Catalina Island To Host Summer-long Live Concert Series Featuring Big-name Entertainment, Grammy-award Winning Jazz Artists And Rising Musical Stars

Avalon, CA (Top40 Charts/ Lyman Public Relations) Santa Catalina Island Company is offering a summer's worth of live entertainment, where visitors can listen to a variety of acts from big-name entertainment to rising stars in jazz to pop and rock musical artists. This summer, Catalina Island nightlife will include star-studded performances at the Casino Ballroom while jazz musicians and other top performers entertain at The Catalina Country Club thanks to a partnership with two Southern California popular establishments-Koffeehouse Music Productions and Steamers Jazz Club. Descanso Beach Club will also stay open late on Saturdays while DJs spin tunes. Packages that include the Casino Ballroom entertainment and lodging make it easy for visitors to enjoy the entertainment. Here is the musical line-up for this summer:

Casino Ballroom Concerts

Santa Catalina Island Company is bringing back its golden era when the Island was the hottest entertainment destination on the West coast. For the first time in 40 years, the Island will be presenting a series of top-billed concerts with world renowned popular contemporary performing artists taking the stage July through September 2011. The first scheduled show will be Dick Dale, the King of the Surf Guitar, with special guests The Eliminators, on July 2. Tickets will be available starting on May 27 at www.VisitCatalinaIsland.com.

The Catalina Country Club

While poised on a knoll overlooking picturesque Avalon, visitors can enjoy live music while admiring the view from the former home to William Wrigley Jr.'s Chicago Cub's spring training camp. The Catalina Country Club is home to two concert series this summer. Los-Angeles-based Koffeehouse Music Productions, which facilitates concerts and entertainment for such renowned venues and events as The John Ford Amphitheatre, the Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival, and Sundance Film Festival, is helping Catalina host ongoing Thursday night concerts. The legendary Steamer's Jazz Club, located in Fullerton, CA since 1994, is teaming up with Catalina to produce a jazz concert series every Friday under the stars. Both weekly events are $10 per person will be added to dinner charge.

Koffeehouse presents, Unplugged at the Country Club, Every Thursday through September

• May 26, Katelyn Clampett, Sara Haze, and Shawn Hlookoff - Katelyn Clampett, a sweet Carolina girl at heart, is making a name for herself on the west coast as a singer, songwriter and producer in various genres, working with some of the top names in music today. Sara Haze is a singer/songwriter who has played with artists such as Carrie Underwood and Jack's Mannequin and is currently working on her new album in Nashville. Shawn Hlookoff is an EMI recording artist who rocks the piano and guitar with soulful originals inspired by Queen, The Beatles and U2.
• June 2, Julia Othmer, Keaton Simons, Aijia Lise - The media has called Julia Othmer "a singer/songwriter with a cute, funky attitude and haunting pipes that leave listeners in awe." Keaton Simons is a bluesy singer/songwriter who shines with his soul-bearing songs and masterful guitar playing whether opening for Coldplay or REO Speedwagon, writing with Jason Mraz and Hanson, or performing with Gnarls Barkley and Black Eyed Peas. Aijia Lise is a Los Angeles native whose pop soul melodies are described as Sara Bareilles meets Alicia Keys.
• June 9, Jasper Sawyer, Marina V, and Scott Mellis - Jasper Sawyer is an aspiring R&B/Soul artist born and raised in Knoxville, TN looking to make his stamp on the music industry while drawing inspiration and echoing from past legendary crooners Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Marina V is a Russian-born, award-winning singer/pianist/songwriter whose voice the LA Times described as "hauntingly beautiful." Scott Mellis has received rave reviews including one from the Melbourne Herald Sun music writer, who wrote, "I was immediately struck by his emotive, cheeky and downright sexy live performance, an artist worth keeping an eye on!"
• June 16, Alina Smith, Kai Brown -Alina Smith, a pop singer-songwriter, has a voice that's often described as "incredibly soulful"-think Adele meets Taylor Swift. Kai Brown believes in spreading a positive message through music and is working on his third solo album.
• June 23, Erick Macek, Jess Furman, Trevor Davis - Erick Macek's mix of melodic grooves and vocal warmth has won him worldwide recognition. Jess Furman, a New-York-raised and LA-based songwriter and performer, rocks out on the guitar and jams on the keyboard, his performances sprinkled with killer lyrics. Trevor Davis creates both a joyous and emotional sensation as he discloses his innermost thoughts and captivates his audience with a strong, soulful voice.
• June 30, Jennifer Hirsh, Lee Ferris, Trent Hancock -Jennifer Hirsh has been described as "a soulful pop songstress with a distinct, passionate voice all on her own." Lee Ferris commands the audience's attention with his heartbreaking lyrical honesty, soaring vocals, and powerful stage presence. Trent Hancock's album received praise from LA Music Blog, which wrote, "With its wise lyrics and smooth vocals, the [debut] EP reflects Hancock's connection with owls, the same birds that inspired the album name."
• July 7, Natalie Gelman - This New York singer is the epitome of modern folk music.
• July 14, Tara King & Brett Hunter - The performances put on by this duo are best described in one word: sultry. When these two solo artists come together their music also has been called "buttery soul food."
• July 21 - To Be Determined
• July 28, John Clinebell & Ariana Hall - The type of music this duo creates is what would result if Chris Daughtry flew to Nashville to write uplifting music with Dave Matthews and the ghost of Jim Croce.
• August 4 - To Be Determined
• August 11, Camaron Ochs - Bright guitar strums and a beautiful, rich voice flutter throughout Ochs' songs, blending the classic feel of early American music (folk, early Country/Western, Soul) with the sweet shine of Pop.
• August 18, August 25, September 1, September 8, September 15, September 22 and September 29 - To Be Determined.

Steamers presents Jazz at the Country Club, Every Friday Through September:

• May 27, Nancy Sanchez - A fresh new voice on today's jazz scene, Sanchez is winner of the 2011 Orange County Music Award for Best Latin song. Sanchez and her group will perform standards as well as original music from her debut recording.
• June 3, Chris Williams - This Canadian sensation is the winner of the Orange County Music Award for Best Latin Song of 2007. He has performed with renowned musicians such as Justo Almario, Alex Acuna Clayton Cameron, Llew Mathews and KyePalmer.
• June 10, Tony Guerrero Quartet - Guerrero's work as a contemporary jazz flugelhornist, trumpeter, composer and producer has garnered him both critical success and a world-wide audience. He's worked with a diverse roster of artists, including jazz legends like Freddie Hubbard and Joe Sample and rock icons such as Brian Wilson and Billy Idol.
• June 17, Luther Hughes Presents The "Cannonball/Coltrane Project" - A former bassist to the late Gene Harris, Luther Hughes recreates the music of the greats Cannonball Adderly and John Coltrane. Luther and his group will perform the original arrangements from the famous album Live in Chicago, as well as other classic tunes by Cannonball and "Trane."
• June 24 - To Be Determined
• July 1, The Edmund Velasco Quintet - Heavy groove, infectious phrasing, and original material is what this quintet is all about. Velasco was a semi-finalist in the BET on JAZZ Channel's national talent search.
• July 8, Gina Saputo - Considered a rising star by many jazz enthusiasts, Saputo was hand selected by legendary Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, and Wayne Shorter to study at the Thelonius Monk Institute where she honed her improvisational skills under their guidance. Her CD Gina Saputo has climbed to No 3 on the prestigious Swing Journal charts.
• July 15, Barbara Morrison - Her melodic voice, with its two-and-a-half-octave range, is known worldwide, as is her rich, unique, soulful and highly spirited interpretations of both standard jazz and blues classics, and original contemporary songs. Barbara Morrison was the lead vocalist on the soundtrack for the Denzel Washington movie "The Hurricane."
• July 22, Evan Stone - Evan Stone delivers an unmistakable musical drumming style that is all his own and has performed locally and internationally with artists such as Maynard Ferguson, Greg Adams/ East Bay Soul, Toni Childs, Diane Schuur, and Brian Bromberg.
• July 29, Kate Reid - Vocalist Kate Reid has worked with many noted artists including Jon Hendricks, Rosemary Clooney, Mercer Ellington, Paul Ellington and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Della Reese, the Manhattan Transfer, Lionel Hampton, Bobby McFerrin, Liza Minelli and Tito Puente.
• August 5, Annie Sellick - Engaging her audiences with an ability to make everyone in the room feel like she's performing just for them, Sellick delivers her music with a masters touch. She is the resident vocalist with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra and has garnered five consecutive "Best Jazz Artist" awards from the Nashville media.
• August 12, Denise Donatelli - Critically acclaimed jazz singer, Denise Donatelli celebrated the launch of 2011 with two Grammy nominations for her 2010 Savant release, When Lights are Low. Denise's innate musicianship and pure tone have won her spots singing for episodes of The Simpsons, Frasier and Turner Classic Movies.
• August 19, Otmaro Ruiz - Considered one of the most important Jazz pianists on the current music scene, Venezuelan born Otmaro Ruiz is known for his versatility and virtuosity. The list of renowned musicians with whom Grammy-winning Otmaro has worked include Alex Acuna, Justo Almario, Abraham Laboriel, John McLaughlin, and Tito Puente.
• September 2, Louie Cruz Beltran - Louie Cruz Beltran has crafted a musical career built upon the soulful sounds of his ethnic background and flavored with the edge of contemporary R&B, jazz and pop. Beltran worked as the studio percussionist for international entertainer Ray Camacho, and the title song on the album they recorded, "La Ruca No Era Ruca," topped the Spanish Music charts and remained in the number one spot for sixteen weeks.
• September 9, Peter Erskine - Peter Erskine has won the Modern Drummer magazine Readers' Poll in the "Jazz Drummer" category 10 times. He's recorded five albums with the band Weather Report, including the Grammy Award winning 8:30, and his other touring and recording credits (500 albums and film scores) include Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Freddie Hubbard, Gary Burton & Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, and Kate Bush.
• September 16, Charmaine Clamor - Celebrated by The Los Angeles Times as "one of the important and original new jazz singers of the decade," Filipino-American recording artist and cultural trailblazer Charmaine Clamor has earned her Queen of Jazzipino crown. In 2010 she appeared on the David Byrne/Fatboy Slim concept album, Here Lies Love (Nonesuch), about the life of Imelda Marcos, which also featured Cyndi Lauper, Tori Amos, and Natalie Merchant.
• September 23, Jeff Hamilton - In 1974, drummer Jeff Hamilton had his first big break playing with the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Hamilton has played on nearly 200 recordings with artists such as Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Milt Jackson, Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Streisand, Mel Torme, John Pizzarelli, Benny Carter, Gene Harris, and Herb Ellis.
• September 30, Guitar Night with Bruce Forman and Graham Dechter - Jazz Times called Bruce Forman "one of the great lights of our age." Known for his swinging bop-style phrasing and inventive harmonizations, his guitar work is featured throughout Clint Eastwood's Academy Award-winning film, Million Dollar Baby. Guitarist Graham Dechter, one of the most promising young jazz musicians on the scene today, has performed and recorded with some of the most respected names in music, including Michael Buble, Natalie Cole, Jimmy Heath, Jon Hendricks, Quincy Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, and Phil Woods.

Descanso Nights

For the first time, Descanso Beach Club is going to remain open every Saturday evening July - September during the 2011 season. From sunset until the last call, visitors can enjoy food and cocktail service complimented by top DJ's spinning world, reggae, classic hits and today's favorites. Visitors can take a dip and dance the night away under the stars and on the sand.

For more information, visit www.visitcatalinaisland.com.