The Jazz Lounge Third Anniversary Weekend

Paul Simon and Pat Metheny have not performed at The Jazz Lounge, the intimate San Diego music venue that celebrates its third anniversary this weekend with two talent-packed concerts. But their presence has been felt at the all-ages club.

Simon has traded emails with award-winning vocalist Leonard Patton, The Jazz Lounge’s founder/owner, to suggest songs for Patton’s annual Paul Simon tribute concerts. And Metheny, whose music Patton has also performed annually at The Jazz Lounge, is such an ardent admirer that he had the versatile singer-songwriter join him for a 2022 Orange County concert that also featured San Diego guitar great Peter Sprague.

So, don’t be surprised if Patton and Sprague include a Metheny favorite or two when they perform Saturday on the second night of the venue’s third anniversary weekend concerts. It will be preceded by tonight’s show by a band co-led by Patton and ex-San Diego trumpet dynamo Curtis Taylor.

As for Simon, his music will be saluted at a pair of July 30 Jazz Lounge concerts at which Patton will celebrate the release of the first album by his Paul Simon Project group.

“I like the way you play,” Simon wrote to Patton. “A lot.”

All told, the Jazz Lounge will host 21 concerts in July. They include a July 16-20 residency by the superb pianist and composer Joshua White, a former San Diegan.

Other likely highlights include a July 16 gig by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sara Gazarek and two July 24 shows saluting the pioneering jazz vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross that will team Patton with Maggie Roberston and Santino Sgambelluri.

And there’s more.

From 8 a.m. Aug. 7 to midnight Aug. 11, The Jazz Lounge will host dozens of artists as Patton tries for a new Guinness World Records mark in the Longest Acoustic Livestream category.

The current record, set in London in February, is 26 hours, 18 minutes and 57 seconds. The Jazz Lounge is shooting for 100 hours.

“If you’re going to break a record, really go for it,” said Patton, who in 2017 set a Guinness Record when he and his band performed in 70 San Diego County venues in 24 hours.

The Jazz Lounge Third Anniversary Weekend, with Leonard Patton & Curtis Taylor, 6:15 p.m. today, and Leonard Patton & Peter Sprague, 6:15 p.m. Saturday. The Jazz Lounge, 6618 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. $65 with dinner, $40 without. thejazzlounge.live

Harry Connick Jr.

Triple Grammy Award-winner Harry Connick Jr. and his band will perform at The Shell following a three-night stand at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Since the New Orleans native’s performance here will be orchestra-free, expect a more swinging and freewheeling affair. And to see him in a very different light, you can catch the debonair jazz, big band, Dixieland and pop crooner and pianist playing a brooding, tattooed rock star in “Find Me Falling,” the new rom-com film he stars in, which debuts July 19 on Netflix.

7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Shell, 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. $46-$225. theshell.org

The Aristocrats

Dazzling musicianship, pinpoint dynamic control and quirky humor have long been the hallmarks of The Aristocrats, whose concerts often inspire smiles and awe.

Featuring English guitarist Guthrie Govan, American bassist Bryan Beller and German drum wiz Marco Minnemann, this rock-and-way-beyond power trio achieves musical velocity and nuance in equal measure.

Their latest release, “Duck,” is a concept album about “a web-footed Antarctic Island native fleeing a penguin policeman all the way to New York City.” The fact that The Aristocrats are an all-instrumental band makes this concept even more intriguing.

7 p.m. Thursday. Ramona Mainstage, 626 Main Street, Ramona. $28. (760) 789-7008, ramonamainstage.com

Skip to content

Advertisement

SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Wave President Jill Ellis called allegations of a poor work environment made by a former employee of the National Women’s Soccer League team both “false” and “personally damaging.”

Ellis released a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday in response to a social media post by Brittany Alvarado, a former video and creative manager for the team. Alvarado called on the NWSL to remove Ellis, the former U.S. national coach.

Alvarado alleged the workplace was discriminatory and said it took a toll on her mental health in a lengthy post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Ellis said mental health concerns are a priority for the club and it has support measures, including an employee assistance program. She added that when allegations of mistreatment have occurred, the team has investigated.

“In addition, when appropriate, independent third parties have assisted us in evaluating our workplace. At no time have those evaluations uncovered any wrongdoing by the club,” Ellis said.

Ellis, who coached the U.S. team to World Cup titles in both 2015 and 2019, added that the Wave is committed to building a strong and unified club.

“What we do is all about fostering a culture of respect, inclusivity, and excellence. The false accusations in (Wednesday’s) post are not only personally damaging but also take away from the incredible work and progress we’ve achieved together as a team,” Ellis said in the statement.

The Wave called Alvarado’s allegations inaccurate and defamatory. The team said it was looking into possible legal avenues available to address the matter.

Wave forward Alex Morgan, who played for Ellis on both of the World Cup-winning teams, issued a statement on social media in which she said she was disappointed by the allegations.

“As players, we have worked hard to build a team that is surrounded by an inclusive, positive and safe environment,” Morgan said. “But it’s important to me that we are creating that environment for both players AND staff throughout the entire organization. Equity in the workplace is something I have and will continue to advocate for.”

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer