Gainesville Friends of Jazz

Tonight, Wednesday May 22 ,the Marty Liquori Jazztet with Ben Champion on sax plays at One Love Cafe in Gainesville . This one night stand is the reuionion of the band that played at Leonardo’s weekly for over a decade.As many of you know Leonardo’s closed during the pandemic after 40 years in business.Ben and I are looking forward to playing once again with Vic Donnell on keys and Dave Marsh on drums as well as seeing some of the Leonardo’s regulars.We play 6 to 9 PM. One Love is in Magnolia Park on 39th avenue .No reservations are necessary because the place is huge with plenty of parking.

Hot club de Ville plays at One Love Cafe in Gainesville Wednesday March 20th from 6 to 9PM. I’ll be joined by Rick Spence on guitar, Gary Christensen on double bass and special guests Damiano Angoli on accordion and Patti Markoch vocalist. We’re looking forward to a beautiful night filled with the sounds of tango, bolero,samba,swing and a ballad or two.

Hot Club de Ville will play Sunday brunch at One Love Cafe April 2nd from 11 to 2.
Marty Liquori and Darren Burgess on guitars with Gary Christensen on upright bass.
On Tuesday night at 6 the same players will be at Ballyhoo Grill from 6 to 9.
Looking forward to playing new tunes including
Poinciana, Ma Premier guitar and Joseph Joseph .

Hot Club de Ville will play Sunday at One Love Cafe starting at 5pm until 8.
Marty Liquori and Rick Spence on guitars with Gary Christensen on upright bass play Sambas,swing,tango,waltz,bebop and ballads in the style of the Hot Club of France and Guitarist Django Reinhardt.Come dance or listen. Weather should be great.
On Tuesday Marty and Rick will be joined by bassist Dan Peterson at Ballyhoo Grill starting at 6. Come out and see the new thatched roof on the Hut.

Hot Club de Ville returns to Ballyhoo Tuesday night from 6 PM until 9. The Hot Club plays the first Tuesday of the month at Ballyhoo. Joining Marty Liquori ,Darren Burgess and Rick Spence on guitars will be Dan Peterson on double bass. Gypsy Jazz is hugely influenced by guitarist Django Reinhardt and HCDV after 15 years is still learning Django’s 300 songs.
This week we’ll debut Django’s nod to bebop with Nuits de Saint Germain. A blues called Swing guitars and Swing 39 which
was recorded in 1939. And we’ll include the two monumental waltz’s “Indifference “ and the more recent composition “Bistro Fada “from Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris.

Reservations are at 352 373-0059.

Tuesday night August 9th Hot Club de Ville plays at Ballyhoo Grill in the Royal Park Plaza on Newberry Road in in Gainesville. HCDV with Marty Liquori ,Rick Spence and Darren Burgess on guitars will be joined by Dan Peterson on upright bass for a hot night of Gypsy jazz. Gypsy jazz is the style formed on the 1930’s in Paris by Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club of Paris. There is plenty of swing tunes but also Ballads, boleros,waltzes,sambas and blues. We’ll be playing in the tiki hut from 6 to 9.
For Reservations call 352 373-0059.

Sunday January 9th Hot Club will play brunch from 12 to 3 at One Love Cafe . Our initial Engagement a month ago convinced us this is the place for us. The audience was really into the music and the stage and outdoor venue is perfect for these times. These are the great days in Gainesville. The reason we live here. Sunday Marty Liquori will be joined by longtime members Geoff Perry on violin and Gary Christensen on upright bass. Guitarist Darren Burgess makes his Hot Club debut.

Hot Club de Ville will return to playing in public Sunday night December 5 th at the outdoor stage at One Love Cafe in Gainesville. The timing seems right to return to performing and One Love is a great place to play, dance and eat. Joining Marty Liquori is Marek Wojik a great gypsy player from England now living in Deland. We played together twice at Leonardo’s before the shutdown and continued to rehearse through the pandemic. On upright bass we have Ocala resident Gary Christensen who played with me for years at the now gone but not forgotten Leonardos 706. We’re playing from 5 until 8 .

Gypsy Jazz is back for a night as the Hot Club de Ville plays it’s first gig since the closing of Leonardo’s in March. Friday night at 7 Hot Club will play at the outdoor venue at Celebration Pointe . Marty Liquori and Erik Abernathy on guitar will be joined by Tanner Johnson on violin and Kyle Jones on bass.
The weather is forecast to be perfect and you can get takeout from one of the restaurants just steps from the stage.
Hope to see you there.

Thanks to everyone at Celebration Pointe last night . Lavelle the sound man did a great job and the audience was great on the mask thing. Ben Champion on sax was never better in our 15 years together. The big crowd and the lay-off made for a special performance.
I said in my email Friday that this was the start of a new era for our music. I did not mean to infer that it was going to be a weekly schedule as we had at Leonardo’s. The new era is about playing out side at different venues . Our next appearance will be with another South Florida saxophone great Joe Donato on November 21 at
Citrus County Jazz Heritage Society "
Saturday, November 21, 2020
2 pm till 4
Hernando School
Rt. 41 & Norvell

A lot has happened to the music scene in the past 7 months since the Marty Liquori Jazztet and Hot Club de Ville have been idle. Due to safety concerns we do not expect to return to playing indoors for the foreseeable future. As you might know our home for the past 18 years has closed permanently.After 48 years Leonardo’s 706 , which gave birth to the Hot Club and Jazztet , has closed permanently. We wish owners Steve Soloman and Mark Newman all the best and thank them for their years of support for live music.
Saturday night at Celebration Pointe starts a new era for The Jazztet . The outdoor venue with CDC protocols and masks is the future for live music. Ben Champion on sax,Vic Donnell on Keyboards and Dave Marsh on drums join guitarist Marty Liquori for jazz from 7 until 9.
After 18 years of quiet dinner music at Leo’s , the band is looking forward to upping the volume and pizzazz.
You might not recognize us behind our masks but you’ll recognize our vibe.
Hope to see you and your mask.

As of today ,Saturday March 14th, music at Leonardo’s 706 will be suspended until further notice. The restaurant will remain open and we urge you to visit Leonardo’s or order take out in what will be a hard time for the wait staff which has served us so well for almost two decades . This will allow the wait staff more time to devote to sanitizing efforts and avoid the often crowded jazz nights. We appreciate your understanding and hope this hiatus is short lived .

For Reservations or take out call Leo's at 352 378-2001

Leonardo’s 706 Jazz Thursday night at 6:30 with the Marty Liquori Trio of Marty on guitar, Vic Donnell on keyboard and Dave Marsh on drums.
Saturday night Jumpin Joe Donato on sax will join Marty Dave and Vic for a night of mild mayhem.
For Reservations call 352 378-2001

Gypsy Jazz tonight at Leonardos 706 with Marty Liquori and Rick Spence on guitars and Gary Christensen on upright bass.

Marty Liquori Jazztet Playing tonight (Saturday) at Leonardo’s 706 with Dave Marsh on drums ,Vic Donnell on Keyboard and Shu on foot bass. Classic jazz. 6:30 until. 9.
352 378-2001 for reservations

Jazz tonight Saturday the 29 at Leonardo’s 706. Gary Langford on trumpet,Marty Liquori guitar,Gary Christensen bass Ed Legere piano and Dave Marsh drums.
6:30 until 9:15.

Jazz this week at Leonardo’s 706 in Gainesville
Monday night at Erik Abernathy rejoins Hot Club de Ville for Gypsy Jazz. Erik recently graduated from UF and has been busy performing around town. He’ll be joined by Marty Liquori on guitar and Gary Christensen on bass. Erik has played with Hot Club for over three years while also adding Brazilian and American standards to his repertoire.

Thursday night , Vic Donnell on keyboards and Dave Marsh on drums join Marty Liquori on guitar for classic jazz .

Saturday night Marty will be joined by Trumpeter Gary Langford ,Dave Marsh and Gary Christensen on bass.

Music starts at 6:30 each night
For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001

Jazz this week at Leonardo’s 706.

Monday night Rick Spence is the guest guitarist with Hot Club de Ville for Gypsy Jazz. Rick who is originally from England has been a professional musician on the London jazz scene but now lives in St.Augustine. Rick will also join us at Leonardo’s Thursday playing upright bass along with Erik Abernathy and Marty Liquori on guitars and Carl Manna on drums for some straight ahead jazz.
Saturday night jazz continues with Brian Stevens on trombone joining Vic Donnell on keyboards and Dave Marsh on drums.
Music goes from 6:30 until 9:15.
For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001

Saturday night at 6:30 at Leonardo’s 706 Marty Liquori is joined by Guitar phenom Chris Jenkins of Savannah for gypsy jazz. With awesome technique and a great melodic sense Chris is one of the upcoming giants of gypsy jazz.

0Gypsy jazz celebrates the month of January when both Django Reinhardt and Violinist Stéphane Grappelli were born. Our own Rick Spence is in Amsterdam at the Django Fest but will return next week . Tonight Larry Newcomb and Marty Liquori play Leonardo’s at 6:30 with GaryChristensen on a Upright bass.
Saturday night At Leonardo’s The Marek and Marty Hot Club w/ Gary Christensen will play at 6:30.
Marek Wojik is a Gypsy Jazz guitarist from England. He became fascinated by the guitar style of Django Reinhardt when he was a teenager.

He collaborated with a number of Gypsy Jazz musicians while living in England and Germany, and was a regular on the jamming campsite at the annual Django Reinhardt Festival in Samois-sur-Seine, France.

Marek came to live in the USA in 2010. Soon after, along with guitarist Kevin Doran and bassist Jay Miles, he formed the trio “Swing Guitars DC”, playing regularly in the DC area. Among the highlights for the trio were the many occasions when they were chosen to accompany the amazing young Gypsy Jazz violinist Daisy Castro.

In 2016 Marek moved to Florida and now lives in DeLand.
Here is a six minute video of Marty and Marek HC at their first Leonardo’s appearance.
This link may not work:) https://youtu.be/22mLH9-aiDc

On Thursday night The Ben Champion Trio with Vic Donnell and Dave Marsh will play classic jazz. Ben and Vic have a history going back 30 years which is rare these days. It’s always a special night when Ben takes the stage at Leo’s.

For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001

January 21, 2020 Marek Wojik, Marty Liquori and Gary Christensen play Bei Dir Es Immersions So Schoen at Leonardo’s 706 in Gainesville Florida January 20,2020.

Saturday night January 18 th The Hot Club de Ville plays gypsy Jazz from 6:30 until 9:15 at Leonardo’s 706.
Marty Liquori , Rick Spence and Larry Newcomb on guitars with Gary Christensen on upright bass play music in the European style of Django Reinhardt. The Hot Club has been playing Monday night at Leonardo’s for over 12 years and is excited to play to a new audience.

Juding from the great response to Gary Langford’s appearance last week and Barry Sides the week before Saturday nights could become a hot ticket. So here is the schedule for the next few weeks if you want to make plans.
Jamuary 18 th Hot Club de Ville
Monday Jan 20 th Gypsy Jazz with Marek and Marty
Thursday January Marty Liquori Jazztet
Saturday January 25 Barry Sides and Gary Morse
Monday January 27 Hot Club de Ville with Larry Newcomb guitar
Thursday January 30 Ben Champion Trio
Saturday February 1 Gypsy Jazz with Marek and Marty
Monday February 3 rd Hot Club with Rick Spence guitar.


Marek Wojik is a Gypsy Jazz guitarist from England who has
collaborated with a number of Gypsy Jazz musicians while living in England and Germany, and was a regular on the jamming campsite at the annual Django ReinhardtFestival in Samois-sur-Seine, France.

He collaborated with a number of Gypsy Jazz musicians while living in England and Germany, and was a regular on the jamming campsite at the annual Django ReinhardtFestival in Samois-sur-Seine, France.

Marek came to live in the USA in 2010. Soon after, along with guitarist Kevin Doran and bassist Jay Miles, he formed the trio “Swing Guitars DC”, playing regularly in the DC area. Among the highlights for the trio were the many occasions when they were chosen to accompany the amazing young Gypsy Jazz violinist Daisy Castro at The Kennedy Center and Blues Alley.

In 2016 Marek moved to Florida and now lives in DeLand.
On Monday night he’ll be accompanied by Marty Liquori on Rhythm guitar and Gary Christensen on Double bass.

Rick Spence also hails from England and now lives in St.Augustine. He wandered into Leonardo’s one night about 3 months ago and has been a regular ever since. Rick also told us about Marek living in Deland.
Originally a bass player in a rock and roll band, he switched to upright bass and straight ahead jazz and played with most of the leading jazz players in London. He retired from a career as a software developer and writer and returned to Florida where he started playing gypsy guitar. After Saturday night he’ll miss two weeks of playing with us to attend a Gypsy Festival in Amsterdam.

For reservations call Leonardo’s at 352 378-2001

We’re looking forward to Trumpeter Gary Langford’s appearance Saturday night at 6:30 at Leonardo’s 706. There will be another function in the other banquet room at Leonardo’s that begins at 6:00. So the parking spaces in front of Leonardo’s will probably be taken. There is parking in the Enterprise rental car lot and across the street in the Ayers building lot as well as in the lot around the corner in the shopping center. Reservations are recommended for tables by calling Leonardo’s at 352 378-2001.
Joining Gary are Carl Manna on drums,Marty Liquori on guitar and Vic Donnell on keyboard and bass.
It has been a while since Gary has played at Leonardo’s as his commitments with three different orchestra’s in town keeps him busy during the week. We’re hoping the new Saturday schedule will enable him to get back to playing more.
Next week saxophonist Joe “the Dynamo “ Donato makes two appearances at Leonardo’s. On Monday night he’ll join the Hot Club and Thursday night The Jazztet. Joe is based in Miami so when he plays up north his fans around the state come to Gainesville . Once again reservations are recommended.

For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001

A new era begins at Leonardo’s 706 as Saturday night music is added to Thursday and Monday nights.Gary Langford on trumpet joins Marty Liquori on guitar, ,Vic Donnell on keys and Carl Manna on drums January 11 th. Gary was instrumental in kicking off jazz on Thursday 18 years ago.
In February it will be 20 years that Marty has been playing at Leonardo’s.
It all started when Marty was asked by Bobbi Rothman to play two songs for her 25 th anniversary as she sang to husband Hal.
At owners Steve Solomon’s encouragement Marty returned a year later to play Sunday brunch. After two years it was decided to move to Thursday night’s.
As musicians dropped by the band got bigger it was decided to move from the bar area to the front and add a drummer.
Fouteen years ago Monday nights were added and the Hot Club de Ville playing gypsy jazz is stronger than ever.
Recently Bluesman Barry Sides played on a Saturday night . The response was so encouraging that Barry has agreed to play on a regular basis alternating with The Hot Club and other combos.

Music is from 6:30 until 9:15 on

Monday night The Hot Club de Ville returns after a week off with Marty,Larry Newcomb and Rick Spence on guitars and Gary Christensen on bass.
Thursday Marty will be joined by Vic Donnell and Dave Marsh on drums for classic jazz.

For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001

The Holiday season brings some of Gainesville’s finest musicians back to town. Players who have moved to larger cities to pursue their dreams. On Monday night, accordionist Michael Bergman returns for an evening of gypsy jazz at Leonardo’s 706. We like to think that his three years with The Hot Club helped make him one of the best gypsy players in the world. He was already acknowledged as one of the world’s best tango players for his work with YoYoMa and the repertoire of Argentinian Astor Piazzolla.
Since moving to New Orleans ,Michael took a new direction into authentic New Orleans Jazz as one of the Jackson Square All Stars which resulted in a video and CD shot at Heartwood Studio in Gainesville. Monday night Michael will have CD’s of that concert for sale.
On Monday Michael will be joined by four guitarists and bassist Gary Christensen.

Thursday night, the day after Christmas, we’ll keep it soft as many of you will bring family members to Leo’s and will want to converse.
Marty Liquori on guitar, Vic Donnell on keys and Carl “brushes” Manna on drums will keep it interesting and tasteful.

Here is more on Michael’s project .
The recording of The Jackson Square Allstars live at Heartwood Soundstage will be officially released on January 2, 2020. A live concert film and documentary will also be released later in the new year.

Michael Ward-Bergeman will be at Leonardo's 706 from 5pm to 9:15 on Monday December 23rd to offer CDs at the discounted price of $10 and later to perform with the Hot Club. The recording contains over 70 minutes of New Orleans' finest traditional jazz street music as performed at Heartwood over two nights of sold out shows.

Sadly, this performance marked clarinetist Rickey Paulin's final public appearance. He fell sick after performing in Gainesville and never recovered. He passed away earlier this year. Rickey also visited Gainesville a week before the Heartwood performances along with trumpeter Kenneth Terry to perform with Marty at Leonardo’s.

For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001

Monday night the three guitar version of the Hot Club de Ville is back at Leonardo’s 706 at 6:30. Rick Spence continues to make the drive over from St.Augustine and is learning the hard way where the speed traps are located.
Guitarists Marty Liquori and Larry Newcomb join Rick and Bassist Gary Christensen for more gypsy jazz. Of late the band has been exploring mostly new material as Gary and Larry bring their favorites to the stage. Each set seems to feature a Django written waltz , a tango and a bolero in addition to the swing tunes that gypsy jazz is known for like Minor Swing.
Next Monday the 23 rd of December Accordionist Michael Bergman will join us. Call for reservations.

Thursday night’s jazz with vocalist Russ Robinson is sold out as was last Thursday night with Vadim Arsky.
It was a blast as a number of Gainesvilles best came out and played to celebrate Vadim’s PHD.
Unfortuntely ,I suspect that being named dean of his college’s music school with 500 students is going to make Vadim’s Gainesville appearances less likely in the future.

Thanks to all of you who make this such a great music town.

For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001

New guitars are the latest addition to Monday night’s gypsy jazz At Leonardo’s 706.
Larry Newcomb acquired a Shelly Park guitar and Rick Spence has added a new pickup and amp to his Pollack guitar.
Monday the sound was great and the new songs made it a great evening. Tomorrow the three guitars are back along with Marty on his Shelly Park and Gary Christensen on upright bass.
Thursday night will be a special night as Vadim Arsky joins us . Vadim is in town from Brazil where he was recently named dean of the music school at Brazil’s preeminent university. We always have a wild night when Vadim joins us. Please call for reservations.

Monday night December 23 Hot Club will be joined by Michael Bergman accordionist from New Orleans. Michael played with Hot Club for a few years before moving to The Big Easy. He has a lot of fans here so again call for reservations.

Thursday night December 19 th’s show with Vocalist Russ Robinson has sold out .
For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001

Thursday night Marty Liquori guitarist will be joined by Vic Donnell on keyboards and Dave Marsh on drums at Leonardo’s 706 . Music starts at 6:30 and goes until 9:15.
Call 352
3782001 for reservations

December is going to be a fun month at Leonardo’s 706 . Vadim Arsky is visiting from Brazil and Russ Robinson is scheduled for the 19 th of December.
This week The revitalized Hot Club de Ville plays Monday night with
Larry Newcomb and Rick Spence on guitars joining Marty Liquori. Gary Christensen is on upright bass. With two new guitar players each bring about 10 new songs and there is a lot of fertile ground to explore.
Rick brings the lovely waltz “Bistro Fado” from Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris.
Larry brings a Django waltz “Chez Jaquet”
Marty spent the holidays working on Django’s waltz “Indifference”as well as Django’s fast tunes
Micro, Stomping at Decca and Django’s Tiger.

Thursday night will be the last relatively quiet Thursday night for a while as the Marty Liquori Trio with Marty on guitar, Vic Donnel on keys and Dave Marsh on drums play whisper jazz.

For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001

It’s a short week of music at Leonardo’s 706 as Thursday night the restaurant will be closed. Monday night The Hot Club de Ville plays gypsy jazz with Marty Liquori,Larry Newcomb and Rick Spence on guitars and Gary Christensen on upright bass. The three guitar configuration is yielding some interesting options. Rick and Larry each bring a wealth of songs to the gig.
We wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
For Reservations call Leo's at 352 378-2001