Avalon Bar and Grill

Don’t miss these upcoming special events. Reservations are highly recommended, as these events frequently sell out in advance. Call (541) 512-8864.

A note about cover charges: We offer free live music several times a month. On evenings with cover charges, 100% goes to the performing musicians! Thanks for supporting the artistry of our local (and touring) musicians -- it couldn't otherwise happen in a venue of our intimate size.

Sunday Afternoon Jazz

Enjoy a variety of jazz styles and musicians every Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m., no cover. Click on the calendar page to see who's playing on the coming Sundays.

NEW!

We've recently added vocalist/pianist Lauren James to entertain you on Saturday afternoons, 2 to 4 p.m..  Plus, our celebrated Jazz Jams will now be offered every-other-month.  Next one will be Sunday, January 25th, 8 to 11 p.m.  No cover for either.  Click on the calendar page to see more details.

Robby DeCosta

Friday Evenings (January 9, 16, 23, 30), 8 p.m., no cover.

A very versatile guitarist and singer with wide appeal and a huge local following, Robby will make for some fine entertainment – sometimes with specially invited guests.  See www.avalonbarandgrill.com/calendar for details, as they evolve!

Beth Baker

Tuesday, January 6, 8 to 10 p.m., $15 cover

Beth's powerful and wide vocal range makes it easy to see how she fills The Craterian and other larger venues, but many of her fans say the intimate setting of Avalon makes it their favorite place to hear her. She performed with Lyle Lovett this past summer on the Britt Festivals stage, and opened for Burt Bacharach and the Smothers Brothers in previous Britt seasons.  Beth's shows combine an eclectic mix of tunes with her warm & playful personality, weaving her magic on pop, jazz, blues, Broadway and more.  Pianist Brent Olstad and bassist Jeff Addicott are her simpatico musical collaborators.

Beth can really rattle the roof with her nearly 4-octave range, which she can take from a full-out belt, down to a whisper. Sultry, soulful and sassy, she has her audience tapping their feet, clapping their hands or gently wiping away a tear all in the same night's program. Check out her new Web site: www.thebethbaker.com to hear a sample of her voice, and her long-awaited new CD titled "You Raise Me Up".

Fresh Fire

Wednesday, January 7, 8 p.m., $8 cover.

Fresh Fire will perform original contemporary jazz, as well as a distinctive approach to standards. The group will also unveil its new CD fresh out of production.  Fresh Fire includes Ron Hoopes on piano; Ted Tafaro on sax (home for a holiday break from Eastman School of Music); Nathan Sivananda on bass; and John Aviani on drums.  This group is from Mount Shasta, so come hear what is going on in jazz in northern California.

Marcella Ruikis, Jim Quinby & Jeff Addicott

Thursday, January 15, 8 p.m., $5 cover.

Vocalist Marcella Ruikis and pianist/vocalist Jim Quinby cover everything from Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, Diana Krall to Tom Waits, John Cleary and Tuck and Patti. From upbeat jazz tunes, bluesy toe-tappers to hauntingly beautiful ballads that will catch your breath. Jim plays with exuberance and warmth, Marcella immerses herself within each song with sultry soulfulness. With Jeff on bass, they'll really get into a solid groove.

Michael Mish

Thursday, January 22, 8 p.m., $8 cover.

“Michael Mish Sings Nilsson, Newman & Wilson” will be the theme (as in Harry, Randy and Brian). With years of writing and producing family musicals behind him, Michael turns to one of his all-time favorite things – singing and playing piano.   He has an engaging tenor voice you could swear was singing only for you, as he slides around the notes with slippery grace.  Michael has won many awards (Emmy, Parents Choice, iParenting) for his children’s music, TV and video.  Plus, he has five adult music CDs.  Pianist Dal Carver and bassist Jim Calhoun will also join him for part of this show.  Visit his website at www.michaelmishmusic.com.

Laura Berman with Craig Benelli

Thursday, January 29, 8 p.m., $5 cover.

Singer/pianist Laura Berman sings original songs and covers the likes of James Taylor, Carole King and Bonnie Raitt.  Her husband, Craig Benelli, plays acoustic guitar and sings backup for her.   New to the Rogue Valley, both are composers...and their songs (and delightful banter) are upbeat and inspirational!  Laura has recorded 3 CDs, and the latest ("Detour. Detour") opened doors to performances with best-selling authors Neale Donald Walsch and Marianne Williamson.  Laura was a featured singer in the film and soundtrack of Warner Brothers' "Clifford's Really Big Movie," which starred John Ritter as the voice of Clifford.  She also performed backup vocals for Grammy Award-winner ENYA on the David Letterman Show.  Hear Laura at www.myspace.com/lauraberman.

Wayne Horvitz & Sweeter Than the Day

Sunday, February 1, 8 p.m., $10 cover.

This Seattle-based quartet, led by pianist/composer Wayne Horvitz, will stop in for a night of jazz and Americana traditions.  With Tim Young on guitar, Keith Low on bass, and Eric Eagle on drums, this group shows depth of expression in Horvitz’ beautifully crafted compositions and drawing from country, blues, folk and jazz.  Wayne’s work has been commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts, Meet The Composer, Kronos String Quartet and many others.  He’s composed for three PBS specials, Gus Van Sants’ “Psycho”, and he is the 2002 recipient of the Rockefeller MAP Grant.  To hear music from their CDs, visit:  www.waynehorvitz.net.