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Jami Jamison is back in town with the whole band for a night of swing and blues Saturday, July 25, at the Blue Moon Saloon. When does she not have the whole band you ask? She does an acoustic swing quartet in addition to the full bar band that she'll have Saturday. Also featured is Keith Ridenhour on saxophone, who you may have seen onstage recently with the Whiskey Thieves and long-time Sonoma musician Dennis Cordellos on guitar. We've said it before so here we go again; Jami is one of the best undiscovered female vocalists in all the North Bay and if you haven't heard her, now's your chance. There's no cover and the show starts at 9 p.m.

The Butterfly Ball takes its inaugural flight on Saturday, July 25, as a benefit for Children's Cancer Community and Miracles Through Music. The event will include dinner, a silent auction and music by EZ Kewl. For more info, point your browser to www.sonomabutterflyball.com. Joe Chaplain and his band are presenting the "Concert for Trinity," a benefit for the Trinity Church on Sunday, July 26, at 3 p.m. Chaplain, who is actually a chaplain for the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Services of Sonoma County (LECS) and has been for the last four years, also serves as a chaplain at Napa State Hospital. The show starts at 3 p.m. Trinity Episcopal Church is at 275 E. Spain St.

Imagery Estate Winery is beginning to have regularly scheduled music on the weekends, with this weekend bringing EZ Kewl, on Saturday, July 25, and the Notorious Shank Brothers playing traditional bluegrass on Sunday, July 26. The shows go from 1 to 4:30 p.m. both days and there is food served. Look to Kathleen Hill's column for the epicure details. The venue is dog-friendly as well. Emmy's Spaghetti Shack will have some acoustic music from David Ian Robbins on Sunday, July 26, from noon to 2 p.m. Robbins is a big Bob Dylan fan, so expect a Dylan tune or two. There is no cover for the show.

The Jon Popenoe Blues Band will be back at the gazebo in the Sonoma Marketplace this afternoon, July 24, for some blues. The show goes from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Deirdre Egan will be at the gazebo in the Sonoma Marketplace Saturday, July 25, at 3 p.m. for an afternoon of original music. Landmark Winery and Vineyards continues the Complimentary Concert Series this Saturday, July 25, with Mark McDonald. The show is from 1 to 4 p.m. and there is no cover.

Natasha James has announced that her latest video, "Tequila Time," has been picked up by several regional cable television music networks, including California Music Channel. Look for her and the band soon at the Sonoma County Fair as well.

Jason Bodlovich, who you may have caught last week in the Grinstead Amphitheater as a part of the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society's monthly concerts, will be playing two days at Bella Vineyards in Healdsburg July 25 and 26. Showtime is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Showcase the Band, featuring Louie and Patti Perez, will be doing double-duty this weekend with a show at Steiners Tavern on Saturday, July 25, followed by a Sunday, July 26 show at Little Switzerland. Saturday's show kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and there is no cover. Sunday's show is in the afternoon show that goes on at 5 p.m. and there is a cover charge.

The El Verano Inn will have three acts on Saturday, July 25, kicking off with Jason Huybers. Following him will be the Joe Morphis Band wrapping up the night will be the Willy Do's, which is actually the Sunday night house band from the jams at the Blue Moon Saloon. This might be your last chance to see Joe for a while as well, as he is moving to L.A to become a chef.

Local instrumental guitarist Eric Barnett and his band, Points North, will be playing an all instrumental bill at 19 Broadway in Fairfax tonight, July 24. The band is fresh off opening for rock legend Michael Schenker and there will be three other acts on the bill. The show kicks off at 9 p.m.

Locals Tommy Thomsen and the "Queen of Boogie Woogie," Wendy DeWitt, will be on the patio at Wild Thyme as the entertainment for the Rive Gauche dinner event in El Verano on Wednesday, July 29. For the menu details, check out Kathleen Hill's column and for reservations, call 996-9453.

The Whiskey Thieves will be taking their show on the road to the Miramar Beach Inn for a bash that includes Junior Boogie, as a celebration of his birthday and many others on Sunday, July 26. Showtime is 8 p.m.

BackTrax is back and unplugged at Steiners Tavern on Sunday, July 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. Steiners has decided to continue the twilight Sunday sessions as they have proven to be a popular event.

The Sonoma Valley Chorale is seeking new members for its group and especially for the performance in December, titled "A USO Christmas." We can say firsthand that this group of folks is as dedicated as you'll find as singers and is a wonderful group of people as well. We had the privilege of being the concert host for the spring performances. To register, point your browser to www.sonomavalleychorale.org.

The Rett Hamer Blues Band will be performing at Olive & Vine in Glen Ellen tonight, July 24. The band features Kurt Krauthamer on vocals and harmonica and the band plays some excellent blues standards. The show starts at 7 p.m. and there is no cover.

MacArthur Place has local bluesman Smokin' Joe and his new act, 3 on a Match, which features the Christopolos father-and-son duo, for an afternoon show on today, July 24, that kicks off at 4:30 p.m. in the Veranda Garden.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards continues it's Twilight Concert Series with jazz tonight, July 24, with Carl Vast in the courtyard from 7 to 9 p.m. Wine by the glass or bottle and snacks will be available.

Mondo American Beer Garden has Ruff and Duff, featuring Brian Ruff and J. B. Duff for a night of fun music on Saturday, July 25. Showtime is 7 p.m. and there is no cover. If you haven't tried the onion rings, well, shame on you.

Murphy's Irish Pub has the bluegrass sounds of the David Thom Band tonight, July 24. The band plays many bluegrass classics in the spirit of Flatt & Scruggs and even uses one microphone to run the show. Saturday, July 25, brings the Steve Dudgeon Quartet. Friday's and Saturday's shows go off at 8 p.m. Sunday brings Peter Lamson to the pub for an early show that kicks off at 6 p.m.

John Kalleen appears at the Plaza Bistro with his band tonight, July 24. Showtime is 7 p.m. and there is no cover.

The Lodge at Sonoma has Lee Bloom in the lounge on the piano tonight, July 24. Saturday, July 25, brings the vibraphone sounds of the Tyler Blanton Quartet. Shows both nights go off at 7 p.m. and there is no cover.

If your gig isn't in my column, you didn't tell me about it. Hit me up at the address below.

• • •

J. M. Berry is host of Sonoma online radio's "Sonoma Valley Music Scene," heard at www.sonomamusic.com. He can be reached at jmberry@sonomamusic.com.

HOT 45s

Editor's Note: While there is no shortage of great concerts in Sonoma, sometimes it is fun to get out of the Valley. Here's what you can hear within 45 minutes of fair Sonoma.

35R - Saturday, July 25; Peri's - Fairfax; (415) 459-9910

Shana Morrison - Friday, July 24; Rancho Nicasio - Nicasio; (415) 662-2219

Elvin Bishop - Sunday, July 26; Rancho Nicasio - Nicasio; (415) 662-2219

Leo Kottke - Wednesday, July 29; Yoshi's -  San Francisco; (415) 655-5600

Motogruv - Saturday, July 25; Spancky's - Cotati; 664-0169

 

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