Blue Note Napa Announces December Listings
By: A.A. Cristi Dec. 01, 2016
Newly opened in October 2016 the Blue Note Napa is a jazz club/gourmet restaurant venue occupying the first floor of the historic Napa Valley Opera House. The Blue Note Napa seamlessly blends the quintessential Greenwich Village jazz club experience - an intimate atmosphere where the stage is so close to you that you feel as if the performers are playing in your very own living room - mixed with the Northern California wine country ambiance and the historic architecture of the ninetieth century Napa Valley Opera House. The Blue Note Napa spotlights "Four Creative Pillars"; world class music, gourmet farm to table cuisine, spectacular local wines and exciting art!
Thu to Sun 12/1-4 Freddy Cole Quartet's Special Christmas Tribute to Nat King Cole
Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($35-55) [6 years & over] Freddy Cole is is an American jazz singer and pianist, whose recording career has spanned over fifty years. He is the leader of the Freddy Cole Quartet, which regularly tours the United States, Europe, the Far East and South America. He is the brother of the musicians Nat King Cole and Ike Cole. Freddy's ultra-sophisticated gritty singing along with his subtlety and finesse on the piano keyboards deliver a vibrant, skillful and entertaining show. http://freddycolemusic.com*Please note change in showtimes*
Tue 12/6 Howard Wiley
Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($10-20) [8 years & over] Multi-instrumentalist Howard Wiley is one of our Bay Area natives. Although still only in his mid-30s, he's been performing for over two decades, beginning at Koncepts Cultural Gallery as a 12-year-old pre-teen, following with Yoshi's just two years later. https://www.facebook.com/howardwileysax
Thu 12/8 Erik Jekabson Quintet Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($10-20) [8 years & over]
Erik Jekabson is a freelance trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is equally busy playing and composing for different bands, leading his own groups and teaching a wide variety of students. He's recorded as a sideman on numerous other jazz recordings, as well as doing session work in many other genres of music and on movie and video game soundtracks. http://www.erikjekabson.com
Fri 12/9 Denise Perrier Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($15-25) [8 years & over] A musical story telling experience, sultry, warm, open and very sincere vocalist, this performer, Denise Perrier has much to offer even the most jaded Jazz/Blues audience. Her wealth of musicality includes the Great American Songbook, Latin and Blues. http://www.deniseperrier.com Sat & Sun 12/10-11 Mike Stern Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($35-55) [8 years & over] One of the most esteemed electric guitarists of his generation, Mike Stern has distinguished himself over a four-decade career. An electrifying soloist whose blistering chops combine rock-fusion firepower with sophisticated jazz harmonies and his inherently bluesy string bending prowess, Stern has the ability to instantly elevate the proceedings by channeling the spirits of his own personal guitar heroes Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall and Albert King. http://www.mikestern.org
*Please note change in show description*
Tue 12/13 Locals Night feat. Shelby Lanterman Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($10-20))[8 years & over] Shelby Lanterman is a singer-songwriter from Napa, CA. Inspired by artists ranging from Johnny Cash to Nirvana, Shelby's songwriting style blends the angst and energy of 90's alt-rock/grunge with the sensibility of Americana and roots rock. With a wealth of her own material and a group of carefully selected covers, Shelby's high energy performances will remind you why you fell in love with rock & roll in the first place.http://www.shelbylantermanmusic.com Wed & Thu 12/14-15 ArtistWorks Jazz All-Stars feat. Peter Erskine, George Whitty, Eric Marienthal & Nathan East Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($35-55) [8 years & over] Peter Erskine has appeared on over 600 recordings, won two Grammy Awards and an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee School of Music. George Whitty is a Multi-GRAMMY and Emmy award winning jazz piano player. Eric Marienthal is a Grammy award winning jazz saxophone musician. He's been awarded the Berklee Distinguished Alumnus Award for outstanding achievements in contemporary music. Nathan East is one of the most in-demand bassists of all time. He is the regular touring bassist for Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Toto, and Fourplay. He seamlessly blending rock, pop and funk. Fri to Sun 12/16-18 Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($25-45) [8 years & over] Jason is the son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, and the youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford and Delfeayo. Together, the four brothers and their patriarch Ellis, comprise New Orleans venerable first family of jazz. Jason is a noted jazz drummer who along with his father and brothers were named NEA Jazz Masters. He's he's forged a new identity on the vibraphone as the leader of a smart and dynamically charged group, Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet. Their second CD "The 21st Century Trad Band" was released in 2014.
http://jasonmarsalis.com Wed 12/21 Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($15-25) [8 years & over] Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are internationally recognized as one of the top bands performing classic American jazz, swing, blues and R&B from the mid-20th century. Long-time Bay Area favorites, they are lead by the sultry chanteuse Lavay Smith, whose vocals recall the best of Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Dinah Washington. The band is guaranteed to provide a good time and will surely rock the house at Blue Note Napa. http://www.lavaysmith.com
Thu & Fri 12/22-23 Carolizing Christmas: The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol featuring Joe Warner
Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($10-20) [8 years & over] Faye Carol is one of the premiere vocalists of her time. Her unique style and gift of connecting with her audience is astonishing. This Bay Area living legend is a recipient of countless awards and honors, including the 2014 Bay Area Jazz Hero Award, 2016 City of Berkeley Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015 induction into the Oakland Blues Walk of Fame, and four Cabaret Gold Awards. After beginning her career with gospel music, Ms. Carol was an integral art of Oakland's innovative funk scene in the 1960s and later went on to form her own trio. She soon built a reputation as a daringly versatile and consistently creative vocal stylist arranging standards and popular songs in her own unique way. Tue 12/27 Cari Q Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($10-20) [8 years & over] Cari Q's fervor and enthusiasm for songwriting are qualities to be sought after in this era. Straightforward melodies accompany her resonant lyrics as she pushes the limits of con- temporary pop music. Echoing her predecessors, Cari Q's unique sound evokes memories of Janis Joplin and Loretta Lynn. http://cariqmusic.com UPCOMING SHOWS Wed 1/4/17 Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($15-25)[8 years & over]
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are internationally recognized as one of the top bands performing classic American jazz, swing, blues and R&B from the mid-20th century. Long-time Bay Area favorites, they are lead by the sultry chanteuse Lavay Smith, whose vocals recall the best of Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Dinah Washington. The band is guaranteed to provide a good time and will surely rock the house at Blue Note Napa. http://www.lavaysmith.com
Wed 1/11/17 Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($15-25)[8 years & over]
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are internationally recognized as one of the top bands performing classic American jazz, swing, blues and R&B from the mid-20th century. Long-time Bay Area favorites, they are lead by the sultry chanteuse Lavay Smith, whose vocals recall the best of Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Dinah Washington. The band is guaranteed to provide a good time and will surely rock the house at Blue Note Napa. http://www.lavaysmith.com Thu to Sun 1/12-15 2017 Karrin Allyson Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($35-45)[8 years & over]
Five-time Grammy nominated jazz singer Karrin Allyson has confirmed concert dates through the end of 2016. The live performances will feature songs from her canon of acclaimed album releases, as well as a selection of new, original tracks.Recent tour stops have included Turkey, New Zealand, and a riveting visit to Greene Space in NYC. http://www.karrin.com Wed & Thu 1/18-19 2017 Amendola vs. Blades feat. Scott Amendola & Wil Blades Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($15-25) [8 years & over]
"The breadth of what we do is so wide we don't have to think about it," says longtime Bay Area drummer Scott Amendola, when talking about fellow local organist Wil Blades--the other half of the dynamic music duo known as Amendola vs. Blades. "The cool thing is we can play swingin' old school jazz, funk and rock, African music, to playing free." Such dynamic range would prove challenging for any band, let alone one consisting merely of eight limbs, two analog keyboards and a drum kit. But it's a challenge the two friends have eagerly met gig after gig since their auspicious first show together, a performance of Duke Ellington's "Far East Suite" as an organ and drums arrangement, ten years ago. "It's all about keeping it fresh," adds Amendola. "And keeping the audience engaged. These two Young Turks of the San Francisco jazz scene are bringing the organ-drum duo into the 21st century.
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are internationally recognized as one of the top bands performing classic American jazz, swing, blues and R&B from the mid-20th century. Long-time Bay Area favorites, they are lead by the sultry chanteuse Lavay Smith, whose vocals recall the best of Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Dinah Washington. The band is guaranteed to provide a good time and will surely rock the house at Blue Note Napa. http://www.lavaysmith.com Thu to Sun 1/12-15 2017 Karrin Allyson Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($35-45)[8 years & over]
Five-time Grammy nominated jazz singer Karrin Allyson has confirmed concert dates through the end of 2016. The live performances will feature songs from her canon of acclaimed album releases, as well as a selection of new, original tracks.Recent tour stops have included Turkey, New Zealand, and a riveting visit to Greene Space in NYC. http://www.karrin.com Wed & Thu 1/18-19 2017 Amendola vs. Blades feat. Scott Amendola & Wil Blades Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($15-25) [8 years & over]
"The breadth of what we do is so wide we don't have to think about it," says longtime Bay Area drummer Scott Amendola, when talking about fellow local organist Wil Blades--the other half of the dynamic music duo known as Amendola vs. Blades. "The cool thing is we can play swingin' old school jazz, funk and rock, African music, to playing free." Such dynamic range would prove challenging for any band, let alone one consisting merely of eight limbs, two analog keyboards and a drum kit. But it's a challenge the two friends have eagerly met gig after gig since their auspicious first show together, a performance of Duke Ellington's "Far East Suite" as an organ and drums arrangement, ten years ago. "It's all about keeping it fresh," adds Amendola. "And keeping the audience engaged. These two Young Turks of the San Francisco jazz scene are bringing the organ-drum duo into the 21st century.
Fri & Sat 1/20-21 2017 Michael Lington Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($25-45) [8 years & over] Thu to Sat 1/26-28 2017 Eric Johnson Solo- An Evening of Acoustic Guitar & Piano Two Showtimes (6:30p and 9pm)($45-55) [8 years & over]
Eric Johnson, long hailed as one of the world's preeminent electric guitarists, celebrates his acoustic side with EJ, his 12th album as a leader. Emphasizing Johnson's formidable skills as a singer-songwriter, his first completely unplugged album is also his most immediate and intimate.
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