Troubadour, chronicler of life, juggler of fruit, host of Wine & Song and Jazz at the Blue Guitar.
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Wednesday May 23 7:00pm – TICKETS
Lucas Last and Nathan & Jessie w/ spc gst Emily Ruth Hazel
Lucas Last of Lucas & the Radio Silence is an American songwriter based in Los Angeles. His Virginia roots are clearly present as he weaves between Folk, Americana, and Indie-Rock genres. Characterized by Last’s self-aware lyricism, strong vocal harmonies, and ever-present upbeat feel, he sits comfortably somewhere between Ben Folds and Jason Isbell. The band is currently prepping for their first album release to be followed by a 2019 tour. Nathan & Jessie have traveled all over the world performing on both streets and stages with their unique sound. A fusion of jazzy folk and blues on National Reso-Phonic guitars and accordion. Their interesting vocal interplay and trilingual performances are uplifting and fun with a message for people of all ages and cultures.
Thursday May 24 7:30pm – TICKETS Jaz Sawyer Group (special SPARC night)
Jaz Sawyer possesses an eclectic and refined personal style of drumming that stems from his deep roots in his Classical, Jazz, West-African and Afro-Caribbean musical training. He has worked with many notable artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Abbey Lincoln, George Benson, Bobby Hutcherson, Jacky Terrasson and Dee Dee Bridgewater in some of the world’s premier concert venues, including The Blue Note, The Village Vanguard, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center and the Sydney Opera House. He’ll be joined by… This is a special event sponsored by the South Pasadena Arts Council but open to members and non-members alike.
Wednesday May 30 7:00pm – TICKETS
Annika FehlingTrio and Lauren Adams (w/ Nick Kirgo+Hank Van Sickle)
Annika Fehling is a delightful Swedish singer-songwriter, composer, and artist living on the magical island of Gotland in Sweden. Her trio includes Christer Jonasson on guitar and lap steel, and Robert Wahlström on cajun and percussion. They present a rich musical experience with irrisistible grooves to the deep and moving lyrics of Annika’s songs. Lauren Adams‘ musical journey began on the stage of the Troubadour in 1978 when the club hosted a “Hoot Night” where songwriters could get up and play a few tunes. Since that time, she has opened shows for Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge and performed her rootsy Americana at clubs and festivals across California, Texas, Colorado, and Tennessee. She’ll be joined by the great guitarist and producer Nick Kirgo along with Hank Van Sickle on bass.
Kait Dunton is a composer & pianist who eagerly defies genre boundaries with her unconventional approach to composition and to the piano trio. Her electro-acoustic group – trioKAIT – brings a fresh perspective to the classic jazz piano trio. The Huffington Post included trioKAIT in their list of “The Best Jazz for 2015.” Kait is joined by her bandmates, Jake Reed on drums, and Cooper Appelt on bass.
Wednesday June 6 7:00pm – TICKETS Sydney Sprague; Carrie Lynn Van Winkle; Brett Perkins/John Roy Zat; spc gst Charlie Hickey
More talent than you can imagine at Wine & Song this week. A couple of rising stars from the Arizona desert will share a featured slot. Sydney Sprague and Carrie Lynn Van Winkle are both compelling songwriters with wonderful, dynamic voices. They have been dazzling audiences at Hotel Cafe and I am excited to introduce them to the ‘east side’. Also with us, former South Pas resident Brett Perkins, who now lives in Denmark and travels the world putting on songwriting workshops and performing his tunes. He’ll be joined by Appalachian-tinged NoCal fiddler and singer-songwriter, John Roy Zat. Plus we’ll have a special guest set from 18 year old phenom, Charlie Hickey, who will mesmerize you. It’s understandable, as he is the offspring of two outstanding artists — Sally Dworsky and Chris Hickey. Don’t miss this one!
Thursday June 7 7:30pm – TICKETS The Quitters with Mark Goldenberg
Special “guitar night” at the Blue Guitar: Stevie Coyle and Glenn Houston make up the dynamic guitar duo, The Quitters, having each quit some of the best bands in the business. Stevie has a long and illustrious career as an entertainer and Glenn Houston’s well decorated history in music is best known for his founding role of powerhouse Americana quintet, Houston Jones. As individuals, both are renowned players in music circles. Now they have joined forces, to become a right-handed, right-side up fingerpicking and left-handed upside down flatpicking twosome. Mark Goldenberg played lead guitar for Jackson Browne from 1994 to 2010. He also played on records for a myriad of artists including, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Eels, Natalie Imbruglia, Chris Isaak, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Peter Frampton and yes, even William Shatner. More recently he toured with acclaimed pianist and actor, Hugh Laurie. As a songwriter and producer, his works have been recorded by Linda Rondstat, Chicago, Pointer Sisters, Natalie Imbruglia, Eels, Chris Botti, and Olivia Newton John, among others. He studied guitar with fingerstyle virtuoso Ted Greene, classical guitar with Richard Pick and Emre Saboncuoglo, piano and counterpoint with Abe Fraser. Mark creates music that is both evocative and reflective, appealing to guitarists and non guitarists alike.
Wednesday June 13 7:00pm TBA and Bliss Bowen
Thursday June 21 7:30pm – TICKETS Louie Cruz Beltran & his Latin Jazz Band
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, Ramon Banda on drums, Andrew Ford on bass, and Justin Janer on sax and flute.
