Ventura Mus
ic Scene
Christmas is Rockin’
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The Robert Cray Band played to an exclusive audience at the offices of Fitzgerald Hartley on Friday, December 5. The group had been playing at different Southern California venues over the past week as a part of a special project by Steve Jordan (Sonny Rollins, Keith Richards, John Mayer). They’ve been filming and recording to celebrate 40 years of the Robert Cray Band. Cray was in fine form playing his standards and a few covers as he welcomed top notch musicians to the stage including sax wizard Tom Scott, Steve Jordan and harp master Lee Oskar from War; the band’s rendition of “Slipping Into Darkness” was just one of the highlights of the evening. Oh! Shawn Jones opened. Always love the Jones!
I’m looking forward to the Dickies and Pennywise at the Ventura Theater on Friday, December 12. Since I heard they’d be in town, I haven’t been able to get “Stuck in a Pagoda with Tricia Toyota” out of my head. I figure seeing the Dickies live should be the cure. The Theater is also getting into the Christmas spirit with an afternoon Toy for Tots Holiday Sing-a-Long; the doors open at 3, performance at 4 and it is free to the public, you’ll want to take the whole family for this one.
Squashed Grapes has been having some pretty exclusive artists stopping in. Saturday, December 6 he had the Michael Barsimanto Trio with Mitch Forman (Stan Getz, Pat Metheny) on piano and Chris Colangelo (Count Basie Orchestra, The Tonight Show Band) on bass. Barsimanto (Freddie Hubbard, Billy Preston, Mark Isham). Bruce Forman who has performances on three of Clint Eastwood’s films, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of our Fathers and Hereafter, is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10. And to really get into the Christmas spirit, don’t miss Tilford Jackson’s Christmas Special on Tuesday, December 23rd.
Ventura’s Winter Wine Walk was a complete success; not only did the event sell out, but Main Street was full of activity from noon well into the night with vendors stretching three blocks and live music at Main and California jam packed with family and friends enjoying the sounds of The Midnight Band and a snowfall to culminate the festivities. My VenturaRocks.com booth was well attended and we sold many shirts which should turn up under many Christmas trees this season.
Speaking of which, are you still looking for a unique gift idea? Well the gift of music is always a holiday favorite and giving a local band’s CD not only puts a smile on the recipient’s face, but it also helps our local artists. It’s a win-win situation! You can go to VenturaRocks.com Artist page to see which bands have CDs available, but of course many of our local artists CDs can be found in Very Ventura on California Street at the VenturaRocks.com Listening Station.
If you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.