See & Hear
Music fans missing live shows can head to Napa for an outdoor concert series featuring Jody Watley and other acts.
Even though COVID-19 restrictions are steadily easing, it looks like there won’t be as much live music going on in the Bay Area as many fans would like this summer.
It appears things won’t really heat up until around Labor Day weekend, with the scheduled return of BottleRock Napa Valley on Sept. 3-5 seemingly being the unofficial start of getting back on track toward a full concert calendar.
Yet Labor Day weekend is a long way off. So, fans will be happy to know that there are a number of cool concert offerings between now and then.
And this is the coolest one of the bunch:
The Blue Note Napa outdoor concert series at the lovely Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, featuring such acclaimed acts as Los Lobos, Pink Martini, Taj Mahal, Arturo Sandoval, the Stanley Clarke Band and KT Tunstall.
These shows, which might represent a good starter step for music fans who are still hesitant about attending shows indoors, kick off tonight with the Billie Holiday Project led by vocalist Stella Heath, and continue into early October.
“We are thrilled to be able to find a way to once again present world-class music in the Napa Valley while maintaining a COVID-responsible environment” says Ken Tesler, managing director of Blue Note Napa. “We couldn’t ask for a better partner or a more beautiful openair venue than the Charles Krug Winery.”
I’ve been to a show at this beautiful and historic setting and can testify that it’s a fine place for live music. It’s widely known as “Napa Valley’s Oldest Wine Estate,” having gotten its start way back in 1861 when Napa Valley winemaking pioneer Charles Krug established the winery. The estate was purchased in 1943 by the Mondavi family, who have continued to run the winery for over 75 years — and four generations.
Organizers are implementing several safety precautions for these shows, including having patrons wear masks at all times (except when eating or drinking at their table), adhering to social distancing measures, providing hand sanitizer stations and sanitizing tables and chairs after each show.
I’m hoping to attend a show at Charles Krug this month — which will be my first ticketed concert experience in well over a year, since seeing the alwaysexcellent Patti Smith perform at the Fillmore in San Francisco back in March 2020. My plan is to then report back to readers on what it’s like to attend a gig in 2021.
If you are interested in attending one as well, or just finding out more information about this series, go to bluenotenapa.com.
Here’s a look at some of the top shows on the schedule. I’ll stick with the ones that — at least when I wrote this — still had tickets available. A number of shows (such as the Los Lobos and Pink Martini ones) are already sold out.
THE BILLIE HOLIDAY PROJECT LED BY STELLA HEATH >> The Bay Area vocalist Heath does an amazing job in this tribute to the great Lady Day, drawing from such Holiday favorites as “Blue Moon,” “Billie’s Blues,” “God Bless the Child” and “Strange Fruit” as well as lesser-known tunes.
DETAILS >> 7 p.m. today; $15$25.
TYCHO >> The Bay Area electronic music project, masterminded by Scott Hansen, has received two Grammy nominations during its career — both of which came in the dance/ electronic album category. Tycho is playing eight shows in four nights at the venue, some of which are already sold out.
DETAILS >> 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. June 3-6; $55-$85.
JODY WATLEY >> The R&Bsoul-pop sensation, who won the 1988 Grammy Award for best new artist, was a major force on the charts in the late ’80s, thanks to such singles as “Looking for a New Love,” “Don’t You Want Me,” “Real Love” and “Friends.” DETAILS >> 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. June 26; $45-$95.
KENNY G. >> No, I’m not trying to be all ironic here. I’m honestly recommending the G-man, a terrific showman who remains such an underrated musician — despite having accomplished so much (and sold so many records) during his career.
DETAILS >> 5:30 and 8:30 July 10-11, 4 and 7:30 p.m. July 12; $79-$125.
KT TUNSTALL >> The Scottish folk-rock-country music singer is known for such acclaimed efforts as her 2004 debut album “Eye to the Telescope,” which delivered the hit single “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and went on to sell some 4 million copies worldwide. DETAILS >> 4 and 7:30 p.m. July 25; $39-$69.
TAJ MAHAL >> The acclaimed Bay Area blues artist, who released his eponymous full-length solo outing in 1968, has won a number of Grammy Awards during his lengthy and accomplished career. His most recent Grammy victory came in 2018, when his collaboration with Keb’ Mo’ — “TajMo” — was named best contemporary blues album. DETAILS >> 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Aug. 21, 4 and 7 p.m. Aug. 22; $59-$89.
THE STANLEY CLARKE BAND >> He’s truly one of the most talented bassists of all time, which he’s shown repeatedly during a career that stretches back to the early ’70s and includes so many great albums as a bandleader as well as his pioneering jazz-fusion work with the amazing Return to Forever.
DETAILS >> 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Sept. 11, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12; $49-$79.
ARTURO SANDOVAL >> The Cuban jazz great, who plays trumpet, piano and timbales, has won Grammys, one Emmy (for the score to the 2000 biopic about his life, “For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story,” starring Andy Garcia) and was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2013. DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Sept. 17, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Sept. 18; $39-$79.