Used to Be Two Blocks From the Beach

by Steve Key

Remember that place in Pismo that used to be called Two Blocks From the Beach?  Perfect name, since that's where it was, at the corner of Dolliver and Main. Then it was The Grub Zone for awhile, and for a few months this year, The Famous Alley Cat—nightly jazz music and an eclectic cajun menu.  Music was served up free almost every night, with talent ranging from Cal Poly student ensembles to nightclub circuit veterans.

Now it's Baku—a sushi place.  But don't tell all those musicians from The Famous Alley Cat schedule.  The music goes on with many of the same players, as Baku continues to present free live music six nights a week, keeping the emphasis on jazz.

I checked it out on a Wednesday in May—an unseasonably cold evening, with plenty of parking available on the main drag. Musicians were setting up for the 8pm show, but pianist Clare Adrian soldiered on without interruption, playing standards on the old upright, such as Ain't Misbehavin. She tells me she does this dinner set "seven, sometimes eight days a week," including gigs up the street at Steamers, or across town at the SLO Down Pub (despite its name, located in Arroyo Grande).

The stage is to your right as you enter, and no seat in the house is without a clear view of it. Exposed brick lines the left wall. Ten tables fill in the space, plus eight seats at the bar.  It's intimate, but three large windows keep you from getting claustrophobic. Lighting is dim, but Christmas light strings frame each window, as well as the front of the slightly-raised stage.

A silver tenor saxophone is enshrined atop the wine fridge behind the bar.  Another reminder of the venue's former name: one of the menu offerings is the Alley Cat Sushi Platter.  Small white envelopes bearing the red printed message, "Tips for Entertainment – Thank You," are on each table, tucked between the salt & pepper shakers and the soy sauce bottles.

Wednesday nights usually feature Jim Townsend, also known as "Screaming Jimmy," but here at Baku, the flier in the window calls him "Jimmy Jazz."  On this night, he's playing for the dance crowd around the corner at Harry's, where he is billed as "Jimmy Jams."  Townsend is a man of many gigs, host of SLO Down Pub's popular Tuesday Blues Jam, and at Harry's he is joined on the bandstand by several regular jammers—Jared Bert on bass, Lorenzo Pace on sax, and Joey Five and Dimes, the harmonica ace who sports Salvador Dali-esque facial hair.

In Jimmy's place at Baku, just to confuse everyone, is another guy named Jimmy—this one is Jim Burke, recent import from the East Bay who grew up playing in bands with the likes of blues legends John Lee Hooker and Elvin Bishop.  Jimmy B is a seasoned pro—a writer of wistful ballads, including one about an old friend he nicknames "Wino Bill."  He backs his vocals with strong jazz guitar chordings, then turns into a lead guitarist to accompany tonight's featured vocalist, Melody Stanford. 

Melody made some noise on the local scene by winning last year's Search for the Stars competition at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande.  She picked up the jazz bug in college, which happened to be in the Chicago area.  She discovered the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Sara Vaughn and the like, performed in a jazz vocal ensemble and also in her job as a singing waitress in a fancy Italian restaurant.

Her Baku set includes originals mixed with pop classics like I Only Have Eyes For You.  Jimmy B picks up the chord progressions quickly, and Michael Rivera adds light percussion with brushes on a high hat and snare.  All that's missing is the chianti bottles with the dripping candle wax, and it could be a cozy Greenwich Village nightspot.  Then I glance out the window to see the sun setting over the palm trees, and I remember where I am . . . Baku, 791 Dolliver Street, Pismo Beach, 773-5299.

Other places in Pismo Beach to enjoy free live music this month:

—Vino Versato is a tiny wine bar on Price Street, two doors down from the Cracked Crab.  Music is booked every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 6-9pm.  Tim Jackson, who could be mistaken for Tom Petty's brother, holds forth every Saturday, and hosts a music jam on Thursdays.  June 4 he'll celebrate the release of his latest CD, To Stare At The Sun. Fridays feature afore-mentioned Jim Townsend, who often leads sing-alongs at VV.  Proprietor Cindy Giovacchini is likely to join in—she was a backup singer in Richard Green's band, and also music director for a local Unity church.  Vino Versato, 781 Price Street, 471-3234

—Sea Venture has jazz Wednesday nights, music and wine tasting Friday evenings, and Music on the Deck Sunday afternoons.  Tim Jackson is there June 10, 12, 19.  Louie Ortega,  recently back from an European tour with the Texas Tornados, plays June 3 and 12.  Newlyweds Monica and Steve Mazzetta are the duo called Mostly Monica, set for June 5 and 24.

Elephant Seal on Banner by Mike Baird