Avalon Bar and Grill

Don’t miss these upcoming special events. Reservations are highly recommended, as these events frequently sell out in advance. Call (541) 512-8864.

A note about cover charges: We offer free live music several times a month. On evenings with cover charges, 100% goes to the performing musicians! Thanks for supporting the artistry of our local (and touring) musicians -- it couldn't otherwise happen in a venue of our intimate size.

Sunday Afternoon Jazz

Enjoy a variety of jazz styles and musicians every Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m., no cover. Click on the calendar page to see who's playing on the coming Sundays.

The Bluenotes

Wednesday, November 19, 8 p.m., $7 cover.

A pairing of saxophonists Detlef Eismann and Michael Vannice yields some sassy, soulful sax duos. Noted for a funky, upbeat jazz and blues style,The Bluenotes will lean on the great music of Ray Charles, Jimmy Witherspoon and Louis Jordan, as well as some straight-ahead jazz.   Always a fun party band, the group is rounded out with Dal Carver on piano; Jeff Addicott on bass, (in addition to Eismann on vocals and sax and Vannice on sax).

Das Vibenbass

Sunday, November 23, 8 p.m., $13 cover.

Catch “Das” one last time at the Avalon before they move to New York City in January, where things are lining up for them…and well-deserved as our audiences will vouch.  They’ll trot out a truckload of new material, too, so even if you've heard them before, this will be all new.  They will be coming to us after gigs in a diverse mix of New York City venues, from an intimate club, (Smalls), to an indie rock club (Pianos).  Edgy, experimental, creative, alternative, but always with an infectious groove, (using sax, vibraphone, bass and drums) this Seattle-based group was voted “Best Jazz/Experimental Act” on the Seattle Weekly’s “Best of 2006” list. With frequent tours of the U.S., Germany, Austria and The Czech Republic, the group has accumulated a devoted fan base, spanning all ages and musical tastes.

In the past year, vibraphonist Justin Sorensen says the group has been, "shifting gears within its music, helping to reshape the ever-evolving genre we call jazz."  Justin continues with, "The best way I can describe the current path of Das is one deeply entrenched in the idea of cinematic mood music.  It entails long phrases of melody from the saxophone, deep driving bow work on the bass, dynamic moving in both directions from the drums and ostinato vibes patterns....It is a result of each (band) member hiding nothing and giving everything."

Hear them at these websites:  www.dasvibenbass.com and www.sonicbids.com/dasvibenbass.

Alan Berman

Saturday, November 29, 9 p.m. to midnight, no cover.

Alan’s swinging piano and vocal style is an evocative blend of Mose Allison, George Shearing and Joe Williams.  His broad repertoire makes him a great crowd-pleaser, too... so, when members of the Jefferson State Choral Coalition (SOU's jazz choir) want to unwind after performances, they come to Avalon.  He'll be warmed up to entertain both you and the choir on this night! (The choir performs at the SOU Recital Hall at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 and are available at the door or by calling 552-6101.)

Beth Baker

Tuesday, December 2, 8 to 10 p.m., $15 cover

Beth's powerful and wide vocal range makes it easy to see how she fills The Craterian and other larger venues, but many of her fans say the intimate setting of Avalon makes it their favorite place to hear her. She performed with Lyle Lovett this past summer on the Britt Festivals stage, and opened for Burt Bacharach and the Smothers Brothers in previous Britt seasons.  Beth's shows combine an eclectic mix of tunes with her warm & playful personality, weaving her magic on pop, jazz, blues, Broadway and more.  Pianist Brent Olstad and bassist Jeff Addicott are her simpatico musical collaborators.

Beth can really rattle the roof with her nearly 4-octave range, which she can take from a full-out belt, down to a whisper. Sultry, soulful and sassy, she has her audience tapping their feet, clapping their hands or gently wiping away a tear all in the same night's program. Check out her new Web site: www.thebethbaker.com to hear a sample of her voice, and her long-awaited new CD titled "You Raise Me Up".

Patti Moran McCoy Trio

Sunday, December 7, 8 p.m., $15 cover.

In a rare local public performance, jazz pianist extraordinaire Patti McCoy will grace the Avalon bandstand!  Patti is held in the highest esteem by area jazz musicians and fans, and though she lives in our area, we just don't get to hear her often -- but she does tour nationally.  So don't miss this opportunity, and perhaps this outing will convince her to play for us more often!!  She'll be playing with bassist Richard Meyer and drummer Theresa McCoy.  If you aren't familiar with Patti, visit her website at www.pattimccoy.com. 

Patti's playing is steeped in the bebop tradition at its very best, while also being solidly infused with the soulfulness of blues and gospel.  Here's a little about her musical history:  She studied classical music at Juilliard and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, but when she heard Oscar Peterson in concert, jazz became her passion.  Patti moved to the southside of Chicago where she learned to play jazz at the feet of the greatest musicians.  Her past recordings include "Porgy and Bess" with Duke Ellington and Mel Torme; "The Pat Moran Quartet" (recorded at Birdland in NYC) and "This is Pat Moran" with the famed bassist Scott La Faro.  She has two CDs recorded in recent years, which will be available at this gig -- "Jesus in Paris," and "The Gospel Truth."  While at the top of her game, she left the big-city music scene.  She moved to Southern Oregon where she and her husband, Michael, raised their family.

The Big Easy

Wednesday, December 10, 8 p.m., no cover.

It’s Mardi Gras time whenever The Big Easy plays, with its romping, raucous New Orleans-style rhythm & blues, traditional and jazzy blues.  Jim Quinby, piano/vocals; Dennis Freese, reeds; Jeff Addicott, bass/vocals.  You’ll hear their versions of the music of Dr. John, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, Dave Bartholomew, Jon Cleary and Marcia Ball.

Julia Roupp & Jim Quinby

Thursday, December 11, 8 p.m., $5.

Julia's beautiful singing grace blends nicely with Jim's warm, mellow piano and vocals.  Sometimes she kicks up the rhythm on her conga drums.  There repertoire moves from classic ballads to Everyly Brothers, to Tom Waits and Bob Dylan.

Aletha Nowitzky

Monday, December 15, 8 p.m., $12 donation -- fundraiser for Ashland Community Theatre.

Oscar Wilde said, "If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh."  This is Aletha's goal while she addresses issues of evolution, risk-taking, healing and self-acceptance through her music and quirkiness.  Here's how she describes her performances, which is a good indication of the surprises and delight you'll be in for:  "On a musical heaventriloquest through imaginarrative, evolutionary composer and performer Aletha Nowitzky sings to the heart of matter via stream of conscious "yes" lyrics, magical melodies, kina krazy harmonies, and loop machine artistry."  Check out her website at www.macapella.com.  Have a fun evening out, while supporting Ashland Community Theatre.

Nowhere Men Unplugged

Sunday, December 21, 8 p.m., $15 cover.

Get Back!  Singing along is encouraged!  Since forming in 2001, The NWM group has been a local favorite for its uncannily accurate renditions of Beatles' music.  They've developed an unplugged version of their regular show, which you can only get at the Avalon.  We keep bringing them back because of the fantastic reception the guys get each time.  Set acoustically, the Beatles' rich chords and vocal harmonies really stand out.  At every Avalon outing the NWM have taken the opportunity to show off new songs that are particularly suited to acoustic treatment.  Band includes Dave Marston on guitar, keyboards and harmonica, and singing John's parts; Joe Cohoon plays bass and sings an occasional Ringo tune; David Gabriel plays drums and sings Paul's parts; and Brent Norton plays lead guitar and sings George's parts.