Free outdoor concerts, Music in the Gardens, return in March

Monday, February 5, 2018
Rancho Mirage

Hot Club of Palm Springs, best known for interpreting classic swing music from the 1920s through the 1940s, performs at Sunnylands for the first time when Music in the Gardens, the popular weekend concert series returns in March.

Formed by Bob Hamilton of Post Modern Jukebox fame, Hot Club of Palm Springs features Hamilton on guitar and banjo, bassist/vocalist Bill Saitta, saxophonist Craig Yancy and multi-instrumentalist Don Reed.

Hot Club’s performance on March 4 is the first of four, free outdoor concerts that will take place each Sunday in March from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage.

The performance schedule also includes:

March 11 – Barry Baughn Blues Band: Barry Baughn and his blues band are well-regarded in the blues circuit of Southern California and beyond, thanks to YouTube and iTunes. Playing for over 53 years, Baughn has played with Albert King, Delaney Bramlett, Bobbie Gentry, Jim Stafford, Charo, Hank Thompson, and many more.

March 18 – Three Micks and a Chick: A traditional Irish band, the group consists of Mick Lynch, Andrea Bond, John King, Don Reed and Mark Berres. The Micks use Irish instruments, such as the Bodhrán drum, fiddle, concertina, and of the mandolin family, the Bouzouki to produce a blend of traditional and more modern Irish sounds. The group’s appearance at Sunnylands comes one day after St. Patrick’s Day, extending the Irish holiday festivities.

March 25 – Jazzgrass: Idyllwild resident Barnaby Finch formed this group to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music in 1999. Group members include Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar; Sam Zorn on fiddle; Bill Saitta on bass; and Jeff Olson on drums. Finch, a pianist, is the musical director. He is a former music director and touring member of Lee Ritenour’s band, and also has played with Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Boz Scaggs and Lionel Richie.