Hello Friends, what an exciting music week we just flew through! The concert at the Athenaeum was one of those rare magical moments. Geoffrey Keezer is a true avatar of sound. Wow! Kenneth Herman from the UT was there and wrote a glowing review. Among other things he said, “If you attend enough concerts, sooner or later you experience one of those “a star is born” evenings when you witness a brilliant new group taking shape. Not only did the main protagonists, guitarist Sprague and pianist Keezer, stimulate each others improvised fancies, their mutual enthusiasm was electric, and the filled-to-overflowing Athenaeum audience relished their incandescence.” Click here if you want to check the whole article out.

On Saturday I drove up to L.A. and played on Carter Dewberry’s CD release show. Super fun music and this show got a great review too. Click here to check it out.

The hit at Anthology playing the Sergio music was a real success with a sold out enthusiastic crew digging into the samba groove. The band sounded great and the chemistry between Kevyn, Coral and Leonard was a hoot. Kevyn got the whole semi proper hang at Anthology to loosen up a bit and on “Mais Que Nada” there was even some dancing in the aisles going on. Fun and we’ve got to do it again soon! Check out the pictures below that photo man Brad Peterson captured at the gig. Man oh man does this guy have a way with focus and color—brilliant!

This is actually the best way for me to sing. Out into the open air and far away from the mic. Hah! photo by Brad Peterson
The frontline of singers with (left to right) Coral, Leonard and Kevyn.
photo by Brad Peterson
Gunnar sonic trancing.
photo by Brad Peterson
Leonard's a hero and really brings it on. Here he's evoking his muted trumpet sound.
photo by Brad Peterson
Bro' Tripp driftin' on a reed.
photo by Brad Peterson
Coral had a stellar moment singing Jobim's "A Felicidade".
photo by Brad Peterson
That's me pretty happy with this nomadic life of playing guitar for a living.
photo by Brad Peterson
Band bow at the end after the encore. It was a sweet night of music!
(Left to right) Tripp, Gunnar, Coral, Duncan, Leonard, Kevyn and Peter.
photo by Brad Peterson

For this week I’m doing the last gig before my family and I head out for a little off time. Tonight Tripp, Gunnar and I are taking the music to the gorgeous outdoor environment at Quail Gardens for some sonic botanical wonders. Hope you can join in on the fun! And take note that the start time is 5:30PM, not 6PM as it was previously posted.

Look below for the details and I’ve included my upcoming performances for August. Keep the sky in your head and jump into the wild blue.

best, Peter

 
Thursday July 30, 2009   Peter Sprague Trio Quail Gardens
230 Quail Gardens Drive
Encinitas CA
(760) 436-3036
details
Peter Sprague — guitar
Tripp Sprague — sax and flute
Gunnar Biggs — bass
  5:30 PM   Playing some trio music in a magical spot!

Saturday August 8, 2009   Peter Sprague and
Deboral Liv Johnson
Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
8778 Cottonwood Avenue
Santee, CA 92071
619-562-0833

details
Peter Sprague — guitar
Deborah Liv Johnson — vocals and guitar
  7 PM   It'll be great reconnecting with Deborah again for our unique blend of jazz and folk music.

Thursday August 13, 2009   Dianne Reeves  

Arvada Center Amphitheatre
Arvada, Colorado
details

Dianne Reeves — voice
Peter Martin — piano
Peter Sprague — guitar
Reginal Veal — bass
Terreon Gulley — drums
  7 PM   I'm stoked to be heading out for another hit with the amazing Dianne Reeves.

Sunday August 16, 2009   Peter Sprague Group
Summer Concert
 

Inn L' Auberge Amphitheatre
1540 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA
858-259-1515

Peter Sprague — guitar
Tripp Sprague — sax and flute
Gunnar Biggs — bass
Leonard Patton — vocals
  7 PM to 9 PM   We play a free concert on Christmas eve every year and it's a wonderful moment. The fine folks at the Inn L' Auberge are sponsoring this free concert in the same place but now it's summer! What a potential magical evening it'll be.

Thursday August 20, 2009   Sacha Boutrous Quintet  
The Westgate Hotel on the Terrace
San Diego, CA
619.239.1818
Sacha Boutrous — voice
Peter Sprague — guitar
Mikan Zlatovich — piano
Bill Andrews — bass
  7:30 PM   Sacha is heading off to NYC and I'm joining her for her farewell concert.

Thursday August 27, 2009   Peter Sprague Trio Quail Gardens
230 Quail Gardens Drive
Encinitas CA
(760) 436-3036
details
Peter Sprague — guitar
Kevyn Lettau — vocals
Gunnar Biggs — bass
  5:30 PM   Playing some trio music in a magical spot!

Saturday August 29, 2009   Peter Sprague String Consort  

Idyllwild Jazz In The Pines Festival
52500 Temecula Dr,
Idyllwild, CA 92549

details

Peter Sprague — guitar
Bridget Dolkas — violin
Jeanne Skrocki — violin
Pam Jacobsen — viola
Carter Dewberry — cello
Duncan Moore — drums
Bob Magnusson — bass
  2:30 PM   Taking the Consort to the tree bliss of Idyllwild!

Sunday August 30, 2009   Peter Sprague Group
Plays Stevie Wonder
 
Anthology
1337 India St.
San Diego, CA
619-595-0300
Peter Sprague — guitar
Rebecca Jade — vocals
Leonard Patton — vocals
Joshua Nelson — piano
Tripp Sprague — sax and flute
Gunnar Biggs — bass
Duncan Moore — drums
  7 PM   The Brazilian music of Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 had such an impact on most of our lives and it's a thrill to revisit this music and bring some 2009 into the mix. It'll be a great evening of samba...

 

For my complete performance schedule click here.

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This is my most recent recording.
Click here for more info and to listen to the tracks.