When Ruth Hoover first moved to the Santa Ynez Valley from Los Angeles, she was told that the people in the area weren’t big into jazz—they liked country and rock‘n’roll. Luckily for jazz lovers on the Central Coast, Hoover didn’t believe them, and kept a lookout for the perfect venue for a regular jazz concert series in Solvang.
Hoover actually owned a successful jazz club in Los Angeles called Carmelo’s, which saw a regular influx of spirited talent on the jazz scene. When she relocated to Santa Ynez with her husband, she was excited to bring some of her favorite artists to the small town to play.
“The type of jazz I so enjoy, and most of the musicians I’ve stayed in touch with, is the easy listening,” she said. “It’s not the strong bebop; it’s comfortable and something you can relate to.”
Among her jazz artist friends are Charlie and Sandi Shoemake, a pianist/vibraphonist and singer, respectively. The couple retired to Cambria more than 20 years ago and founded the Famous Jazz Artists Series, which saw many pros come and go to perform. The venue for the series started undergoing renovations as of last year, so the series was looking for a home. Hoover became aware of a new venue in Solvang and invited the Shoemakes and the concert series there. They collectively co-produce the series.
“I became aware that this new restaurant in town, Manny’s, opened a dinner theater above their restaurant called the Terrace Dinner Theatre,” Hoover said. “They have been very supportive.”
Manny’s Restaurant is owned by Fernando Tovlin and his brother and master chef Jessie Tovlin, who cooks up a buffet for the Famous Jazz Artists Series. The ticket price covers the dinner in the Terrace Theater, which can seat more than 100 people.
The Shoemakes usually make up half of the house band at the concerts, and special guests are invited to join in on some quality classic jazz performances. This month, guitarist Frank Potenza is gracing the series with his masterful guitar skills.
Professor and Chair of the Studio/Jazz Guitar Faculty at Flora L. Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California, Frank Potenza is one of the biggest names in jazz guitar in the country, let alone the state. He’s collaborated with jazz giants from Dizzy Gillespie to James Moody. Potenza actually became the protégé of the late, legendary jazz guitarist Joe Pass, studying and jamming with him for the last 20 years of Pass’ life.
“I have had the immense privilege as an instructor at a school; I was able to call in all of my heroes and play with them,” Potenza said. “It has been an incredible blessing.”
Potenza performed several times with the Shoemakes when the concert series was in Cambria, at least once a year for more than a decade.
“It’s a great opportunity to play with Charlie, who is a world-class vibraphonist,” Potenza said. “He has played with almost everybody; he is a very well-known fixture in the California jazz scene.”
Potenza enjoys performing with the Shoemakes because, like himself, they perform the “classic” style of jazz that relies on standards as the main vehicle of expression. A basic rubric and melody for each song, with plenty of freedom for interpretation and improvisation, is all that’s necessary for these musicians.
“Charlie has been quite a stalwart supporter of that style, and the Famous Jazz Artists Series has been somewhat of an institution in California jazz,” Potenza said. “We are all very grateful to him for all the time and energy he has put into making sure that style and genre continue.”
Potenza will be performing some cuts from his most recent album Old, New, Borrowed, & Blue which featured organist Joe Bragg, who will be performing along with Potenza and the Shoemakes. Charlie Ruggiero will be completing the ensemble with jazz drums.
“In the best case scenario, it’s a conversation,” Potenza said. “With really good, experienced players, someone will play something and it will influence what you will play, so it becomes this really fun game that is not unlike a really satisfying conversation.”
Sweet music
Local rock’n’roll group Candy Jam performs live in concert May 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shaw’s Steakhouse on Broadway in Santa Maria. More info: 757-8126.
Jamming at the saloon
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including country music by Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat in concert May 25 and 26 at 8:45 p.m. followed by “Late Night with guest DJ’s” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” with Owen Johnston is May 26 at 3 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 24-31, 2012.
