For summertime listening, Santana Row hosts two free concert series. First up is the annual Sounds of the Row concert series, running though August. The shows take place every Saturday from 1–4pm at Park Valencia Stage, and are presented by Santana Row and Firesign Entertainment. The series presents performers in many kinds of music, from jazz to rock and blues.
From July 6–Aug. 31, Santana Row presents the Flavors of Jazz series, focusing on America’s music. Every Tuesday, 6:30–8:30pm various restaurants along the Row will host live performances from local bands and musicians.
Some of the highlights of Sounds of the Row include the jazzy Tim Volpicella Trio (July 3); bassist Stu Hamm (July 10), who has toured with guitar legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai; OMG!, a jazz and blues fusion band (July 17); a double feature with Soul Intention, a Bay Area favorite in the R&B genre, and the Travis Larson Band, a jazz/rock fusion outfit (July 24).
July 17: OMG!
July 24: Soul Intention 1–4 pm (R&B) and Travis Larson Band, 5:30–8pm
July 31: El Soledad (Latin jazz)
Aug. 7: A Taste of Jazz (big band)
Aug 14: The Robert Berry Band (rock)
Flavors of Jazz begins July 6 with a taste of the Jack Conway Trio, a Bay Area group playing classic jazz of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s with vocalist Juanita Harris. The following week, the Lee Pardini Trio (July 13), a high-energy San Jose band that plays jazz in new exciting ways, and guitarist Rick Vandivier will perform. The Mark Russo Trio (July 20) plays swing, jazz, Latin, Brazilian and originals. Round Midnight is a San Jose–based quartet, playing a mixture of mainstream jazz, jazz/pop and original tunes.
San Jose’s Jessica Johnson, who has been lauded as ‘the next great diva of Soul,’ soul will also be performing in the series on the same night as percussionist Wally Schnalle (July 27). Military veteran Fil Lorenz, born and raised in San Francisco, will perform tenor and baritone saxophone while Susan Rancourt displays her vocal prowess over ballads and swing and boss tunes Aug. 3).
The Jazz Mechanics (Aug. 10) bring their own original Jazz compositions to the scene creating their own modern style of the genre. They will appear on the same evening as saxophonist Kristen Strom, who has performed alongside music greats Gladys Knight, the Temptations and more.
Gus Kibitz, director of San Jose Jazz Orchestra, is on a mission to make Jazz more popular and fun again in the Bay Area. For his performance (Aug. 24), he will play the bass guitar.
Flavors of Jazz
Tuesdays in July and August, 6:30–8:30pm at various restaurants along Santana Row. July 13: Village California Bistro—Rick Vandivier
Rosie McCann’s—Lee Pardini
July 20: Straits—Round Midnight w/Peter Carey
Thea Mediterranean—Mark Russo
July 27: Cielo Wine Bar—Jessica Johnson
Roux Louisiana Kitchen—Wally Schnalle
Aug: 3 Roux—Fil Lorenz
Sino—Susan Rancourt
Aug. 10: Left Bank Brasserie—Kristen Strom
Rosie McCann’s—Jazz Mechanics
Aug. 17: Straits—Oscar Pangilinan
El Jardin—Altered Roots Quartet
Aug. 24: Consuelo Mexican Bistro—Kat Parra
LB Steak—Gus Kambeitz
Aug. 31: Left Bank Brasserie—Brian Ho Quartet
Thea—John Worley
