This posting falls under the broader category of a public service announcement - AKA - helping out some local musicians.
I realize that for many of you who visit the blog from “far away places” that attending the events outlined in the following correspondence may be somewhat of a stretch, but perhaps you might check out the links to the music.
For those of you who have ready access to the noted locations in northern California it might be fun to attend these performances.
“Dear Steve,
I’m writing to ask whether you might be interested in reviewing a new, independently produced jazz album with deep roots in the Monterey Peninsula: The Lighthouse Jazz Quartet Plus One — Live at the Cherry Center.
The album features five highly regarded local musicians: Bob Phillips on piano, Dennis Murphy on electric bass, Mike Shannon on drums, Stu Reynolds on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, and Paul Contos on saxophones, clarinet and alto flute. It was recorded by engineer Jesse de Carlo during a live performance at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in Carmel.
The recording grew out of a rather wonderful local story. During the pandemic, when our Pacific Grove restaurant, Wild Fish, had become little more than a to-go operation surrounded by boxes, Bob Phillips appeared at the door and asked whether we would like a piano. We said yes, imagining we might find a use for it when the restaurant reopened.
Bob delivered the piano the following day. A day later, he returned and announced that he had forgotten to mention that the piano came with a free piano player—himself.
From that unlikely beginning, Bob became a treasured part of Wild Fish, and the Lighthouse Jazz Quartet developed a regular Friday and Saturday residency that has continued for six years. Over time, the restaurant became a genuine musical home: a place where some of the Peninsula’s finest jazz musicians could play together regularly, welcome guest artists and encourage exceptional young players.
Wild Fish subsequently produced this album in celebration of the musicians and the remarkable musical community that has grown around them.
The record opens with Jobim’s “Triste,” followed by “A Weaver of Dreams” and Stu Reynolds’ original composition, “Blues for Bobby.” Side two begins with Gershwin’s “‘S Wonderful” before moving into what may be the album’s most distinctive achievement: an unusually thoughtful closing sequence of five Billy Strayhorn compositions—“Chelsea Bridge,” “A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing,” “Passion Flower,” “Blood Count” and “Take the ‘A’ Train.”
That Strayhorn sequence is especially artful, revealing the range and emotional complexity of the composer’s work while allowing the individual voices within the ensemble to emerge. A veteran British music critic and album producer who heard the recording was genuinely impressed by the musicianship and production, and particularly by these final five pieces. His response encouraged us to seek thoughtful independent critical attention for the album.
The release will be celebrated through three significant local performances:
Sunday, September 6, 2:00–4:00 p.m. — Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Carmel. The group returns to the venue where the album was recorded to perform selections from it, joined by gifted young musicians from its Legacy Program.
Sunday, September 27, 1:30–2:30 p.m. — Monterey Jazz Festival, Courtyard Stage. Wild Fish will proudly present the Lighthouse Jazz Quartet Plus One as part of the 69th Monterey Jazz Festival.
Sunday, October 25 — Wave Street Studios, Monterey. A final album-launch celebration will bring the established musicians together with student guest artists, reflecting the group’s commitment to passing this musical tradition forward.
If the album might be of interest, I would be delighted to provide a vinyl, CD or private digital review copy and any further background you may need. We would also be very happy to arrange interviews with Bob Phillips or other members of the ensemble, and to welcome you to any of these performances.
We are proud of the album—but more importantly, we believe the performances deserve to be heard and considered on their musical merits. I very much hope you will have an opportunity to listen.
Warmly,
Liz Jacobs
Wild Fish Restaurant
Pacific Grove, California
(707)734-3240
Sound tracks on Google Drive Link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gzwo2w6KIrbQ-LzT79nvZuiM5msOiWo7?usp=sharing
September 6 concert and tickets:
Monterey Jazz Festival artist page:”
https://montereyjazz.org/artist/wild-fish-presents-the-lighthouse-jazz-quartet/
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