28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC To understand Jazz Bash by the Bay, one only needs to glance at its schedule of performances. For example, on Friday at 4pm, Marilyn Keller & Friends take the stage—or one of the stages; more on that later. “Friends” in this case means the likes of Dave Stuckey, John Otto, Dan Barrett and Riley Baker. At 7pm Keller joins the Yve Evans Trio, making for a quartet. By the time 8:30 rolls around, Keller is back with other friends, including Italian star Paolo Alderighi and Twin Cities bass go-to, Steve Pikal. Her regular quartet plays Saturday morning. Tracking the movement of Stuckey and his guitar—or even which instruments Barrett or Baker will be playing—is even trickier. There are more than 20 bands and over 100 musicians. Jazz Bash showcases the range of the genre, from its earliest traditions to ragtime, gypsy, even the blues. But it also emphasizes the improvisational nature of the music through special sets that might put members of the Sonny Leyland Trio, versed in boogie, with specialists in 1920s classics from the Chicago Cellar Boys. There are sets with dueling pianos and a late Saturday night fling with San Lyon and Le Jazz Hot sharing the same stage. Add to the mix groups like the unbridled, unpredictable Crescent Katz or the up-and-coming high school musicians from the Syncopating Sea-Monkeys and you have the most unusual festival of jazz. It takes eight stages to pull off the event. For spectators it can be a hectic scene, yet each stage is a haven. One hour on Sunday morning, for instance, allows fans to immerse themselves in the rich gospel of Blue Street, watch After Midnight pay tribute to Nat King Cole or find the eclectic Dave Bennett channeling the King of Swing (later that day he tackles rockabilly piano). And there are four other stages. Top acts are invited from across the jazz world. Los Angeles-based San Lyon leans toward the Parisian gypsy swing sound of the 1920s. Tom Rigney & Flambeau favors lively Cajun twostep or lowdown, sultry memories of the delta. On the other hand, Pacific Brass Band is more formal. Styled after old-school British brass bands, they pace through marches and rags. Somehow it all works. The 2025 edition marks the festival’s 45th year. Jazz Bash by the Bay 11:30am-11pm Friday, March 7; 10am-11pm Saturday, March 8; 9am-4:30pm Sunday, March 9. Monterey Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey. $50-$125. 754-8786, jazzbashmonterey.com. MAG ONE MEDIA Wild Time The annual Jazz Bash by the Bay covers the world of jazz in three days of constant music. By Dave Faries Dave Barnhart, pianist with the world-renown duo Ivory & Gold, enjoys a moment during the 2024 edition of Jazz Bash by the Bay. WOODYSMONTEREYAIRPORT.COM MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT 200 FRED KANE DRIVE, MONTEREY 831-373-1232 OPEN 9AM-9PM EVERY DAY DEL MESA CARMEL 500 DEL MESA CARMEL, CARMEL VALLEY 831-624-1854 OPEN WED-SUN LUNCH AND DINNER WOODY DON’T KNOW SAINT PATRICK, BUT HIS MOM TAUGHT HIM ABOUT CORNED BEEF! MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY! CUP-O-POTATO LEEK SOUP MOM ‘S IRISH SODA BREAD FULL CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE DINNER MINI-WHISKEY TRIFLE FOR DESSERT Open Monday 3/17 for dinner only, serving our St. Patrick’s day menu! Call for reservations If You Haven’t, You Need To! GREAT Paninis, Soups, Salads, Pinsa Romana, Craft Beer & Wine Live Music on the Patio, Coming Soon Vegetarian and gluten free items. Dine in or take out. Indoor and outdoor seating. Catering and events up to 40 people available Located on the Coast Guard Pier with views of Monterey Bay. 32 Cannery Row, Suite C, Monterey • (831) 718-8520 Sandwiches - Salads - Craft Beers - Wine - Coffee FRESH. LOCAL. TASTY. Fisherman’s Wharf FRESHEST SEAFOOD with PANORAMIC VIEWS Open Daily at 11:30am • At the end of Fisherman’s Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375
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