Sunday Afternoon: The Wildcat Canyon Band – Country and Classic Rock

Sunday, November 29, 3-6 p.m.: The Wildcat Canyon Band returns to Armando’s. Cover: $10, two for $15.

“The Last Two–Step”, the Farewell Concert
“Country & Classic Rock”

• Martha DeWolfe – guitar/vocals
• Stuart Watson – guitar/vocals
• Eric Hughes – lead guitar
• Dave Indigo – drums
• Kennan Shaw – bass
• Special guest vocalist – Kirsten Watson

Armando’s is located at 707 Marina Vista in Martinez. From 680, exit at Marina Vista, turn left, and drive into downtown Martinez.

Armando’s serves beers, wines, juices, soft drinks, and bottled waters at reasonable prices.

Blues and Jazz This Weekend at Armando’s

Friday, November  27th, 8-11 p.m.: CRAIG HORTON BLUES BAND

“Blues with an attitude”

• Craig Horton – lead guitar/ vocals
• Steve Gannon – rhythm guitar
• Ted Wyfinger – bass
• Pocket – drums

Saturday, November 28th, 8-11 p.m.: EPICENTER

“Real Jazz Players Playing Real Jazz”

• Bruce Mishkit – saxophones
• Greg Reginato – guitar
• Jon Herbst – piano/keys
• Andy Dillard – drums
• Karl Hartman – bass

Bruce, author of “Master Lessons for the Creative Musician”, has been playing in the Bay Area since 1974. After a few years of “Top 40″ gigs and rehearsal bands, (Full Faith, and Credit and the Mike Vax Big Band) he joined Daybreak, Ltd., a progressive jazz-fusion group. Bruce established Deva Records, and along with Mel Martin produced and released Daybreak ltd.’s first album. In his liner notes, Philip Elwood of the San Francisco Examiner wrote, “Outstanding here is the work of Bruce Mishkit — good stuff.”

Greg was born and raised in El Sobrante, CA. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, studied guitar with Michael Gibbs in New York and has participated in numerous New York recording projects. He has performed with Norbert Statchel, Matthew Echol, the Bay Area Jazz Ensemble, the Rory Snyder Quintet, the Diablo Valley College Night Jazz Ensemble, and the Diablo Valley College All Star Combo.

Jon Herbst is a Composer, Arranger, Producer, Music Editor and Jazz Pianist. His scoring credits include Academy Award-winning documentaries, narrative films, PBS series, museum installations, educational CD ROMS, interactive media, commercials, corporate videos, and books on tape.

Andy Dillard, a Martinez treasure, is an “in demand” drummer having played with some of the finest Jazz musicians in the Bay Area, including Armando’s regulars Michael LaMacchia and Peter Anastos.

Karl Hartman, an electric and double bassist has had the good fortune to perform and record with many of the Bay Area’s finest as well as some of the most important names in modern jazz. He’s performed all over the Bay Area in restaurants and clubs including Yoshi’s in Oakland and the San Jose Jazz Festival. He’s also played in New Orleans and at the Umbria and Montreux Jazz festivals and has toured China, Switzerland and Italy.

Monday Night Blues Jam Tonight

Monday, November 23: “The Good Stuff Guitar Shop Presents Armando’s Blues Monday”

House band:

• Danny White-harmonica
• Jim Caroompas-guitar
• Kennan Shaw-bass
• Brett Cosby-drums

$3 cover, Sign up 6:30

Friday: Kurt Ribak Trio with Sheilani Alix

Friday, November 20, 8-11 p.m.: the Kurt Ribak Trio for “Funkabilly Jazz.”  Cover: $10, or two for $18.

Featuring original compositions from Kurt’s critically acclaimed recordings.

“The sound we go for is this: Charles Mingus meets the Meters. They play at Duke Ellington’s house, and Thelonious Monk sits in once in a while.”

Kurt Ribak-bass
Greg Sankovich-keyboards
Sheilani Alix-vocals

“You play bass the way it’s supposed to be played.” – former Jaco Pastorius sideman Bryan Melvin

“Your playing reminds me of my favorite bassist, Curtis Counce.” – Johnny Otis, legendary R&B and jazz bandleader and DJ

“Delicious” – Contra Costa Times

A graduate of UC Berkeley and Berklee College of Music, Kurt has played with many prominent musicians. Among them are jazz/blues vocalist Faye Carol, new music composer Paul Dresher, Broadway singer Lillias Brooks, JC Hopkins (writer and former bandleader for Norah Jones), guitarist Adam Levy, sideman with Tracy Chapman and Norah Jones, and with Ralph Carney, best known for his work with Tom Waits. Kurt’s also played with prominent non-jazz musicians, including Danny Carnahan of Wake the Dead and Eric and Suzy Thompson, who have received international acclaim for their performances of bluegrass and Cajun music.
Kurt has had his compositions played by a variety of groups, including Section 8 Project, Make A Circus, and others. Since 2001 he has been leading his own group under his own name. His critically acclaimed CDs, “Kurt Ribak Trio” and “more” feature Kurt’s unique compositions. They get regular airplay on KCSM.

Sunday 3-6 p.m.: Jazz with the Delbert Bump Organ Trio

Delbert Bump – B-3 organ
Greg Reginato – guitar
T. Moran – drums

UC Davis jazz director Delbert Bump has established himself in the musical world as a performing artist playing piano, keyboards, and jazz organ. He has released 7 CDs and a number of other recordings representing various aspects of his unique performance and compositional style.
Bump has written for big bands, combos, television, and radio, and he has received numerous awards. His output as a composer with respect to the jazz literature is significant. Currently, he maintains a full schedule as a performer, locally and nationally; as a teacher at Solano Community College and UC Davis; and as the leader of an organ trio, a latin sextet, and an organ-driven big band.

T Moran is a working drummer in the San Francisco Bay Area. He currently plays w/ the “Daniel Castro Band” ( Blues) and “The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra” ( Modern Big Band ) and also freelances with whomever possible. He has been a member of the following Bands: Starship, Coldblood, Pacific Brass & Electric, Frank Biner & the Soul Patrol, Jim Chappell, Chris Camozzi, The Delbert Bump Organ Big Band, Delbert Bump Organ Trio, Will Porter Allstars, Scott Bros., Count Floyd. He has performed w/ Billy Preston, Gregg Allman, The Coasters, The Drifters, Percy Sledge, Eddie Money, The Namedroppers, Al Wilson, The Diamonds, Barbara Lewis, and shared the stage with many other artists such as; Stef Burns, Mark Russo, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Frank Bey, Joe Henderson, Volker Strifler, David K. Matthews, Mic Gillette, Mike Emerson, Artis Joyce, Tom Politzer, Ron Hacker, Jeff Tamilier, Tower of Power (Horns), John Lee Sanders, Bobby Vega, Richard Elliot, Fred Ross, Tommy Castro, Pinetop Perkins, Mike Schermer, Francis Rocco Prestia, and more!

Greg was born and raised in El Sobrante, CA. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, studied guitar with Michael Gibbs in New York and has participated in numerous New York recording projects. He has performed with Norbert Statchel, Matthew Echol, the Bay Area Jazz Ensemble, the Rory Snyder Quintet, the Diablo Valley College Night Jazz Ensemble, and the Diablo Valley College All Star Combo.

$10, 2 for $18

Wednesday: West Coast Songwriters Competition

Wednesday, November 11, 7:30-9:30, West Coast Songwriters Competition, with Sign-ups at 7:00. Cover is only $5.00.

The show will be a competition among WCS members for Best Song and Best Performance Awards for the night. Best Song of the evening receives studio time from Harwood Productions while Best Performer receives blank recordable CDs in jewel cases.

Anyone can perform on the showcase, but only WCS members are eligible to compete. Each participant receives written evaluations from qualified judges, or from their peers at the peer-judged events.

In August, each Competition location invites its Best Song winners to return for a playoff. The winners of these playoff events perform at the Songwriter Competition Finals held at the Freight & Salvage nightclub in Berkeley.This event is presented by West Coast Songwriters, a Bay Area-based non-profit educational organization with more than 1,200 members.

http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org

Thursday: David T. Carter & Co.: Something Completely Different!

Thursday, November 5: David T. Carter & Co. return!  This group is definitely one of my favorites at Armando’s.  Highly recommended indeed!

“Road Music For The Mind”

Nominated for the past three years as best Americana Act in North Bay Bohemian

• David T. Carter- Singer/Songwriter/Guitar
• Chip Trombley-Drums/Percussion/Vocals
• Paul Hoffman- Bass
• Rick Miller- Guitar/Vocals

“How do you even start to pigeon-hole something that is so distinctly original? Well, if David Lynch ever fancied reviving the characters for a new series of Twin Peaks, these guys would be the perfect combo to hold down a residency at One-Eyed Jack’s. Truly, magically irresistible.”
Loudon Temple, Maverick Magazine U.K.

“… genuinely bizarre… ending towards pop… a distinctively individual and promising talent…”
Rolling Stone, Australia

David T. Carter is a self proclaimed “Pop stylist” of roots music and a poetic satirist.

http://www.davidtcarter.com

Great Music, Wednesday – Saturday at Armando’s

Wednesday:  Bluegrass Jam,  7- 10 p.m. Hosted by Bruce Campbell and Red Rick Horlick. Signups at 6:30. Only $3!

Thursday: JL Stiles Trio, for Folk and Blues, 8-10 p.m. Cover: $8, or two people for $15.

Friday:  Pat Wilder and Serious Business, for Blues and R&B, 8-11 p.m. Cover: $10, or two people for $18.

Saturday:  Halloween Party with Blind Lemon Phillips, featuring Funk, Blues, and Urban R&B, 8-11 p.m. $13, or two people for $25. Dance Party!

• Charley Phillips, Guitars and Lead Vocals
• Tim Wagar, Bass
• Tony Macaroni, Keyboards
• Robin Roth, Drums
• Mz. Dee, Vocals
• Armen Boyd, Tenor Sax
• Bobby Strickland, Baritone Sax
• Steve Spinnaker, Trumpet
• Michael Rinta, Trombone

Armando’s location: 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, CA.  From 680, take the Marina Vista exit, turn left, and drive into downtown Martinez.  Plenty of free parking on the street. Beer, wine, soft drinks, juices, and bottled waters are available at reasonable prices.

 

Blues Jam 10/26

Armando’s Monday Night Blues Jam, sponsored by Danny White and his Good Stuff Guitar Shop, was lots of fun.  The rotations were filled with guitar players, bassists, drummers, harp players, a trumpeter and a saxman. You ought to check out the next blues jams, which will be on November 9th and 23rd.  The cover is only $3, so it’s definitely a good entertainment bargain.

Want to jam? Show up at 6:30 for sign-ups. Danny provides the back line, and all you need to bring is your instrument(s) or drumsticks.  A professional sound guy is always on duty at Armando’s, too.  You’ll have a chance to play with the members of the house band, who really hold things together and keep it lively!

• Danny White: harmonica
• Jim Caroompas: lead guitar, vocals
• Kennan Shaw: fretless bass
• Brett Cosby: drum master

Another Great Weekend At Armando’s

Friday, October 23: Alabama Mike and the Third Degree

Saturday, October 24: Michael LaMacchia and New Directions offer an eclectic blend of jazz, soul, rock, funk, Latin and classical music, with many original tunes and great vocals.