Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/14 – 2/27

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

There have been a number of events that have brought our community together over the years but few made as big an impact as the Thomas Fire Benefit Festival did. They were able to raise over $700,000.00 for victims of the Thomas Fire. One hundred percent of the ticket sales along with a percentage of the food, beverage and t-shirt sales went to the fund. Add to that the fact that day was virtually flawless what with the videos in between acts (produced by Mark Gillard), the speeches, the performances by Olivia Newton-John, Kevin Costner and Modern West, Colbie Caillat and all the others, it was an amazing day that brought us together so we could stand with those who lost everything. Mark Hartley told me that for him the most important aspect of the day was that everyone rose to the occasion to help, from City staff, PD, the artists performing for free, the sponsors, all those who rolled up their sleeves and got it done, to the people who showed up to support, he confessed that it was a tremendous feeling.

It truly was cathartic and I couldn’t love this town more.

And yet another event to help our community heal through music will be held at Mission Park on Sunday, February 25. This one features Grammy-nominated, Perla Batalla; Tom Scott and the LA Express; Grammy-winning artist, Diego Garcia; Ventura Music Festival Artistic Director, Nuvi Mehta as well as other special guests. This family friendly event is absolutely free to the public, no tickets or reservations are necessary and you’re invited to bring low profile chairs or blankets to sit on at the park. The concert is expected to run from 3 – 4:30 pm.

I’m looking forward to new music coming from Jade Hendrix, the first single, “Purpose” is set to be released February 15. Hologram Empire has a new album with a June 22 release date. It features other local artists including Danielle Stacy, Lauren Peterson as well as other guest artists; the band had their television debut January 31 on the PBS show, Celebration of Music.

Congratulations to Jon Gindick for pulling off another successful Blues Harmonica Jam Camp at the Pierpont Inn this past week. It was a treat for those who caught a couple of the outings so camp players could perform in front of an audience including gigs at the Hong Kong Inn and a Jam Camp Revue at Grapes and Hops.

Quick notes: Yachtley Crew continues their Thursday night residency at Bombay’s through February; Tribal Seeds “Roots Party” with the original Wailers and the Expanders will be at the Ventura Theater, Saturday, February 17; the Young Dubliners return to Ventura for a show at Discovery on Wednesday, February 21; and the Dive Bar Messiahs make their debut appearance at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, February 24, you know it’s gonna be a scene!

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 – 4/12 – 4/25

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Local Music and More!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

This year’s California Jazz & Wine Fest was another sold-out success; it was held Sunday, April 9, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. The event helped to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley. The music was exceptional, headlining was The Danny Janklow Quintet; other bands of note included the Lao Tizer Quartet, Bruce Forman’s Cow Bop, and Ventura’s own, The Barrelhouse Wailers.

Keeping with jazz, don’t miss Mike Garson (Bowie, NIN, Smashing Pumpkins) when he returns to Squashed Grapes bringing with him this time, Emmy and Grammy nominated Gaby Moreno on Thursday, April 13; Paul McCallum and Friends return on Saturday, April 15; and Gary Herbig (Harry James, Elvis, Tower of Power) and Bill Spoke Quintet be in the house on April 19.

Our local artists have been busy producing new music.  Hot off the presses is the latest CD from Hot Roux called Hometown Blues.  You can pick up a copy when Hi Hat Entertainment hosts their CD release party on Friday, April 21, at the Hong Kong Inn. You won’t want to miss this one as the band will feature not only lead man Jerry McWorter, but Ed Berghoff, Brent Harding, Jimmy Calire and Bill Flores.

Congratulations to local musician Travis Greer for landing a gig on the highly popular Criminal Minds television show on CBS.  He’s well-known for his improv work here in town as well as playing with the Los Dudes.

Eric Burdon joined Robby Krieger of the Doors for “Roadhouse Blues,” Saturday, April 8, at Libby Bowl. They then played “House of the Rising Sun” from The Animals. Tommy Marsh’s Crooked Eye Tommy warmed up the crowd.

The next One’s to Watch Productions will be held Wednesday, April 19, at the Plaza Playhouse in Carpinteria with Matt Duke, Jay Nash, Tony Lucca and Tim Curran. You can get tickets at OnesToWatchProductions.com.

I caught up with Ross Emery of Roadshow Revival as he ramps up for this year’s show.  It’s going to look a lot different this time around with the whole event being held on one day and at Discovery Ventura, but he told me who the headliner is, and I promised not to tell until May 1st, but between you and me, I’m pretty jazzed about it.  Watch for social media news, and get your tickets now!

Here’s a couple of one-liner notes of interest:  Jade Hendrix will be opening for Berlin when they play the Libbey Bowl April 22; Face to Face will be at Discovery on May 7 with Bad Cop/Bad Cop opening; Paddy’s is celebrating their 23rd anniversary on April 21st with DJ Pat Harper who will be playing classic house music; the Ventura County Spring Fair will be held at the Fairgrounds April 14 – 16 with carnival rides, petting zoo and music from The Velveteen Band; and finally, I’m looking forward to hearing new music from 8Stops7, they just signed with Wendigo Records and will be back in the studio in July.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Or would you like to submit your music for possible inclusion on my radio show? Please 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 2017

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 Photos: October 2014

Bombay Bar and Grill – October 31, 2014
Mandex
Mandex - Aaron Orbit


Squashed Grapes – October 31, 2014
Donna Greene and the Roadhouse Daddies


W20 at the Watermark – October 31, 2014
The Bomb
The Bomb


W20 at The Watermark – October 26, 2014
Heavy Petty
Heavy Petty


Grapes and Hops – October 26, 2014
Jade Hendrix
Jade Hendrix


Squashed Grapes – October 24, 2014
Doug Webb Group:  Doug Webb, Danny Carey, Steve Fister, Jimmy Earl, Matt Rohde
See more on this performance:  Grape Blog
The Doug Webb Group

 


Saloon BBQ – October 18, 2014
Steve and Sally Williams

Steve and Sally Williams


Squashed Grapes – October 18, 2014
Paul Weitz Group with Donna Deussen

Paul Weitz GroupDonna Deussen


Bombay Bar and Grill – October 18, 2014
Taylor Rae
Taylor Rae


The Wine Rack – October 18, 2014
Jill Martini Soiree
Jill Martini Soiree


Final performance at Yolie’s – October 17, 2014
(Hi Hat Entertainment looking for new location)
R&B Bombers
Photo credit:  David C. Smolen
R&B Bombers


Squashed Grapes – October 16, 2014
The Pulse Daddies:  Trey O’Toole, Karl Hunter, Hans Ottsen, Dirk Shumaker
The Pulse Daddies

 


Squashed Grapes – October 14, 2014
Charles Lloyd & Dorothy Darr, Screening of movie, “Arrows Into Infinity”
(Charles Lloyd will receive the NEA Jazz Masters Award 2015. He was the Honoree at the 2014 Monterey Jazz Festival Jazz Legends Gala, hosted by Herbie Hancock. Lloyd was also the recipient of the 2014 Alfa Jazz Fest International Music Award.)
Josh, Charles, Dorothy, Adam and Pam


Amigos – October 12, 2014
CRV: Carmen & the Renegade Vigilantes
CRV


Bombay Bar and Grill – October 12, 2014
Notes for Notes Benefit
Sgt. Pepper
Sgt. Pepper


W20 at The Watermark – October 12, 2014
Tommy and the High Pilots
Tommy and the High Pilots


BBQ Saloon Bar – October 12, 2014
The Dan Grimm Band w/ special guest Tommy Marsh
The Dan Grimm Band


Grapes & Hops – October 12, 2014
Kilo Hues (San Diego)
Kilo Hughes


Squashed Grapes – October 9, 2014
The Lounge Trio:  Cougar Estrada, Randy Tico & Adam Clark
Randy Tico and Cougar Estrada


Amigos – October 7, 2014
Nathan McEuen, Jonathan McEuen and John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
McEuen Family


Amigos – October 5, 2014
The Tossers The Tossers


Grapes & Hops – October 5, 2014
Brandon Ragan Brandon Ragan


Amigos – October 5, 2014
Karen Eden & Joe Hamilton: Fundraiser for team “Lick Cancer

Karen Eden & Joe Hamilton


Pier Under the Stars – October 4, 2014
Caliente 805
Caliente 805


Bombay Bar and Grill – October 3, 2014
Jason Cruz and Buddy Darling

Jason & Buddy


Bombay Bar and Grill – October 3, 2014
Lee Koch
Lee Koch


The Garage – October 2, 2014
The Shivas (Portland, OR)
The Shivas