Fifth Annual Redwood Coast Whale & Jazz Festival Dinner & Jazz with mellow jazz by Susan Sutton and Terry Simcik St. Orres Dining Room Friday, April 6, 2007 Seatings at 6:00 and 8:30 p.m.

On Friday, April 6, St. Orres Dining Room again hosts "Dinner & Jazz" with the mellow jazz of Susan Sutton on piano and Terry Simcik on acoustic guitar.

You have a choice of two seatings, one at 6:00 and the other at 8:30 p.m. The cost is $40 for three courses, which includes the jazz entertainment. Appetizers and desserts are a la carte, and all beverages, tax and gratuity are additional.

Reservations strongly recommended. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Call St. Orres at (707) 884-3335.

Susan Sutton: Keyboards

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.

Sutton and her Trio have been captivating West Coast audiences for years, offering an exciting blend of original upbeat Latin-inspired jazz compositions and favorite standards from soft romantic to festive and highly spirited. The seventh and latest release, "BEYOND" is produced by Sutton Sound and available on CD. This album includes original material as well as carefully chosen standards. Sutton is joined by Lloyd Wick, whose progressive Latin influence is evident in his crisp, neat, magical on-the-dot drum work. He has been an integral part of the Trio for the past twenty years. Featured on bass is Miles Wick, son of Lloyd Wick. This gifted, young player has been with the Trio for a year.

Susan has played with several groups at Gualala's Cypress Village Open House events, and has been a featured performer at St. Orres on Saturday evenings this past January. Festival patrons have enjoyed her wonderful jazz music at St. Orres' for both the 2005 and 2006 Dinner & Jazz events, joined by acoustic bassist Steve Webber. This year Susan is delighted to be collaborating with Terry Simcik on acoustic guitar.

Terry Simcik: Acoustic Guitar

After growing up, studying, and performing music ranging from jazz, popular show bands and recording work in the Los Angeles area, guitarist Terry Simcik relocated to the Mendocino Coast where he has continued to perform, teach and study music. He can be heard playing in settings from solo guitar, to combos, and larger ensembles at various events throughout the wine country and coastal regions of Northern California. Simcik plays weekly at the Ledford House restaurant in Albion, and has been the guitarist for the Mendocino Music Festival Big Band since its inception.

As part of the Mendocino Coast Jazz Trio, Simcik played for the 2005 daytime Chowder Challenge & Tastings event at Gualala Arts Center with Scott Harris and Russell Clark. We are delighted to welcome Terry back to play with the lovely and talented Sutton.

On Saturday evening, the Main Event Jazz Concert at Gualala Arts Center features the Montclair Women's Jazz Ensemble, with vocalist Rhonda Benin selected from the Montclair Women's Big Band, and 11-year-old jazz flute sensation, Elena Pinderhughes.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for beer, wine and a martini bar along with savory and sweet tapas plates available for purchase. Limited open cabaret seating at 7:00 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 if purchased in advance or $35 the day of the event. Call Gualala Arts at (707) 884-1138 weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Visa and MC accepted.

The Redwood Coast Whale and Jazz Festival runs four days and kicks off Thursday, April 5 evening at Point Arena CityArt for Poetry & Jazz, with a jazz ensemble accompanying both local and guest artist poets. The Dinner & Jazz, Brunch & Jazz and Sunset & Jazz events hosted by local restaurants are returning by popular demand, along with Chowder & Jazz and the Whale and Jazz Festival Main Event, both at the Gualala Arts Center.

And what about the whales? There will be plenty of opportunities around the jazz events to observe the gray whale migration that passes Gualala heading north at this time of year. Point Arena Lighthouse offers exceptional spots to view the whales, as does Gualala Point Regional Park, and the film, Whales: An Unforgettable Journey, will be shown on Saturday, April 7.

The Whale and Jazz Festival is produced by Redwood Coast Chamber of Commerce and Gualala Arts, Inc. More information about festival events is available in Gualala Arts' monthly newsletter, Sketches, and at whaleandjazzfestival.com.

Check out the new Whale and Jazz Tote Bag, now available at Gualala Arts.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.