CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD
Concerts in the Courtyard RETURNS!
EVERY 1ST AND 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. 12 - 1 PM.
April 3 - October 16, 2026.
Concerts features local artists from all genres including jazz, opera, classical, world music and more. Concerts will take place in the courtyard, weather permitting. Otherwise the concert will take place in the Kiwanis Great Room.
Doors open at 11:45am. Earlier entry and seating is not available. Concerts begin at 12:00pm.
Seating is open and available on a first come first served basis. Reservations are not required.
Please no outside food. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Please note, entrance to Concerts in the Courtyard is FREE to attend,
but donations are welcome and greatly appreciated.
Questions?
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Call us at (858) 459-0831
Vivaldi to Guaraldi
Adrienne Nims & Dan Bailey
Friday, June 5
12-1 PM.
Multi-genre flutist and saxophonist Adrienne Nims and Dan Bailey open the summer season with a delightful array of music from composers Vivaldi to Guaraldi. Enjoy favorites including selections from Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Claude Bolling's Suite for flute and jazz piano,Vince Guaraldi's Linus and Lucy,The Beatles in My Life,Duke Ellingston's In a Sentimental Mood, Herbie Hancock's Watermelon Man, and Chick Corea's Spain.
About
Flutist and saxophonist Adrienne Nims is known for her passionate performances blending jazz, classical, and world music influences. A classically trained musician who began performing professionally as a teenager, she has appeared at renowned venues including the Getty Museum, California Center for the Arts, and the San Diego Zoo, and has opened for artists such as Spyro Gyra, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs, and Fourplay. In addition to performing and recording, Nims is an active educator who shares her love of music through teaching and community programs.
She will be joined by pianist Dan Bailey, who spent 15 years conducting orchestras and performing keyboards for numerous Broadway productions and tours including Shrek the Musical, West Side Story, Legally Blonde, and Elton John’s Aida. A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, Bailey has performed at Carnegie Hall and with a wide range of national artists while also composing and recording modern jazz with his BPC Trio.
High Noon Harmonies
Lori Bell & Joey Carano
Friday, June 19
12-1 PM.
Veteran jazz musicians’ flutist Lori Bell and guitarist Joey Carano weave improvisation and subtle interplay in an intimate and spontaneous exploration of jazz standards and original material.
About
Acclaimed flutist and composer Lori Bell is a three-time Global Music Award recipient recognized for her expressive artistry in jazz and contemporary music. Based in San Diego, she has earned international acclaim through recordings and performances at renowned venues including The Kennedy Center, Birdland, Blue Note NYC, and SFJAZZ. Her albums have received widespread critical praise, including Brooklyn Dreaming, named among the Best Jazz Albums of 2016, and her 2024 release Recorda Me: Remembering Joe Henderson. In addition to performing worldwide, Bell is a dedicated educator and serves on the faculty at San Diego State University.
She will be joined by jazz guitarist Joey Carano, a standout voice in the San Diego jazz scene known for his sophisticated harmonic style, inventive chord voicings, and memorable improvisations.
Soulful Music from 2 SD Music Awards Winners
Whitney Shay & Ed Kornhauser
Friday, July 3
12-1 PM.
Join us for a soulful afternoon featuring San Diego Music Award winners Whitney Shay and Ed Kornhauser. With powerhouse vocals and expressive piano, this performance brings together blues, jazz, and soul in a vibrant and captivating musical experience.
About
Whitney Shay is an award-winning vocalist known for her powerhouse voice, soulful style, and dynamic stage presence. A five-time San Diego Music Award winner, she has toured extensively throughout Europe and South America and was nominated for a national Blues Music Award in 2019. Her album Stand Up! debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart and the Roots Music Report, earning widespread praise from critics. Shay’s music has also appeared in numerous television and film productions, showcasing her electrifying blend of blues, soul, and rhythm & blues.
San Diego-based pianist Ed Kornhauser is a versatile jazz performer and composer with a degree in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University. He released his debut album The Short Years in 2020, featuring original compositions, and is also a member of the Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio, appearing on several acclaimed recordings. An active presence in the local music scene, Kornhauser performs with a wide range of artists and accompanies vocalists including Leonard Patton and Whitney Shay. He also serves as a staff accompanist and performs regularly at public and private events throughout the region.
Vintage Country and Jazz
Stacy Antonel
Friday, July 17
12-1 PM.
Vintage country and jazz.
About
San Diego-born, Nashville-based artist Stacy Antonel creates a distinctive blend of country, jazz, and Americana that feels both vintage and modern. Her expressive “country jazz” vocals evoke classic singers of the 1920s and ’30s while drawing inspiration from country greats like Patsy Cline. Rooted in traditional country with touches of jazz, soul, and bluegrass, Antonel’s songwriting often explores unique and unconventional themes. Her recent project, The Sea Horses: Volume One, reimagines mid-century country and jazz standards with a surf rock twist.
The Benny Goodman Project
Nightshade Navarro and The Cloudmakers
Friday, August 7
12-1 PM.
The Cloudmakers is a spirited jazz band dedicated to the historical traditions of New Orleans’ musical heritage. Led by Nightshade Navarro, the band weaves together a tapestry of sounds reminiscent of the speakeasies of Harlem and the roaring parties of Nola. With a repertoire deeply rooted in the classic tunes of swing and early jazz, The Cloudmakers captures the soulful improvisation and infectious rhythms that define jazz in its earliest identity.
About
Nightshade Navarro serves as a distinguished band leader renowned for orchestrating some of the most vibrant jazz ensembles in San Diego. As an artist, Nightshade infuses every note with a deep reverence for history and culture, spanning from the roots of Traditional Black American music to the contemporary sounds of modern jazz. With a commitment to excellence, Nightshade and his bands pay homage to the pioneers of jazz while also forging pathways for future musical styles.
Jazz Duos by the Grinnells
Justin & Melonie Grinnell
Friday, August 21
12-1 PM.
Melonie and Justin Grinnell—piano and bass duo and married partners—are established members of the local music community and have performed together for over 20 years, blending jazz tradition with energetic improvisation. They are joined by their sons, Brady and Owen, accomplished musicians active in San Diego’s leading classical and jazz youth ensembles (Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra/ Young Lions Jazz Conservatory.)
Program features jazz duos in family pairings, exploring classic standards and modern jazz, and concluding with a Grinnell family quartet—a joyful celebration of family music-making.
About
Pianist and vocalist Melonie Grinnell is an accomplished performer and educator with over two decades of experience in jazz studies. She holds degrees from the University of Miami and San Diego State University and serves as Assistant Professor of Music at Grossmont College, where she directs piano studies and vocal jazz ensembles. An active member of the San Diego jazz community, she performs regularly and has appeared as a keyboardist with the San Diego Symphony.
She is joined by her husband, bassist Justin Grinnell, a respected jazz performer and educator who teaches at the University of San Diego and Grossmont College. A graduate of San Diego State University with advanced studies at the University of Southern California, he performs throughout the region while also mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians.
Strings Across Styles
Fred Benedetti
Friday, September 4
12-1 PM.
Experience the many voices of the guitar in this lively and eclectic program by Fred Benedetti. From classical elegance and fiery flamenco to Beatles classics and original compositions, this performance offers something for everyone in a truly engaging musical experience.
About
Classical guitarist Fred Benedetti is internationally recognized for his expressive playing and versatility across classical and contemporary styles. A student of the legendary Andrés Segovia, he has performed worldwide and collaborated with renowned artists including Luciano Pavarotti, Dave Brubeck, Willie Nelson, and Ravi Shankar. Benedetti has recorded extensively as a soloist and with ensembles, earning accolades such as a San Diego Music Award for Best Pop-Jazz album. An esteemed educator, he is an emeritus professor at Grossmont College and continues to contribute to the region’s vibrant musical community.
An Afternoon of Jazz
Mikan Zlatkovich and Ben Wanicur
Friday, September 18
12-1 PM.
Enjoy a soulful afternoon of classic jazz as pianist Mikan Zlatkovich and bassist Ben Wanicur perform a rich selection of American standards, film favorites, and works by legendary composers. A seasoned performer who has shared the stage with icons such as Chet Baker and Charles McPherson, Zlatkovich brings expressive playing and a global perspective to this engaging program.
About
Mikan Zlatkovich is a virtuoso jazz pianist with a distinguished international career, having performed and recorded throughout the United States and Europe. He has shared the stage with jazz greats including Chet Baker, Charles McPherson, Clifford Jordan, and Louis Hayes. Known for his expressive style and versatility, Zlatkovich performs a wide-ranging repertoire from the Great American Songbook to jazz, blues, and Brazilian classics. In addition to performing, he is an accomplished composer and studio musician working across multiple genres.
Solo Piano Explorations
Danny Green
Friday, October 2
12-1 PM.
A rising force on the jazz scene and an award-winning Origin Records recording artist, pianist and composer Danny Green has distinguished himself with his beautifully articulated touch and melodically charged sensibility. His music – a vivid blend of jazz, classical, and Brazilian elements – delights critics and audiences across the country and around the world. Green’s talents have taken him from the Blue Note in New York City to the Blue Whale in Los Angeles, and his work has been featured in DownBeat Magazine, Jazziz, the San Diego Union Tribune, The Boston Globe, NPR, and JazzEd. In this concert, Green will play selections from his new solo piano album ranging from jazz standards and original compositions, to music by The Beatles and Stevie Wonder.
About
Pianist and composer Danny Green is an award-winning jazz artist known for his distinctive blend of jazz, classical, and Brazilian influences. An Origin Records recording artist, he has received multiple San Diego Music Awards for Best Jazz Album and Artist, with his work earning national and international acclaim from outlets including DownBeat, Jazziz, NPR, and The Boston Globe. Green performs with his long-standing trio featuring bassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Julien Cantelm, whose close musical connection brings depth and energy to both original compositions and jazz standards. Together, they create engaging performances that are both introspective and vibrant.
The Beatles
Fred Benedetti
Friday, October 16
12-1 PM.
Join us for a nostalgic afternoon as Fred Benedetti pays tribute to The Beatles with elegant and engaging guitar interpretations. From iconic hits to hidden gems, this performance captures the spirit, charm, and enduring appeal of one of the most influential bands of all time.
About
Classical guitarist Fred Benedetti is internationally recognized for his expressive playing and versatility across classical and contemporary styles. A student of the legendary Andrés Segovia, he has performed worldwide and collaborated with renowned artists including Luciano Pavarotti, Dave Brubeck, Willie Nelson, and Ravi Shankar. Benedetti has recorded extensively as a soloist and with ensembles, earning accolades such as a San Diego Music Award for Best Pop-Jazz album. An esteemed educator, he is an emeritus professor at Grossmont College and continues to contribute to the region’s vibrant musical community.
