Jazz, bluesy acoustics at farmers market

Tuesday, July 12 will be a reunion of sorts. A week of down time was scheduled after the 4th to let the grass grow back a bit and give the ducks a break. But this coming Tuesday, the Plaza comes alive again. Those groups of people who congregate for the best night of the week will be at it again.

This week’s double header will feature the bluesy acoustic sounds of a local veteran group with a new name, MaMaMa, playing at the horseshoe. In the Grinstead Amphitheater, notable jazz vocalist Jackie Ryan will be performing with her jazz band. Both bands begin their two hour sets at 6 p.m.

Jackie Ryan travels to us from her home in Mill Valley. Her career has been a highly successful one, with nine albums in her catalog and critical praise garnered from both coasts. Her rich powerful voice, full of sass and oozing with sensuality, will captivate the gathered crowd.

Ryan said, “I will be singing songs from several of my CDs, three of which made the No. 1 spot on jazz radio nationwide.”

Her appearance here precedes the release of her newest album, one called “Recuerdos de mi Madre.” On this record, Ryan sings in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The chosen songs are ones Ryan remembers her mother singing around the house when she was just a young vocalist. “The record is a tribute to my mother,” Ryan said. The record includes 10 of “Latin America’s most cherished love songs.”

Ryan will be ably backed up by her very impressive jazz band. John R. Burr is the pianist. He has previously played with Jimmy Witherspoon, Maria Muldaur and Kenny Rankin. Akira Tana is her drummer, he has kept time for Milt Jackson, Paquito D’Rivera and Lena Horne. Patrick Wolfe has played his sax with Tootie Heath and Peter Bernstein. Bassist Doug Miller has played with Mel Lewis, and the Count Basie and Duke Ellington orchestras.

MaMaMa is a newly named combo comprised of three well-known and very talented musicians. Mario Ramirez, Mark Willson and Mark Dennis took a pair of scissors to their proper names and ended up with the new moniker. The only question is who gets the top billing? Actually, it solves that problem quite effectively.

The trio has been very busy of late, playing regularly in the cozy confines of the Sonoma Speakeasy. The band is quite versatile, touching on pop, rock, folk and blues songs. All three musicians are very good singers, often lending their voices to lovely harmonies behind each other’s lead vocals.

They also will take turns playing lead licks. The steady rhythm comes from Willson’s clever use of backing tracks, providing a depth of sound that is otherwise missing from most acoustic trios. Overall, MaMaMa is a very solid combo and very capable of keeping the eager crowd entertained.

We are so lucky to have all this free music available to us on a regular basis. Enjoy yourselves and show your appreciation!