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.

Mal Sharpe’s Big Money in Jazz Band 10/22

I caught most of Mal Sharpe’s gig at Armando’s tonight.  He and his band were in fine form, and so was the house. The place was packed, and the folks were lively, chiming in with jokes and dancing in the aisles.  The bandmembers were obviously enjoying themselves.  Mal Sharpe and His Big Money in Jazz Band usually appear at Armando’s every two months.  With Mal and his Band, it’s always “April in Paris.”  :-)

Check the Armando’s Calendar, or visit the website (links at top left) and sign up for Eloise’s regular emails, sent out at least once a week, with lots of great info on all of the upcoming shows!

Brazilian and Latin Jazz with the Anna Estrada Quintet 10/17

The Anna Estrada Quintet is a talented, energetic group of experienced musicians. Guitarist Ray Scott’s arrangements are clever and sometimes surprising.  Composer Jorge Ben’s “Mas Que Nada” takes on an entirely new, uptempo, reggae-infused mood with Scott’s arrangement, giving the 1960s song a new excitement.  The Quintet’s version of “Oye Como Va,” another 1963 composition, also seemed exciting and new with some great solos.  Tito Puente’s song (did you think Carlos Santana wrote it?) has more than nine lives, and Anna’s Quintet elicited cheers from the audience with this reincarnation.

Anna Estrada – vocals
Ray Scott – guitar
Alex Baum – bass
Phil Thompson – drums
Jonathan Alford – piano

“Nominated for 2008 Best Jazz Vocalist by Latin Jazz Corner!”

Anna Estrada’s music is a combination of Brazilian and Latin Jazz originals and standards, incorporating Samba, Bossa Nova, Samba Reggae, Partido Alto, Cha Cha, Bolero and Afro-Peruvian Lando.

Her first CD, “Soñando Vuelos” (Dreaming Flights), was produced by Award-winning trombonist, Wayne Wallace.

“One of the best Braziilan/Latin jazz albums released in 2008.” “The music is simply raw, tender and beautiful.” “…a compelling musical statement.”
All About Jazz – Edward Blanco “All About Jazz”

“A truly marvelous and enjoyable debut release, this is a very tasty and satisfying album that lovers of Latin/Brazilian Jazz will absolutely love!”
Jazz Chicago – Brad Walseth

“A grand excursion, with some of the best Latin jazz vocals I’ve heard in a while.”
Improvijazznation

“A winning mixture of Brazilian, Latin, and Jazz grooves topped by Ms. Estrada’s mellifluous voice.”
Music Watch

http://www.myspace.com/almasferas
http://www.annaestrada.com

“The Storytelling Bluesman,” Doug McLeod 10/16

Doug McLeod fascinates with stories, history, and wit, all wrapped up in country blues. Doug is professional, yet comfortably casual in his presentation, making his audience feel right at home.  And the house was full for this performance! Doug passes along stories that others have told him, as well as stories from his own life, and he makes every story relevant to the songs he plays. His singing reveals tenderness, passion, nostalgia and humor, and his mastery of the guitar evokes envy.  If you visit his website often, you will see that he plays at many venues up and down the state of California.  Highly recommended!

Doug has released an amazing 13 recordings in his long and “storied” career.

http://www.doug-macleod.com
http://www.myspace.com/dougmacleod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd3MI50ZMPY

Thursday: The California Honeydrops

Thursday, October 15th, 8-10 p.m.: The California Honeydrops are a popular group. Their recordings get air time on Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s Bluesville channel, as well as local broadcast radio stations.  They have toured the US and Europe. Their music will make you smile, so drop on by Armando’s at 707 Marina Vista in Martinez. Cover tonight will be $10. Plenty of free parking on the street.

• Lech Wierzynski – Guitar, Vocals, Trumpet
• Chris Burns- Piano
• Ben Malament- Drums, Vocals
• Seth Ford Young – Bass
• Johnny Bones – Saxophones

“Partyers took to the tabletops, dancing and singing along to a set of songs that felt familiar to the soul. You should have been there.”
-The San Francisco Chronicle

“They have baby faces, but play like old souls…Lech plays that horn like Louis Armstrong. And I wouldn’t throw that around lightly.”
- Music legend Maria Muldaur

The California Honeydrops were formed in November of 2007 playing in the subway stations of Oakland, CA. Playfully crossing genres from roots and blues to R&B and soul, The California Honeydrops’ sound is tied together by their unique instrumentation, soulful vocal harmonies, and a funky, good time -New Orleans style.

Digging deep into the traditions of American music, the California Honeydrops bring to the stage not only an unmatched level of musicianship and authenticity but also a funky good time that’s hard to beat. Ripping through classic material as well as their own original songs, The California Honeydrops will get any crowd on its feet, dancing and singing along.

Having accompanied artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Alvon Johnson, Dan Hicks, Jackie Payne, Del Ray, Donald Byrd, Mike Seeger, Ramblin Jack Elliot, and Maria Muldaur, band leader Lech Wierzynski has learned the tricks of the trade from some of the biggest names in American music.

All members of the band have toured extensively in the United States and around the world.

Wednesday: West Coast Songwriters Association Competition

Wednesday, October 15th, 7-10 p.m., Sign up at 7:00: Want to hear something completely different?  This evening features original songs, presented by the composers.  You can hear music of many styles and types.  And the Cover is only $5!

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. From that final, three winners are chosen to perform at the 28th Annual CREATION:CRAFT:CONNECTION Conference at Foothill College in Los Altos September 13 and 14 in front of numerous publishers, producers, booking agents, hit songwriters and record company executives.

This event is presented by West Coast Songwriters, a Bay Area-based non-profit educational organization with more than 1,200 members. West Coast Songwriters hosts Songwriter Competitions each month in these nine locations: Berkeley, Santa Clara, Hollywood, Manteca, Petaluma, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo and Sebastopol (Sonoma County).

Armando’s is located at 707 Marina Vista in downtown Martinez. Plenty of free parking on the street.