Music at this week’s Tuesday Night Farmers Music

This weekly feature offers insights into the entertainment to be found at the Tuesday Night Farmers Market in Sonoma. Unlike the actual Farmers Almanac, the information will be short on astronomical information but long on personal insights into the musicians who will be playing for us. Some astrological tidbits may, however, be included.

The band playing to the crowd on the second night of the Tuesday Night Farmers Market on May 14 will be Zig Zag. This five-piece band describes themselves as playing “a variety of familiar and offbeat songs from the 1930s to the present.”

Lead by guitarist and vocalist David Barker (Scorpio), the balance of the band is Chuck Geber on bass guitar, Scott Van Wagner playing saxophone, Steve Cohen keeping time on the drums, and Michaelia Randolph up front and center providing wonderful vocals.

Barker is an experienced musical fellow, well known to Sonoma Valley music lovers. Before forming ZigZag, Barker lead the local rock band, The Quaadudes. Previous to that, Barker was in jug bands, new wave rock and funk bands, and a “girl group” called The Girl Can’t Help It.

Cohen has been a visible player in this area for quite a while. Before joining ZigZag, Cohen drummed for Long Story Short, the Spiral Mystics, and many others in the valley. He is a jazz drummer at heart, but is very versatile behind his kit.

Van Wagner is an active player in the Sonoma scene. In addition to ZigZag, he plays with the Door’s tribute band, Strange Daze, and his own new combo, Flat5 Rhythm and Groove Jazz Band.

Bass player Geber has lived in Santa Rosa since 2015, having previously been in dance bands, bar bands, R & B bands and acoustic duos. He also is a member of the “All-City Band” that is based in Windsor. Geber is thrilled to be playing at our big event.

For a local Sonoma band, a gig at the Farmers Market is a big deal. There are hundreds of Sonomans plus tourists, just waiting to be entertained. Barker said, “This will be our first gig at the Farmers Market, and we are understandably quite excited about it.”

Randolph echoed that emotion. At the recent Kitchen Concert at the Sonoma Community Center where Barker was sharing the spotlight, Randolph was mixing sound for the show. Between sets, she could hardly contain herself, fairly bubbling with the excitement about performing before the entire community.

Mentioning that it will be a much larger crowd than they are used to playing for, Barker reflected upon the probable difference the gig might bring. “The Farmers Market, being a larger crowd, will require us to project more, to possibly be a little broader and concentrate on being rhythmic, adding more danceable songs to the repertoire.”

Barker added that ZigZag has an unofficial motto: It’s more fun to ZigZag. He said, “Sometimes the straight and narrow isn’t the most interesting path. We like to musically wander.” Amen to that!

The music gets going at 6 p.m. Early arrival ensures a good spot to spread your blanket and unfold those low-backed chairs. Please, in consideration of the other music lovers, leave your living room furniture at home.