Press Releases
San Clemente, CA – Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a nonprofit southern California cultural center, is pleased to announce its 2020 Casa Jazz Club lineup, provided with support from local restaurateur Rocco Carbonara.
Thursday, September 3: Lao Tizer Quartet, a Billboard Jazz chart-topping, genre-bending ensemble fusing contemporary jazz, world beat, and pop-rock.
Friday, September 4: Gerald Clayton Duo featuring the four-time GRAMMY-nominated pianist/composer and Monterey Jazz Festival’s 2017 Artist-In-Residence.
“Every Labor Day weekend, Casa Jazz Club brings jazz musicians who have garnered international recognition for their talent into our beautiful seaside town of San Clemente,”says Executive Director Amy Behrens. Past Casa Jazz Club performers include Ravi Coltrane (GRAMMY nominee and son of the legendary John Coltrane), Bennie Maupin with Eric Revis and Nasheet Waits, John Beasley (MONK’estra), Gilbert Castellanos, Kyle Eastwood, and Gerald Clayton.
Arguably one of the most scenic musical destinations for jazz-lovers on the West Coast, Casa Romantica’s Casa Jazz Club features a pre-show sunset reception both nights on Casa Romantica’s Ocean Terrace overlooking the picturesque San Clemente Pier. Carbonara Catering (the catering arm of Rocco’s Restaurant, both of which are owned by underwriter Rocco Carbonara in San Clemente) will provide small bites and drinks. The live music takes place in Casa Romantica’s historic Courtyard, an intimate open-air venue that gives attendees up-close access to the musicians in a way that few other venues in Orange County allow.
In compliance with the orders and guidelines from the California Department of Public Health, these events will be held entirely outdoors with limited capacity — just 50 tickets will be sold per evening — and all seating will be socially distanced, with small tables accommodating 1-4 person households. Guests will have their temperature screened upon arrival, and masks will be required at all times except when guests are eating or drinking at their table.
“The safety of our guests, team, and performing artists are Casa Romantica’s top priority,” says Behrens. “We are proud to be a leader among other cultural institutions by adhering to rigorous health and safety protocols so our audiences can continue to enjoy our mission-focused high-caliber music programs.”
The 2020 Casa Jazz Club series is underwritten by Rocco’s Restaurants with support from Ryland and Amy Behrens.
Thursday, September 3: Lao Tizer Quartet featuring Eric Marienthal • $50 ($45 members)
Keyboardist and bandleader Lao Tizer is a gifted performer known for his genre-bending mix of jazz, classical, new age, and jam-oriented music. A native of Boulder, Colorado, Tizer’s first big hit in 2002 reached the Billboard top 50 songs. His band’s latest release, Songs from the Swinghouse, debuted at #8 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart.
Tizer is accompanied by GRAMMY award-winner Eric Marienthal on saxophone, GRAMMY Award-nominated Ric Fierabracci on bass, and GRAMMY Award-nominated Gene Coye on the drums.
Friday, September 4: Gerald Clayton Duo • $55 ($50 members)
Four-time GRAMMY Award-nominated jazz pianist, composer, and Blue Note artist Gerald Clayton adds subtle nuances to harmonic narratives that create a thoughtful commitment to artistic exploration, innovation, and reinvention. Along with a rich performance and recording history with many talented musicians such as Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, John Scofield, and Terence Blanchard, Gerald has also toured and recorded with saxophone legend Charles Lloyd as well as with his father, classical bassist and jazz composer John Clayton (Clayton Hamilton Orchestra).
Clayton is the Musical Director of the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz All-stars, leading a big band of all-star high school students from around the country in performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Previously, he was the Musical Director of Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, a project that featured his trio along with Ravi Coltrane, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard and Raul Midón. He is the 2018 winner of the ASCAP Vanguard Award, and was the 2017 Monterey Jazz Festival Artist in Residence.
