Taste of Little Italy
Gilbert Castellanos gets brassy at Seven Grand. Ever since I downloaded Spotify’s Blue Note app, which allows you to access the entire Blue Note Records catalog, I’ve been on a major jazz bender. Sometimes it feels like my headphones are being soundtracked by Starbucks, and somehow that makes me more productive at work. And, my jazz-filled workdays have led to a few jazz-filled nights. If you’re in the mood for a little night music, here are some great jazz nights happening this week.
Seven Grand (3054 University Ave. in North park) has been killing it lately with its jazz offerings. Among those is a weekly show with the hardest-working trumpeter in San Diego, Gilbert Castellanos. It seems like you can catch Castellanos at every jazz joint in town every other night, but the back room of Seven Grand lends itself to his sound. The acoustics are great, and the throwback décor and tasty whiskey cocktails make it a fun night out. Check him out Wednesday, Feb. 6.
The Back Room at 98 Bottles (2400 Kettner Blvd. in Little Italy) is another hot spot for the hep cats. On Thursday, Feb. 7, pass through the thick velvet curtain that leads to the lounge and check out Along Came a Spider. No, they won’t be screening that Morgan Freeman flick. Instead, you’ll get some cool sounds from Nathan Hubbard, who’ll be joined by Rob Thorsen, David Borgo and Ian Tordella.
Get a double dose of jazz at Grant Grill (326 Broadway, Downtown) on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8 and 9, as Ira Gonzalez hits the stage each night. The guitarist and singer will get you movin’ and groovin’ to his jazz-samba fusion that’s reminiscent of Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto. There’s even a guy playing the flute Ron Burgundy-style. You can’t go wrong with a whole lot of jazz flute.
Finally, round out your jazz week at The Loft at UCSD on Wednesday, Feb. 13, with a special concert by Joshua White and SPiRAL. The band will pay tribute to jazz legend John Coltrane by playing some of his most iconic songs.
