Listen & Be Heard Network Arts News

This week at Armando’s:

CHRIS AND THOMAS
“Indie Folk”

A Special WEDNESDAY performance for this hip duo on tour from Los Angeles!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20
8:00 - 10:00
$8, 2 FOR $15

With sounds gathered from the landscapes of the American Southwest, Chris and Thomas’ music could just as easily find its home in the rainy hills of the early 1970’s English countryside. Combining American roots instrumentation with soothing vocal harmonies, the duo’s rustic sounds and heartfelt songs are filled with thoughtful lyricism.

Chris and Thomas became close friends at the historic art school in Liverpool where John Lennon and Paul McCartney had met up decades before. During their student years they found themselves in the bohemian surrounds of a group of painters, sculptors, renegades, holy men and metaphysical explorers who had made up much of Liverpool’s underground. They played the drunken Irish pubs till the sun shone and they sang for the Queen while they earned music degrees in film composition.

In the late 90’s the two had created “Cook Au Van,” a traveling cooking show. The vehicle for the show was literally an old gas board utility van that they had converted into a five star restaurant. Made from exquisite found objects, the van boasted water fountains, changing works of art and a fully functional wet bar. Inside the van, they hosted dinner parties for the Lord Mayor and countless British celebrities. After doing the circus lifestyle with the traveling restaurant and cooking for the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Bill Drummond, politicians and fine artists, the two had decided to turn back to their true love of music.

In 2003 Chris and Thomas arrived in Los Angeles, California. The duo’s live debut was on 11/18/03, opening up at the Hotel Café for singer/ songwriter Alexi Murdoch. Their unique live performance quickly earned Chris and Thomas a name on the L.A club circuit.

On air performances on KCRW and other radio stations followed with appearances at SXSW and other venues and festivals throughout the country. More radio stations have added Chris and Thomas to their playlists as their fan base continues to grow in the U.S., in continental Europe and in the UK.

“Take These Thoughts” recently won best song of the year in the Americana category at the Independent Music Awards 2006. The duo’s full length debut Land Of Sea was recorded with renowned producer/engineer Mark Howard (Bob Dylan, U2, Tom Waits). Howard, who used to work with producer Daniel Lanois for over ten years, has a very unique way of recording. He rented out an old soundstage in Hollywood the size of Abbey Road Studios, where he set up vintage recording equipment, Persian rugs, Victorian lamps and brought in legendary musicians to accompany Chris and Thomas on their record.

The record was first released in the UK in 2006 in conjunction with a 5 week tour and has gained critical acclaim and rave reviews (4 stars and runner up to album of the month in MOJO Magazine).
The US release includes the bonus track “Horse In The Sky”. The song, penned by Chris and Thomas and Oscar nominated composer John Debney, is featured in the end credits of Garry Marshall’s new film “Georgia Rule”,  starring Lindsey Lohan and Jane Fonda.
http://www.myspace.com/chrisandthomas

SF BAYHARPERS
“Harmonica Jam”

Moderator: Bob Loomis

Sign up 6:30

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
7:00 - 10:00
$5

THE BACHELORS
“Rockabilly / Funkabilly”

Jinx Jones-guitar/vocals
Brent Byars-bass/vocals

Come prepared for king-sized rockin’ fun!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
8:00 - 11:00
$8, 2 FOR $15

In Jinx Jones’ impressive musical career he has visited nearly every conceivable style and genre of the electric guitar. From his work with R&B divas, En Vogue to his own acclaimed rockabilly album, “License to Twang,” Jones has always strived to expand the possibilities of the instrument. He accepts every musical challenge head on, always making an impressive statement with his music. The one thing that remains consistent throughout Jones’ multi-stylistic journey is the grace and finesse of his virtuoso playing.
In addition to the many bands Jinx has led over the years, he has been sideman to or recorded with Chuck Berry, En Vogue, Soloman Burke, Howard Bomar, Roy Buchanan and Nation Funktasia.
Another dimension of Jinx Jones’ music is his impressive songwriting. Winning several songwriters’ awards, Jones’ continues to write songs that explore unknown territory, while telling a story that can reach out and touch every listener.

Brent Byars has become one of the most entertaining stand-up bass players in the Bay Area. He has led The Bachelors for many years, from BART stations to a weekly show at The Saloon in San Francisco.
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THE SUSAN SUTTON TRIO
“Original Jazz and Elegant Standards”

Susan Sutton - piano/ vocals
Bill Moody - drums
Steve Webber - bass

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
8:00 - 11:00
$8, 2 for $15

Jazz pianist , vocalist and composer Susan Sutton and her Trio have been captivating West Coast audiences for years, offering an exciting blend of original, upbeat and Latin-inspired jazz compositions and favorite standards from soft romantic to festive and highly spirited.
Brooklyn born composer/pianist/vocalist Susan Sutton has performed professionally with the Susan Sutton Trio over the past twenty years, recording seven albums on the Sutton Sound Label. Sutton’s passion for music began at the age of five, when she began her classical training in piano and cello. She holds a degree in Music Composition and Performance from Dominican University and studied jazz piano and composition with Bryce Rohde of the Australian Jazz Quintet, and jazz piano with George Cables. Her original works include a series of contemporary modern chamber pieces as well as eight published volumes of jazz songs. Seasoned by touring dates with jazz combos from New York to San Francisco and inspired by influences from Monk, Corea and Hancock to Satie, Gershwin and World Beat, Sutton launched her own uniquely eclectic trio in 1981, establishing a distinctively original and popular voice in the Bay Area jazz scene ever since.

“Her singing, like her piano, is vibrant… and her voice has a compelling storytelling quality about it. (Sutton’s) compositions…are structurally and harmonically sophisticated and adventurous. The patented Sutton exuberance, excitement and exhilaration…abound on each track.”
Dave Nathan, All Music Guide

Bill Moody has played and/or recorded with Jr. Mance, Maynard Ferguson, Jon Hendricks, Annie Ross, and Lou Rawls. He lived in Las Vegas for many years as a musician on the Las Vegas Strip, hosted a weekly radio show at KUNV-FM, and taught in the UNLV English Department.
He now teaches creative writing at Sonoma State University, hosts a Jazz radio show on KSVY and continues to be active in the Bay Area jazz scene with the Terry Henry Trio and Dick Conte’s trio and quartet. He is the author of five Evan Horne mystery novels: Looking for Chet Baker, Bird Lives!, Sound of the Trumpet, Death of a Tenor Man, and Solo Hand.

Steve Webber has been playing the bass for over thirty years.After playing in many school bands and orchestras,  Steve studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music,  Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University.
Steve has had the pleasure of performing with Jack Sheldon,BArt Farmer, Mel Martin, Steve Smith, George Graham and Don Menza.
While working in San francisco Steve has done shows with Buddy Guy and Jr. Wells, Chuck Berry, Bonnie Rait, Carlos Santana and Huey Lewis and the News.
Currently Steve enjoys working for many noteable Bay Area band leaders such as Benny Barth, Terry Henry, Si Perkoff, Susan Sutton, Randy Vincent, Leo Cavanaugh, Barry Schiffman, Yolanda Nickell, Vernelle Anders and Michael Aragon.

http://www.susansutton.com

Coming up next week:
Super Chicken Funk Night
Robert “Hollywood” Jenkins and his smokin’ Blues band
Rockabilly and roots rock with Highway 61
The Names Trio, with their unique arrangements of The Police tunes

707 MARINA VISTA
MARTINEZ  94553

You can check out upcoming shows and details  at
http://www.martinezvibes.com/armandos

No one under 21 admitted.