An exciting musical lineup set for the Saratoga Rotary Art Show
From cool jazz to hot rock, visitors to the annual Saratoga Rotary Fine Art Show will find an entertaining slate of musical acts on the weekend of May 2 and 3 at Saratoga’s West Valley College.
Local blues singer and recording artist Kaye Bohler will be the headliner, along with British pop idols Nigel and Clive, who claim (with a wink) to have been the most popular band in the U.K. in the 1960s before The Beatles and other bands stole their music.
While admiring the work of over 100 area artists, strollers can also soak in the sounds of The West Valley College Jazz Combo, local favorites Severe Pleasure, jazz quartet Three Knights and a Jester, and strolling flamenco guitarist Paul Renslow.
Kaye Bohler has performed from Japan to Alaska, and up and down the west coast since 1990, delivering a Vegas-style show, while belting out the blues. Her band features searing guitar grooves and tasty harmonica work. She and her band will perform Saturday afternoon, May 6, from approximately 2pm to 4:30pm.
Celebrated on the Soul and Blues festival circuit, Kaye is also a prolific songwriter. Many of her original works will be featured on her “Homegrown” album (her sixth) due out this summer. This will be Kaye’s second appearance at the Saratoga Rotary Fine Arts show.
Nigel Wakefield and Clive Wigglesworth, along with guitarist Rupert Shuttlecock and drummer Beano, comprise the British pop group Nigel and Clive and the British Invasion. While many doubt the veracity of their backstory (or, indeed, if they are even British), they nonetheless perform late-60’s British rock and pop flawlessly, having thrilled Bay Area audiences for the last 20 years at venues as diverse as The Mountain Winery, The Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, and San Francisco’s Union Square. They even sang the national anthem at a SF Giants game. Attendees can hear their music and weigh their claims Sunday, May 3, from approximately 1:30-4:30pm.
The West Valley College Jazz Combo is a dynamic small ensemble that showcases the creativity, precision, and improvisational artistry of student musicians. Performing an exciting mix of classic swing, bebop, Latin jazz, funk, and contemporary standards, the combo highlights individual soloists while emphasizing tight ensemble collaboration and professional-level musicianship. Under the direction of music faculty, students refine their skills while preparing for professional opportunities. Listeners can expect bold solos, infectious grooves, and vibrant spirit.
Severe Pleasure returns to the Art Show for their fifth consecutive year. Let by Dave DeCarion, the band features drummer Doug Dean, vocalist Marielle Matthews, guitarist Rex Nicodemus and saxophone maven Mike Mendoza. Purveyors of classic rock and roll, Severe Pleasure can be seen and heard Saturday, May 2, from approximately 11:30 am to 1:30pm.
Saxophonist Steve Dambrosio brings together an august team of talented jazz veterans to entertain attendees with beloved jazz standards on Sunday morning starting at 10am. His Three Knights and a Jester jazz quartet features Russ Talor on keyboards, John “Big Bottom” Eckstrom on bass, Harold “The Heartbeat” Ohashi on drums, along with Dambrosio, a virtuoso on saxophone, clarinet, and flute. Combined, they have over 120 years of musical experience.
Strolling through the campus all day Saturday will be Paul Renslow, providing tasty flamenco and Latin-flavored grooves on his acoustic guitar. A regular on the winery and art show circuit, Paul’s music is sure to provide the perfect vibe to the gathering.