Big Band Jazz Machine at Bernardo Winery

Todd loves big band music.  Even when I met him at Ohio State when he was 18 years old, he loved big band jazz.  So on Sunday, after getting home from my crop with the Studio Calico girls, we headed to Bernardo Winery to enjoy an evening of music with Ira Liss Big Band Jazz Machine, with special guest saxophonist Eric Marienthal.  What could be better than a San Diego evening (75 degrees) at a winery with big band music?  Nothing much.

We got there at 6:35pm and the band had already started promptly at 6:30.  We walked into the tasting room and got our concert tickets, plus a glass of wine each.  His & Hers.


The sun was golden on the horizon and it was a beautiful evening in Rancho Bernardo.  It is magical to think that we live only a few minutes away from this beautiful winery.


Our view of the stage.  Since we didn't get there earlier, we were further away than we wanted to be.


Sun flares.


I loved the trees and the little lights on strings.  It really made the place feel celebratory.


Closer view of the band.


Special guest saxophonist Eric Marienthal.  Todd has been a fan ever since Eric played in the Chick Corea Electrik Band.




After the sun went down, the lights on strings became the only lighting around. 




It could have gone on forever, I was enthralled.  But alas, the concert ended around 9pm.  It was one of the best nights of this summer of 2012.