By Patte Purcell
It has been my pleasure to write about one of my favorite topics, Jazz, for the last 5 years for CV Weekly. I am also been grateful to Tracy and Phil for their unwavering support of my Jazz events by being my sponsor. Karl and I are getting ready to move to Florida where we will be growing bamboo and continuing with our Jazz events but we are having one last big farewell party before we go.
The Farewell Jazz Soiree and Jam will be held on Tuesday, March 5 from 5-8 pm at Venus de Fido in Palm Desert. We are pleased and privileged to bring you some of the finest artists that we have come to know during our tenure in the desert.
Our first artist is an amazing composer, piano, and sax player with her own style of music she calls ‘Blusion’. Deanna Bogart is a 4 time National Blues Award winner and travels the world performing with such energy and zest. The first time I heard her was at Melvyn’s jam when she reached over Michael Healy and played boogie woogie piano with him, her red hair flying. I was enthralled. I had no idea who she was but I wanted to find out. My friend Joe Baldino knew her and when I held our ‘Summer Jazzfest’ at Hacienda in July, I hired her to play. She wowed the crowd. Since then, I have included her in every major event I’ve had and plan to continue to bring her to our new Florida shows. Deanna will be on Grand Piano as you enter the Grand Foyer. She will be playing and singing while other artists join in. This was extremely popular at the last two Jazz Soirees we held at Venus. Guests enjoyed the ‘up close and personal’ opportunity to jam with such a superstar! It has the feel of a big house party.
In the main ballroom Keisha D and Heart of Soul will be performing jazz, standards and R&B.
Wear your dancing shoes! If you have never heard Keisha you are going to be blown away. In my humble opinion she is by far the most powerful singer and performer I have ever known. Her range, performance skills and costuming make her shows ‘one of a kind’. She belongs on the concert stage. She packs the room everywhere she goes. At our last Jazz Soiree she performed one song, “Summertime,” that brought her a standing ovation. The first time I heard her, she sang in one of our Celebrity Jazz Jams. I was stunned, that’s all I can say. Other musicians will be jamming with her during the evening.
Our third performer is a good friend of mine and an artist I’ve worked with for the last 5 years.
Joe Baldino is the most passionate musician I have ever met. He lives, breathes and sleeps music. His original music is mesmerizing. He has been recording a new CD with superstar Brian Bromberg that includes all original organic music, recorded and played to perfection in the New Age guitar genre. Joe will be outside on the beautiful piazza performing some of his favorites. All songs are original and composed by Joe.
Laurie Loftis, CEO of Venus de Fido, plans to have informal modeling during the event to showcase their newest line of clothing from their Boutique, direct from the LA and Las Vegas shows.
The Cafe offers healthy and decadent appetizers if you’re hungry and also has great outdoor seating.
Although this is NOT a 420 party (The State of California wants a $10,000 license to do that). We welcome back some of our vendors who have now switched to legal hemp based CBD products or are simply becoming advertising sponsors to support our efforts. Please note, hemp does not have any high.
Our good friend Danny Stevens has a new line of hemp CBD topicals called Aunt Betty’s. It’s a topical for muscle and joint pain. He will be there. Check out his table. He’s a great guy and has done many events supporting our efforts to bring Jazz to the desert.
One of our very favorites, Know Label has added a new CBD wine tincture, this high CBD tincture is made with premium hemp from the Santa Cruz mountains with premium grapes from a vineyard in Arroyo Grande. Their hemp based Balmz Away is a high CBD topical that works miracles on arthritis, rheumatism, cramps, sprains, headaches and burns.
Tickets are only $20 in advance or $25 at the door (Cash only). To get yours visit our ticket site at www.purplepass.com/jazzsoiree or call to place your order at 1-800-316-8559. For questions or to get a vendor table contact Patte at 1-702-219-6777. Venus De Fido is located at 73600 Alessandro Drive Palm Desert, CA.
Please join us as we say good bye to our many wonderful friends in the desert.
