By Arthur George

America’s musical history as woven through guitar strings will be presented in five outdoor patio concerts on consecutive Sundays from July 24 through the end of August at Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Roots country, bluegrass, swing, jazz, and flamenco will be tied together across varied presentations.

The series starts on July 24 with Soco Blue, playing from noon to 2 pm. Next up comes the mandolin-centric Phil Lawrence Quartet on August 7; followed by Swing Fling on August 14; then flamenco performer David Jenkins (“El Oso”) on August 21; and concluding with the Backstory trio on August 28. All the shows in August run from 2 to 4 p.m.  These performances are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.  All shows take place on the patio at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol.

Roma (“gypsy”) music is a common element of all the August performances. Django Reinhardt’s 1930s-style of French manouche “gypsy jazz,” later imported onto American shores, is part of the repertoires of three of the musical groups, while soloist David “El Oso” Jenkins will introduce us to Roma flamenco, as he learned it in Spain.

Here’s the whole line-up:

Soco Blue trio is a subset of the Still Blue quartet, above.

July 24 - SoCo Blue is a trio drawn from the quartet "Still Blue" and consists of Rob Wegner, alto sax; Matt Riney, guitar; and Diego Garcia, standup bass. Their repertoire is classic jazz from the Blue Note Records catalog of the late 1950s and 1960s.

The Phil Lawrence Quartet

August 7 - The Phil Lawrence Quartet features original compositions patterned after mandolin master David Grisman and Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France. Grounded in tradition but updated with contemporary influences, the group is led by Phil Lawrence on mandolin; with Eddie Guthman, bass; Rick Fulkerson, guitar; and Richard Loheyde, violin. Performers and educators among them, they’ve worked with Grisman, David LaFlamme of “It’s a Beautiful Day,” the Santa Rosa Symphony, and jazz artists from mainstream to fusion. Lawrence’s radio show "Mandolins, Cabbages & Kings" broadcasts locally on KOWS 92.5 FM 6-8 p.m. on every first, third, and fifth Tuesday of the month.   

Swing Fling

August 14 - Swing Fling builds on the Django-style, supplemented by the Great American Songbook of pop standards and classic show tunes. The quartet includes keyboards, bass, mandolin and guitar, along with multiple-part vocal harmonies from musicians Jan Kahdeman on guitar and vocals; Karol Kopley on accordion and vocals; Rhonda Berney, mandolin and vocals; and Steven Radice, bassist and vocals. Swing Fling emerged from the former group Haute Flash, regrouped and reconstituted.  

David “El Oso” Jenkins plays Roma-inflected flamenco

August 21 - David Jenkins ("El Oso") offers unfiltered flamenco, from his immersion in Spain's Andalusia province. From early studies on cello, Jenkins later apprenticed himself to learn dance accompaniment in Triana, the Roma section of Seville, and studied with disciples of flamenco masters Niño Ricardo and Sabicas, and in the indigenous roots village flamenco of Diego del Gastor in Moron, Spain. He has since studied the origins of Roma music in India and Romania, performed in contemporary presentations in Mexico and Nicaragua; and with flamenco dance companies in the Bay Area.   

Backstory Trio

August 28 - Backstory consists of Sara Winge, rhythm guitar and vocals; Cary Black, bassist/vocalist; and Raul Reynoso, guitar. Their styles range from modern folk, Western and jazz swing, bluegrass, and classic country. Backstory’s members’ varied paths have led to work with The Kingston Trio, Dan Hicks, and the Grand Ole Opry. Again, the 1930s style of Reinhardt’s “gypsy jazz” is a strong influence.

Everyone is invited to these fun, free concerts. We’ll see you there!