Chris Cortez at Blue Bamboo

Posted on by Thor

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts (1905 Kentucky Ave. Winter Park FL) consistently brings cutting edge music to Central Florida. Chris Cortez one of the founders often offers solo shows about once a month featuring selections from his many CDs and all time favorites from the Great American Songbook to the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Chuck Berry and more. I love the intimate setting and it is one of my favorite spots to sketch musical acts. Something about the setting gets my creative juices going.

Blue Bamboo is part venue, part recording studio, part art gallery. This unique space offers live performances most evenings, state of the art recording studio, and gallery space. More concert hall than night club, they’re open to all ages and present all kinds of music, theater, dance, and spoken word events. They’re also available for private parties. You can browse the online schedule for tickets or call 407-636-9951 for more information.

They have limited seating so patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance or make reservations. Tickets are also available at the door, based on availability. Most shows begin at 8:00 p.m. and the lobby doors open at 7:00 p.m.. A small bar offers wine, beer and soft drinks.

Thursday Night Hang: Dave Sheffield Trio

Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, 1905 Kentucky Ave, Winter Park

Free admission!

The trio has been performing together for almost 30 years, and the
group is regarded as one of the finest jazz trios in the central Florida
area. The group features Dave on piano, Jeff Green on bass, and Don
Sanderson on drums. This is an authentic jazz trio with repertoire
consisting of standards from the American song book. The group can
easily crossover from easy listening dinner music, to hard bebop.

This event is sponsored by the City of Winter Park.

Thursday Night Hang: Chris Cortez Trio

Posted on by Thor

At Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts (1905 Kentucky Ave. Winter Park Fl), Chris Cortez performed on guitar and vocals; Ron Jenkins was on bass and Walt Hubbard was on drums. Chris is an international recording artist with a wide range of musical interests, he ranks among the top jazz guitarists in the world. He’s been featured in Downbeat, Jazziz, Jazz Times, Le Jazz and Hot Paris. He’s performed at clubs and festivals all over the world. His recordings are critically acclaimed.

This was a free jazz jam session and great sketch opportunity. I was able to find a small table in the front row to set up and relax to the music. They have a small bar in the back of the room for drinks and some snacks. Blue Bamboo is one of the newer venues in Central Florida and they are always hosting amazing musical talents. Blue Bamboo is part venue, part recording studio, part art gallery. More of a concert hall than a night club, they’re open
to all ages and present all kinds of music, theater, dance, and
spoken word events.  They’re also available for private parties. Check the web site to stay up to date on all that is happening.

There is a Thursday Night Hang with the Dave Sheffield Trio tonight May 9, 2019 starting at 8pm.

The trio has been performing together for almost 30 years, and the group is regarded as one of the finest jazz trios in the central Florida area. The group features Dave on piano, Jeff Green on bass, and Don Sanderson on drums. This is an authentic jazz trio with repertoire consisting of standards from the American song book. The group can easily crossover from easy listening dinner music, to hard bebop.Admission is free.

Jack’s Birthday at Pig Floyd’s

Posted on by Thor

Jack Graham held a birthday celebration at Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa (1326 Mills Ave N, Orlando, FL 32803). I never turn down an invite and it was a chance to  try some barbecue. Other friends were there, and the evening was made more festive with some colorful childhood birthday caps.

Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa offers you meat that is slowly-cooked all night, to give a succulent and tender barbecue that is second to none. Generously seasoned with sourced herbs and spices, the meat is packed with flavors unique to South America. There is also a selection of local beers, wines and iced beverages that pair well with the food.

The place was packed. My pulled Pork sandwich was decent but not really memorable. I haven’t returned since.

Jack recently had a sold out acoustic guitar concert at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts (1905 Kentucky Ave
Winter Park, Florida 32789). He put out a call for art to be projected
on the stage behind him and I submitted one of my Blue Bamboo paintings.
I let him know that if he ever does this again, I could easily edit a
series of my sketches to fill the allotted time slot.