Soundbytes – Bits and Pieces
It’s billed as part vaudeville, part cabaret act and part circus, with an 18-piece orchestra and cabaret show, it is loosely themed as a traveling medicine show or “Americana Noir meets Moulin Rouge” with the presentation of a modern day, rock and roll spectacle. Whatever it is, it looks to be huge. According to band leader Vaud “When we began to select and write material for the show we had a simple criteria; vivid, uplifting and fun. A show to appeal to every age, color, creed, sexual orientation and political affiliation, akin to some wild Fitzgeraldian party that you had only dreamt could exist come to life before your eyes. When you leave a Vaud and the Villains show, you may find you are walking 8 inches off the ground”
The act has been playing Los Angeles and beyond since 2008 and is acclaimed for their powerhouse performances and diverse ensemble. Their local club shows have remained a coveted ticket for music lovers, hipsters and dreamers alike since their inception. The acts motto is “every saint has a past, every sinner has a future.” 2014 was a banner year for the act, selling out halls in San Francisco and San Diego and even played the legendary Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. After a slot at the Sacramento Music Festival, the act was voted crowd favorite, second only to Trombone Shorty.
Vaud is coming to Sonoma tonight, Aug. 14, at Rossi’s Dancehall in El Verano. Tickets will be available at the door. For more info, point your browser to rossis1906.com
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In what is somewhat of a coup, Sonoma has managed to get an afternoon performance from singer-songwriter Keith Greeninger on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 3 p.m. at B & V Whiskey Bar and Grille. A fourth-generation Northern Californian, Greeninger would often fall asleep at night with a transistor radio under his pillow. When his grandfather gave him his first guitar, Greeninger moved from listening to creating his own music quite literally overnight. After traveling to Central America, where he helped rebuild war-torn areas, Greeninger settled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where he could raise a family. 1997 marked a double release, as it were, with the birth of their first child and the release of Keith’s first solo album, “Wind River Crossing.” The record included musical contributions by well-known artists like Flaco Jimenez, Peter Michael Escovido and Martin Simpson.
Since then, Greeninger has won top songwriting awards at the prestigious Telluride Blue Grass Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival and the Napa Valley Folk Festival. There is no cover for the show and the venue is family friendly.
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Local Musician Spotlight – Sonoma Sinatra – Stan Pappas
You may know Stan for a number or reasons, maybe as Mr. Shoe selling shoes, you may have gotten a real estate loan from him, or even bought a car from him, but there’s on thing certain, his passion is Frank Sinatra. Sinatra had an influence on almost every aspect of his life, and in this year that would have been Sinatra’s 100th birthday, Pappas has come out of semi-retirement and taken his Sinatra tribute act on the road again. You can catch him this Sunday, Aug. 16, at the Poseidon Tasting Room at Cornerstone in Carneros, kicking off at 3 p.m.
1) Many musicians in our generation cite the Beatles on Ed Sullivan as that moment when they knew music was what they wanted to do. When and what was it that made you realize you wanted to be a musician?
SP> Well, I knew long before the Beatles were around, I was 11 years old and I heard a Sinatra LP, “Swing Easy” and became a fan for life. Picked it up at a Walgrens in Stonestown for $3.99. That was a lot of money back then.
2) That first instrument you owned. What was it and do you still have it?
SP> It was a trumpet and I actually do still have it. In junior high I played in a dance band. The conductor played trombone and had actually been a member of Tommy Dorsey’s band. He had a big influence on me.
3) Who are you’re primary influences in your music?
SP> Well, clearly Frank Sinatra, but many from the big-band generation: the Rat Pack, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin. I never really got into the rock and roll for whatever reason, I always stuck to the music I fell in love with.
4) What CD or playlist is in your car or your iPod?
SP> It’s called “Hit Parade of the ‘50s” but doesn’t have a rock song on it, it’s all big band stuff.
5) Tell us about your current acts.
SP> I’ve brought my “Sonoma Sinatra” act out of retirement for the 100th birthday of Sinatra. I had kind enough of it but once I realized the time of life it was, I had to bring it back. I’m not doing bars with it any longer, just wineries or non-profit events.
6) If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?
SP> “Don’t Worry about Me” by who else? Frank Sinatra. I was going through a divorce several years back and those lyrics really helped me get through it. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”
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Set List – The Rundown
The Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall
452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma – 996-1364.
Tonight, Aug. 14, Motordude Zydeco Trio with Billie Wilson, Ian Lamson and Willie Jordan – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15, Bob Edmondson and friends – 4:45 p.m. p.m. David Bennett Cohen and What’s Shakin’
w/Roy Blumenfeld, David Aguilar and Tim Eschliman – 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16, Diva Singer Night and Community Jam with Dallis Craft and Karla Downey – 7:30 p.m.
Monday. Aug. 17, Graceland Unplugged with Dallis Craft – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 18, Big Chief with Lou Rodriguez
Annex Wine Bar
865 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 938-7779
Tonight, Aug. 14, Insomniact – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15, Hard Travelin’– 6:30 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
464 First St. E. Sonoma – 935-0660
Tonight, Aug. 14, Michael Mullin – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15, Mostly Simply Bluegrass – 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16, the Tonewoods – 7 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards
389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma – 933-3230
Tonight, Aug. 14, Rett Hamer Blues Band – 6 p.m.
Plaza Bistro
420 First St E. Sonoma – 996-4466
Tonight, Aug.14, John Kalleen Group – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug.15, the Drifting Rich – 7 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall
401 Grove St. El Verano – 343-0044
Tonight, Aug, 14, Vaud and the Villians – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15, Gator Nation – 9 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16, Tri-Tip Trio – 5 p.m.
HopMonk Tavern
691 Broadway Sonoma – 935-9100
Tonight, Aug. 14, Greg Lamboy – 5 p.m. – the Mosey Boys – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15, Ricky Ray – 1 p.m. Deluxe – 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16, Jimbo Scott – 1 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
400 First St. E. Sonoma – 938-7110
Tonight, Aug. 14, Gold Minor – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15, Tilted Halos – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16, Keith Greeninger – 3 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery
15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen – 800-330-4064
Sunday, Aug. 16, Beso – 1 p.m.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood- 833-6288
Tonight, Aug. 14, Funky Friday’s with Volker Strifler– 6:30 p.m.
Epicurean Connection
122 W Napa St. Sonoma – 935-7960
Tonight, Aug. 14, Deluxe – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15, Arizona and the Volunteers – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16, Jon Otis – 7:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Theatre
476 First St. E. Sonoma – 996-9756
Monday, Aug. 17, the Carrtunes – 8 p.m.
Schelville Grill
22900 Broadway, Sonoma – 996-5151
Saturday, Aug. 15, Butch Engle – 12:45 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16, Butch Engle – 12:45 p.m.
Poseidon Vineyards
23568 Arnold Dr, Carneros – 706-2020
Sunday, Aug. 16, Sonoma Sinatra – Stan Pappas – 3 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House
18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs – 938-7587
Sunday, Aug. 16, Karaoke – 7:30 p.m.
Blue Moon Saloon
19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma – 996-3055
Saturday, Aug. 15, Karaoke – 9 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16, Blues Jam – all welcome – 10 p.m.