Conventional wisdom says persistence pays off, but Solvang resident Ruth Hoover never imagined how long she’d have to persevere in her quest to bring jazz to her town. After almost two decades of effort, Hoover has finally triumphed: Next month will mark the first appearance of the Cambria-based “Famous Jazz Artist Series” in the valley.
Hoover was a devoted jazz enthusiast when she moved to Solvang 20 years ago. Before, when she lived in Los Angeles, she had owned Stevie G’s and Carmelo’s Jazz Club. She longed to bring something similar to the Santa Ynez Valley, but faced some opposition. For various reasons, her idea for a jazz supper club-type event wouldn’t come to fruition. Often, it was for lack of a venue.
At one point, she located an empty space that would be perfect for an intimate jazz club. She talked to the property manager and was ready to sign the lease when the owner asked her what she planned to do with the space.
“She said, ‘No, I can’t lease it to you. This is a country-western town. Jazz wouldn’t work here,’” Hoover said.
So Hoover went back to the drawing board and busied herself with producing occasional jazz events in different spots on the Central Coast.
She handled a few concerts with guest artists, including a successful event at Mission Santa Ines with Marty Paich called “The Bells.” Hoover also produced a lot of events with Charlie and Sandi Shoemake in Cambria.
The Shoemakes share a long career as session musicians. Charlie has been most associated with George Shearing and is a graceful, bop-influenced vibraphonist. Sandi is a vocalist who was featured in the “A” band, whose members from time to time included pianist-arranger Bob Florence, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Gary Peacock, and saxophonist Lanny Morgan. Both the Shoemakes have had extensive jazz experience apart as well as on numerous albums together.
Hoover once again will team up with the Shoemakes, but this time to bring the monthly “Famous Jazz Artist Series” to Manny’s Restaurant. Hoover had been involved with the Shoemakes in producing the popular series at the Hamlet in Cambria, which proved so popular that it went from its original plan of being offered once a month to every three weeks. It’s now presented 30 times a year. Hoover is hoping the event will do just as well in Solvang now that she has a venue and support for the event.
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Hoover’s break came when she noticed how well Manny’s dinner theater functions were going, and she went to talk to Fernando and Jesse Tovalin, the brothers who own Manny’s Restaurant.
“I said, ‘How about jazz?’” Hoover said, “and they were really excited.”
Alto saxophonist Lanny Morgan will be the first guest artist to grace at the Solvang jazz series. He’ll join the Shoemakes, with Charlie on vibraphone and Sandi as vocalist, along with Joe Bagg on piano, Tony Dumas on bass, and Steve Schaeffer on drums.
Morgan was lead alto for Maynard Ferguson’s Big Band throughout the ’60s, and he’s played with many notable jazz musicians. He earned a prestigious guest spot in Bird Lives, a Tribute to Charlie Parker as leader of his own group, and as a soloist he’s played at major jazz clubs and festivals around the world. His latest recording is “6” The Lanny Morgan Sextet, which features Morgan with five fellow jazz masters.
“I am thrilled to be working with Charlie and Sandi to bring some of the world’s top jazz musicians to our already famous little town,” Hoover said. “Everybody is really excited about it. Everybody is really positive.”
Arts Editor Shelly Cone types and scats. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 19-26, 2012.
