Welcome to the Home Page
Of the
Sonoma Valley Jazz Society
The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society supports the art of jazz in Sonoma Valley through events, education and community outreach, in collaboration with arts organizations throughout the Bay Area. SVJS endeavors to lead the way, making jazz more widely available in Sonoma Valley, cultivating audiences, and encouraging participation in this exciting art form. We believe the performing arts are an essential ingredient in the quality of life in our community, and jazz music, with its rich heritage and continued evolution, deserves an important place in the local performing arts scene. As a not-for-profit (501c3), the SVJS exists for the good of the community, and is committed to the highest standards of professionalism, scholarship, collaboration, inclusiveness, and enjoyment.
Now entering our 32nd year, The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society is looking forward to presenting another diverse program of jazz in Sonoma in 2019.
Our Tuesday Night Farmers Market concerts on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from June through September have become a local tradition.
JAMIE DUBBERLY & ORQUESTRA DHARMA
THE LEON JOYCE QUARTET
JAMAL RAMIREZ GROUP
THE MICHAEL O'NEILL QUINTET WITH TONY LINDSAY
The sold out Jazz in the Barn series included Tata Vega Quartet and Carlos Reyes.
Our annual Members & Sponsors party – free to our members & sponsors was held on October 6th in the barn with Guitarist Brian Nova and a scholarship was awarded to aspiring young vocalist Fernanda Alvarez.
We are a small non-profit 501c3 organization solely funded by donations made by local citizens and business owners. The board is made up of a staff of volunteers. It’s the dedication of our volunteers, dues paying members and local Sonoma Valley businesses that make it all possible. Please join our community and let’s make 2019 another year of bright moments.
Lina Perlas, President,
Sonoma Valley Jazz Society
Become a member of the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, attend our events and support
jazz.SVJS memberships begin at $40 ($20 for students). Please visit our membership page for details.
Summer Is The Time For
Jazz Concerts In Sonoma
If ever you are eager to have some place to go and something to do during summer, plan on making a visit to the heart of Northern California’s wine country. The Napa-Sonoma region offers some of the best experiences of a wine growing region the world over. The town of Sonoma itself is a gem and retains much of its authentic historical and agricultural charm. Not many people know, but Sonoma offers some choice cultural events for summer vacationers. Among them is the annual summer concert series.
The peak of summer was in full swing as the Leon Joyce Quartet performed at the Plaza on July 10, courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society. Each summer the society goes to great effort to bring to Sonoma the best of Jazz music and live entertainment.
The concerts coincide with the weekly evening Farmer’s Market, that is held in the Plaza through out the summer season. Referred to as “Tuesday Night Market Jazz,” the open air concerts are free to the public.
The recent heatwave that has impacted much of California did not deter people from showing up in crowds at the Plaza that evening. Music began at 6 PM. The seats were filled on that Tuesday evening as the musicians had the audience clapping their hands and tapping their feet to the rhythm. Leon Joyce, Jr the quartet’s founder lead on Drums, Wayne De La Cruz, was on Hammond B-3, James Mahone, played Saxophone and Tommy Kesecker was Vibe.
Although Leon’s musical career began in high school, it really was shaped and nurtured when he joined the Marine Corps in 1976. In the years that followed, the Connecticut native traveled through the U.S. and the world as a field band musician in Marine Corps Bands.
He graduated from the Intermediate Course at the Armed Forces School of Music in 1987. Promoted to rank of Gunnery Sergeant Joyce, he reported to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band as Percussion Section Leader in April, 1990. He was then promoted to his present rank in August, 1990. In August, 1991, he was appointed to the position of Drum Major. Leon retired from the Marine Corps in June of 1997 from the Marine Corps Logistic Base in Albany, GA.
Leon is very proud of his years with the Marines. Gunnery Sergeant Joyce’s military awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Naval Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, second award, Good Conduct Medal, fifth award, the National Defense Medal & the Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, second award.
In civilian life as a drummer Leon has worked for a wide variety of top artists. A short list would include Ramsey Lewis, Nancy Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Teena Marie, Howard Hewitt, Norman Connors, Tom Browne, Ann Hampton-Callaway, Yve Evans, Monty Alexander, Barry Harris, James Carter, Clark Terry, Conte Condoli, Ellis Marsalis, Larry Coryell, Gary Bartz, Billy Harper, Pete Fountain, Barbara Morrison, Patti LaBelle & Mary Wilson. Leon is currently a regular with the Leon Joyce Trio, Quartet and Quintet, the Sista Monica Band, the Jamie Davis Quintet, and the 57th Street Galley House Band. He also freelances in and around the Chicago and San Francisco Bay areas with numerous other artists. As a percussionist, he has performed under the direction of Carmen Dragon, Claude T. Smith, Dr. Larry Curtis, Cooleridge Taylor-Perkinson & Bill Russo.
As a clinician, Leon has led many clinics in Chicago and the United States at various educational institutions and music programs.
Leon has appeared at many of the top International Jazz Festivals, including Montreaux & Lugano Jazz Festivals in Switzerland and the Villingen Swing/Jazz Festival in Germany. Nationally, he has appeared in the Monterey Jazz and Blues, Playboy Jazz and JVC Jazz Festivals in California, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in Louisiana & the JVC Jazz Festival in Colorado. Locally he has appeared in the Chicago Jazz Festival, the San Francisco Jazz Festival, the Chicago Blues Festival & the South Shore Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Carmel Jazz Fest.
He and his quartet were very pleased to be in Sonoma this past Tuesday. The aroma of food on the grill which is characteristic of the Tuesday evening Farmer’s Market scene mixed wonderfully with the quartet’s sound. They played familiar jazz standards as well as new compositions.
Jonathan Farrell, For All Events
Sonoma Valley
Jazz Society
2017 RECAP
Now entering our 31st year, The Sonoma Valley Jazz Society is looking forward to presenting another diverse program of jazz in Sonoma in 2018.
The purpose of the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society is to enhance the appreciation of jazz as an American art form through live jazz performances and education in Sonoma Valley. We bring together our community by providing musician referrals and awarding youth scholarships and sponsoring clinics in local schools.
Our Tuesday Night Farmers Market concerts on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from June through September have become a local tradition.
In 2017 our programs included the Ladies of the Blues – Vocalists Denise Perrier, Rhonda Benin, Pamela Rose and Tiffany Austin accompanied by the Lillian Armstrong Tribute Band comprised of Tammy Hall – Piano, Aneesa String – Bass and Ruthie Price – Drums.
In July 2017 we presented Grammy Award Winner Javier Cabanillas with his Cabanijazz Project,
In August the Eddie Henderson Quartet featuring Sylvia Cuenca on Drums Essiet Essiet on Bass and Peter Zak on Piano.
Completing the summer program was Jeff Sanfords Cartoon Jazz Septet with Tunes from Toons.
Photo Credit – Frank Novak
The sold out Jazz in the Barn series held monthly included Tata Vega Quartet, the Ray Charles Project with Tony Lindsay, The Eddie Henderson Quartet and The Brian Nova Trio.
Our annual Members & Sponsors Party – free to our members & sponsors was held on December 3rd with vocalist Clairdee.
Scholarship Recipient Gio Mendez also performed with the trio which included Ken French – piano, Ron Belcher – Bass and Deszon Clairborne – Drums.
We are a small non-profit 501c3 organization solely funded by donations made by local citizens and business owners. The board is made up of a staff of volunteers. It’s the dedication of our volunteers, dues paying members and local Sonoma Valley businesses that make it all possible. Please join our community and let’s make 2018 another year of bright moments.
Lina Perlas, President
Sonoma Valley Jazz Society
Enthusiastic crowd scene at Tuesday Night Market Jazz
Tuesday Night Market Jazz Concert![]()
