Jazz Month
Way back in 2001, the movers and shakers of the National Museum of American History declared that the glorious month of April will heretofore be known as Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM).
Locally, the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society (SVJS) waves the jazz flag year round, no special proclamation needed. Founded by a stalwart bunch of jazz hounds in 1989, SVJS has presented superb jazz shows since then.
The most obvious of their local jazz offerings, here in the Valley of the Tunes, are the excellent free shows that are staged in Grinstead Amphitheater four times during the summer stretch of the farmers markets.
To join in the national observation of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Sebastiani Theatre, in conjunction with SVJS, is presenting the outstanding jazz vocalist Dr. Kim Nalley on Sunday, April 14, at 3 p.m. This promises to be another top-notch show. Tickets at https://www.sebastianitheatre.com/.
Starling Bar Anniversary Party
Eight years after Fred Johnson opened Starling Bar in Sonoma, promising to fill the role of a “friendly neighborhood bar featuring craft cocktails, eclectic wines and local beers,” the place is still going strong.
The spot is popular not only for its selection of tasty drinks and charming ambiance, but possibly because of the interesting music program it has sustained.
To mark the occasion, Starling Bar is hosting an anniversary party on April 15 at 6 p.m. featuring live music from Greg Volker and the River.
Volker had been a steady player in the Sonoma County music scene until relocating to Minnesota. His “This Time” tour highlights the songs from his new record titled the same.
The tour began on April 5 in Bismarck, North Dakota, and winds its way through the Rockies. Sonoma has always been a hot bed of Volker fans. It will be strong night of good old rock ‘n’ roll, with a toast for “eight more years” surely made that night.
Valley of the Moon Music Festival
Featuring 19th and 20th century music from Latin America, North America and Europe, the valley-rooted Valley of the Moon Music Festival kicks off its 2024 season on July 13. With performances at Bartholomew Estate Winery, La Luz Center and Buena Vista Winery, the series is sure to please lovers of all types of classical music.
The series this summer is called “10th Anniversary Season: Music Across the Americas.” There will be presentations of compositions from Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Brazil and Cuba, as well as contemporary European works.
More information about this vibrant festival will follow, but for those who cannot wait, visit https://valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org/.
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