Seventh Annual Redwood Coast Whale & Jazz Festival Sunset & Jazz with melodic jazz by Susan Sutton and Terry Simcik Sea Ranch Lodge Friday, April 10, 2009 Seatings at 5:30 and 8:00 p.m.

Overlooking a pastoral and rugged Sonoma seascape meadow, with spectacular blue and white water ocean views, Sea Ranch Lodge Restaurant rests high above the breaking waves, each table in the dining room offering a dramatic panorama of the ever-changing Pacific Ocean.

These exceptional ocean views make it an excellent spot to view migrating gray whales and sunsets, and is the perfect spot to continue the second weekend of this year's festival's "Sunset & Jazz" event, again featuring popular and talented jazz pianist Susan Sutton who will be joined by Terry Simcik on acoustic guitar.

The restaurant features internationally inspired California cuisine with emphasis on the freshest local ingredients. In keeping with the "Jazz with International Flavors" theme of this year's festival, Executive Chef Robert Schneider is preparing a special multi-course, Thai menu for this special evening.

The Sea Ranch Lodge Restaurant is honored to be the recipient of several awards including the Sonoma County Stars - Four Star Restaurant Award in recognition for an exceptional selection of Sonoma County wines, the Wine Spectator Award and the 2008 Wine Enthusiast Award of Unique Distinction, given for dedication to delivering the most wine friendly experience.

Advance reservations for this event may be made with a credit card guarantee, as space will be limited. There will be two seatings for dining, at 5:30 and 8:00 p.m.

Please call (707) 785-2371 or (800) SEA-RANCH (732-7262) for information and reservations.

Sea Ranch Lodge will be participating in the 2009 "Chowder Challenge" as part of the Chowder & Jazz event. Also, on Easter Sunday, the Lodge is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt for kiddies, beginning at 11:00 a.m. sharp. There will be various age categories. Their traditional Easter Brunch will be served on Sunday, April 12.

Jazz Artists

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, as well as a guest performer at St. Orres. 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, and with Terry Simcik for St. Orres' 2007 Dinner & Jazz and Sea Ranch Lodge's 2008 Sunset & Jazz. This year Susan is delighted to be again collaborating with Terry Simcik on acoustic guitar and performing at Sea Ranch Lodge.

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 & Jazz event at Gualala Arts Center with Scott Harris and Russell Clark, and has performed in the 2007 Dinner & Jazz and 2008 Sunset & Jazz events with the lovely and talented Sutton.