Jessup Cellars is excited to announce the launch of our Art House Sessions summer music series for 2014. The shows will take place on the second and fourth Saturdays of July and August 2014, with a bonus track (date) on September 13. Set in our Yountville Tasting Gallery with café-style seating, our intimate summer music series will explore the life of the musician by showcasing the absolute best in emerging singer-songwriters sharing their stories through both song and open dialogue. We’ll have bites available by some of Napa Valley’s tastiest food purveyors and special tasting flights. Ten percent of each evening’s wine sales will be allocated to support local, youth music programs. A special shout out to Hollywood’s famed Hotel Cafe for helping bring the best in emerging talent to Yountville!
Online Tickets Available First-Come, First-Serve
General: $10 | Member Seating & Tasting Tickets $25 | VIP Seating & Tasting Tickets $35
DATES & ARTISTS
Saturday, August 23 > Meet Keaton Simons
Upon meeting Keaton Simons, it becomes clear why the blues/rock guitarist, singer and songwriter from Los Angeles is now creating some of the best music of his career. Keaton’s warm and relaxed demeanor is something you’d expect from a guy who’s nestled himself by the beach, but it’s his fearlessness and excitable energy that reveal an artist who in many ways has done it all, and in others has only just begun. At this stage in Keaton’s seasoned career, with the many hats he’s worn laid out in front of him, it’s truly all about uninhibited music.
Keaton Simons has enjoyed international recognition for his role in the singer-songwriter/pop world while on major labels Maverick and CBS Records. The Los Angeles Times described the voice of their native son as having a “lived-in quality that will echo in our minds and hearts for years to come.” In 2008 Keaton released his first full-length album, Can You Hear Me, co-produced with David Bianco (Tom Petty, Bob Dylan) and in 2013 followed with Beautiful Pain, co-produced with Mikal Blue (Colbie Caillat, Jason Mraz).
No Depression said of his sophomore release, “If the dictionary had a listing under perfect pop, it’s very likely that Keaton Simons would have his photo displayed there prominently… Keaton purveys intellect, intuition and a brilliant twist of the phrase that turns everyday expressions into lyrics that are thoughtful and worthy of consideration.”
Anyone who’s seen Keaton Simons perform live knows why the crowd erupts when he picks up a guitar from his arsenal on stage (usually consisting of a customized DeTemple Stellacasta, fretless guitar, baritone and acoustic). Premier Guitar magazine has welcomed Keaton as a guest guitar teacher on their website and says, “Simons can play. Imagine John Mayer without all the pretentiousness.” In addition to being the face of Advanced Guitar for Ubisoft’s Rocksmith video game, Keaton shines on guitar and vocals at pop-up jam sessions with legendary musicians, such as drummer Robin DiMaggio (Paul Simon, David Bowie), bassist Alex Al (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder), and percussionist Lenny Castro (Boz Scaggs, Fleetwood Mac) among others.
Keaton has even had success in the hip hop world as a writer, musical director, singer, bassist and guitarist with notable acts like Snoop Dogg, Gnarls Barkley, Tre Hardson of The Pharcyde and underground hip hop legend Medusa. He’s also performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Last Call with Carson Daly and most recently, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Keaton’s music is regularly placed in feature films and television shows, including Sons of Anarchy, Private Practice, NCIS, Malcolm in the Middle and Numb3rs.
Saturday, September 13 > Meet Chris Laterzo
Chris Laterzo is a singer-songwriter and recording artist based in Los Angeles, California whose music evokes the spirit of the open road with its romantic lyrics and loping rhythms. Laterzo’s four albums blend varying degrees of folk, rock, and alt-country to create a unique style of song best described as American cowboy-rock.
Laterzo has toured both solo and with his band Buffalo Robe throughout the United States and parts of Western Europe. Laterzo is currently in the midst of recording his fifth album, with an expected release date of Summer 2014.
Chris has garnered solid album reviews, as well as airplay on both NPR and on indie radio. Performing Songwriter Magazine says, “Laterzo is first and foremost a gifted melodist with an ear for hooks that sink in more deeply with each listen.”
PAST PERFORMANCES
Saturday, July 12 > Meet Tyler Lyle
Our opening night showcased the talent of singer-songwriter, Tyler Lyle. The evening closed with a rousing standing ovation and a merchandise suitcase wiped clean of CDs!
Growing up, Tyler vowed never to go into music when he got older. “As a kid we were always taking family trips to Nashville so my dad could play the Bluebird Cafe or attend some songwriting symposium, and I resented the city for stealing my vacations away,” recalls the West Georgia native. But at age 15, he haphazardly picked up his father’s guitar, quickly mastered a few chords, and soon started writing his own songs. In 2011 Lyle released his indie-folk debut “The Golden Age & The Silver Girl,” solely through Bandcamp — then re-released the top-five seller the following year to find it named one of the top 10 albums of 2012 on NPR’s World Cafe. In 2013, he was awarded the Abe Oleman Scholarship for songwriting presented by ASCAP and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and The Harold Adamson Award for Pop Music writing. He is currently at work on a new full-length album.
Saturday, July 26 > Meet DRMS
Our second Art House Sessions features the SF Bay Area’s “Pop Noir” sensation DRMS (pronounced Dreams) as a pared-down, intimate trio. DRMS is a musical collaboration led by keyboardist Rob Shelton and fronted by Emily Ritz and Carly Bond. On this evening, they will perform as a trio with Rob on keys, Carly fronting on vocals, and Mark Clifford on vibraphone. The band has built its following and critical acclaim by melding multiple genres into what has been called “a pulsating rhythmic psychedelic pop juggernaut.” Their sound has also been described as, “What would happen if Billie Holiday was selected to perform in an electro-afro-pop infused band curated by David Lynch, with vibraphones.” Really? Sign us up!
And if you need more accolades…
“An incredibly cool mixture of jazz, pop, electronica, and some studio effects you likely haven’t heard before.” ~ The Bay Bridged, Russell Jelinek
“Killer lyrics with the insinuating pulse of vibraphones.” ~ San Francisco Chronicle, Andrew Gilbert
“Of the vast wasteland that the Internet’s become, you can still find a few undiscovered gems if you look hard enough — and Dreams (DRMS) is a perfect example…” ~ MTV Hive, Mike Ayers
Saturday, August 9 > Meet Jesse Thomas
Jesse Thomas is a singer-songwriter from Kentucky. She moved to Los Angeles in 2008 and immediately took the stage at a series of local open mic nights. Her soulful sound and original songs caught the attention of producer Jim Roach, and led to him signing her to Red Parade Music Group. Thomas worked with Roach on her debut full-length, War Dancer, which peaked at number four on iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts and charted on Billboard at No.25 on “Heatseekers” and No.16 on the folk charts. Her second album, Burn The Boats was released in spring 2014.
Over the past several years, Jesse has developed a dedicated fan base around the country, and around the world through her YouTube channel, SXSW appearances on the Hotel Cafe stage, her iTunes “free single download” with over 120K downloads, and her week-long stint as Starbucks “Pick of the Week” artist with 2.1 million downloads.
Jesse’s songs have been featured on many TV shows including, Shameless, Hart Of Dixie, Degrassi, The Vampire Diaries, The Fosters, The Real L Words, Lying Game, and more. Her song “Falling Out Of View” will play over the end credits of Decoding Annie Parker, a movie set for a 2014 theatrical release.
She has opened for John Mayer, Owl City, Dawes, Brett Dennen, Lights, Tori Kelly, Meiko, and more.