‘Tis the season, although we are just far enough out from the major winter holiday celebrations that there are still a few business-as-usual shows. But of course, we’ve got Christmas for you, too. If you missed the debut public performance by Slim Checkers on Halloween, there’s a chance this Friday to hear them at the same venue, Carmel’s American Legion Hall, Dolores and 8th.
While hanging out with my friend, keyboardist Luca Fredericksen and his wife Tina, I got the chance to put some questions to him about the band. Fredericksen plays keys for what is actually a Tom Ayres-helmed project that came into being at the request of Ayre’s brother-in-law. When you turn 80 and you’re being thrown a big birthday party and you have a family member who you know can learn any kind of music at the drop of a hat, well, why not request Fats Domino? Most likely, today’s youth have never heard of this distant legend of early rock’n’roll.
Fats Domino was born Antoine Caliste (Dominique?) Domino, Jr. in New Orleans on February 26, 1928. There is a little confusion as to his given middle name. He was given the nickname “Fats” by bandleader Billy Diamond, not just because of his size, but in tribute to the jazz pianist Fats Waller, according to several sources. Domino was a boogie-woogie piano player/singer credited as being one of the original rock artists. He sold scads of records and a few of his popular hits included “Blueberry Hill” (1956), “I’m Walking” (1957), “Ain’t That a Shame” (1955), and “I’m Walking to New Orleans” (1960). He’s been cited as inspirational to the next generation of rockers, Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
“We put together a list of about 25 (Domino) songs,” Fredericksen said. “Tom was going to sing the whole thing. I was getting prepared and found the music more complicated than I thought it would be. Tom also had a hard time playing and singing the songs. We got together and it went well. I had studied the piano style. And he would sing on the back side of the beat, although the music is a little more aggressive. We had a hard time finding his sweet spot, so we dialed back the repertoire to about 15 songs, to the core stuff. We supplemented the sets with a bunch of other stuff Tom already knew.”
The music portion of the birthday party was a big success and everyone in the band was good-to-go with the idea of carrying the group forward. Standup bassist Bill Sullivan and drummer Shaun Elley are joined by vocalist Jon Gorman to make the current lineup of Slim Checkers. For anyone who is not familiar with guitarist Ayres, he’s locally born-and-raised, although he has spent time in New York City and is now living in Oakland. He has had some success in the past with the band Persephone’s Bees with wife Angelina Moysov, and he’s been in any number of bands here in the Monterey area. He does have a knack for doing Bob Dylan (or Jimi Hendrix) justice in a tribute context. Currently he is an in demand session player in the Bay Area and here, and is a regular member of the band Los Survivors.
Fredericksen is a Los Angeles native who has lived in New Orleans and has called Carmel Valley home for some time. He’s the driving force in the funk/rock/swamp music band Wrockinfoose. I’ll tell you more about them next column before New Year’s Eve. Wrockinfoose is one of two grand finale bands for the First Night Monterey celebration. This Friday at the Carmel American Legion, you can check out Slim Checkers, 7-10 p.m., $10 at the door.
Make Merry at The Cherry
What I think will make a great night out this Friday is going by the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, 4th and Guadalupe in Carmel for its annual Make Merry at The Cherry holiday open house, 5-7 p.m. and then head downtown for the Slim Checkers show afterward. There is Scheid Vineyards wine being poured and seasonal goodies to munch on, and a raffle drawing for a wheelbarrow filled with a large collection of fine wines. Reasonably-priced art by noted local artists will be available for purchase. And best of all, the event is free and open to the public.
Oyster Jams
For starters this Thursday night at Shearwater Tavern, located at 3665 Rio Road, inside the Carmel Mission Inn, there is the monthly Oyster Jams, with live music by rock band MEEZ, 5-8 p.m. Lots of fresh oysters are offered up in the courtyard where the band is set up. It’s a children and dog-friendly event. Lots of fun things are going on at this location, check out their website for more info, www.shearwatertavern.com.
Nutcracker
The Sunset Cultural Center brings their annual presentation of The Nutcracker ballet to its stage Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. The Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s Tia Brown Rosenblum is the Artistic Director. Professional dancers Samuel Jones and Jameson Keating join with local dancers Paige McDonald, Tes Laflan, Brooke Benson and Emory Bates. Ticket prices are $61 for adults, and $40 for children 12 and under, includes all fees. Available online at www.sunsetcenter.org.
Perl girls
Also Friday, if Pacific Grove is more your jam, the Perl girls are presenting “A Very Perl Christmas” at the P.G. Meetinghouse on Lighthouse Avenue starting at 6:30 p.m. The mother/daughter team of Janice and Miranda Perl, known for their fabulous jazz vocals and devotion to teaching the music, will perform songs they’ve chosen from Christmas movies, like “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “White Christmas,” and “Holiday Inn.” They’re also bringing in the beloved classics in the style performed by Andy Williams, Karen Carpenter and Ella Fitzgerald. The band is comprised of some of the area’s brightest talents, saxophonist/pianist Gary Meek, bassist Zach Westfall, drummer David Morwood and guitarist Adam Astrup. No cover, and a comfy livingroom-style space to ring in the Christmas season.
Holiday-loff Solstice
Another of our annual traditions takes place Dec. 19, the 13th Annual Enchanted Winter Holiday-loff Solstice Concert, held at the Center for Spiritual Awakening, 522 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. There is a 6 p.m. reception with the music starting at 7 p.m. The program will include classic Christmas carols and songs of the season featured on Dave Holodiloff’s “Enchanted Winter II Holiday-loff Jams” album as well as some more obscure winter favorites in a variety of styles like Celtic, Balkan, Latin, and much more. The holiday favorites will be a stirring mix of straight to the heart and inventively re-harmonized, funked up, jazzed up, and mashed up Christmas favorites.
Joining mandolinist/vocalist Holodiloff in his band are pianist Michael Martinez, violinist Peter Mellinger, violinist/strings Elijjah McCullar, percussionist Shaun Elley, vocalist/strings Alina Markina, plus special guests. Drinks and refreshments at the reception are part of the ticket price. Tickets are available online in advance at www.csa-pg.org for $40, and for $50 at the door. The family-friendly venue allows those under 18-years-old free with an adult ticket holder.
Now that Pacific Grove is a hopping live music location, you have another option for Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 for a 3 p.m. matinee at St. Mary’s By-The-Sea, 146 12th St., You might want to join with the Celtic music folks at the 20th Annual Winterdance Celtic Christmas Celebration. It is suggested you get your tickets ASAP at www.celticsociety.org as these shows always sell-out. Friday night’s concert and Saturday’s matinee cost $39.25 in advance, $44.25 at the door, children $12.75 advance, $15.00 door, all fees included. Celtic Society members receive discount. Be sure to click on the correct day you’re interested in.
This year’s show welcomes back Molly’s Revenge fiddler John Weed, the soaring vocals of San Francisco’s Amelia Hogan, the guitar wizardry and singing of East Bay’s Paul Kotapish, and the banjo and mandolin artistry of rising artist, Tyler Weed. All-Ireland champion Irish step dancer Marisa Gilman will bring a percussive and visually stunning element to this special show.
Christmas Music Show
This just in from David Marzetti at KMBY radio, 1240am/106.7fm. He produces the Annual Christmas Music Show, one that he’s been producing live each year on the Saturday before Christmas, Dec. 20, from 9-11 a.m. at the Del Monte Golf Course Grill, 1300 Sylvan Road, Monterey. Of course, you can hear all the music via his radio show. But you can also drop in, open house style, to catch the musicians in action. It’s hard to believe he can fit in all this music in those two hours in the morning. He’s serving coffee and a glass of cheer, code for booze. There will be nothing but Christmas music for two full hours.
Some of the performers include Mike Marotta, Jr. & Family, Miranda Perl & Adam Astrup, Janice Perl, Zoe Alexander of The Money Band, The Transducers, Bad Machine, I Cantori di Carmel, Zach Westfall, Paul Tarantino, Shannon & the Night Divers, Katherine Lavin, Rachel Marotta, David Dally, and Dr. David Morwood. Hope I didn’t miss anyone. Sounds like quite the producer’s challenge and a lot of fun. Free admission.
