For those of you looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day with live jazz, options abound in the Columbus area this year. While February 14th falls on a Wednesday in 2018, there are plenty of holiday-themed concerts over the week to help with your scheduling needs. On Saturday, February 10th, the 3rd Annual Live, Love, Laugh Valentine’s Brunch at Copious Restaurant (above Notes) featuring the jazz/R&B sounds of the William Brady Project Band and comedian Keith Bender runs from 11am to 2pm (more details and advance tickets available here). On Saturday evening at 7pm Nostalgics Big Band, “the swingingest dance band in Lancaster,” presents a Valentine’s Day Ballroom Dance at the Olivedale Community Center Ballroom, 253 Boving Road in Lancaster – Admission is $5 and open to everyone 18 and up. On Sunday, February 11th at 7pm, the 17-piece Cyndi Black Big Band, with vocalist Anne Hart, plays its 5th Annual Valentine’s Big Band Dinner Dance at the Clintonville Woman’s Club – ticket details are available on the band’s website and the deadline to buy tickets is February 6th. Keep reading for events on Valentine’s Day and beyond!
Wednesday, February 14th – Valentine’s Day – Jazz Schedule
6 – 9pm: Valentine’s Day Dinner with Trista Hill at Asterisk Supper Club, Westerville. As she detailed here, harpist Hill plays a monthly First Saturday event at this Prohibition-themed restaurant. For Valentine’s Day, Hill told me:
“I’ll definitely include ‘jazzed-up’ versions of love songs as well as jazz standards around that theme. I will inevitably throw in, for my and patron amusement, any pieces that allude to Valentine’s not always being about happy pink and red – ha. It will be a good mix that will largely be influenced by who is there and the overall vibe I’m picking up on that night.”
Call 614-776-4633 for more information.
6 – 9pm: Dan Rowan at Black Point. Join veteran pianist/vocalist Rowan for a great meal and entertainment at this Short North fine dining destination. Call 614-221-5294 for reservations.
6 – 9pm: Dave DeWitt TRio at Hyde Park Arlington. The unmatched trio of pianist Dave DeWitt, bassist Derek DiCenzo and drummer Aaron Scott bring the classic stylings of their weekly Saturday gig at this timeless venue with a Valentine’s twist. Call 614-442-3310 for reservations.
6 – 9pm: Dave Powers at Vittoria Ristorante. Inimitable piano showman Powers will surely make this installment of his weekly gig at this tasty Powell Italian restaurant a place to be for love. Make reservations here.
6 – 10pm: Richard Lopez at Barcelona. Masterful jazz pianist Lopez plays his annual solo piano gig in the lovely setting of Barcelona. Enjoy a variety of “beautiful, romantic” tunes – Click here to make reservations.
7 – 9pm: The Luxury Rose Jazz & Wine Experience with E-Flat at Aerial Wine Boutique, Northeast Side. This event pairs an excellent menu with the soulful smooth jazz and R&B of Columbus ensemble E-Flat. More details are available here – Call 614-933-3383 for reservations.
7 – 10pm: Feel the Love featuring Aleithra Ball at The Idle-A-While House Restaurant, East Side. This restaurant and musical entertainment destination is offering a special menu accompanied by smooth jazz and R&B from vocalist Ball and her band. Buy tickets here or call 614-868-5917 for details.
7:15 – 8:45pm: Valentine’s for Veterans with Rick Brunetto Big Band at Villa Milano, Northeast Side. Visit a Columbus dining tradition for a free dinner for veterans (starting at 6pm) and a big band dance and concert featuring Brunetto’s long-running ensemble. Tickets are required and available at local VA offices – more details are available here or by phone at 614-388-7787.
8 – 11pm: Jazz Wednesday for Lovers with Alex Burgoyne and Maxwell Button at Brothers Drake. The meadery’s weekly series of great Wednesday night jazz shows is getting in the holiday spirit. A band of Burgoyne (saxophones), Button (drums), Jon Eshelman (piano), and Nathan Smith (bass) will feature vocalists Kelly McLennan, Sydney McSweeney, Paul Valdiviez, and Devin Copfer for “a night of swinging love and heartbreak songs.” No cover – more details here.
8 – 11pm: Swingin’ Wednesdays Valentine’s Day Dance with Mickey James & the Queen City Crew at Big Room Bar. While SwingColumbus‘ weekly dance event always brings fun to this Brewery District haunt, their periodic live band events are even livelier celebrations of swing dance and swing bands. Cincinnati’s Queen City Crew will be providing the tunes for your dancing enjoyment – get there early for a swing dance lesson! Cover is $10 – More details here.
9 – 11pm: Gonzalo Bergara Quartet: Valentine’s Day Concert at Natalie’s. This Los Angeles-based progressive gypsy jazz outfit will present their own twist on tunes for a romantic evening. Virtuoso composer and lead guitarist Bergara mixes a cascade of arpeggios with the sounds of Paris and his native Argentina for an international style both classic and modern. Tickets and more info are available here.
9pm – 2am: Joe Nelson Residency: The Center Trio and Tingari Valentine’s Love Fest at Dick’s Den. Drummer Joe Nelson’s February residency at Dick’s roars into its second week with a pairing of his time-tested Center Trio and electronic project Tingari. Cover is $5 – More details here.
More Valentine’s Jazz
There are additional events presenting jazz for lovers after the holiday. Notes brings back Cleveland-based and England-raised vocalist Helen Welch for two performances of “All You Need Is Love,” her standards-styled tribute to the music of The Beatles on Friday, February 16th at 7pm (tickets and details here) and Saturday, February 17th at 7pm (tickets and details here). La Scala Italian Bistro in Dublin is hosting a Valentine’s Dinner with Brian Michael Smith & The John Vermeulen Octet on Saturday, February 17th at 7:30pm – Reservations are required, so call 614-889-9431 for your seat at this Sinatra-styled romantic soiree. And at 8pm Saturday, smooth jazz and R&B outfit EBB & Flow, with special guest Janeen Holmes, presents “Love’s Holiday” at Long Street Studios Downtown – tickets are available here.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Week!