Carnival of Soul

Igor and the Hippie Land bring their French twist to Sonoma

Sacre bleu! French rock band Igor and the Hippie Land are performing at the Reel and Brand tonight, Jan. 24. Yes, they are really from France. And it is a big deal.

Igor is Igor Stanislas, a Parisian guitarist and composer who has made a name for himself – quel nom! – as an artist who can rock with his band, score a film or compose music for modern dance.

Igor and the Hippie Land is a well-known band in France, regularly performing shows before thousands of listeners. The Parisians love their melange of styles and the joie de vivre they exude.

They were booked to play at the Reel after local residents John Myers and Pat Carlin cajoled them into giving Sonoma a taste of their musical cuisine. The band has been on vacation in California to accompany drummer Philippe Jeoffroy, as he received a commendation from Ludwig Drums at the recent National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show in Los Angeles.

Igor and the Hippie Land’s Sonoma show will be unusual. They are normally a band with electric guitars, synthesizers, drums, etc., But because they are vacationing, they left that gear at home and will play a largely acoustic show, au naturel, if you will. The crowd’s excitement of their being here will be balanced by the band’s eagerness to perform in that atypical manner.

The band cites such influences as the Beatles, Pink Floyd, David Bowie and the Beach Boys, as well as 1960s and ‘70s rock in general. They even throw in a soupçon of psychedelia.

Their third CD, “Love & Chaos,” was released last November. Their music is referred to as “classic rock in its noblest and most timeless form.”

Tonight’s free show begins at 8:30 p.m. Wear your berets.

Speakeasy update

Jodi Stevens, owner of the Sonoma Speakeasy, says that she hopes her downtown live music venue will re-open very soon. “We are hoping to have a soft opening on Valentine’s Day.”

The club has been closed for 13 months, as Stevens and her husband Gary Bazzani have worked to complete a remodel to enlarge the space. Permit delayss slowed their progress, and their loyal patrons have been left waiting.

The primary improvement will be an enlarged dance floor. Stevens herself has been known to sing a song or two, inspiring crazy dance moves. She often takes a deep breath before letting out a long, soulful phrase.

Lovers of the Speakeasy should also take a deep breath, as they may need to hold it a while. Of the reopening, Stevens said, “We can’t guarantee it, but we are getting closer every day.” 452 First St. E.

Jazz musician Carlos Reyes in town on Jan. 26

The latest installment of the “Jazz at the House” program at Sonoma’s Vintage House will take place this Sunday, Jan. 26. The featured artist will be jazz violinist Carlos Reyes and his band. Like all the headliners in the series, cosponsored by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, Reyes has an impressive music resume. He has played for six U.S. Presidents and a Pope. Reyes has traded jazzy licks with such a diverse list of recording stars as Pat Travers, the Doobie Brothers. Steve Miller, Roy Rogers, Chuck Mangione and jazz great Arturo Sandoval, among others.