Ninth Annual Whale & Jazz Festival St. Orres & Jazz with melodic jazz by Susan Sutton and Terry Simcik St. Orres Dining Room Friday, April 1, 2011 Seatings at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

St. Orres hosted one of the final Whale & Jazz events in 2010, and is 'kicking off' the 2011 Whale & Jazz Festival with St. Orres & Jazz... a name change from Dinner & Jazz now that eleven local restaurants participate in the Festival.

Rosemary Campiformio, owner and Executive Chef of St. Orres' spectacular, three-story, plant-filled dining room plans to offer her regular menu with the jazz entertainment, a return to the sounds of Susan Sutton on keyboard with Terry Simcik on guitar.

Cost for dining prix fixe is $50, and includes three courses, soup, salad, a choice of entrees. Appetizers and desserts are available à la carte, as are fine wines and microbrews from St. Orres' cellar. There will be two seatings for dinner and jazz, at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Due to the popularity of this event, advance reservations are highly recommended. Call 707-884-3335 to make reservations. MC/VI accepted.

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, 2009 and 2010 Sunset & Jazz events. This year Susan is delighted to be again collaborating with Terry Simcik on acoustic guitar and performing at St. Orres.

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 St. Orres' 2007 Dinner & Jazz and Sea Ranch Lodge's 2008, 2009 and 2010 Sunset & Jazz events with the lovely and talented Sutton.