Set to Pack the House Every Friday and Sunday Night @ Vicky’s of Santa Fe in 2015
By Lisa Morgan
After cutting back on his bookings to spend more time with his kids, John Stanley King, one of the most awarded, respected and working-est musicians in the Coachella Valley, is back to playing regular nights. The lucky venue hosting him is Vicky’s of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. King will play Friday nights beginning January 2nd, 2015 from 8pm until midnight. Vicky’s will be keeping their kitchen open late on Friday nights, in honor of their star troubadour. King’s incredibly talented, five piece band, will be providing a tasteful mix of self-penned melodies as well as classic fan favorites that range from R&B to Reggae. Joining him on Friday nights, will be Norman Merten on lead guitar, coming from the Los Angeles beach area, Malcolm Turner on bass, from Orange County, Derek Organ on drums from Inglewood, and Monty Seward on keys, also from the LA area. Sunday’s will be a different vibe and crew, as King, along with a stand-up bass player, a grand piano player and drummer, will pull pages out of the Great American Song Book. This will be an all jazz night. Rest assured that not only has King’s individual talent proven him to be a crowd favorite, but the musicians he works with are also the best of the best.
“The last time I played a steady nightclub gig was at the Village Pub back in 2008. I was there every Tuesday night. I decided to take it down a notch and help raise my two sons. It was more in the plan to work during the weekdays and be with them in the evenings and weekends when I could. I was blessed to do that all these years and now they’re old enough to give me a night or two to come out and play. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
When it comes to awards and popularity, John Stanley King has the market’s largest share of both, and for good reason. Highly respected among other musicians, the man is simply talented. With the ability to deliver many styles of music soulfully and with authenticity, with or without a band, King is deeply dedicated to his craft. King is known for his unmistakable ability to read and engage any crowd. He is an entertainer in the truest sense. His extended talents range in all styles of music from Jazz, Acoustic to Classic Rock and even Reggae. He was raised in the Southern California desert. His musical family dates back generations with hillbilly music on the one side of the family and the depths of jazz on the other. “My mom’s side of the family were all Jazz Musicians,” shared King to CV Weekly. “My Grandpa Danchack lived in Beaumont and was a trumpeter and bass player. My mom met my dad when she was seventeen and he was eighteen. They got married and moved to Cathedral City where he was a butcher by day, and performed in local venues and private parties at night. I learned all the standards from him.” A multi-instrumentalist and accomplished vocalist, you must see for yourself why this artist has held the title of the Coachella Valley’s Best for so long.
Vicky’s of Santa Fe is located at 45-100 Club Drive in Indian Wells. It is recommended that you call for reservations at (760) 345-9770. Happy Hour is from 4:30-6:30pm, dining rooms are open 5:30-10pm. They are open 7 days a week.
