Published in the March 29 – April 11, 2017 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Mark Fenichel

Mark Fenichel

Musically, we are currently in a “calm before the storm” period. But in the not too distant future the music scene all over will be exploding with live music everywhere you go.

A most noteworthy music event to put on your calendar if you love jazz, blues and Latin-inspired music is the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest returning to downtown San Jose for its 28th festival season from Friday Aug. 11 through Sunday Aug. 13.

A showcase for jazz and related genres, SJZ Summer Fest 2017 (as they like to call it) is also nationally recognized as one of the biggest Latin festivals in the country. A standout summer destination for music lovers, concert-goers and families, the three-day event features more than 120 performances on 10 stages throughout the weekend.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2017 offers an acclaimed roster of artists from around the world as well as homegrown Bay Area talent. The line-up includes Chris Botti, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Maceo Parker, The Whispers, Angélique Kidjo’s Celia Cruz Tribute with Pedrito Martinez, Hammond B3 organ luminary Dr. Lonnie Smith with his Trio, Jazz By Five with Javon Jackson, George Cables, Randy Brecker, Eddie Gomez & Jimmy Cobb, San Francisco String Trio with Mimi Fox, Mads Tolling and Jeff Denson, Cyrille Aimée, The Seshen, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Danny Green Trio, Carmen Lundy, Sasha Masakowski, Emilio Solla Quartet; Dmitri Matheny Jazz Noir, Tia Brazda, Gregory Page, Kavita Shah, Ray Obiedo; Tommy Igoe Groove Conspiracy, Brian Andres Afro Cuban Cartel, Somos el Son, and additional artists to be confirmed.

Not only will SJZ Summer Fest 2017 transform downtown San Jose into an explosive hub of jazz, it’ll be the nation’s epicenter of Latin jazz, drawing on both a mix of internationally renowned Latin artists and top Bay Area salsa bands, co-curated by Mister Latin Jazz.

The 2017 Salsa Stage includes featured sets by Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Brian Andres Afro Cuban Cartel, Somos el Son, just to name a few. Tickets go on sale April 24 and can be purchased in advance for as little as $15. That’s a whole lot of music for a most reasonable price. Admission will be found at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/buy-now and for more information and details simply go to summerfest.sanjosejazz.org or call (408) 288-7557

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On another note, closer to home some of the live music events to look out for this spring and summer include The Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras with a full weekend of live music Saturday and Sunday May 27 and 28, the Wine Stroll presented by the downtown business association in downtown Morgan Hill will have live music in various places throughout downtown, the Morgan Hill Chamber will be offering 14 Fridays of live music at the Downtown Amphitheater beginning in early June this year and going into September.

The Taste of Morgan Hill in the downtown area will have two days of live music.

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce will be running their very successful weekly Street Dance Party.

Live music will also prevail through downtown Gilroy at the Art & Wine Stroll in May and at the very popular Car Show as well.

Gilroy wineries also will have live music including Sarah’s Vineyard at the end of May, Fortino, Satori, Morgan Hill’s Guglielmo Winery and Clos La Chance in San Martin. Finally, the Gilroy Garlic Festival will offer three-days of live music on several different stages. It is held the last weekend in July.

As we get closer to all these events I will have music breakouts with band line ups and more details for each.

If you have a music tip contact me at [email protected].