CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD
Concerts in the Courtyard RETURNS!
EVERY 1ST AND 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. 12 - 1 PM.
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.
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Seating is open and available on a first come first served basis. Reservations are not required.
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Please no outside food. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
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Please note, entrance to Concerts in the Courtyard is FREE to attend,
but donations are welcome and greatly appreciated.
Questions?​
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Email us at info@ljcommunitycenter.org
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Call us at (858) 459-0831
The Evolution of Jazz: A Historical Look At the past 100 Years in Jazz Music
Rob Thorsen & Carter Key
Friday, May 16, 2025
12-1 PM.
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San Diego Bassist Rob Thorsen teams up with pianist/ trombonist Carter Key featuring works by Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis, and more. This program promises to be entertaining and fun, and will feature two of San Diego’s finest!
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Bio
Bassist Rob Thorsen maintains a diverse and busy schedule in Southern California as a performer, educator, clinician and composer. After playing classical guitar, flute, saxophones, tuba and electric bass as a youth, he found his true voice in the upright bass.
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He performs regularly as a leader, and with artists including the Gilbert Castellanos Quintet, Mike Wofford/Holly Hofmann Quartet, Charles McPherson, Steph Johnson, Voices of Our City Choir and a host of others.
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He has released six recordings as a leader, the most recent “Bass is the Space - Solos and Duos” featured an array of jazz talents in duo settings as well as solo performances of originals and more.
Carter Key is a trombonist, pianist, vocalist, educator, composer, and arranger originally from Richmond, VA. In 2015 he moved to Miami, FL to pursue Jazz Studies at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music. While attending UM, Carter played lead trombone in the prestigious Frost Concert Jazz Band and served as a mentor for younger musicians in the jazz program. Since then, he has worked as a top call musician for jazz orchestras, top 40’s bands, and studio work, particularly for groups such as South Florida Jazz Orchestra and Libido Band. In 2019, he was featured on trombone on the Grammy Award Winning big band album “The Omni-American Book Club” by Brian Lynch. As a new member of the SoCal music community, Carter has jumped into the scene playing at jazz clubs, music festivals, weddings and more. Carter has had the pleasure of performing alongside musicians such as Gloria Estefan, Ziggy Marley, Damian Marley, Haley Reinhart, Brett Eldridge, John Daversa, Farruko, Stephen Marley, and Arturo Sandoval among others. In his free time, Carter enjoys surfing, swimming, hiking, and traveling.
Piano & Bass Jazz Duets
Melonie & Justin Grinnell
Friday, June 6, 2025
12-1 PM.
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Experience jazz standards reimagined by dynamic piano-bass duo Melonie and Justin Grinnell. Married and musically in sync for over 20 years, the Grinnells bring an interactive, improvisatory energy to every performance—rooted in the jazz tradition, yet always fresh and expressive.
Bio
Melonie Grinnell, an active educator and performer, began studying piano at an early age and has since been recognized not only for her skills as a pianist, but also for her abilities as a vocalist, music educator, and musical director. Melonie received her Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education with jazz emphasis from the University of Miami and a Masters of Music performance degree in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University.
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Melonie has been a music educator at the collegiate level for over 20 years and is an Assistant Professor at Grossmont College where she serves as director of piano studies and the vocal jazz ensemble. Classes include Music Theory and Practice, Class Piano, and and Piano Performance Studies. She teaches traditional face-to-face classes as well as online classes. Additionally, she is on the faculty for the Francis Parker/KSDS 88.3 Summer Jazz Workshop where she teaches jazz piano and co-directs middle school to high school student ensembles. She is also active as an adjudicator for instrumental jazz festivals including the Coronado/COSA Jazz Festival and the KSDS Jazz 88/CMEA festival.
As a freelance musician, she performs throughout San Diego area throughout the jazz community. She also enjoys subbing as a keyboardist with the San Diego Symphony during their pops season.
A Journey Through the 60's
Martín Martiarena
Friday, June 20, 2025
12-1 PM.
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Take a nostalgic trip through the 1960s with Martín Martiarena as he performs timeless hits by The Beatles, Paul Simon, and more on acoustic guitar. An accomplished touring musician and music director, Martín brings warmth, talent, and storytelling to each song in this intimate and engaging concert.
Bio
Martín Martiarena is a California based musician and educator. Raised in San Diego, he graduated from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in 2018, where he majored in Jazz Studies. Martín has most recently served as the bass player in the national tour of “The Simon and Garfunkel Story” and as the music director and lead guitarist for the national tour of “The British Invasion Live on Stage”. He can be found playing guitar and electric/upright bass in professional musical theater productions all over California and portraying Paul McCartney in Beatles tribute bands all over the West Coast.
The Roaring 20’s
Nightshade Navarro and The Cloudmakers
Friday, July 18, 2025
12-1 PM.
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Step back in time with Nightshade Navarro and The Cloudmakers, a spirited jazz band celebrating the rich musical traditions of New Orleans. Blending the soulful swing of Harlem speakeasies with the vibrant rhythms of early jazz, this high-energy ensemble brings the roaring 1920s to life through timeless tunes and dynamic improvisation.
Bio
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. 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.
