Ventura Music Photos – February 2019

Posted on February 28, 2019 by venturarocks

Hong Kong Inn – February 1, 2019
The Grape presents
Jen Staves and the Bluzfish Trio

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/27 – 3/12

Posted on February 27, 2019 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Let’s talk about ensuring we have jazz in town, and not just every now and then. I’m talking about a venue where you can count on not only local artists having a place to showcase their talent, but a jazz house where world-class musicians travel to Ventura (some actually live here) to play in front of an appreciative audience. Of course, I’m talking about Squashed Grapes re-opening at their new location in mid-town Ventura. If you’d like to weigh in, then you are invited to attend the obligatory public hearing to be held at Ventura City Hall in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, April 10, at 6 pm; please mark it on your calendar now. I’ll be there, and I’m personally inviting you to come help Adam and Josh reopen Squashed Grapes. Long live The Grape!

Sorry to report we’ve lost another venue for live music. I’d like to thank Kristen Shubert for the past few years for running Vintura at the Wine Rack and offering not only a lovely place to hang, a crew happy to describe the wines available but for also supporting Ventura’s music scene by providing an eclectic mix of artists on their stage. Unfortunately, she lost her lease but she went out in fine fashion by selling everything in the venue from bottles of wine at half off, to all items in the store, cushions to artwork. Her last day for music was Monday, February 25, with artists showing up to jam as a final send off.

Quick Notes: The Black Angus at Main and Telephone now offers live music 5:30 – 8:30 pm on Thursdays; The Grape presents Doug Webb ~~featuring Danny Carey (TOOL)~~ at the Hong Kong Inn on Saturday, March 2; Pennywise plays the Ventura Theater, Saturday, March 2, Zoe on Friday, March 8; Salzer’s has an in-store performance from Trouble in the Wind on Friday, March 1 at 6 pm; the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra’s Concertos night will be Saturday, March 2; Bank of Books will have three bands in the house for an all ages show on Saturday, March 9, at 6 pm featuring The Crawdads, The References and King Archie; Luicidal Tendencies, featuring members of Suicidal Tendencies play The Garage on Tuesday, March 5, along with IDecline, Sick Sense and F.S.K.D.; and finally Jodi Farrell will once again highlight her students with a performance workshop at Namba on Saturday, March 9, at noon.

Just a side note, The Lantern Festival seemed to be a success if you’re solely going by the number of people participating. I hope they’ll be back next year, maybe advertise a little more and I hope the weather cooperates with less wind. Of course, it could have been worse, it could have rained.

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

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/13 – 2/26

Posted on February 12, 2019 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

I am so happy to hear that Surf Rodeo is on again for this year and I just found out it will be in a new location moving from Pierpont Beach to the Ventura Pier. No word on bands yet, but you won’t want to make any vacation plans for the weekend of July 13 and 14.

Another festival will be testing Ventura out, it’s called the Lantern Festival which will be held on Saturday, February 16, with live music from Cardiod, Nightgown and Pretty Polly. This family friendly event will of course feature hundreds of lanterns hanging, yours is included in the price of your ticket which range from $29 to $75 for VIP passes. I found this one on Facebook.

Holy moly, don’t even think I’d forget about Valentine’s Day. Okay, the long and short of it goes like this, we have lovey dovey to total animosity. Let’s start on the lovey dovey side with the Toni Jannotta Jazz Trio at Vintura at the Wine Rack, Bryan McCann at Café Fiore, ~~Warren Takahaski~~ Varon Thomas at The Cave, The Gypsy Blues band continues their weekly residency at The Blue Room next to the Comedy Club in the Harbor, there’s the weekly Bluegrass jam at the Boatyard Pub at the Harbor, then for the harder side of the coin, it’s Danko Jones and Nashville Pussy at Discovery and finally HeWhoCannotBeNamed and the Devros at The Tavern. Good luck!

Quick Notes: Jerry’s Middle Finger with The Alligators will be at the Golden China on Saturday, February 16; El Rey Cantina is hosting a fundraiser for The Young and Brave Foundation with Timmy Curran and Friends performing on Saturday, February 23; Several local spanning several genres have pulled their resources for a Notes for Notes fundraiser at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, February 23, featuring Astreyas, Disrupted Euphoria, Doc Martin Band and Eleven Point Two; a roots rock band out of Portland called Wanderlodge will be working their way through town with a handful of dates including one at Made West Brewing on Saturday, February 16, Topa Topa Brewing Co. on Thursday, February 21, and Winchesters on Friday, February 22; and a Johnny Cash Birthday Bash with the Mighty Cash Cats and Silver Threads will be at Bombay’s on Sunday, February 24, the show starts at 6 pm with no cover charge.

Finally, huge congratulations to Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps for earning a Grammy nomination for this year’s Best Contemporary Blues Album for her 10th album, “Here in Babylon” as well as a huge shout out to Jesse Siebenberg who worked with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper on “Shallow” with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. “Shallow” won the Grammy for Best Song Written for visual Media and for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please 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 1/30 – 2/12

Posted on January 29, 2019 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Congratulations to the Ventura Music Festival as they celebrate their Silver Anniversary this year. They announced their 25th year line up earlier this week, so be sure to go to www.VenturaMusicFestival.org to see all the performances scheduled and to pick out which ones you plan on catching this summer. Meanwhile, you can get tickets for their Anderson & Roe Piano Duo at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 9.

The Los Angeles version of ARK Kizomba Festival is being held February 8-11 in Ventura this year and while their claim that our City “stays up late” might be stretching it, this is the perfect destination with our ocean breeze at the fairgrounds to help cool off dancers in between sets. As best as I can figure out, it’s three days of dancing, DJs, classes and demonstrations with an all-nighter Friday night kicking off at midnight going until 6 in the morning. For ticket information, DJs, and more understanding, go to www.AmericanRiveraKizombaFestival.com.

Squashed Grapes continues to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong with M’Phaka on Wednesday, January 30 featuring Karl Hunter (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), Hans Ottsen, Danny Connel & Tyler Hammond; then it’s Tony Ybarra & Friends on Thursday January 31; Jen Staves & the Bluzfish Trio on Friday, February 1; and the return of The Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey of TOOL on Saturday, February 2.

The Ventura College Performing Arts Department will be presenting Dido and Aeneas Thursday, January 31, through Sunday, February 3. The opera which was composed over 350 years will be sung in English and has been updated with a modern interpretation covering such themes as cyber bullying, depression, peer pressure and how social medias has changed how we communicate with one another.

Quick Notes: Know, Brosky’s Revolt and Shattered Badget play Concrete Jungle Brewing on Friday, February 1; Salzer’s Records hosts a Meet and Greet with Las Cafeteras at noon on Friday February 1; Four Brix Winery continues their Friday happy hour shows 5:30 – 7:30 with Fido on February 1, and Inna Rude Mood on February 8; Anchor & Bear play Topa Topa Brewing on Friday, February 1; Ventura Bike Hub will offer music for First Fridays on February 1 with Las Criaturas, QVO, Sarah Tonein and Moon Pillow; Last in Line with Fallen Saints plays the Majestic Ventura Theater on Saturday, February 2; Rubicon Theater concert “Side by Side” fall on Saturday and Sunday February 2 and 3; Lee Scratch Perry performs at Discovery Friday, February 8; Medicine Hat and Brother Earl and the Cousins play Sans Souci Saturday, February 8; music returns to Oak and Main on Saturday, February 9 with Mandex; and Camerata Pacifica presents an afternoon of Beethoven & Reich at the Museum of Ventura County Sunday afternoon, February 10.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/16 – 1/29

Posted on January 20, 2019 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss An Evening of Song & Stories with Chris Hillman at the Museum of Ventura County on Thursday, January 24. Hillman, long-time Ventura resident, was one of the original members of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Desert Rose Band. I was fortunate to see Hillman perform last year at the Lobero Theater, so we are very fortunate to have him in our town in such an intimate setting. You can get tickets through the museum (this will sell out). The legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer also loaned the museum some of his memorabilia which is on display through March 31.

Squashed Grapes continues to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong with Jazz Jams on Tuesdays nights; Jimmy Calire and Friends will be there Wednesday, January 16; Bruce Forman performs “The Red Guitar” on Thursday, January 17; it’s Nee’s Bees (features Nee Sackey, Karl Hunter) on Friday, January 18; and Bevan Manson and Friends on Saturday, January 19.

There’s a new venue in Oxnard called 1901 with a “speakeasy” themed bar, and I’m happy to report they offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights. They’re located downstairs from La Dolce Vita Ristorante in Heritage Square.

The extremely dynamic Kelly Zirbes will once again be raising funds for C.A.R.L. This is their 6th annual fundraiser for the Canine Adoption and Rescue League featuring her band Kelly’s Lot. The event will be held at Four Brix Winery on Saturday, January 26 (5:30 – 8:30 pm), featuring Scott Detweiler, Elizabeth Hangan and others in the band.

Made West will be celebrating their third anniversary on Saturday, January 26, with performances from noon until 8 pm featuring Brother Earl and the Cousins, Amargosos, Shay Moulder, Hannah Jobus and Matt Sayles.

Quick Notes: the popular “Celebration of Joni Mitchell” will be performed at Namba, on Friday, January 18; Vendo 81 plays during the Food Truck Friday at the Pacific View Mall on January 18; E.P. Foster Library will offer a free performance at noon by Opera Santa Barbara on Friday, January 18; a benefit for SPARC with Lacy J. Dalton and Dale Poune will be at the Ventura Theater (hosted by actor Malcolm McDowell) Saturday, January 19; local jazz artist, Toni Jannotta will perform her “My Little Heart Ruthie” at Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, January 19; The Rubicon presents Red Hot Mama: The Sophie Tucker Songbook for two performances on Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20; traveling through town, DBT (Driven by Turmoil) and Steeltoe, will make a stop at The Garage on Friday, January 25; and the Unity Theater Collective will hold a fundraiser at Namba on Saturday, January 26 with a “Mamma Mia Sing-along.”

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/2 – 1/15

Posted on January 5, 2019 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Happy New Year! I’m wishing you a year of prosperity, love, friendship and of course lots of live music!!

Let’s start off the year right by helping Crooked Eye Tommy get to Memphis to compete in this year’s International Blues Challenge by attending a fundraising concert at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, January 5. Along with a $20 donation to help out, there will be raffle items including one of Tommy’s guitars. Performers slated on the bill include Michael John, Joey Delgado, Mikey Mo, Ian Mcfadyen, Jodi Farrell, Kelly Zirbes, Shawn Jones, Perry Robertson, Ray Jaurique, Dan Grimm, Eddie Dies and more! The show is scheduled to start at 6 pm.

The Channel Cities Jazz Club is moving their monthly shows to the Pierpont Inn this year. Their first performance will be Sunday, January 27 (1 pm) with an open jazz session. Headlining will be Jimmy McConnell’s Super Big Band. It’s only $10 for members, and $15 for nonmembers.

Congratulations to the Majestic Ventura Theater for partnering with Live Nation on booking future shows this year. We’ll be looking for upgrades on the facility including their sound system. Meanwhile don’t miss the benefit show for SPARC hosted by Malcolm McDowell on Saturday, January 19, with performance from Lacy J. Dalton with Dale Poune.

The good folks from Squashed Grapes will continue to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong Inn while the current owners look for new owners to take over the lease. Jazz Jams return to Tuesdays nights, Dogfish plays Wednesday, January 9, Coda on the 10th, Ben Clatworthy & Friends on the 11th and it’s the Barrelhouse Wailers on Saturday, January 12.

Quick Notes: The Jerry McWorter Trio return to their Tuesday night residency at Copa Cubana on January 8; Rapper Shwayze plays Discovery on Wednesday, January 9; Bluegrass jams continue in the New Year on Thursdays at the Boatyard Pub in the Ventura Harbor; The Hell Toupees and Sick Boy play Sans Souci, Friday, January 11; The Ventura Music Festival Student Jazz Competition will be held at Namba downtown on Sunday, January 13; The Swillys will be entertaining as you enjoy brunch at Traveler’s Café on Sunday, January 13; and finally, Café Fiore will not be having live music on Thursdays for the time being.

Don’t forget to tune in for The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour airing on CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP every Tuesday and Friday at 5 pm and Sunday’s at noon. I’m grateful for this platform to play artists who might not have the opportunity to have their music played on the radio as I play artists out of the 805 and artists who come to the 805 to play. Listen in at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, or online at CapsMedia.org/Radio.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 12/19 – 1/1

Posted on December 18, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Here’s to wishing you holidays filled with love, laughter, and of course, lots of music! With that being said, let’s get going with what’s on everybody’s minds, “How to bring in the New Year!”

The following parties are listed in alphabetical order: The Blue Agave will have a DJ, The Boatyard has Karen Eden with Bill Macpherson, then Troy Edwards celebrating on New York time when the ball drops at 9 pm our time (Midnight New York Time), the party starts at 5:30 and goes until 9:30. Café Fiore has a DJ in the Tree House Lounge and Action Down up front. Casa Bella should be hopping with A.D.D. playing all night. It’s the Estrada Brothers at Copa Cubana at the harbor. The Crystal Method will take over Discovery. It’s DJ Sharp at The Garage where they’re putting on a masquerade ball. Grapes and Hops will have the Brandon Ragan Project in the house. It’s What the Funk at the Keynote Lounge, then another earlier celebration on New York time at Leashless Brewing with FIDO. The Saloon BBQ has an 80’s themed promo with DJ, Arockalypse Now will keep it rockin’ at The Star Lounge, and it’s Mark Masson jammin’ at Vintura at the Wine Rack.

Please be safe this New Year’s, there will be plenty of taxis, Lyft and Uber drivers available, so play it safe and plan on a designated driver or alternative ways of getting around.

Quick Notes: Do note that Oak and Main will reopen soon; Bombay’s will offer bands 1 – 11 pm on Saturday, December 22, including sets from Medicine Hat, Blues Bullet, Brother Earl & the Cousins, and Rose Valley Thorns; Discovery hosts a Holiday Jamboree on Sunday, December 23, including The Rays, Rvrboy, VOC, King’s Revenge and Aaron Pax Taylor; The Bearded Clams with actor Patrick Warburton on vocals will take over the Hong Kong Inn on Thursday, December 20, playing nothing but Pearl Jam cover tunes; The Gentleman’s Blues Club return for another Sunday Blues-filled afternoon at Grapes and Hops on December 23; and finally, the Rubicon will end it’s run of Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s South Pacific on Sunday, December 23, but don’t miss their popular fundraiser, Kids for Kids: The Circle of Life on Saturday, December 29, the musical variety show’s proceeds to providing scholarships for summer camps and other educational activities at the Rubicon.

It turns out the Hong Kong Inn plans to continue to keep their doors open while searching for new tenants and Adam and Josh from Squashed Grapes will continue to help book jazz while waiting to open their new jazz club midtown. Keep in touch on VenturaRocks.com but do note they have Tom Scott scheduled for Friday, December 21.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 12/5 – 12/18

Posted on December 4, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

After hosting a successful fundraiser for the crew at Squashed Grapes a couple of weeks ago, the good folks at The Hong Kong Inn have temporarily offered their venue for additional events in December. Look for “The Grape Presents” shows including Tuesday night Jazz Jams, The SBCC New World Jazz on December 5, The Doug Webb Group with Danny Carey (TOOL) on December 14, Adam Clark Ensemble on December 19, The Bearded Clams featuring actor Patrick Warbuton (Pearl Jam cover tunes), and Tom Scott on December 21.

After having to cancel (then rescheduling) last year’s event due to losing the venue at the Ventura Fairgrounds due to the Thomas Fire, ChopperFest returns on December 9. Along with all the hot rides, you can check out live music from Bob Carrillo’s Awesome Blues Band, The Midnight Rider Band and The So-Cal Metal Co.

There are several concerts in December at the Ventura Theater that you might not want to miss including Iration playing two nights, December 8 and 9, Dwight Yoakam on December 13, and the 6th Annual Holiday Sing-along on December 16 which is free to the public but they are asking for an unwrapped toy for local residents.

Quick Notes: The newly renovated Star Lounge debuted during the Winter Wine Walk with an updated fresh look and a packed house; along with a live Mariachi Band during dinner on Fridays, The Blue Agave now has DJs on Friday and Saturday nights; The Rubicon Theater is offering Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific December 5 – December 23; the Harpdog Brown & the Uptown Blues Band show has moved from the Hong Kong Inn to Oak and Main on Friday, December 7; there will be a Chopper Fest pre-party at The Tavern on Saturday, December 8, with Jackass and Jan Michael & The Vincents; The Vonettes play an early show at Bombay’s on Saturday, December 8, at 7 pm; you can get into the holiday spirit with Doc the Halls featuring Doc Ventura on Friday, December 15, and the Santa Barbara Flute Ensemble Holiday Show on Saturday, December 16 at Namba; and finally, The Swilly’s play Water’s Edge (formerly Rhumbline) during the Harbor’s Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 15.

And finally, be sure to tune into The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour on KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM for local artists and artists who have come to the 805 to play who have recorded Christmas music (included a spoken word story from Andria Kidd). Included on my playlist will be original and holiday cover tunes from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Doc Ventura, Kelly’s Lot, The Robot Uprising and even a recently recorded holiday tune from Robert Gray where I get a special mention. I am so honored!!! My show airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:00 pm, and Sundays at Noon.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 11/21-12/4

Posted on November 20, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

There will be loads of music supporting this year’s Holiday Street Fair and Winter Wine Walk on Saturday, December 1, both from the promoters and several venues downtown. The Museum of Ventura County will host The Bomb with Victor Vega, but you’ll find music on several stages throughout downtown featuring Dax, Adelaide, DJ’s and more. Once you’ve had fun dancing at the corner of Main and California under “snowfall,” be sure to stick around and venture back to the venues for more music. Oak and Main will have Brother Earl and the Cousins, Grapes and Hops have Mikey and the Kryptonites, it’s The Tossers at Winchesters, Frank Barajas and the Corsican Brothers at Vintura at the Wine Rack, and a huge fundraiser at Iron and Resin where they’ll be raising money for Help California with several bands including Noble Grizwald, The Junglecats, Bad Leaf, Alonzo Delano and more.

Hi Hat Entertainment’s final blowout show will be held on Friday, November 23, at the Hong Kong Inn with Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, as well as Hot Roux with two-time Grammy winner, Albert Lee. Please don’t miss the opportunity to thank Jan and Jerry McWorter for bringing so many great blues artists to Ventura over the past ten years

And speaking of offering great artists, this time jazz, we are definitely feeling the void Squashed Grapes has left while they work on getting their new venue ready, and well, they could use a little help to get to the finish line. A benefit has been put together to help raise funds while giving us some jazz relief at the same time. The special concert will be held at the Hong Kong Inn on Sunday, November 25, with Rachel Flowers, Bevan Manson Quartet, mPhaka with Karl Hunter, Native Vibe, Coda and more.

Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio’s 24th Annual Holiday Concert will be held on Saturday, December 1, at Ventura Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church from 3-5 pm. Jodi has put together a special band for this year’s event including Ron Barnett, Jim Rankin, Brad Strickland, Manon Franklin and Ray Dean Mize.

Quick Notes: Friday, November 23, Guy Martin will be recording his show at Grapes and Hops as he hopes to get material for a new CD; classical guitarist, Yuri Liberzon, will perform at Namba on Saturday, November 24; The Gypsy Blues Band has moved their weekly Thursday night residency from the Hong Kong Inn to Oak and Main; Topa Mountain Winery’s annual Yuletide concert will be held Sunday, November 25 featuring Madrigali; Black Star, Bowie tribute band, play The Sewer on Friday, November 30; and finally, if you’re a Beatles fan, you won’t want to miss The Long and Winding Road Show at Ventura Center for Spiritual Living on Saturday, December 1.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 11/7 – 11/20

Posted on November 5, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

I am sorry to report that Hi Hat Entertainment has decided to close their “figurative” doors once the Hong Kong Inn closes their literal doors at the end of November. As a supporter of the music scene, I do my best to report what’s good and what’s right about our music community, but I would be remiss if I didn’t give a hearty shout out and thanks to Jerry and Jan McWorter who have brought us amazing Blues shows to Ventura the past ten years. I was hoping they would continue after finding another home base, but after some soul searching they have decided to pull the plug. Meanwhile, the shows will continue for a few more Friday nights with Morry Sochat featuring Mondo Cortez on November 9, Shari Puorto Band on November 16, and a huge blow out farewell show on November 23 with Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps as well as Hot Roux featuring two-time Grammy award winner, Albert Lee.

Ones to Watch Productions have been busy bringing a number of shows to the area, the next one will feature Chris Pierce and The Brambles in an intimate setting at the Ojai Underground on Friday, November 9.

Just a word of warning about December 1 as there are several events planned on the same day. Let’s start with Totally Local VC’s One-Year Thomas Fire Remembrance concert at the Libbey Bowl with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; then there’s the 4 Kids 2 Kids’ 18th annual toy drive and concert at the Ventura Beach Club with Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers; and finally “the social event of the year” with the holiday street fair and Ventura Winter Wine Walk downtown Ventura. All three events promise to be a good time, so choose wisely!

Quick Notes: Joe Vandenberg, singer/songwriter, will be at Namba on Friday, November 9; The Ventura Theater has Andy Grammer on Friday, November 9, The Selector on Saturday, November 10 and SuicideGirls on Saturday, November 17; The Freedom Ledges with their unique brand of dirty Blues and Rock & Roll will be at Oak and Main on Saturday, November 10; Noble Grizwald return to Saloon BBQ on Saturday, November 10; Allvaret from Sweden play The Garage on Saturday, November 17; Yachtley Crew cruise into Discovery on Saturday, November 17; and Broadway star, Lesli Margherita, plays the Rubicon Theater for two days in a brand new concert, “This Broad’s Way” on November 17 and 18th.

And finally, my condolences going out to family, friends and musicians who are grieving the loss of George Hawkins, Jr. who passed away after a lengthy illness on October 26, 2018. He touched many a soul, was a musician’s musician and a good friend to so many.