Published in the April 26 – May 9, 2017 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Mark Fenichel

Mark Fenichel

Last year’s Friday Night Music Series concert brought in lots of people from the South Valley. Photo by Mark Fenichel

The Morgan Hill Friday Night Music Series line-up is now set with a full plate of 14 weeks of free music from the first Friday in June to the first Friday in September. Make your plans to enjoy some of the best bands the Bay Area has to offer.

This year you will be treated to two performances by the band Entourage on the opening day of the series June 2 and the closing day of the series Sept. 1. Entourage plays today’s favorite hits and yesterday’s classics.

New bands to this Morgan Hill music series include The Heartbeats with their tribute to the Legends of Rock and Roll June 9, Caravanserai a most wonderful tribute to Santana July 28, Pacific Soul which is truly an exciting entertainment experience as the premier party band for the Bay Area Aug. 4, and The Joint Chiefs Band with their blend of R&B classics and Bay Area funk Aug. 11. The Morgan Hill Chamber has retained many of the favorites including Soul Kiss on June 16, The Houserockers a 10-piece rockin’ horn band June 23, local favorite Shane Dwight June 30, Busta Groove July 7, Super Bad playing the hits from the ’70s through today July 14, now in their 37th year the band Sage will be featured July 21, Take 2 Aug. 18, and The Hitmen on Aug. 25. Each show will include a 20-minute opening set showcasing talented young and upcoming local singers and dance groups from various dance and music schools in the area. Also, many of the adult singer-songwriters and duos will be back to warm up the crowd between 6:30 and 7 p.m. as an added bonus before the main acts take the stage.

There may even be some special surprises which I will mention in a future column. The Friday Night Music series will many of the sponsors on hand to show off their company’s assets and mix and mingle. Beer and wine will be flowing and the Kiwanis Club will be selling food items. You are encouraged to bring a picnic, but outside alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden and security will check bags. Feel free to cut out the full-page ad on page 6 of this paper and post it on your fridge or in your office as a reminder.

On another note, San Jose Jazz, in partnership with the city of San Jose and San Jose State University, offers premier International Jazz Day music programming in Northern California Sunday, April 30 at the Hammer Theatre and Plaza. San Jose Jazz presents free all-ages entertainment showcasing a jazz documentary, two jazz concerts and other performing arts interactive entertainment from noon to 8 pm.

Inside the Hammer Theatre, programming begins at 3 p.m. with a special screening of “1959: The Year That Changed Jazz ” — a documentary film that seeks to explore select musicians’ achievements in social, political and musical context. The film is followed by two evening concerts: Will Calhoun performs a tribute to Elvin Jones from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Grammy Award-winner Dr. Aaron Lington directs the San Jose State University Jazz Orchestra with Tiffany Austin from 7 to 8 p.m. For detailed information regarding San Jose Jazz’s International Jazz Day programming go to www.sanjosejazz.org.

A ukulele meet up group now has a monthly event called the Gilroy Ukulele Jam and open mic once a month the fourth Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Bring your uke and join in. Learn new songs and meet new friends too. For a song list and more information visit www.gilroyukulelejam.com or call Susan Patereau at (408) 981-2799.

Got a music tip? Email it to harmonicaman1@ yahoo.com