Set against the backdrop of downtown San Diego’s sunset skyline, Thursday nights at The Westgate Hotel comes alive with the smooth and sultry sounds of Southern California’s finest jazz musicians. The 5th Annual Sunset Poolside Jazz Series brings together the best of San Diego summer – rooftop pool, downtown skyline sunset, cocktails created by the Westgate’s internationally acclaimed mixologist, Irving Gonzalez, and delicious appetizers.
Executive Chef Fabrice Hardel was inspired by fresh and seasonal ingredients for this year’s Sunset Poolside Jazz Series menu. He created dishes that are light and shareable, including a standout cheese board that pairs perfectly with the ambiance. Other crowd favorites include the Octopus Carpaccio with Valbreso Feta Cheese, Watermelon, Grapefruit and Citrus Vinaigrette. Capture the essence of summer with the S’mores dessert that combines house-made marshmallows, Salbe Breton and Hibara hot chocolate. Cool off with a Popsicle Sorbet (aka adult push-pops) that are exclusive the event and feature Pina Colada, Margarita and Mojito.
The eclectic jazz experience continues through September 13 with each performance taking place at 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A $25 per person food and beverage minimum is required for admission to each event. There are no reservations available and tables are first come, first serve.
Below is the complete schedule of dates and performances.
- June 8: Charlie Arbelaez Trio – His performances exude a high level of dedication to his art as well as an incredible amount of energy! As a saxophonist, he plays music of all styles including jazz, swing, bebop, Bossa nova, samba, Afro-Cuban, big band, funk, gospel, salsa and reggae.
- June 14: Erika Davies – A former staple at live shows by Gregory Page, San Diego’s premier Tin Pan Alley-influenced troubadour, Davies has been performing locally as a solo artist under the honorific, Miss Erika Davies, for more than 10 years.
- June 21: Leonard Patton Trio – Patton’s rich, smoky voice, unique style, and sensational scat soon gained him entrance into San Diego’s jazz scene. He’s been performing and recording with such notable artists as Bill Cunliffe, Derek Nievergelt, Duncan Moore,Mitch Manker, Mike Bedard, Ken Dow, Jetro Da Silva, and countless others.
- June 28: Ian Tordella – Tordella’s compositions are harmonically in the realm of post-bop, but strongly influenced by indie-rock, trip-hop, and electronica. Outside of his own band, Tordella has worked with a variety of local groups including Moth & Sons, Joe Garrison’s acclaimed large-ensemble Night People, Ben Wanicur’s trio/quartet, Gilbert Castellano’s Federal Jazz Project, and countless others.
- July 5: Coral Macfarland Thuet – Equally comfortable singing in Spanish, English and Portuguese, her repertoire combines jazz and the music of Latin America.
- July 12: Curtis Taylor – Taylor is a Grammy Award winning trumpeter with a lyrical and melodic improvisational style. His unique blend of soulfulness, harmonic sensibilities and rhythm melt together for an unforgettable sound that directly connects with the soul of the listener. Taylor has performed and recorded with Patrice Rushen, Billy Childs, Gary Novak, and Bob Sheppard to name a few.
- July 26: Irving Flores – Flores presents different aspects and influences of jazz that he has acquired through his career. His vast experience 38 years professionally in music, also shows the range of colors that expresses his original composition.
- August 2: Lorraine Castellanos – Lorraine is a leader jazz vocalist and classic guitarist. She has an intense passion for music, evident in her perceptive phrasing and tone, both as an instrumentalist and vocalist.
- August 9: Steph Johnson Trio – This jazz-centric trio consist of powerhouse singer Steph Johnson, bass player Rob Thorsen and young drum master Fernando Gomez.
- August 16: Matt Dibiase – Matt strives to bring a gregarious and enthusiastic energy to all the music he creates with the intention of enabling people to come to a deeper understanding of themselves. Throughout his musical career, Matt has graced the stage at venues as Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Tsai Center, and Boston’s Symphony Hall.
- August 21: Allison Adams Tucker – Multi-lingual jazz vocalist Allison Adams Tucker began singing before she could speak. As an international artist, Allison has entertained audiences in Japan, Europe, Mexico, and the US, including performances in the Blue Note New York, Ronnie Scott’s London, Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Los Angeles, San Jose Jazz, The Jazz Kitchen Indianapolis, and many more.
- August 30:Gilbert Castellanos Trio – Internationally acclaimed trumpeter, Castellanos has played with jazz legends including Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Diana Krall, Al Jarreau, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Liza Minnelli, and Natalie Cole to name a few.
- September 6: Sam Hirsh – Hirsh was born in Kyoto, Japan and began playing the piano at the age of 4. Influenced by his father, a jazz saxophonist, he began playing jazz his freshman year of high school and starting playing professional one year later. He has studied jazz piano with Alan Pasqua, Otmaro Ruiz and Russell Ferrante to name a few.
- September 13: Robert Dove – Dove is a saxophonist who has had the opportunity to perform at a multitude of venues and events spanning across the country. He is well versed in all aspects of jazz, and uses this facility to arrange, compose, perform, and educate with multiple groups throughout Southern California. He has performed and recorded alongside John Ellis, Marcus Roberts, and Bobby Floyd in addition to other prominent musicians.
For more information on the event series, please call 619-238-1818 or visit www.westgatehotel.com.
