Presents in conjunction with The Plaza Bistro

Jazz in the Backroom

Dinner and a Show!

420 1st Street East Sonoma, CA 707.996.4466

Dinner Reservations suggested

 7 to 10 pm every Friday

Nice write up from the Sonoma Index Tribune!

Sonoma Valley Jazz Society Celebrates 25Years of Jazz in Sonoma

Steve Brunolli

Index Tribune

April 2013

If Sonoma has seemed a little “cooler” or more “hip” since the beginning of the month, that is no accident: April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and nobody has done a better job of bringing the cool grooves to Sonoma than the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society.

Now in its 25^th year, the SVJS is a non-profit funded entirely by local businesses and Sonoma’s own cadre of jazz aficionados.  The all-volunteer organization has been bringing the sounds of jazz to our quiet city since its inception, with the goal of bringing “the appreciation of jazz as an American musical art form through live jazz performances and education in Sonoma Valley.”

“It’s one of the original American art forms. It’s something we own,” remarks Vice-President Janice King.

That’s not to say, however, that the SVJS promotes only American-style jazz.  Rather, their yearly concert series at the Farmer’s Market—which falls on the 2^nd Tuesday in June, July, August and September—regularly features diverse musical acts that range anywhere from Big Band to Latin-style jazz.

In addition to the annual concert series, the organization also puts on events around town, such as their weekly Jazz in the Backroom Dinner and a Show at the Plaza Bistro, and refers local artists for private events.  If you’re thinking of stiffing the Salsa band you want to hire for your Caribbean Rum Mixer, however, you have another thing coming.

“We won’t refer any musicians if they’re not going to get paid,” says King, regarding the Society’s commitment to the musicians. And that commitment extends beyond simply the players. In fact, every person involved with a SVJS performance, from the soundman to the guitar tech, is a Sonoma local and well cared-for by the organization. In the words of King, “It’s really all about the community.”

And they are certainly building a strong community out here in Sonoma. By providing jazz camps and music scholarships to local youth, in addition to donations to the music school, the SVJS is instilling an appreciation for this American art form in an entirely new generation of future (and current) musicians.

To celebrate their twenty-five years as a stalwart in the Sonoma jazz community, the SVJS is throwing a concert on Saturday, April 20^th at the Vintage House from 7 to 9PM. The featured artist will be Larry Vuckovich's Blue Balkan: Beyond Category Ensemble. The band consists of jazz musicians from all over the world playing a breadth of different styles and fusions of jazz.

For more information on local events or for tickets, you can contact the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society online at sonomavalleyjazzsociety.com

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR

 SPONSORS!

This great Jazz Artist - Stephen Henriques just returning from living in Brazil for many years.  Stephen is now residing in Sonoma!

http://www.stephenhenriques.com

Sign up for e-scrip at Sonoma Market!

Make a

Difference!

Announcing the Sonoma Market & Glen Ellen Village Market Community Card! The program is a new and improved way to automatically contribute up to 5% of purchases to your favorite school or nonprofit.

The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society's e-scrip number is 500044206

First, stop in at your Sonoma Market or Glen Ellen Village Market and ask for a Community Card.

Once you sign up, your purchases create automatic contributions that go to your favorite school or nonprofit.

Earn up to 5% of your purchase amount when you show your card at check out.

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