Majestic Ventura Theater – October 17, 2023
The Offspring (photos: Kevin Scott Rehak)
The Grape – October 16, 2023
Doug Webb Quartet feat. Jacob Scensney (photos: Seth Brandes)
Boots and Brews – October 15, 2023
Jon Pardi (photos: Tatiana Vasilyev, @tativphotogallery)
Boots and Brews – October 15, 2023
Michael Jay (photo: Tatiana Vasilyev)
Boots and Brews – October 15, 2023
Niko Moon (photo: Tatiana Vasilyev)
Ventura Music Hall – August 28, 2022
Switchfoot – (Photo credit: Christopher Sucameli)
The Grape – August 22, 2022
Jacob Scesney and the Doug Webb Quartet (Photo credit: Christopher Sucameli)
Singer/Songwriter Night at Peirano’s – August 25, 2022
Aaron Burch, Dylan Brehm, Jodi Farrell, Olivia Mucha and Lainey Brown
Photo credit: David Farrell
photo credit: Jodi Farrell & Mary Brehm
Ventura County Fair – August 10, 2022
Cheap Trick
Ventura County Fair – August 9, 2022
Clay Walker
Ventura County Fair – August 6, 2022
Blue Oyster Cult
Ventura County Fair – August 5, 2022
The All-American Rejects
Ventura Mus
ic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
It’s out with the old and in with the new, but not just quite yet. Before their final week of jazz music in their current location, Squashed Grapes played host to none other than Michael McDonald, yes that Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers and a brilliant solo career which has spanned more than 45 years. The intimate, by-invite-only setting was held Sunday, April 22. What can I say? I love this town.
And speaking of their final week, Adam and Josh of Squashed Grapes have a stellar lineup of jazz before closing their doors while they work on the new location on Main street next to Yolanda’s. Wednesday, June 25 it’s Hans Ottsen Quartet with special guest Jacob Scesney; on Thursday it’s The Ray Mehlbaum Quartet; on then finally on Friday, Doug Webb returns with drummer Danny Carey (TOOL) for a huge sendoff party.
The Ventura County Blues Festival will be held this year at the Studio Channel Islands on Saturday, April 28 with Earl Thomas, John Nemeth, Deb Ryder, Alan Wright Band, and Sandy Scott & Blues to the Bone. There will be an after party with Crooked Eye Tommy at El Rey Cantina in Camarillo.
Jeffrey Willerth, is the new director of Namba and he plans to utilize the facility at 47 South Oak Street for what is called the “Music Speaks” series. The first installment will be held on May 5 with Conjunto Tenocelomeh, a band rooted in the Son Jarocho Mexican folk music of Veracruz. Also this month, they’ll have CG Ryche, an amazing percussionist, brilliant showman and filmmaker who will perform and share his inspiring story focused on the importance of ‘perseverance’ as it relates to musicians; Duane Tudahl, author of “Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983-1984” who will explain how he got his hands on the daily recording reports from the Studios Prince visited; and Tim Wickham, a Ventura local with boundless appreciation for Hammond Organs will bring a few of his prized Hammonds and play in a trio in a historical salute to this renown musical instrument. For tickets and information go to NambaArts.com
And finally, if you haven’t already done so, don’t make any out-of-town vacation plans over the weekend of July 14th and 15th; in fact, plan for a “Staycation” for this year’s Surf Rodeo. JD Drury has started to announce the music lineup and I’m super jazzed to learn that not only will Shwayze and The Untouchables be on the bill, but the Long Beach Dub Allstars will be headlining (group features former members of Sublime). I understand a lot more bands will be added over the next month or so but we know that Highway Starr, Kyle Smith, Rising Son, Yachtley Crew, Zepp Heads and of course Raging Arb and the Redheads will be on the bill.
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.
Squashed Grapes – March 25, 2017
Denny Seiwell (Founding member Paul McCartney & Wings)
The Patio at Player’s Casino – March 25, 2017
Natalie Gellman
Amigo’s – March 24, 2017
Bad Leaf (Photo: Louis Olachea)
Squashed Grapes – March 18, 2017
Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey (TOOL) playing Johnny Be Goode tribute to Chuck Berry who passed away earlier that day at age 90.
Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey (TOOL) with Jacob Scesney
Discovery – March 17, 2017
50 Sticks of Dynamite
The Tavern – March 15, 2017
Witchstone (Photo: Louis Olachea) #MetalWednesday
The Tavern – March 15, 2017
Spell (Photo: Louis Olachea) #MetalWednesday
St Patrick’s Day Parade – Downtown Ventura
Squashed Grapes Parade Band
RJ Root, Trey O’Toole (Pulse Drumming), Dirk Shumaker (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), Karen Parkhouse (Barrelhouse Wailers) Pam Baumgardner (VenturaRocks.com) Drue Drew & Andrew Conchelos (Barrelhouse Wailers).
St Patrick’s Day Parade – Downtown Ventura
Diana Boydstun5, RJ Root, Pam Baumgardner
Majestic Ventura Theater – March 7, 2017
Social Distortion
Bombay Bar and Grill – February 19, 2017
CASH BASH
The Mighty Cash Cats with Jade Hendrix (Photo: Cliff Montgomery)
Grapes and Hops – February 16, 2017
Jeff Silbar and Suzie Candell
Bombay Bar and Grill – February 11, 2017
Yachtley Crew
Squashed Grapes – February 9, 2017
Mike Garson (Bowie, NIN, Smashing Pumpkins), Dave Liebman (NEA Jazz Masters Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Endowment for the Arts)
with special guest appearance Jacob Scesney
Discovery – February 4, 2017
The Band That Fell to Earth (Bowie Tribute)
Ventura Music Scene
To Another Rockin’ Year!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Here we are ushering in another year. It’s when we take time to reflect back and it’s when we take time to look forward. If you know me at all, then you know that I’m a “glass-half-full” sort of gal. So, I’m looking forward to and postulating a year of growth, a year of success, a year of new music and a year of harmony for all.
Before we hit the ground running in 2017, we have to send off 2016 with a bang! So here we go with New Year’s Eve parties in and around Ventura. You’ll want to do your own due diligence with reservations and keep in mind that a number of venues who typically don’t, will be charging a cover for the night; most everyone will have specials and party favors. And if I may suggest, be sure to have a designated driver or a well-thought out exit plan on getting home safe.
Amigos will feature the pop 80’s band Wax Off; Café Fiore has two bands in the front room, Big Adventure and Instone with Colette Lovejoy in the Treehouse; Chinaland in Oxnard has the Grooveline featuring Dora Sanchez and guest DJ Frank Ramirez; the Copa Cubana in the harbor will have Artis Ford; The Crown Plaza has their popular annual event with DJ Bruce Barrios; Discovery features One More Time, a Daft Punk tribute band; Gigi’s has a Karaoke countdown; there will be a masquerade party at Grapes and Hops with the Shawn Jones trio; the Greek Mediterranean will have a Great Gatsby theme party with a DJ; The Hong Kong Inn has The Bomb; The Hut in Ojai has Wishbone with special guest Alastair Greene; there’s definitely no cover at the Keynote Lounge with the Black Canyon Band; O’Leary’s has a Roaring 20’s party with Live Band Karaoke; Paddy’s has DJs with two dance floors all night; Rookees will also feature a masquerade theme with Wiz Kid at the helm; Saloon BBQ Co has DJ Acer; Brain Faith & Friends will be at the Sportsman in Camarillo. The Tavern has DJ Steeze Steve; and former LA Guns singer, Paul Mars Black will be at the Wine Rack.
And finally, if you’ll be ringing in the New Year anywhere near a television, then be sure to tune in to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2017 with Ryan Seacrest. I realize that’s an odd recommendation from me, but you won’t want to miss seeing the newly Grammy nominated Mike Posner Band with local artist, Jacob Scesney on saxophone in his band. I can’t even express how proud I am of Jacob, he’s truly living the dream!
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.
Tales From the Gingerbread House
Casey Abrams
Review by Pam Baumgardner
February 8, 2016
Full disclosure: I love Casey Abrams, but then millions of Americans fell in love with him as he made it to the top six of season ten on American Idol a couple of years ago.
Full disclosure: I’ve only tuned in once and only saw the last ten minutes of the last episode of the first season of American Idol.
So how did I come to know Casey? It was when the owners of Squashed Grapes told me a year and a half ago that they had booked him and that I should search Google and YouTube for The Gingerbread Band. I saw just one, and I got it. I understood what the fuss was all about.
Casey played the Grape that summer night to a sold out house via word of mouth and it quickly made my Top Ten shows of all time. He’s just too freakin’ cool!! Fast forward to the present time and Casey is now offering his second release, an EP entitled, “Tales from the Gingerbread House.” It’s a mix of five eclectic tunes including one featuring fellow American Idol alumni, Haley Reinhart.
Casey had a hand in writing all songs and I was delighted to see the uber talented Jacob Scesney, who you can find sitting in with local bands around town when he’s not out on the road, covered the sax work on four out of five songs even getting a shout out on “Cougar Town”.
The EP opens with “Cougartown” and an interesting introduction from actor, Eric Avari; it’s a song about Casey’s love for the older woman. Casey makes himself vulnerable with “Just One More Time (These Eyes)” confessing his love while throwing in some funky scat moves. “Caught” is more energetic, upbeat, even danceable, and as sexy as all the previous songs may be, they don’t compare to the duet between Abrams and Haley Reinhart on “Never Knew What Love Can Do” as the two break it out and get right down and dirty.
But I have to say my favorite is the final cut called “Shining a Light” which is a contrast to the jazzier and funkier previous tunes on the EP. Typically I spend a lot of time with the music I plan to write about, and I know I’m ready to write when I start humming a song, or singing along, but with “Shining a Light” I literally could not get it out of my head. I can totally hear this on popular radio, in movies, TV shows…it’s just so catchy and contagious and if there were no other songs, it’s totally worth the price of the CD.
Knowing that Casey was self-taught on over 11 musical instruments, and by ear, I came to the realization at Squashed Grapes that Casey not only writes and plays music really well, but that he actually is music. I’m looking to great things to come from Mr. Abrams, the world is wide open to him.
1. Cougartown – (Casey Abrams/Rune Westberg)
2. Just One More Time (These Eyes) – (Casey Abrams)
3. Caught – (Casey Abrams/Victoria Horn “Lady V”/Rob Kleiner)
4. Never Knew What Love Can Do – (Casey Abrams/Bobby Hamrick)
5. Shining A Light – (Casey Abrams/Andrew Rose)
http://www.iamcaseyabrams.com/
After hours at Squashed Grapes 7/26/14
Ventura Music Scene
“Rockin’ February ”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Photo credit: Cliff Montgomery
I was delighted to see that Ian Moore made a stop at Bombay’s for his current tour with the Lossy Coils Wednesday, January 27th. We added Moore to our playlist back when I was Program Director of KXBS alternative rock radio in the 90s. Moore told me he’s been self-managing for the past 12 years, but has three records done and ready for release the first one called “Strange Days”. Moore told me, “It’s a departure from what I have been doing for the last few years. It is funkier, and lyrically heavier, leaning in on rhythm.”
Voices – Women in the Round was held at Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, January 30. I spoke with Jim Rice of Bell Arts who told me the night was just perfect. It was one of those events where the audience is totally engaged and the performances were heart wrenchingly beautiful. The range of music from Bach to Otis Redding to original pieces by Andrea Landin, Donna Lynn Caskey, Kate Bokoles, Maliah Pena and Mare Louise were extremely well received. Rice told me they’re looking at having this be a regular series hopefully monthly before too long.
A last minute addition to the February calendar for Squashed Grapes is coming up on Tuesday, February 9 featuring members from the world famous Post Modern Jukebox. This will also be the last opportunity to see them for a while before they set out on tour across the pond. Christina Gatti’s amazing vocals will front the band which includes one of our very own Jacob Scesney who also tours with PMJ.
Expect an upbeat funky time when The Main Squeeze plays Discovery on Saturday, February 6. The band is produced by Randy Jackson well known American Idol judge. Discovery has also been offering a Starlight Swing night on Wednesdays with swing dance lessons and live music.
Front Street takes over the Sewer with some down low dirty gypsy blues on Friday, February 12 with two equally unique and fun bands, The Front Street Knuckle Draggers and D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers.
The Hong Kong Inn will host the 2016 Cash Bash honoring the man in black’s birthday with The Mighty Cash Cats, Jade Hendrix and Joe Billingiere. The festivities kick off Sunday, February 14 at 4 pm with no cover charge.
The Wine Rack has upped their entertainment by offering live music seven days a week.
And finally, the newest episode of Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media is now airing featuring Crooked Eye Tommy; you can get the schedule of when it airs next at www.capsmedia.org.
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 Scene
It’s Fair to Say Ventura Rocks
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Rachel Flowers to perform at Scan Health and Wellness Center August 14, 2015.
I’m a tad giddy with anticipation for the 2015 Ventura County Fair: cinnamon buns, corn on the cob, livestock, carnival rides, vendors and of course another fine line up of music. I’m personally looking forward to the B52’s, Kevin Costner and the Modern West, The Band Perry, Lean Rimes, and call me goofy, but there’s no way I’m missing Huey Lewis and the News! Full line up of musical entertainment can be found on their ad here in the Breeze.
Squashed Grapes is bringing back Emmy Award Winning guitarist, Chieli Minucci and the Special EFX, on August. 7th; then the following morning you can cheer on the Squashed Grapes float in the Ventura Fair parade. Those same players will be appearing that evening at the Grape featuring Karl Hunter and Dirk Shumaker of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Franklin Murphy of Shaky Feelin’, Jacob Scesney, Trey O’Toole and RJ Root.
I’m super curious to see Gygax at Bombay’s on Friday, August 14, the band features Armand John Lizzy, Bryant Throckmorton, Justin Dempsey and Eric Harris. Members from local bands getting together to create a new band isn’t necessarily newsworthy in this town; however, this band is for the nerd in all of us as they center around the fantasy imagery and creation of role playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons. Too weird? I seriously hope so!
Growing in popularity are the Second Sunday Suppers at Plan B. The next one is scheduled for Sunday, August 8 from 4:30 – 7 pm featuring Donna Greene and the Roadhouse Daddies.
Taking the place of over two decades of Bowlful of Blues, is the Inaugural Ojai Blues Festival scheduled for August 15 at the Ojai Art Center featuring Deb Ryder, Crooked Eye Tommy, Shawn Jones and Alastair Greene.
Just a few of the upcoming shows to look forward to at Discovery include Whitey Morgan on August 15, Eric Hutchinson on August 18 and Los Lonely Boys on August 23.
The Scan Health and Wellness Center at 6633 Telephone Road in Ventura is hosting its first ever Jazz Night on August 14, 5:30pm. Rachel Flowers is the featured artist with E’nuff Said opening. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call Scan at 805-658-0365 for information and to secure tickets.
The music lineup for the California Blues and Brews Festival on September 20 includes Walter Trout, blues for the modern daze, Mr. Sipp, the Mississippi blues child; and Mingo Fishtrap out of Austin, Texas. You can get more information on the three-day beer festival event and line up your tickets at www.CaliforniaBluesFestival.com.
And finally, I’m sorry to report that Gladys Dietz passed away July 20. She opened Gigi’s cocktails 30 years ago, on New Year’s Eve 1985.
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 .
W20 at the Watermark – July 30, 2015
Anchor & Bear
Sans Souci – July 26, 2015
My Modern Valentine
All-A-Blur
The Wine Rack – July 26, 2015
The Swilley’s – Steve and Sally Williams
The Star Lounge – July 25, 2015
Arockalypse Now
Squashed Grapes – July 24, 2015
Jerry Vivino & Friends, guest appearance by Jacob Scesney
Surf Rodeo 2015
Pam Baumgardner, Staci Brown and Mark Hartley
Pierpont Beach – July 11 – 12, 2015
Surf Rodeo
Saloon BBQ – July 10, 2015
Charles and Christine Law
Ventura Beach Club – Hi Hat Entertainment – July 10, 2015
Hot Roux CD Release Party
Peirano’s – July 10, 2015
Lola Haag & the Back Beat Boys
Sandbox Coffeehouse – July 4, 2015
Kevin Stanley
Ventura Street Fair – July 4, 2015
UnUusual Suspects
Ventura Street Fair – July 4, 2015
Iron Mountain Boys
Ventura Street Fair – July 4, 2015
Singing Valentines (for hire!)
Discovery Ventura – July 3, 2015
Queen Nation
Sans Souci – July 2, 2015
Burien (Seattle, WA)
