Press Releases
San Clemente, CA – Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens announces a new program, Casa Jazz Club, for its 2017-18 Casa Captivating season. The program presents musicians who are shaping the sound of contemporary jazz on an international scale. The inaugural Casa Jazz Club artists are Gerald Clayton and Kyle Eastwood. Both artists are headliners at the 60th annual Monterey Jazz Festival, and are celebrated composers as well as musicians. All Casa Jazz Club performances will take place on the weekend of Friday, September 8—Sunday, September 10.
“Through our Casa Classic [classical music] and Casa Cool [contemporary and world music] programs, Casa Romantica has brought international talent to the people of south Orange County,” says Executive Director Berenika Schmitz. “With Casa Jazz Club, we expand our reach, and continue our canon of bringing widely-recognized artists and musicians to Casa Romantica’s historic estate for intimate, one-of-a-kind cultural experiences.” Schmitz, whose career began as an internationally-touring concert pianist and who founded the Dana Point Symphony, is acutely aware of the benefits that music appreciation brings to diverse communities like that of Southern California.
The program will kick off on the evening of Friday, September 8 with a performance by Gerald Clayton. Clayton is a four-time Grammy-nominated jazz pianist and composer whose collaborators include distinctive artists such as Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, and saxophone legend Charles Lloyd. 2016 marked his second year as Musical Director of the Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour, a project that has featured his trio along with Ravi Coltrane, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard and Raul Midón. In 2017, the Gerald Clayton Trio are the commissioned Artists-in-Residence for the festival’s special 60th anniversary performance. Clayton’s rare solo performance at Casa Romantica showcases his often attempted, yet truly inimitable musical talent in a special ‘jazz club’ atmosphere. Ticket price includes a complimentary cheese plate from the Casa Café.
On Saturday, September 9, Clayton will host a master class for advanced piano students. In keeping with Casa Romantica’s mission of providing accessible arts education opportunities to children and young people year-round, the master class is free with general admission to Casa Romantica. All guests are welcome to observe Clayton’s class as he shares his broad knowledge of jazz piano techniques.
Casa Jazz Club will conclude with a performance by Kyle Eastwood on Sunday, September 10. Eastwood is a double-bassist, composer, and producer who has created numerous works for record and for film, including music for Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, and Letters from Iwo Jima. Eastwood is the first son of legendary actor Clint Eastwood. He has established his own legacy as a musician with eight critically-acclaimed albums and position as a headliner at the 60th annual Monterey Jazz Festival. The Kyle Eastwood Quartet will perform during a special afternoon ‘jazz brunch,’ with mimosas and a catered meal by locally acclaimed restaurant Iva Lee’s. Casa Romantica will be closed to the general public for the day.
While tickets to each performance may be purchased a la carte, Casa Romantica is proud to offer a destination experience in collaboration with Official Hotel Partner Monarch Beach Resort. The Casa Jazz Club Destination Experience includes tickets for two to all Casa Jazz Club performances, a two-night stay at the 5-star resort with complimentary upgrades from Standard Rooms to exquisitely appointed Fireside Terrace rooms, waived resort booking fee, and free valet both nights. The package, valued at over $1,600, is being offered through Casa Romantica for $980.
Individual tickets to Casa Jazz Club: Gerald Clayton are $50 for general admission and $45 for members. Tickets to Casa Jazz Club: Master Class with Gerald Clayton are free with general admission ($5). Tickets to Casa Jazz Club: Kyle Eastwood are $70 for general admission and $65 for members. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.CasaRomantica.org, by calling (949) 498-2139, or by visiting the institution at 415 Avenida Granada in San Clemente. We are grateful to Nancy Tullos, Tony Robertson, and Monarch Beach Resort for their philanthropic and media support of Casa Jazz Club.
