Soundbytes – Bits and Pieces
If you’re a Beatles fan, then you’ll want to find yourself at Rossi’s 1906 dancehall on Sunday, July 26, at 5 p.m. when the debut of the new local acoustic Beatles tribute act Rubber Soul takes the stage. The band consists of a number of local veteran players, including members of Plan Be, Tsunami, BackTrax, Driven and more. The “Marks” brothers, Mark Dennis and Mark Willson, along with Oscar Mooneyhan are handling the guitar duties, along with the rhythm section from BackTrax, Aldo Malerbi on bass and Luis A. Montes on drums, and Kat Mooneyhan on percussion and backing vocals. The members are all long-time Beatles fans and have taken the time to see that eh song is meticulously replicated as closely as possible to the original songs while infusing a bit of their own flair. There is no cover for the show.
It’s a Piano celebration at Sebastiani Theatre on Sunday, July 26, when three amazing pianists will perform on the Steinway piano, donated recently to the theatre by Robyn Makaruk. Debbie Knapp, Stephanie Ozer and Jason Farnham will all take turns playing sets. According to Ozer, “Expect to hear Bossa Nova, Samba, Choro and Baiao and the unexpected classically influenced Brazilian jazz in this first rate listening venue.” The event is a benefit for the Theatre foundation and the Silver Moon Theatre. Tickets will be available at the Theatre box office or at the door. Showtime is 7 p.m.
You can help the Sonoma Valley High School music program and see an amazing show with three acts, all while enjoying dinner tonight, July 24, when the Dixie Giants, Tuba Skinny and the Sonoma Valley High Jazz Combo take the stage at Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall. All money donated will go toward the department to help fund a variety of things: field trips, bringing in guest conductors, after school music clinics, instrument and music cost. Tuba Skinny has steadily evolved from a loose collection of street musicians into a solid ensemble dedicated to bringing the traditional New Orleans sound to audiences around the world. The act draws on a wide range of musical influences, from spirituals to depression-era blues, along with ragtime to traditional jazz. The Dixie Giants are a group of young, energetic musicians who enjoy the sounds of traditional jazz. Their repertoire includes New Orleans classics written by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Kid Ory, reinterpretations of modern pop-rock songs in the Dixieland style, and original tunes written in the style of traditional New Orleans Jazz. Dinner Tickets include priority seating and a special tasting menu of Rossi’s award winning BBQ, served family style at your table. For tickets and more info, point your browser to rossis1906.com. Tickets will be available at the door. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m. and showtime at 8:30 p.m.
Local Musician Spotlight – Steve T. Ney
You might know him as the sleeved tattooed guy at Murphy’s Irish Pub and had no idea he was actually a talented singer-songwriter, and you wouldn’t be alone. Ney is quietly one of those “hidden away” musicians that doesn’t follow the spotlight, content to write songs and do his own music for himself, and maybe a songwriting competition or two, which he typically wins.
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?
SN> I was with my mom and driving somewhere and I heard a song by the Staple Sisters, not even sure which one, but that was it, right there. I knew what I wanted to do. Oh, and maybe my first KISS concert.
2) That first instrument you owned. What was it and do you still have it?
SN> Was a 1963 Gibson Melody Maker, that I truly had too young as I really didn’t know what I had. A friend came over and was playing it and dropped it and broke the headstock and that was it. No, I don’t have it any longer, nor do I have the 7 or so Vintage ‘70s Les Pauls I used to own either. I really wish I would have kept them.
3) Who are you’re primary influences in your music?
SN> Funny, but my influences are all over and I don’t sound like any of them in my music, but Yes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Issac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield.
4) What CD or playlist is in your car or your iPod?
SN> This might sound weird, but lately it’s my own songs I’ve been writing. I record them then listen back while driving to see what needs to be changed or if I can get additional inspiration from them. But, the White Stripes or Skynyrd are always a distinct possibility
5) Tell us about your current acts.
SN> Doing mostly song writing for the West Coast Songwriters Association competition. They have them quarterly in the North Bay. Funny, this round I’m up against a lot of locals, Dawn Angelosante, Adam Traum, Bobby Jo Valentine and others. And we have the one off show this Friday at Murphy’s Irish Pub with myself, Shiloh Hobel, Michael Freeman, Tony Gibson and Dawn Angelosante. We’re billing as the “Hey-Heys.”
6) If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?
SN> <without hesitation> “The First Time Ever I saw your face” by Roberta Flack. Hands down the best song on the planet.
Set List – The Rundown
The Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall
452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma – 996-1364
Tonight, July 24, Left Coast Syncopaters – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, Motordude Zydeco – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 26, Diva Singer Night and Community Jam with Dallis Craft and Karla Downey – 7:30 p.m.
Monday. July 27, Graceland Unplugged with Dallis Craft – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28, Big Chief with Lou Rodriguez
Annex Wine Bar
865 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 938-7779
Tonight, July 24, Mark Larson Trio – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, Full Circle– 7:30 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
464 First St. E. Sonoma – 935-0660
Tonight, July 24, Steve T. Ney and the Hey-Heys – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, the Cork Pullers – 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 26, Sonoma Mountian Band – 7:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards
389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma – 933-3230
Tonight, July 24, Jami Jamison Band – 6 p.m.
Plaza Bistro
420 First St E. Sonoma – 996-4466
Tonight, July 24, Kellie Fuller and Mike Greensill – 7 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall
401 Grove St. El Verano – 343-0044
Tonight, July 24, Tuba Skinny, Dixie Giants – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, Tilted Halos – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 26, Rubber Soul – 5 p.m.
HopMonk Tavern
691 Broadway Sonoma – 935-9100
Tonight, July 24, Aaron Redner – 5 p.m. – Tom Rhodes – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, Witherward – 1 p.m. Vintage Grass – 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 26, Nate Lopez – 1 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
400 First St. E. Sonoma – 938-7110
Tonight, July 24, Keystone Revisited – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, Death by Cowbell – 9:30 p.m.
B.R. Cohn Winery
15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen – 800-330-4064
Sunday, July 26, Lee Howards Musical Universe – 2 p.m.
Muscardini Cellars
9380 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood – 933-9305
Tonight, July 24, T Luke and the Tight Suits – 5 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Regional Library
755 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 996-5217
Saturday, June 25, Tone Bent – 2 p.m.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood- 833-6288
Tonight, July 24, Funky Friday’s with Ten Foot Tone– 6:30 p.m.
Olive and Vine
14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen – 996-9152
Sunday, July 26, the John Burdick Band – Unplugged (kinda) – 6 p.m.
El Verano Inn
705 Laurel Ave. El Verano – 935-0611
Tonight, July 24, the Mentors, Bobby Hollywood and the Quitters, the Connies, the Chemtrails and Boilermaker – 9 p.m.
Sebastiani Theatre
476 First St. E. Sonoma – 996-9756
Sunday, July 26, Steinway Piano Celebration – 7 p.m.
Swiss Hotel
18 W Spain St. Sonoma – 938-2884
Saturday, July 25, Train Wreck Junction – 2 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House
18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs – 938-7587
Sunday, July 26, Karaoke – 7:30 p.m.
Blue Moon Saloon
19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma – 996-3055
Saturday, July 25, Karaoke – 9 p.m.
Sunday, July 26, Blues Jam – all welcome – 10 p.m.