Quick info: Dayan Kai Band at Kuumbwa / Saturday March 17th at 7:30 pm / tix link
Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dayan Kai was born in Maui, grew up in San Juan Bautista, and up until two years ago was raising his family in eastern Washington. These days he lives in Watsonville. For many reasons, though, you could call his show at Kuumbwa this Saturday a trip back home.
“Home” in this case means several things: Dayan’s show will be a reunion of sorts with his bandmates Art Alm and Steve Uccello from the jazz-influenced trio Water. It’ll revisit some of his older material. And much of the show will feature Dayan’s wife Angell, a professional dancer, accompanying him in pieces they developed together. (Dayan and Angell met when they were both on the road and working with Juan Sanchez. They now live here in south county with their two adorable little kids, and in less than two years have transformed a weeded lot into a thriving organic garden.) You can learn more about the nutritional benefits of growing your own produce at nutritiondegreeonline.org.
Dayan’s played Kuumbwa many times backing up a variety of performers. What makes Saturday’s show special is that this is the first time Dayan will play an evening of his own music on that stage. Dayan calls Kuumbwa “the finest listening room in the county” and adds “I’ve waited 20 years for this. I wanted to develop my fanbase and my material. And I’m excited to feature my friends on this show with me. I’m honored at the time they’re putting in”.
And what friends: Besides his Water bandmates, Dayan will be joined by some of Santa Cruz’ finest: Jimmy Norris on drums, Sharon Allen on harmony, and Mike McKinley on mandolin.
Local promoter Dick Brundle, of Fiddling Cricket Productions, calls Dayan “a soulful and passionate performer across several genres,” and that’s just what you’ll hear at Saturday’s show: a bit of the Americana sound you might know from Dayan’s work with Keith Greeninger, the bluegrass sidework he’s done with Harmony Grits and Quackgrass, or the jazz that goes back to his roots. Dayan also promises “lots of new songs that no one’s heard yet”.
It’s going be a great night, and tickets are going quickly on this one. To get yours, call Snazzy Productions at 479-9421 or order online at snazzyproductions.com
Hear a preview: Dayan will be doing several local radio appearances to promote this show:
- Thu 3/15 – “Good Morning Monterey Bay” – KSCO 1080 AM at 8:30 a.m.
- Fri 3/16 – “Bushwacker’s Breakfast Club” – KZSC 88.1 at 8:30 a.m.
- Fri 3/16 – “Out to Lunch” – KPIG 107.5 at noon