Wednesday Dec 11 7:00pm
Jodi Siegel, Rick Shea – TICKETS ($17/$12)
The blues are deeply rooted in Chicago native, Jodi Siegel. In the late 80’s she relocated to California and eventually landed in the art community of Laguna Beach. She is a wicked slide guitar player with a bluesy, soulful, and mellow vocal style. She has shared the stage with many venerable artists including Albert King, Robben Ford, Kris Kristofferson, and David Lindley. Rick Shea cut his teeth in the bars and honky-tonks of San Bernardino where he grew up. He has gone on to build a solid career for himself as a solo artist, guitarist and songwriter. Rick is equally at home telling stories with an acoustic guitar or letting his well-worn Telecaster do the talking. With nine critically acclaimed albums he’s performed all over California and across the country.
Thursday Dec 12 7:00pm South Pas All-Stars – TICKETS ($17/$12)
We are blessed to have an abundance of great jazz musicians living in the neighborhood. We’ve assembled a few for a very special home town evening to usher in the holidays — Riner Scivally on guitar, Elliott Caine, on trumpet, Tim Pleasant (filling in for Dave Tull) on drums, Blake White (filling in for Putter Smith) on bass, and featuring guest vocalist VR Smith.
Wednesday Dec 18 7:00pm
Natalie Gelman, Erik Stucky – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Natalie Gelman was raised in songwriter mecca — New York’s West Village, where she grew up amidst artists and true bohemians. At 16 she started writing songs and soon after began busking on subway platforms. Captivating tourists and straphangers alike, Natalie stopped even the most hurried commuters in their tracks with her powerful voice. Often compared to Sheryl Crow, Jewel and Joni Mitchell, Natalie’s music is contemporary and timeless. Erik Stucky is a Montrose, Colorado native who hangs his hat in Nashville when he’s not on the road. His latest album, Good Vibrations, is positive, upbeat and fun — his way of protesting all of the negativity around us today. He is heavily influenced by some of the great singer-songwriters of our time — Lyle Lovett, Paul Simon, and James Taylor. M Music magazine called his latest album, “A catchy, radio-ready, calypso-infused, cocktail of joy!”
Thursday Dec 19 7:00pm Elliott Caine Quintet – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Inspired by 60’s “Blue Note” style jazz, as well as by the music of Tito Puente and Mongo Santamaria, the Elliott Caine Quintet play original compositions as well as the works of Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, and Donald Byrd among others. Latin Beat Magazine describes Elliott as “one of the West Coast’s finest trumpeters.” Cadence Magazine describes him as “a fire-breathing trumpeter in the lineage of Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan.” Elliott has performed and/or recorded with Teddy Edwards, Barbara Morrison, Wyclef Jean, Beck, The Beastie Boys, and numerous others. His original compositions have been heard on programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show and Late Night with David Letterman. The band consists of Elliott Caine on trumpet, Scott Gilman on tenor sax, Rick Olson on piano, Bill Markus on bass, and Kenny Elliott on drums.
Wednesday Dec 25 – No Show
Thursday Dec 26 – No Show
Wednesday Jan 1 – No Show
Thursday Jan 2, 7:00pm *Wine & Song (Americana) will be on Thursday this week due to the holiday. No jazz show*
Helen Rose and 2Ton Bridge – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Helen Rose is nothing short of a musical revelation, bringing a true artist’s soul and a fiery passion to every unforgettable performance and recording. Her music comes from a truly timeless place. You don’t just hear hints of her musical influences and inspirations; you feel them in every note. Powerful yet intimate. Polished yet authentic. Whether an original composition or a bold interpretation of a classic tune, her songs burst forth as something totally fresh and singularly her own. She is also the daughter of our other featured artist. 2Ton Bridge is the musical persona of singer-songwriter and actor Alexander Wright, who took the name of the landmark connecting his childhood Maryland farm to the main road and the wider world. Similarly, his songs connect their down-to-earth characters – farmers, fishermen, migrants, prisoners – to society as a whole, bridging the gap with a passionate understanding of the struggle for personal dignity.
Wednesday Jan 8 7:00pm
Tall Men Group – TICKETS ($17/$12)
It’s a tall dude takeover of Wine & Song this week. In December of 2011 Jimmy Yessian invited five prominent Los Angeles performing songwriters to join him for a monthly gathering sharing food and original music. Each writer accepted the invitation and the group began meeting in January 2012. The songs created during these meetings inspired the group to join together as an acoustic touring act, Tall Men Group. The band consists of Marty Axelrod, Severin Browne, John Stowers, Ed Tree and Jimmy “Muffin” Yessian.
Thursday Jan 9 7:00pm Matt Gordy Sextet – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Boston native Matt Gordy is a drummer, percussionist, pianist, composer and arranger who has performed with international orchestras all over the world including the Orquesta Sinfonica de Maracaibo, Venezuela and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. He graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music and has also performed with a long list of star attractions such as Joni Mitchell, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Brian Wilson, Aretha Frankling, Mose Allison, Mark Murphy, Donna Summer, and The Moody Blues. He currently resides in Los Angeles where his sextet performs regularly at various venues, including the Blue Whale, Vitello’s, Grand Annex, the CAP Theater, and the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach. He’ll be joined by his all-star ensemble consisting of Ron Stout on trumpet, Rob Lockart on saxophone, Ido Meshulam on Trombone, Will Lyle on bass, and Sam Hirsh on piano. Adjacent to the Blue Guitar room is the Arroyo Seco Grill which has food, wine, and full bar. Or you can bring your own bottle for a $10 corkage fee. Showtime is 7:00pm, doors open 30 minutes prior.
Wednesday Jan 15 7:00pm
Ben de la Cour, Justin Farren – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Born in London and raised in Brooklyn, Ben de la Cour dropped out of school to become a boxer. After it became clear that there are only so many blows to the head one can take, he headed for London for a stint in a heavy metal band. Now he has opted for a quieter, more introspective brand of songwriting with a head full of softer, bruised, but no less intense acoustic songs. He was a winner at the 2016 Kerrville New Folk competition. Justin Farren writes multidimensional songs that are both enchanting and seemingly effortless. Songs that are uniquely personal but endlessly inventive and highly relatable. Songs filled with the kind of sudden twists and turns that you never see coming but will never forget. The Sacramento News & Review described him as “a storyteller with an impeccable voice, a guitar and a head-full of funny, tender and engaging observation“.
Thursday Jan 16 7:00pm
Maria Puga Loreo featuring the Bob Sheppard Quartet – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Celebrated Argentinian vocalist Maria Puga Lareo and consummate saxophone and woodwind player Bob Sheppard come together on stage to interpret the best of the American jazz songbook, Brazilian music, along with some original tunes. Lareo was born and raised in Buenos Aires, a city rich with culture and history, where she started her musical path singing in clubs and theaters and Jazz festivals.]She released her first album Body and Soul in 2005 and began performing frequently in the New York City jazz scene. She performed a duet with noted pianist Bob Telson, “Show Me Your Face,” that featured trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Her husband and collaborator Bob Sheppard has worked with a long list of legendary artists including Freddie Hubbard, Chick Corea, Steely Dan, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, and Billy Childs. Maria and Bob will be joined by Bill Cunliffe on keyboards, Chris Colangelo on Bass, and Conor Malloy on Drums.
In this time of harsh divisions, Licity Collins’ passion bridges audiences and touches people in that place we all share—of raw, honest emotion. Her songs are rooted in folk and layered with the grit of rock. Licity’s prose lays bare the heart-wrenching rise and falls of our attempts to navigate the unknown. She believes that any path to healing must involve a deep connection to our emotions, and she delivers just that. Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bernie Larsen has lived a charmed musical life. He has recorded, toured and produced an elite handful of artists, many of whom are Grammy Award recipients including Melissa Etheridge, Jackson Browne, Rickie Lee Jones, Lucinda Williams, and Public Enemy. He spent six years as an original member of David Lindley’s legendary band El Rayo-X. We’ll also hear from special guest Igor Bulanov, a wonderful singer and songwriter from Russia.
Thursday Jan 23 7:00pm
Adam Levy, Raph Humphrey, Carey Frank Organ Trio– TICKETS ($17/$12)
Adam Levy has played guitar on recordings by Norah Jones, Amos Lee, Lisa Loeb, Tracy Chapman, Allen Toussaint, Meshell Ndegeocello, Vulfpeck, and many other artists. As a solo artist, he has a dozen original recordings to his credit. Ralph Humphrey has been a working professional musician/drummer and teacher in the Los Angeles area spanning more than 50 years. As a member of the Don Ellis big band, Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention — as well as working with Al Jarreau, The Manhattan Transfer, Babaghanoush, Free Flight, The Tierney Sutton Band and a host of other individuals and groups — he proves himself as a versatile player who looks for challenges in all kinds of music. Originally from South Florida, Carey Frank is an active touring, performing, and recording pianist, Hammond organist, and keyboardist based out of Los Angeles. He is known for his work with Tedeschi Trucks Band, Social Distortion, Dr. Smith, Bob Mintzer, and Jane Monheit.
The Beachwood Belles are a new “vintage vamp” harmony duo based in Los Angeles consisting of Cait Leow and Cynthia Brando. Cait was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio and comes from a strong musical background. She plays violin, ukulele and guitar. Cynthia recently moved to South Pasadena and is a singer and songwriter with a unique voice that lies somewhere between “silk and Stevie Nicks.” The Furious Seasons are an acoustic trio with stories to tell. Songwriter, singer and guitarist David Steinhart brings a writer’s eye to his tales of persons in desperate situations, tales of Los Angeles in the 21st century, stories of unforeseen romance and of individuals who are quietly heroic. Guitarist Paul Nelson illuminates the songs with an agile blend of blues, folk and country, and adds harmony vocals. The upright bass of Jeff Steinhart pulls it all together with a gravitas that makes the vocals and the guitars soar.
Thursday Jan 30 7:00pm Judy Wexler & the Larry Koonse Trio – TICKETS ($17/$12)
LA-based vocalist Judy Wexler has a pliably warm, lustrous sound and displays an unerring ear for underexposed gems. All About Jazz says, “Judy Wexler is more than a mere singer of songs, she is an actress, mood painter, song archaeologist and vocalist par excellence.” Her fifth CD, a collaboration with piano great Alan Pasqua, presents an anthology of ten modern jazz compositions by contemporary songwriters. Ted Gioia, author of The Jazz Standards and The History of Jazz says, “What a joy to listen to this album, both for the exquisite music-making of Judy Wexler and Alan Pasqua, but also for their astuteness in finding and featuring outstanding songs by current-day jazz composers.” Judy’s CDs have topped the national JazzWeek charts and received enthusiastic reviews, including two profiles on NPR Weekend Edition. She’ll be joined by Larry Koonse on guitar, Dave Robaire on bass, and Conor Malloy on drums.
Wednesday Feb 5 7:00pm
Holly Bernt, Cej – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Thursday Feb 6 7:00pm Louie Cruz Beltran & his Latin Jazz Band – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Louie Cruz Beltran is a charismatic entertainer, singer and master percussionist. His musical career was crafted upon the soulful sounds of his ethnic American background and flavored with contemporary R&B, Jazz, and Salsa as well as the Great American Songbook. Early in his career, Louie performed with great artists such as Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Francisco Aguabella, and Jorge Claudio. Recently he has performed with legends Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Poncho Sanchez and many other renowned artists. Louie will be joined by Carlos Vivas on keyboard, Abelardo Bolano on drums, Andrew Ford on bass, and Rob Kyle on sax and flute.
Wednesday Feb 12 7:00pm
David Burchfield, Zak Schaffer – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Thursday Feb 13 7:00pm Gregory Porée Group – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Wednesday Feb 19 7:00pm
Ikes Creek, Yosi Mesbah – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Thursday Mar 5 7:00pm TBA – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Blue Guitar email signup:
Arroyo Seco Golf Course 1055 Lohman Lane South Pasadena CA 91030 The Arroyo Seco Grill has food and full bar.
