awards Show that is being held at the Oakland Airport Hilton. Boogie is bringing with him an all-star band of locals to perform with him that night, including Tommy Thomsen, Wendy Dewitt, Codi Binkley, David Aguilar, Raymond Jones, Keith Ridenhour and more. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.bayareabluessociety.net. Well done Boog!

MusicWorks!/Sonoma will be presenting a sacred concert, Celebrations of New Life!, on Sunday March 25, at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Solano Church, and is inviting the public and the church community to join them on a musical adventure of festive music sparkling with the rhythmic vitality and marvelous harmonic textures of the renaissance, baroque, and classical eras. The 16-voice chamber choir will be accompanied by Christopher Alexander and John Simon. Soloists include Shannon Howlett, Denise Van Eschen-Rich, Dana Frank, and Sean Bush. Admission is free but donations will be gladly accepted.

The Hometown Band is back in action on Sunday, March 25, at 1 p.m. in the historic Sebastiani Theatre for a show they’re calling “Celebrating the Classic Composers.” The group, founded in 1966 by Richard Schneider, presents opportunities for local musicians to develop skills through performing. The current conductor is Justin Enright. The show will be narrated by Butch Engle. There is no cover for the show. For more info about the Hometown Band and how to join, point your browser to www.sonomahometownband.org.

The Sonoma Valley Chorale will be holding its annual presentation and auction fundraiser tonight, March 23, at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building. It’s being billed as “Puccini and Pasta” and will include live and silent auctions as well as a performance by the Chorale. The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. For tickets and more info, call 935-1576.

Sonoma Hills Retirement Home is welcoming the Fondettes to the building for a vocal performance on Saturday, March 24, for a 1 p.m. show. The public is invited to the event, which is being called “Celebrating a Healthy Sonoma” and is also a fundraiser for the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation.

Local country and folk musician Adam Traum is trying to raise money for his new CD using what’s called a Kickstarter campaign. Kickstarter has been a way for musicians and artists to raise money for creative projects such as films, videos and music. The reward for investors varies from advance copies of the CD to credit on the disc. For more info about Traums project, view his short video at www.reverbnation.com/adamtraum.

Hunter-Germano will be at Sonoma Springs Brewing Company on Saturday, March 24, for a 7 p.m. show. It’s rumored the band is named after their high school gym teacher, but we’ve yet to confirm that. There is no cover for the show.

BackTrax will be doing an acoustic show at the Olde Sonoma Public House on Saturday, March 24. The show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and there is no cover.

Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes the Jami Jamison Band tonight, March 23, for what we believe is their debut performance at the pub. Showtime is 8 p.m. Saturday, March 24, its Larry Carlin’s Mostly Simply Bluegrass Band and that night will feature Dr. Elmo from Wild Blue. That show also starts at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 25, the pub welcomes Amy Wigton and her band, also for a debut show for an early start time at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.

Local Diva Sheila Whitney will be performing in the Centre du Vin in the Ledson Hotel on Saturday, March 24. Whitney performs jazz, pop, broadway tunes and classical repertoire, including opera, art songs and sacred music. Whitney is currently a soloist at Trinity Episcopal Church and the Sonoma Valley Chorale. Whitney will be accompanied by Mike Greensill on piano and Chris Amberger on bass. Showtime is 6:30 p.m.

Stephanie Ozer will be at the Sonoma Mission Inn in the lobby on Saturday, March 24, for a 6:30 p.m. performance. Ozer performs a unique mix of Brazilian jazz, standard gems, and “in-between genres.”

The Plaza Bistro welcomes trumpeter Dave Rocha tonight, March 23, for a 7 p.m. show. With Rocha tonight will be Randy Vincent on guitar and Chuck Bennet on bass. Saturday, March 24, the bistro has guitarist Rick Vandivier with Cliff Hugo on bass, also for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.

The El Verano Inn has hip-hop with Z Man and True Justice on Saturday, March 24. Also on the bill will be Distant Relatives. There is no cover for the show that kicks off at 9 p.m.

Don Trotta is back in action and on the road to Mack’s in Penngrove both tonight, March 23, and Saturday, March 24, for shows that kick off at 9 p.m.

Adam Traum is on the road to Sausalito at the Taste of Rome tonight, March 23, for a 7 p.m. show.

Jason Bodlovich is in Santa Rosa tonight, March 23, at A’Roma Roasters for an 8:30 p.m. show.

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

Soulshine Blues Band – Saturday, March 24.
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343

James Cotton and Elvin Bishop – Friday – Sunday, March 23 – 25.
Yoshi’s – Oakland
510-238-9200

Eric McFadden – Saturday, March 24.
Yoshi’s – San Francisco
415-655-5600

Y & T – Saturday, March 24.
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000

Foreverland – Friday, March 23.
George’s Nightclub – San Rafael
415-226-0262

David Lindley – Thursday, March 29.
142 Throckmorton – Mill Valley
415-383-9600

Sonoma Valley Chorale performs Irving Berlin

The Sonoma Valley Chorale, directed by David Irvine, will be back in action this weekend, presenting a performance of “Puttin’ on the Ritz” that will also feature the award-winning Sonoma Valley High School Choir, directed by Barbara McElroy. Concert-goers can look forward to hearing an Irving Berlin songfest including “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Steppin’ Out with My Baby,” “Blue Skies,” “God Bless America” and many more. Show times are Saturday, May 14, at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at Pharmaca or at the door, if still available. For reserved seating call 935-1576.

Local violin prodigy Nigel Armstrong is back in town with the Peresson Quartet tonight, May 13, at Jacuzzi Family Winery. Comprised of Armstrong on violin, Luanne Homzy on violin, Min-Kyung Sung on viola, and Julian Schwarz playing cello, the quartet, which takes its name from an American maker of string instruments, has played to great acclaim throughout the western United States and Canada. Immediately following the night, the Quartet will be traveling to Japan to participate in the Japan International String Quartet Competition, and then Armstrong will travel to St. Petersburg, Russia, to compete in the Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition, the most prestigious violin competition in the world. The show kicks off at 7 p.m., and there will be a reception beginning at 6 p.m. There are also special seating options that include a bottle of wine. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.sonomaclassical.org.

Steve T. Ney is announcing a new music venue in town, the Katmandu Corner, which is in the back room of the Taste of the Himalayas Restaurant, across the alley from Murphy’s Irish Pub. The debut will be tonight, May 13, and will feature Sean Carscadden and local belly dancing legend Nathalie Tedrick. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. and it’s expected to be a weekly event, with different artists.

Just across the alley, at Murphy’s Irish Pub, you can check out local bluesmen the Hellhounds tonight, May 13, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, May 14, brings in Dr. Elmo and Wild Blue, also for an 8 p.m. show. The act claims to play bluegrass songs most other acts don’t dare to play. Sunday, May 15, the pub has E. Z. Kewl for an early show, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.

Static People have just wrapped post-production on their first music video in collaboration with Ex’pression College for Digital Arts in the East Bay. The tune, “The Late Projectionist,” is homage to a late friend of singer Dmitra Smith and guitarist Pascal Faivre, and shares its title with a novel by Daedalus Howell who played bass on the track. The tune was produced by multi-platinum producer Jason Carmer and the video will be released in mid-May.

HopMonk Tavern Sonoma will have the debut performance of Michael L. Castle at the venue tonight, May 13, at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 15, the tavern welcomes the Adam Traum Duo to the outside beer garden for a 2 p.m. show.

Little Switzerland will be busy on Saturday, May 14, with an afternoon performance by the San Francisco Starlight Orchestra. The San Francisco Starlight Orchestra is a 14-piece, 1920s novelty orchestra and this week will introduce their new vocalist, Julianna. Reservations are suggested by calling 938-9990. Later that night, Gator Beat will take the stage and fill the dance floor with the Cajun sounds that the band is famous for over the last 20-plus years in Sonoma Valley and all along the West coast. Showtime that evening is 8 p.m.

Natasha James’ latest single, “My Country has the Blues” has been number one on the Roots Americana charts for over five weeks so far. Look for the completed album soon and to check out the tune, point your browser to www.natashajames.com.

Lokal, European soul food restaurant, will have Sue Albano and Mark Dennis performing as a duo tonight, May 13, for a 6 p.m. show.

The Plaza Bistro presents jazz legend Larry Vuckovich and the Beyond Category Trio tonight, May 13, for one night only at the Plaza Bistro. Tonight, Vuckovich will have with him Al Obidinski on bass and Chuck McPherson on drums. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. and there is no cover.

The Official Story will be releasing their self-titled debut album Saturday, May 14. The album will be available for sale that day at Sonoma Valley Music. The new album features all original songs by Diego Emir Garcia, Alex Garcia and Kyle St. John. The album also showcases local reggae artist Joshua James Hale on a song.

Sonoma Jazz Plus tickets are going fast, but there remains some available for all shows. If you’re thinking about seeing John Fogerty, Sheryl Crow, or the Gipsy Kings over the weekend of May 20 – 22, then now is the time to grab your tickets by pointing your browser to www.sonomajazz.org. You can also purchase tickets to the popular “Wine and Song” series, held around the Sonoma Plaza that same weekend.

The Sonoma Alliance Church will be hosting the Gathering on Saturday, May 14, as a benefit for Faith Presbyterian Church’s Short Term Missions Trip to Honduras. The night is the brainstorm of Bryan Martinez, who is also a member of the band Burning Broadway, winner of this years “Battle of the Bands” in the Sonoma Plaza. The event, called “Go Be Love” will be taking donations of any type at the door, and admission includes food and music. There will also be a silent auction with many items donated by local businesses. The Sonoma Alliance Church is at 125 E. Watmaugh in Sonoma, and the night kicks off at 6 p.m.

Steiners Tavern will be celebrating the birthday of its proprietor, Paul Spadaro tonight, May 13, with a special appearance by the Santana and Latin rock tribute act Cross Fire, from San Francisco. The show kicks off at 9 p.m. and there is no cover.

Sonoma Springs Brewery will have the Maldonado Brothers for a show tonight, May 13, for a 6 p.m. show.

The Barking Dog in Boyes Hot Springs has an open-mic improve session from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. Potential participants will be able to jam with Keith Ridenhour, who plays saxophone for the Jami Jamison Band and many other acts, and play with him and his iPod or bring whatever songs they want to play. “Bring it on,” says Ridenhour.

Landmark Winery and Vineyards in Kenwood will have Eric Cabalo playing solo-acoustic guitar on Saturday, May 14, starting at 1 p.m.

The Jami Jamison Band will be at Papa’s Taverna tonight, May 13, in Petaluma on Lakeville Highway, for a 7 p.m. show.

The Hellhounds will be on the road to Santa Rosa at the Flamingo Hotel on Saturday, May 14, for a 2 p.m. show.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island

Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings – Saturday, May 14.
Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio
415-662-2219

Foreverland – Michaeal Jackson Tribute – Friday, May 13.
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343

Eric Gales – Thursday, May 19.
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343

Petty Theft – Friday, May 13.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300

Roy Rogers w/ Carlos Reyes – Friday, May 13.
Yoshi’s – San Francisco
415-655-5600

Take 6 – Friday, May 13.
Napa Valley Opera House
226-7372

Charlie Musselwhite – Friday, May 13.
Biscuits & Blues – San Francisco
415-292-2583

John Lee Hooker Jr. – Saturday, May 14.
Biscuits & Blues – San Francisco
415-292-2583

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