Central Coast residents are patrons of many different kinds of music, from classical to hip-hop and everything in between. The genre of big band jazz is one that has found a welcome home in the area, with community, high school, and collegiate groups performing across SLO and Santa Barbara counties.
Local band director Dick Clark recently hung up his baton and retired after leading his Lompoc-based band for decades, providing swinging rhythms and tunes to local jazz fans. But there’s a new group in town that includes many of the former Dick Clark Big Band members.
Russ and Judy Lindquist moved to the Central Coast last year from Reno, Nev., and started Riptide Big Band in January. The group has been rehearsing weekly and performing regularly ever since.
“Judy and I had a band like this in Reno for many years,” Russ said. “We have our own music library, or book, as we call it, and these guys have been rehearsing every week, and that’s how you get good, by doing it every week.”
Russ is a trumpeter in the group and the band manager; his wife Judy is the musical director. She worked professionally as a middle school music teacher and band director in Reno, so she has plenty of experience directing a large group of musicians.
“It’s a little bit different dealing with adults than kids,” she said. “With kids you just tell them what to do, [but] adults don’t like this. But this group is great; they are very receptive.”
Judy does her band directing from the saxophone section, where she plays, so she is delivering orders from within the trenches. The group includes several trumpeters, trombone players, saxophone players, a pianist, a bassist, drums, and singers. Keeping all of that together is a challenge, but it’s one Judy enjoys tackling.
“These guys are really committed,” she said. “Some sections may need to be louder or softer and the amplified players may need to adjust, and that’s where my music teacher kicks in; it’s like a classroom.”
Riptide Big Band has already received a warm welcome in the area from jazz fans during performances in Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Arroyo Grande. The group enjoys a monthly spot at Santa Maria’s Elwin Mussell Senior Center, which has booked the band for the second Saturday of each month.
Judy credits the growing popularity of Riptide Big Band to the fact that, from the beginning of the group, she has tried to appeal to a certain population of jazz fans.
“The one thing Russ and I noticed when we moved here is that there aren’t a whole lot of groups around here doing what we are doing, and that’s the appeal to dancers,” she said. “We are a big band, not a swing band because we don’t play just swing music; we play foxtrots, waltzes, and Latin rhythms like bossa novas, cha-chas, and tangos.”
Whether their audience is dancing or sitting and enjoying the music, the Lindquists aim to provide an entertaining musical experience that people enjoy. Besides its book of arrangements, Judy said, the group has several skilled improvisers who are fun to listen to.
“We have many sprinkled in among us who are great at it, and we have many who are learning,” she said. “Some people are naturals at it, and I am in awe of them!”
Ska at O’Sullivan’s
O’Sullivan’s Pub presents a concert featuring Roddy Radiation from The Specials with guests The Suppressors on June 1 starting at 9 p.m. at the pub, 633 E. Main St., Santa Maria. More information is available at 925-0658.
Rockin’ at the Chumash
The Chumash Casino Resort presents Bruce in the USA, a tribute show on May 29. Merle Haggard performs on June 5. Shows start at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Cost is $25, $35, and $45. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Jammin’ at Blacklake
The Blacklake Golf Resort presents a Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series featuring The Usual Suspects on May 28 and Acoustic Alchemy on June 4. The Blacklake Golf Resort is located at 1490 Golf Course Lane, Nipomo. More info: 343-1214, Ext. 400, or blacklake.com.
Wrapping up
Standing Sun Winery holds its Standing Sun Concert Series with a performance by Owen Plant on June 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Standing Sun Wines, 92 2nd St., Buellton. More info: 904-8072 or standingsunwines.com.
Maverick country
The Maverick Saloon presents the Maverick Music Festival on June 14 starting at 1 p.m. A Johnny Cash Tribute Concert is Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. The saloon offers live entertainment each weekend, including bands in the evening on Fridays and Saturdays. DJs spin after bands on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Concerts on the Deck happens on Saturdays at 3 p.m. Suds, Songs, and Sandwiches happens on Sundays at 3 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 29 – Jun 5, 2014.