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Downtown San Jose You're Invited

Scion Music in the Park

Scion Music in the Park presented by Dos Equis and Metro Newspapers

San Jose Has Talent! Kicks-Off  this Thursday, July 2 -  The first round begins with three brave and talented contestants this Thursday before the show. Get all the JUICY details below

All 13 headliners are announced plus a splendid lineup of openers and supporting acts.  You will want to be at the park every week at 5:30 p.m.

 
Some good things in life are FREE, like ALL 13 Music in the Park shows

2009 Dates (Click a performer's name for more information)

June 4: Evolution (Journey tribute) and Long Gon Bonl (bon-era AC / DC tribute)
June 11: Sierra Leone's Refugee Allstars (world / reggae)
June 18: Third Eye Blind (alternative rock); supported by Pilot Speed playing a full set
THIS WEEK: Pete Escovedo (latin jazz)
July 2: The Tubes (classic rock)
July 9: Eek-A-Mouse (reggae)
July 16 Pato Banton (reggae)
July 23: Matt Nathanson (pop / rock); supported by MiGGs
July 30: Colin Hay of Men at Work (pop)
August 6: Anthony David (R&B)
August 13: Better Than Ezra (pop / rock)
August 20: Sonny Landreth (blues / rock)
August 27: White Album Ensemble (Beatles tribute)

San Jose Has Talent

2009 Highlights

Information for concert-goers

Our Sponsors

Music in the Park lineup
 

San Jose summers wouldn't be the same without Music in the Park, downtown's most anticipated concert series. 

For more than 20 years, people have come out to enjoy a variety of music by some of the world's biggest stars at free Thursday night concerts. 

5:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
(Market Street between San Fernando and San Carlos streets) 

Scion is title sponsor for 2009.  Also, Dos Equis and Metro Newspapers return as presenting sponsors of Music in the Park.

While you're at the park visit Fahrenheit's Lounge in the Park, serving creative sangria concoctions and award-winning cuisine.  

Stop by the Live Community Art Canvas provided by Pacific Art Collective (PAC). Appreciate art or create your own. 

If you missed some shows in 2008, check out these short clips

Scroll below for Performer Information

June 4:  Evolution (Journey Tribute Band) werevolution.com / Long Gon Bon (AC/DC Tribute Band) www.myspace.com/longgonbon

This tribute show brings together music from two influential bands of the '70s and '80s, Journey and AC/DC. While they sit on different ends of the rock spectrum, their music has stood the test of time. Nationally recognized band Evolution plays a variety of events.  Local band Long Gon Bon will please fans of AC/DC during the early Bon Scott era. 

Radio partner: 98.5 KFOX

June 11: Sierra Leone's Refugee Allstars (World/Reggae) sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com

Rebel force attacks in Freetown and equipment from a Canadian refugee aid organization spurred the creation of Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars. Members of the band, who are refugees themselves, played music as a break from the sometimes weary and hostile environment of camp life.  Those days are long gone, and the band travels the world spreading their message in a fusion of West African music, roots reggae, and rhythmic traditional folk. 

Radio partner: Alice 97.3 

Opener: SambaDa (Afro-Samba-Funk) myspace.com/sambada   

June 18:  Third Eye Blind (Alternative Rock) 3eb.com

San Francisco-based band Third Eye Blind will release its latest album, "Ursa Major," in 2009, their first studio collection in five years. This band's fan base has grown exponentially over the years and the music world anxiously awaits their return to the mainstream music scene.

Radio partner: Channel 104.9

Opener: Pilot Speed- This Candadian four-piece band is influenced from the underground music scene and bigger British bands such as U2 and Radiohead.  With their newest release, "Wooden Bones," Pilot Speed has developed a sound that's best described as pop that's a little rough around the edges.  Be sure to get to the park at 5:30 for this show -- Pilot Speed is scheduled to play a full set.

June 25:  Pete Escovedo Orchestra (Latin Jazz) peteescovedo.com

The legendary musician returns for his 15th performance at Music in the Park, the most ever by any musician at the series.  An artist and legend in every way, Escovedo has played music and painted since the age of 16.  His show is always a San Jose favorite.  He and his orchestra will play two full sets, from 6:45-7:45 p.m. snf 8-8:45 p.m.

Radio partner: 98.1 Kiss FM

Opener (5:30-6:15 p.m.):  Kool Katz (Latin / salsa)  koolkatzband.com:  This eight-piece band calls their sound Latin Pizzazz (a blend of Salsa, Latin Rhythms, Percussion, and Jazz).  Seasoned professionals from San Jose can really get a party started with their repertoire of cover and original tunes. With sultry vocals, searing guitar, a solid rhythm unit and screaming horn section – The Kool Katz will have you moving and grooving.

July 2:  The Tubes (Classic Rock) thetubes.com

The Tubes parodic songs and characteristic live shows are what gained their cult-like following in the '70s. The band is always pushing the envelope creatively, including the production of an album that was based on an actual sales training instruction manual, resulting in their first Top 40 hits. Plus Fee Waybill's adopted personas such as the "crippled Nazi" Dr. Strangekiss  makes their live shows a must-see.  

Radio Partner: 98.5 KFOX

Opener:  Steve Wozniak is a big fan of Dusty Rhodes and the River Band (rock / soul).  He likes them so much, he had them as guests for one of his appearances on Dancing with the Stars.  Need we say more?  Also check myspace.com/dustyrhodes

July 9:  Eek-A-Mouse (Reggae) eeksperience.com

Eek-A-Mouse is no stranger to Music in the Park, last performing in 2004.  The founding father of singjaying, equal parts singing and spoken word, is back again and larger than life. Don't let his stage name fool you; the 6-foot, 6-inch reggae star will rock the mic again. 

Radio Partner: Live 105

Opener: Soul Majestic (Reggae)  myspace.com/soulmajestic

July 16:  Pato Banton (Reggae)

Over the course of his career, Banton's music has remained socially concious. After taking a break from the music industry and giving back to the community, he's returned to sharing his message of positivity through his music.  He collaborates with the audiences during a performance, most of which is impromptu, creating an experience his fans remember.  Radio Partner: KSJO 92.3

Opener: La Colectiva (Latin/Salsa) myspace.com/lacolectiva

July 23:  Matt Nathanson (Rock/Pop) mattnathanson.com 

Since his prelude performance at Music in the Other Park in 2006, Nathanson has made some great strides toward super stardom. This San Francisco transplant is proof that the sixth time can be a charm. His latest album "Some Mad Hope" has produced his biggest hit single to date, "Come on Get Higher," charting on the Billboard Top 100.

Radio Partner: Mix 106.5 

Opener: MiGGs (Pop/Rock) miggsband.com

July 30:  Colin Hay of Men at Work (Pop) Colinhay.com

While Colin Hay's new six-piece band and his solo work is his main focus, fans can also look forward to some classic Men At Work songs,  including "Overkill," "Who Can It Be Now" and "Down Under."  In recent years, Hay's music has made the migration from commercial radio to the world of film and television with prominent placements in the hit television show "Scrubs" and the acclaimed film "Garden State."

Download some of Colin Hay's music including a single from his latest album American Sunshine 

Radio Partner:  94.5 KBAY

Opener: Monkey (Ska) myspace.com/monkeyska

August 6:  Anthony David (R&B) anthonydavidmusic.com

Anthony David is the lyricist behind some of multi-Grammy winning artist India Arie's music, including "A Part of My Life" from the album "Acoustic Soul" and "There's Hope" from the "Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship". His latest album release, "Acey Deucy," is his first on a major label, Soulbird Music, a collaboration between Universal Republic Records and India Arie.  David feels his songwriting brings a level of much-needed honesty to today's music.  Coupled with his "millenium blues" sound, it's a match made in music heaven.

Radio Partner:  102.9 KBLX

Opener: N'dambi (Soul/R&B) myspace.com/ndambi

August 13:  Better Than Ezra (Rock/Pop) Betterthanezra.com

2009 has been a year of change for the New Orlean's-based band Better Than Ezra. With a new drummer and a new album set for release in May, Better Than Ezra's future is bright. Come join their loyal fans, the "Ezralites," who follow the band's success.

Radio Partner:  Mix 106.5

Opener: Thriving Ivory (alternative rock) thrivingivory.com

  August 20:  Sonny Landreth (Blues/Rock ) sonnylandreth.com

The "king of slydeco hails from Lafayette, La., where he started turning heads as a teen-age virtuoso. Bassist Dave Ranson was one of the first to be blown away by Sonny Landreth's six-string prowess, and Landreth was only 15. His ninth album "From the Reach" is the first to be released on his own Landfall label and collaborates with five of the greatest guitar players on the planet - Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson and Vince Gill - for some jaw-dropping performances. Also making a house call on the album are legendary New Orleans pianist and singer Dr. John and iconic Gulf Coast troubadour Jimmy Buffett.

Radio Partner:  KFOG 97.7

Opener: TBD

August 27:  White Album Ensemble (Beatles tribute) whitealbumlive.com

The White Album Ensemble will perform the soundtrack to the movie "Across the Universe," through a multitude of Beatles' songs and post-breakup Beatles solo songs such as "Maybe I'm Amazed," "Imagine," "My Sweet Lord," and "It Don't Come Easy."  Joining them this year are 2009 Grammy- award nominee Tammi Brown, Alysha Antonino, and James Durbin. Plus Drew Harrison, the renowned "Lennon" vocalist of the Sun Kings, cellist Berry Philipps, and Ravi Shankar.

View a photo slideshow of the band 

Radio Partner:  94.5 KBAY

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Erik Fong  representing the group ‘Serenity Now"  performing an Alternative tune called "Folks Like Me"

Socorra Camposanto performing an original acoustic/soul song she wrote herself entitled "Taking Back The Night"
YOUTUBE LINK: http://www.youtube.com/socorracamposanto

Samantha Worrall performing the classic bluesy Santana song "Game of Love"

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Imagine yourself the opening act for renowned performers like Collin Hays of Men at Work, Fee Waybill of The Tubes, Anthony David and Sonny Landreth.  The best voices in San Jose will engage in a singing competition to kick off Scion Music in the Park concerts at Plaza de Cesar Chavez in July and August.

The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize, an opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a 2009 San Jose Earthquakes game, a night of fun on the town in downtown, and a Downtown Ice skate party to share with their office mates and friends.  All weekly winners will also receive a prize for their performance, as will each entry into the competition.

A panel of local celebrity judges, who will take into consideration the audience response to each singer, will select the winner each Thursday.  The competition will feature 18 singers.  First rounds occur July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30 and Aug. 6.  The six preliminary round winners will square off in a semi-final round Aug. 13 and Aug. 20.  The finals will be Aug. 27.  San Jose Has Talent will begin each week at 5:30 p.m. before the concerts’ opening band begins its performance.  The Scion Music in the Park schedule is attached.

Call 279-1775 ext. 330 or email talent@sjdowntown.com for information.   Click Here for rules and entry form
 

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Information for concert-goers: 

Before you come downtown visit sjdowntownparking.com to keep your drive stress-free 

Parking: In 2009, $3 parking after 6 p.m. in the garages at Third Street near Santa Clara Street and at Market and San Pedro streets. Public lots near the park also offer affordable parking after 6 p.m.  

• Please bring a blanket or lawn chair
• No alcoholic beverages may be brought onto the Plaza de Cesar Chavez grounds
• Guests are subject to search
• No filming or audio recording of the artists during their performances is permitted
• No barbecues, large coolers, cans or bottles are permitted
• No pets allowed (except for service animals)
• All metered parking adjacent to the park will be enforced
• No smoking in the park

Directions: 

From the East Bay
Take I-880 South
Exit 280 South
Exit 87 toward downtown
Exit Santa Clara St. and turn right
Turn right on Market

From Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, Campbell
Take Highway 17 North
Exit 280 South
Exit 87 toward downtown
Exit Santa Clara St. and turn right
Turn right on Market

From Milpitas, Pleasanton
Take I-680 South
I-680 becomes I-280 North
Exit 87 toward downtown
Exit Santa Clara St. and turn right
Turn right on Market

From Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Francisco
Take Highway 101 South
Exit Guadalupe Parkway (Highway 87)
Take San Carlos exit and turn left onto Park

From Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Watsonville, Salinas and Monterey
Take Highway 101 North
Exit 87 toward downtown
Exit Santa Clara St. and turn right
Turn right on Market 

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