Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 6/24 – 7/7

Posted on June 22, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Roadshow to Surf
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Xocoyotzin Moraza and Wyatt Hull of Hy Brasil, Saturday, June 20, at Bombay’s.

Before we get into what’s coming up, let’s cover what came down recently: Saturday, June 20, Margarita Villa had D. Henry Fenton who featured Dave Krusen on drums. Yes, the Dave Krusen who was Pearl Jam’s original drummer on their debut release TEN. The Bob Bishop Band played at Saloon BBQ with Jon Woodhead on guitar; Woodhead has toured with the likes of Maria Muldaur and Leon Russell in recent years, they’ll be back soon. And as expected, local talent have once again been collaborating on new material and the result is the highly anticipated Hy Brasil who made their Bombay debut to a packed house on the 20th. You will want to watch out for this band which includes Xoco and Jenkins from Rey Fresco, and Wyatt Hull on vocals. Haunting vocals, rhythmic grooves with music that builds and before you know it you’re captivated and can’t help but move with the band; yeah, these guys nailed it. I’m looking forward to when they release their EP to the masses.

A Celebration of Joni Mitchell featuring Kimberly Ford takes place Sunday, July 5, at the Ojai Art Center as a part of the Jamming at the Art Center Series. Ford is backed up by George Friedenthal, keys; Lee Rollag, guitar; Tom Buckner, saxophone; Tom Etchart, bass; and Charles Levin, drums.

Typically Squashed Grapes has shows scheduled Wednesday – Saturday, but on Sunday, June 28, they’ll have a special performance of Doug Webb featuring Danny Carey of TOOL; and while we’re on the subject of the Grape, Skip Spiro’s 10-piece jazz band will include the amazing Dave Tull on drums, Thursday, July 2. Tull has toured with Chuck Mangione, Maynard Ferguson and others.

I have to admit, I’m really looking forward to 8Stops7 performance on Thursday, July 2, for the Pierpont Inn Summer BBQ & Concert series. I asked Evan Sula-Goff (singer) if they’d be toning it down for this one and he said, “A rough estimate…we’re just a bit louder than Neil Diamond.” Gotta love Evan. He also added, “We’ll be playing two long sets. That pretty much forces us to look at our entire catalog and bring in some tunes you haven’t heard us play in a while.”

Two major events at hand are Roadshow Revival June 27 and June 28 with their Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash at Mission Park Downtown, and then Surf Rodeo descends on Pierpont Beach for two days of surf, and music on July 11 and 12 with a wide variety of genres from the likes of Pato Banton, GrooveSession, Bob Log III, Brothers Fortune, Rainbow Girls, Honey Owl, Raging Arb and the Redheads along with a dozen or so more bands. Go to their official websites for tickets and more details at www.SurfRodeo.org. and www.RoadshowRevival.com.

If 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: February 2015

Posted on February 6, 2015 by venturarocks

Squashed Grapes – February 18, 2015
Bruce Foreman with Marvin Smitty Smith on drums.

Peirano’s – February 18, 2015
Warren Takahashi – Representing!

Grapes & Hops – February 17, 2015 – Fat Tuesday
Hot Roux

Peirano’s – February 17, 2015 – Fat Tuesday
Gil Valencia & Friends

Ventura Beach Club – February 17, 2015 – Fat Tuesday
Swing Cheese

Prime – February 17, 2015 – Fat Tuesday
Danny D (Sinatra impersonator)

Squashed Grapes – February 13, 2015
Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey of TOOL

Bombay’s – February 13, 2015
The Velveteen Band

Bombay’s – February 13, 2015
50 Sticks of Dynamite

Discovery – February 7, 2015
Pinback

Padrino’s – February 7, 2015
Lola Haag

Grapes and Hops – February 6, 2015
Shawn Jones, Sam Bolle, Suzie Candell (Switzerland) and Grammy Winner Jeff Silbar (“Wind Beneath Your Wings”)

Saloon BBQ – February 6, 2015
Big Tweed

Bombay Bar and Grill – February 5, 2015
Robin Bacior (Portland, OR)

Erik Emanuelson of Grand Lake Islands (Portland, OR)

The Brave Kind (Ventura)

Majestic Ventura Theater – February 4, 2015
Willie Nelson and Family (Many thanks to Gary Best for photo!)

Amigos – February 3, 2015
Nathan McEuen (joined by brother Jonathan)

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/15 – 10/28

Posted on October 12, 2014 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
October’s Rockin’
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

It turns out that this is my one-year anniversary writing for the Ventura Breeze. Yay! Thank you Sheldon for designating the highly-prized back page for music. You rock!

Nathan McEuen’s Tuesday evening residency at Amigos is always a treat, but October 7, he stepped it up several notches when he performed with not only his brother Jonathan, but with their dad, John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. While it was cool, hearing them perform, it was even cooler seeing the admiration they have for one another. Looking forward to hearing the new album Nathan has been diligently working on; he hopes to release it sometime in November.

I’m always tickled when I’m approached for talent advice for events being planned; case in point, Charleen Mora (Dirty Rice) of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce was searching for a jazz trio for the upcoming TASTE event being held October 30. I’m pleased as punch to say The Hans Ottsen Trio will be performing. TASTE will be held at the Museum of Ventura County this year with over 40 exhibitors and some exceptional jazz.

Taylor Rae returns to Bombays. I happened upon her the last time she played there and immediately became a fan of her southern rock music with a tinge of blues. She’ll perform earlier in the evening on the 18th for an all-ages show at 8 pm.

On the Grape front: The Pulse Daddies comprised of Trey O’Toole (Pulse Drumming), Karl Hunter and Dirk Shumaker (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), and Hans Ottsen are on the bill for Oct. 16. Donna Deussen & the Paul Weitz Trio return on the 18th and of course Doug Webb Quintet with Danny Carey of Tool on the 24th. And though I’m glad other publications are finally recognizing a “rebirth” of America’s original art form in Ventura, I would like to go on record as saying our jazz scene returned two years ago when Squashed Grapes started providing consistent high caliber jazz artists Wednesday through Saturday with a jazz jam every other Tuesday.

I’m loving the community support for The Baker Family as traditional media and social media have been getting the word out on how to help them rebuild after their incredible losses. Discovery Ventura is hosting a fundraiser on October 26 with Raging Arb and the Redheads, Zepp Heads and Good Deeds. Suggested donation is $10, but you can always dig deeper and give more.

And finally, because it falls on Friday this year, you know Ventura will be off-the-hook with Halloween parties. Most venues are pulling out all the stops hoping to pack their joint with revelers. From Amigos on Main to Billy O’s midtown to The Garage on the East end of town, live music will abound. Dirty Rice will be at Discovery, The Bomb at the Watermark, Smooth Hound Smith at Red Cove, The UnUsual Suspects at Keynote, Tony Ybarra at Peirano’s and well, the list goes on and on. Be sure to visit VenturaRocks.com for a more comprehensive listing.

(At press time, I was assured that Discovery would be having music for the Baker Family fundraiser and for Halloween but their entertainment permit is being appealed)

If you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/1 – 10/14

Posted on September 28, 2014 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
It’s a Colorful Fall Music Season!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Congratulations to Plan B Wine Cellars as they celebrate their 2-year anniversary with good food, wine and of course live music! You can “Toast the train” while listening to Cuppa Joe; dancing shoes and lounge chairs are encouraged.

Speaking of local wineries and music, Squashed Grapes welcomes back The Doug Web Group with Danny Carey of TOOL on drums. This one is guaranteed to sell out once again; it’s highly recommended you get your tickets sooner than later.

Bombay Bar and Grill has a number of events to look out for this month. Ones to Watch Productions present the Lee Koch Band, Derek Jennings & Zeke Berkley on Friday, October 3. There will be a fundraiser to benefit Notes for Notes and the Boys and Girls Clubs of greater Ventura featuring a performance by Sgt. Pepper on Sunday, October 12, 4-7 pm. And if you are a fan of reggae, you won’t want to miss Junior Marvin & Nappy Ridden on Friday, October 10. Marvin joined Bob Marley & the Wailers in ’77 and over the past few decades has played with Soja and O.A.R. His latest collaboration with Nappy Ridden joins the two forces for Foundation to Creation supporting the creation of a new American reggae sound, steeped in funk, soul and rock.

One of my favorite annual fundraisers is Pier Under the Stars where local restaurants, breweries and wineries offer very nice samplings. The event is down next to the pier on Saturday, October 4 with music from Caliente. This one always sells out so get your tickets while they last at www.PierIntoTheFuture.org.

I’m pleased as punch that Monday, September 29, Ventura’s City Council unanimously approved the pilot concert series license agreement with Fitzgerald-Hartley Company and Nederlander Concerts for 2015. As Councilman Tracy put it, “The proof will be in the pudding”, which is true, but the potential is so exciting!

The Majestic Ventura Theater has been busy booking shows for October: Jimmy Eat World on 10/2; The Aquabats on 10/4; The Dirty Heads on 10/10; Belanova on 10/11; Joey Bada$$ on 10/16; Matisyahu on 10/21; Ab-Soul, Simply Ty & Geezus on 10/24 and Erasure on 10/26.

If you’re a fan of Buffalo Springfield, Poco and Loggins & Messina, you won’t want to miss out on a special performance called, “An Evening with Jim Messina with Rusty Young ‘Sittin’ In’” on Saturday, October 11 at Ojai’s Libbey Bowl. A former resident of Ojai, Messina will be back treating fans with their hit songs while fundraising for Community Memorial Health System construction projects in Ojai.

And finally, Ventura Rocks will be amongst the vendors 4-6 pm on Sunday, October 4, hoping to raise funds for Strides Against Cancer at Amigos. Local artists, Karen Eden and Joe Hamilton, will be donating their time and The Tossers will perform afterwards at 6 with British cover tunes.

If you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos: August 2014

Posted on August 4, 2014 by venturarocks

Squashed Grapes – August 30, 2014
The Paul McCallum Group w/ special guest appearances by Bob Bain and Ted Nash

Ted Nash member of the Lincoln Center Orchestra directed by Wynton Marsalis
Legendary Bob Bain responsible for the guitar licks on Peter Gunn, theme song to Bonanza, Nat King Cole’s Unforgettable, Sinatra’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Moon River… He worked with Andre Previn’s trio, Harry James and his big band, he played the guitar on the themes for M.A.S.H., Mission Impossible series, the Munsters. For 22 years he was with the Tonight Show band.

Photos by Marie Gregorio-Oviedo

Discovery – August 24, 2014
Led Zepplica

Spencer Makenzies End of Summer Block Party – August 24, 2014
Bloody Mary Morning

Squashed Grapes – August 23, 2014
The Doug Webb Group: Doug Webb (sax) Jimmy Earl (bass), Mitch Forman (keys) and Danny Carey of TOOL on drums

Spencer Makenzies End of Summer Block Party – August 23, 2014
Ventura Social Club: Joe Baugh, Xoco Moraza, Mario Calire, Lenny Castro
Das Danny Trio

Aaron Orbit

Amigos – August 10, 2014
Cougar Estrada Bigfoot Invasion: Cougar Estrada, drums; Jimmy Calire, keys; Tom Echart on bass, Little Al Vafa on guitar.

Plan B Wine Cellars – August 10, 2014
The Blondies

Olivas Adobe – Music Under the Stars – August 9, 2014

Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats – final performance

Bombay Bar and Grill – August 8, 2014
Doug Pettibone (recently out with John Mayer), Taras Prodaniuk (Dwight Yoakam) and Toss Panos (Robben Ford)