CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD
Enjoy A FREE Afternoon Concert, Every First & Third Friday of the Month!
12-1pm
Concerts in the Courtyard will feature 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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Email us at info@ljcommunitycenter.org
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Call us at (858) 459-0831
Whitney Shay & Laura Chavez
Acoustic Duo
5 time San Diego Music Award Winner and Billboard #1 Blues Artist Whitney Shay pairs up with Laura Chavez, the first woman to ever win the national Blues Music Award for Best Guitarist. They'll showcase original music as well as some classic rhythm & blues and soul favorites.
Friday, May 03, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About Whitney Shay
With sparkly dresses, fiery tresses, and a talent rivaled only by her unstoppable hustle, Whitney Shay is one #busylittlesinger. In her hometown of San Diego Whitney Shay has been honored to win 5 San Diego Music Awards, and a San Diego CityBeat Magazine "Best Of" Award. Abroad Shay has toured extensively throughout Europe and South America, and was nominated for a national Blues Music Award in 2019. Shay’s latest release on Ruf Records Stand Up! debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues charts and also reached #1 on the Roots Music Report. Shay has received high praise from music critics calling the singer “a future blues icon” (Blues Matters!), “one of the next best things in soul music” (Blues and Rhythm Magazine), and “the epitome of a rising star” (Elmore Magazine). Shay’s tracks have been placed in TV/film, including shows on NBC, Fox, HBO, Bravo, BET, Hulu, and Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral. Whether in studio, on screen, or stage, Whitney Shay’s electric energy, soulful style, and powerhouse pipes keep listeners connected and coming back for more.
Sergio Estrada
Cielito Lindo
Dive into the magic of Mexico through its most iconic songs. You'll not only hear melodies that cross borders and eras, but you'll also discover the stories behind each song. Get ready for a journey where the guitar narrates and stirs emotions.
Friday, May 17, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About Sergio Estrada
Sergio Estrada, born in Mexicali, Mexico, inherited his passion for music from an early age, being the son of a renowned musician in Mexico and the United States, Jose Estrada, also known as “El Aguila Negra”, who has become a living legend in his homeland. Sergio began to immerse himself in music during the bohemian nights at home, treating it almost like a religion. At the age of 15, he picked up a guitar for the first time, thus embarking on his musical journey. After being part of various musical groups, he spent twenty years as a member of his father’s mariachi group, “Mariachi Internacional”, which helped him develop his passion for Mexican music. After a decade living in San Diego, he has polished the raw talent within him and has sought to convey his feelings, passion, and story through his songs to the people of this community.
Steph Johnson Trio
100 Years of Jazz
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the rich history of jazz music. This captivating concert will take you on a journey through 100 years of this iconic musical genre. From its humble beginnings in New Orleans to its global influence today, experience the evolution of jazz through electrifying performances of timeless classics and innovative interpretations.
Friday, June 07, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About the Steph Johnson Trio
Steph Johnson, Vocalist/Guitarist, is an award-winning multi-dimensional songwriter, recording artist, and true force for positive change. Steph deftly blends jazz, soul, funk, and blues within her distinctive vocals. Through her 20-year music career, Steph has recorded five studio albums. In 2016, Steph directed her creative energy towards social activism, co-founding Voices of Our City Choir with the late Nina Deering. What began as an organic collaboration between local musicians and people experiencing homelessness has grown into an internationally recognized performance ensemble and innovative nonprofit that uses music and arts to amplify the voices of people impacted by homelessness. Steph now serves as Voices’ Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director. Rob Thorsen, Bassist, 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. 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. 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. Rob is also involved in several educational programs including the “World of Jazz” and is also an educator at the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory in addition to teaching privately. Richard Sellers, Drummer, has been playing drums professionally for over twenty years. In that time, he has performed with countless groups and ensembles in a variety of styles, including straight-ahead jazz, avant-garde jazz, Brazilian, Latin, funk and hip-hop. Richard recorded with the Internationally acclaimed Mike Wofford/ Holly Hofmann quintet for their release “Turn Signal” which featured trumpeter Terrell Stafford. Richard has become one of the premier drummers in Southern California and finds himself sharing the stage with world class artists such as Hubert Laws, Terrell Stafford, Kenny Rankin, Kamau Kenyatta, Mike Wofford, Bob Magnusson, Marshall Hawkins, Clare Fischer, and Jackie and Roy.
Fred Benedetti
Music from Spain and South America
An afternoon of Spanish classical pieces, traditional flamenco pieces and Bossa-novas, valses and tangos from South America.
Friday, June 21, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About Fred Benedetti
Fred Benedetti began studies of classical guitar at the age of 16 and by age 26 was one of 12 guitarists worldwide to perform in one of the last masterclasses of Maestro Andres Segovia. Fred has performed in the United States, England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada, Taiwan and Mexico and locally with the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Opera, the Starlight Opera, the American Ballet Company, the Old Globe Theatre, Luciano Pavarotti, and jazz artist Dave Brubeck. He is also very active playing and recording jazz and popular music and has been an opening act for Art Garfunkel, Michael Franks, Basia, and Ottmar Liebert and is featured on over 150 recordings. He is an emeritus professor of music at Grossmont College where he was the head of the guitar studies program for thirty-eight years. He has performed for dignitaries such as the King & Queen of Malaysia, Mikhail Gorbachev and Ravi Shankar.
Ed Kornhauser
Old, New, and Blue
A variety of classic tunes, favorites reimagined, some original works, and (as should always be the case) a bit of the blues.
Friday, July 05, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About Ed Kornhauser
San Diego-based pianist Ed Kornhauser holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University. His debut album “The Short Years” was released in November, 2020, featuring a quartet and all original compositions. It won “Best Jazz Album” that year at the San Diego Music Awards. Ed has won “Best Jazz” at the SDMAs in 2022 and 2023. Ed also plays for The Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio (stylized as themattsmithneujazztrio) along with drummer Matt Smith and bassist Mackenzie Leighton. He is featured on all three releases: “Shorthanded” (2013), “RETROgrade” (2016), and “I.Am.Calm” (2017), the last of which feature saxophonist Dayna Stephens and trumpeter Curtis Taylor. Both “RETROgrade” and “I.Am.Calm” were produced by Grammy award-winning producer Kamau Kenyatta. Working as a freelance musician in the greater San Diego area, Ed can be found backing a variety of local musicians and playing a diverse selection of music. As an accompanist, he can be heard behind several vocalists including Leonard Patton and Whitney Shay.
Donna Jones & Loren Fisk
It Takes Two: Summer Breezin
Donna Jones and Loren Fisk are It Takes Two, a vocal duo. They sing Jazz, R&B, Motown, and music from the 50’s to the 80’s and will dazzle you with your favorite hits.
Friday, July 19, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About Donna Jones
Donna is currently a vocalist with “It Takes Two”, The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Joni and the Jeanies, and The Malt Shop Girls in San Diego. Donna and her singing partner, Loren Fisk, host the Saturday evening IT2 Karaoke at The Living Room La Jolla. Donna lived in New York most of her life. While in NY, Donna sang in a duo with her brother, Carmen Albanese. Donna sang in a duo with her cousin, Mary Ann Albanese on the local Jack LaLane Show. She was lead singer of a jazz band called “Jazzy”, sang in a local band “The Lost” and sang in two dance bands. “Without music, life would be a mistake”. Ed also plays for The Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio (stylized as themattsmithneujazztrio) along with drummer Matt Smith and bassist Mackenzie Leighton. He is featured on all three releases: “Shorthanded” (2013), “RETROgrade” (2016), and “I.Am.Calm” (2017), the last of which feature saxophonist Dayna Stephens and trumpeter Curtis Taylor. Both “RETROgrade” and “I.Am.Calm” were produced by Grammy award-winning producer Kamau Kenyatta. Working as a freelance musician in the greater San Diego area, Ed can be found backing a variety of local musicians and playing a diverse selection of music. As an accompanist, he can be heard behind several vocalists including Leonard Patton and Whitney Shay.
Nightshade Navarro and The Cloudmakers
The Roaring 20’s
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.
Friday, August 02, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About Nightshade Navarro
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.
Justin & Melonie Grinnell
Piano Bass Jazz Duets
Melonie & Justin Grinnell are a dynamic piano-bass duo and married couple. They've been playing music together since they met, over 20 years ago. They're often performing music in the jazz tradition, but even when they aren't, listeners can expect to hear music infused with their interactive, improvisatory, and energetic approach.
Friday, August 16, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About Justin & Melonie Grinnell
Melonie Grinnell is active as an educator and performer. She began studying piano at an early age and has since been recognized for her skills as a pianist, and 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. Melonie has been a music educator at the collegiate level for 23 years and is an Assistant Professor at Grossmont College where she serves as a co-chair, the director of piano studies, and the vocal jazz ensemble. Additionally, Melonie 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. Justin Grinnell is a San Diego-based freelance jazz bassist and music educator. In addition to performing, Justin maintains an active teaching schedule as adjunct faculty at University of San Diego and Grossmont College, and as faculty for the Francis Parker Annual Summer Jazz Workshop. He has also served as an adjudicator and clinician at local music festivals, such as the Coronado Jazz Festival and the San Diego Bass Fest. Justin received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Jazz Performance from San Diego State University while studying with bassists Gunnar Biggs and Bert Turetzky. Justin also achieved ABD (all but dissertation) status for a doctoral degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California. Besides studying privately with Los Angeles' first-call jazz bassist, Darek Oles, Justin's enrollment at USC gave him the opportunity to study with internationally-recognized jazz artists Peter Erskine, Russ Ferrante, Bob Mintzer, and Alan Pasqua.
Semisi Ma’U
“Bula” Music
Semisi Ma’U will be presenting original songs and arrangements, while weaving in stories of how he came to write these pieces and where they were inspired from.
Friday, September 06, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About Semisi Ma’U
Samisi Ma’u is a unique musical voice in the San Diego music scene. Originally from the small island nation of Tonga, he's developed his own musical style he calls “Bula” music, a fusion of his Tongan musical upbringing with classical, rock, blues, jazz, and whatever else he might come across. This original and powerful blend of music has attracted numerous musicians from different musical backgrounds to join his band “Semisi Ma’u and FulaBula” over the last 30 years, adding their own spirit to the eclectic style.
Mikan Zlatkovich
Great American Songbook
Joining Mikan Zlatkovich, piano, is bassist, Benjamin Wanicur. The duo will perform your favorite hits from Broadway and the Great American Songbook including songs by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Victor Young, Harry Warren and more.
Friday, September 20, 2024. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
About Mikan Zlatkovich
Mikan presents a broad repertoire of songs from the Great American Songbook, jazz and blues standards, classic ballads, pop, rhythm & blues, funk, Bossa Nova and Samba classics. Apart from his notable work as a live performer, Mikan is also a score writer and a studio musician, embracing with ease and vigour a wide range of musical genres.