Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/20 – 2/2

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Surf to Country, Blues to Jazz… ”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

O'Leary's House House

 

 

Talk about musical diversity! Let’s start with something altogether different, how about a Disc-o-town Hoedown at Discovery on Saturday January 23 with karaoke, a western outfit contest, a mechanical bull and then live country music from Moonridge. It’s all ages with a $10 cover charge and I’m pretty sure line dancing will be involved.

We’d heard the rumblings of live music coming to Ven Tiki (701 E. Main where Bernadette’s use to be located) and it looks like it’s true because the venue received special permission from the City for a one-time chance to have the world famous Surfer Joe from Italy play downtown; there will be no reservations. We hope they pull this one off to a big win so they may be granted a more permanent entertainment permit.

And speaking of having music more often, we’re pleased that you can find more music at the Harbor as the Boatyard Café has been offering up more music including the Bluegrass Jam on Thursdays 6-9 and then there’s the Copa Cubana’s opening pending City approval; Andy who also owns 805 Bar and Grilled Cheese, expects no further delays, and we’re hoping by the time of the next Breeze issue, we’ll be reporting on their grand opening.

After taking over ownership a few months ago Bill Kracht, formerly of Player’s Casino, has brought live music to O’Leary’s with O’Leary’s East End Blues Band performing every Saturday night headed up by harmonica blues master, RJ Mischo, Jerry McWorter, Franck Goldwasser,and Brent Harding; it also won’t be unusual to see guest players sit in from time to time.

It’s one of those special events at Squashed Grapes that lovers of jazz won’t want to miss; Sergio Bellotti’s Groove Experience comes to town on Wednesday, January 27. Bellotti will also hold a drum clinic earlier in the evening in conjunction with Pulse Drumming.

Hi Hat Entertainment brings James Intveld to the Ventura Beach Club on Friday, January 22, and Paul Oscher Band on the 29th.

After having sold the building last Fall, Saana at Peirano’s has decided to close the restaurant doors on January 24. We’re not sure where the tango crew will land, but we know their Thursday night dance club will continue, and we’ll let you know where. In fact, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibilities that someone else will come along and reopen Peirano’s in the future.

And if hard rock is your game, then you’ll want to be at Bombay’s for the Gygax record release party on Friday, January 29.

Finally, our condolences go out to the family and friends of Michael DiMauro who passed away December 31. DiMauro’s most recent project was the Iron Butterfly All Star Band. Services were held at San Buenaventura Mission on January 8.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 1/6 – 1/19

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Happy New Year!”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Shawn Jones

Shawn Jones, Herman Matthews and Sam Bolle at the Watermark

First off, I’d like to wish you a very happy new year. I’m already hearing the rumblings of changes coming to Ventura’s music scene; they’re good changes too. As they’re verified and come to fruition, you know I’ll be passing along the good news to you.

Ozomatli was indeed the perfect way for Discovery Ventura to kick off their music line up for the new year with a packed-to-the-gills house. Spencer the Gardener warmed up the crowd getting everyone in the dancing mood. Spencer Barnitz describes the band as a rotating list of stellar players and that evening they added to the mix for the first time trombone player Skabone Stan who tours with Pato Banton. Discovery’s two-year anniversary is coming up the week of January 18th. I’m looking forward to many more cool shows there.

As you can tell, I’m always delighted to learn and meet talented musicians who have worked as session musicians and/or have toured in support of world renowned artists because you have to be that good; and I found out first hand just how good they are as a couple of hot drummers have been playing around town. First Shawn Jones has had drummer Herman Matthews with him the last couple times he played Sunday afternoons at W20 at the Watermark. Matthews has toured with Tower of Power, Kenny Loggins and more than seven years with Tom Jones. Then there’s Alvino Bennett playing with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Robin Trower, Chaka Khan and he’s about to go out on tour once again with Dave Mason; he was spotted at one of Tommy Marsh’s blues jams at Bombay’s and then sat in with Shawn Jones switching seats with Matthews for a couple of tunes this past Sunday.

Gypsy Stew will be releasing a new CD this month with half the 12 songs being originals. Don Cook of the band said the music is what they like to call “Outlaw County,” old school as opposed to new country. The CD will be available at their shows as well as on their website GypsyStew.com. They’ll be playing at the Star Lounge Friday, January 8. The release party will be at the Chop Shop Bar & Grill in Simi Valley on Saturday January 23.

And finally, Ventura is losing one of its own, Russ Camp (4 on the Floor, Stundexim, Camp Franco) when Camp moves up north; one of his final shows will be with BOHICA at Golden China on Saturday January 9 5:30 – 9:30 pm. Camp has been a mainstay in Ventura for over 20 years always supporting other bands and filling in when needed. He’ll be missed.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos: January 2016

O’Leary’s – January 9, 2016
O’Leary’s East End Blues Band
O'Learys


Squashed Grapes – January 9, 2016
TIZER – Lao Tizer (keyboards), Ric Fierabracci (bass) Gene Coye (drums not seen) and featuring Karen Biggs on violin
Tizer


W20 at the Watermark – January 3, 2016
Shawn Jones with Herman Matthews and Sam Bolle
0103_ShawnJones_002


Discovery – January 2, 2016
Ozomatli
Ozomatli


Discovery – January 2, 2016
Spencer the Gardener
Spencer the Gardener