Tag Archives: Smooth Jazz News anniversary party

Party with us tomorrow, Feb. 8, at Spaghettini!

Willie Payne & Lillian Perry dancing to the old-school soul of DW3 at Spaghettini (Photo by David Hopley)

Willie Payne & Lillian Perry dancing to the old-school soul of DW3 at Spaghettini on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

Joey Sommerville, Rayford Griffin, Eric Mondgragon, DamonReel, Gregg Karukas, Dirk K, Jarez, saxophonist and two other DW3 band members, Billy Mondragon & Sekou bunch outside of Spaghettini (Photo by Ambrosevents)

Joey Sommerville, Rayford Griffin, Eric Mondgragon, DamonReel, Gregg Karukas, Dirk K, Jarez, saxophonist and two other DW3 band members, Billy Mondragon & Sekou Bunch outside of Spaghettini on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by Ambrosevents)

By Melanie Maxwell

We had such a great time during our 15th Anniversary brunch party at Spaghettini last month that we’re doing it again tomorrow, Feb. 8!

Brunch patrons partying in the lounge at Spaghettini during the Smooth Jazz News 15th Anniversary celebration on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

Brunch patrons partying in the lounge at Spaghettini during the Smooth Jazz News 15th Anniversary celebration on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

Phil & Lillian Perry; Kathy Payne takes a photo of her mother with Phil & Lillian Perry; Lillian Perry chats with Steve Chapman (Photo by David Hopley)

Phil & Lillian Perry; Kathy Payne takes a photo of her mother with Phil & Lillian Perry; Lillian Perry chats with Steve Chapman on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

It will be the same great food (a buffet AND order-off-the-menu entree!), same soulful band (DW3) and same fabulous location (Spaghettini in Seal Beach, California). But, we’ll have an entirely new cast of special guest artists.

Phil Perry, Sekou Bunch, Rayford Griffin, DamonReel, Joey Sommerville, Eric Mondragon & DW3 band members outside on the patio at Spaghettini in Seal Beach (Photo by David Hopley)

Phil Perry, Sekou Bunch, Rayford Griffin, DamonReel, Joey Sommerville, Eric Mondragon & DW3 band members outside on the patio at Spaghettini in Seal Beach on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

Dirk K; Fran & Dean; Kathy & her mother Joan Giddens (Photo by David Hopley)

Dirk K; Fran & Dean; Kathy Payne & her mother Joan Giddens on Jan. 25, 2015(Photo by David Hopley)

Eric Mondragon & Willie Payne (Payne Pest Management) celebrating Smooth Jazz News' 15th anniversary at Spaghettini  (Photo by Ambrosevents.com/wwww.ellismoore.com)

Eric Mondragon & Willie Payne (Payne Pest Management) celebrating Smooth Jazz News‘ 15th anniversary at Spaghettini on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by Ambrosevents.com /wwww.ellismoore.com)

Last month our special guests included vocalist Phil Perry, keyboardist Gregg Karukas, Barbados-born saxophonist Elan Trotman, trumpeter Joey Sommerville, jazz harpist Mariea Antoinette, guitarist Dirk K and saxophonist Jarez Posey. As you can imagine, there was a lot of dancing, screaming and applause, much of which was captured on cell phones, iPads and digital cameras.

Willie Payne & Gregg Karukas at Smooth Jazz News' 15th anniversary brunch party (Photo by Ambrosevents.com/wwww.ellismoore.com)

Willie Payne & Gregg Karukas at Smooth Jazz News‘ 15th anniversary brunch party on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by Ambrosevents.com /wwww.ellismoore.com)

DamonReel, Gregg Karukas, Dirk K & Jarez taking a break outside of Spaghettini (Photo by David Hopley)

DamonReel, Gregg Karukas, Dirk K & Jarez taking a break outside of Spaghettini on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

Lillian Perry snaps a photo of Phil Perry & Joey Sommerville at Spaghettini (Photo by David Hopley)

Lillian Perry snaps a photo of Phil Perry & Joey Sommerville at Spaghettini on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

The names of our guest artists can’t be revealed until they arrive on Sunday. However, I can tell you that so far, the A-list smooth jazz stars include a guitarist, a saxophonist and a keyboardist (who has never attend these brunches before). And, who knows who else may stop by to sit in with the band and mingle with their fans?

Joey Sommerville, Rayford Griffin, "Q", Gregg Karukas, Dirk K & Jarez outside of Spaghettini in Seal Beach (Photo by Ambrosevents.com/wwww.ellismoore.com)

Joey Sommerville, Rayford Griffin, “Q”, Gregg Karukas, Dirk K & Jarez outside of Spaghettini in Seal Beach on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by Ambrosevents.com/wwww.ellismoore.com)

I hope you can celebrate with us at Spaghettini on Sunday, Feb. 8!

If you attended our brunch party on Jan. 25, please let us know what the experience was like for you. Also, if plan to celebrate with us on Sunday, Feb. 8, please let us know as well. Simply post a comment below the photos at the bottom of the page. We’d love to hear from you!

Phil Perry, Kim Benoit and her husband Ozzie (Rainbow Promotions) & Lillian Perry at Smooth Jazz News 15th anniversary brunch party (Photo by David Hopley)

Phil Perry, Kim Benoit and her husband Ozzie (Rainbow Promotions) & Lillian Perry at Smooth Jazz News 15th anniversary brunch party on Jan 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

For reservations to Spaghettini’s Legendary Brunch, happening from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. at 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., in Seal Beach, please call 562-596-2199, or visit www.spaghettinisb.com for more information.

Shannon Moore (Mack Avenue Records) & jazz harpist Mariea Antoinette at the Smooth Jazz News 15th anniversary brunch party at Spaghettini (Photo by David Hopley)

Shannon Moore (Mack Avenue Records) & jazz harpist Mariea Antoinette at the Smooth Jazz News 15th anniversary brunch party at Spaghettini on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

Cary Hardwick (Spaghettini co-owner) on air with Bill Dudley during 94.7 The WAVE's live broadcast from Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (Photo by David Hopley)

Cary Hardwick (Spaghettini co-owner) on air with Bill Dudley during 94.7 The WAVE’s live broadcast from Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA, on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

Elan Trotman sitting in with DW3 at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA, on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

Elan Trotman sitting in with DW3 at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA, on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by David Hopley)

Joey Sommerville performing at the Smooth Jazz News 15th Anniversary brunch party at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (Photo by Ambrosevents.com/ellismoore.com)

Joey Sommerville performing at the Smooth Jazz News 15th Anniversary brunch party at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA, on Jan. 25, 2015 (Photo by Ambrosevents.com /ellismoore.com)

Buffet at Spaghettini's Legendary Sunday Brunch in Seal Beach, CA (Photo by David Hopley)

Buffet at Spaghettini’s Legendary Sunday Brunch in Seal Beach, CA (Photo by David Hopley)

When is the Smooth Jazz News Anniversary Party?

Smooth Jazz News' 15th anniversary parties are scheduled for Jan. 25 & Feb. 8, 2015, at Spaghettini in Seal Beach!

Smooth Jazz News’ 15th anniversary parties are scheduled for Jan. 25 & Feb. 8, 2015, at Spaghettini in Seal Beach!

By Melanie Maxwell

When and where will be celebrating Smooth Jazz News‘ 15th anniversary?

We’re having two brunch parties at Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment in Seal Beach, California; Sunday, Jan. 25, and Feb. 8!

Camella & Richard Elliot enjoying the 2014 SJN anniversary brunch at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (Photo by Pat Benter)

Camella & Richard Elliot enjoying the 2014 Smooth Jazz News anniversary brunch at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (Photo by Pat Benter)

We originally hosted small gatherings in one of the private banquet rooms at Spaghettini as a “thank you” to our advertisers, which also included a few artists.

Craig Collier & Sonia Patton enjoying serenade by Phil Perry & Ray Fuller at the 2014 Smooth Jazz News anniversary brunch at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, California (photo by David Hopley)

Craig Collier & Sonia Patton enjoying serenade by Phil Perry & Ray Fuller at the 2004 Smooth Jazz News anniversary brunch at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, California (photo by David Hopley)

As our business grew, so did our guest list for these annual parties that we used to have in December. We then changed the date to January, and reserved a section of the lounge, where the band (usually DW3) performs. And, our musical guests would sit in with the band.

Because 94.7 The WAVE broadcasts live during brunch, they would announce each surprise guest as they arrived. This attracted huge crowds of jazz fans. Our anniversary celebrations became so popular that we had to hold two separate events to accommodate all of our advertisers. It also gave the general public more opportunity to make individual reservations to enjoy Spaghettini’s legendary brunch and surprise performances by some of their favorite artists. And, we are thrilled that we can share these milestones with our readers.

Because these brunches have sold out in recent years, advance reservations are strongly suggested.

And, although we know where and when, we don’t know who our special musical guests making surprise appearances with DW3. That will be a secret until the day of the event. But, here are some photos of this year’s 14th anniversary celebration.

Mindi Abair & Peter White celebrating Smooth Jazz News' 14th anniversary at Spaghettini in February 2014 (Photo by Pat Benter)

Mindi Abair & Peter White celebrating Smooth Jazz News‘ 14th anniversary at Spaghettini in February 2014 (Photo by Pat Benter)

Rick Braun & Dave Koz sitting in with DW3 at the SJN anniversary brunch at Spaghettini (Photo by Pat Benter)

Rick Braun & Dave Koz sitting in with DW3 at the Smooth Jazz News anniversary brunch at Spaghettini (Photo by Pat Benter)

Christiane, Emma & Rick Braun at Spaghettini in Seal Beach for SJN's 14th anniversary celebration in February 2014 (Photo by Pat Benter)

Christiane, Emma & Rick Braun at Spaghettini in Seal Beach for Smooth Jazz News‘ 14th anniversary celebration in February 2014 (Photo by Pat Benter)

Mindi Abair sitting in with DW3 at the Smooth Jazz News 14th anniversary brunch in February 2014

Mindi Abair sitting in with DW3 at the Smooth Jazz News 14th anniversary brunch in February 2014 (Photo by Pat Benter)

Rick & Emma Braun at the SJN brunch party at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (Photo by Pat Benter)

Rick & Emma Braun at the Smooth Jazz News brunch party at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (Photo by Pat Benter)

Spaghettini is located at 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California. To make reservations, call 562-596-2199 or visit www.spaghettinisb.com. For more information, check out Smooth Jazz News in print or online, www.smoothjazznews.com.