40 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC Mike Shannon is soft-spoken. His drums do the speaking. The combination travels well. Shannon recently returned home to the Highway 68 corridor in Monterey County from a trip to Italy after performing a concert celebrating the films of Italian actress Sophia Loren, conducted by her son Carlo Ponti at Teatro Augusteo in Naples, playing with a pop operatic band organized by Pasquale Esposito. Esposito’s core band is based in San Jose, making travel easy for Shannon when he’s called upon to perform. As a permanent member of the rhythm section for the European concerts, the pair has become familiar to Naples audiences. Shannon was asked to play in Esposito’s jazz ensembles in 2016, which later led him to play drums in big bands abroad. His first trip to Italy was in January 2020 and the performance was aired by PBS. Shannon soon took over as the principal drum chair. The first gigs in Naples were some of his first with Esposito, and Shannon says that members of the rhythm section of that band have since become good friends. The recent gig was also recorded for television. But because the Trump administration canceled nearly $9 billion in funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in July 2025, the concert is being shopped to Netflix. Shannon has been playing drums for over four decades, not only in Monterey County, but also across the U.S. As an orchestral drummer, he acknowledges the particular role he plays in the band, which is setting the rhythm. But because of Esposito’s range of genres—spanning classical Italian vocals to Latin and even some pop— there are opportunities for some flair. “We get to cut loose a bit,” he says. “Then you settle down and play your part.” Shannon enjoys the showmanship of the big band just as much as playing in a jazz quartet. Though he has played around the world, he’s still impressed by how many great musicians are here in Monterey County. For the moment, Shannon is focusing on teaching and local gigs, although he does have an upcoming performance in New York. Because the band has been so well received in Naples, he also anticipates returning to Europe soon. After several trips overseas, he is getting accustomed to jet lag. “It’s nothing a couple of espressos couldn’t cure,” he says. DANIEL DREIFUSS Tamburo Travels Monterey County drummer Mike Shannon returns from an international big band performance. By Sloan Campi Drummer Mike Shannon plays locally and teaches at the Dennis Murphy School of Music in Monterey in addition to his national and international performances. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS
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