The Grape Ventura

Two Trees Jazz Project
2025-12-12 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Grape, 2733 E Main St, Ventura, CA, 93003, United States
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
Advanced Tickets $10 GA/$20 Front Row Seating
$15/25 at the door (subject to availability)
The Two Trees Jazz Project is a dynamic group of seasoned Ventura musicians blending tradition, creativity, and community. Led by longtime Ventura music scene veteran Franklin Murphy on keyboards—known for his work with the Ventura Jazz Orchestra, Ventura Jazz Collective, Shaky Feelin’, and numerous other ensembles across Colorado and California. The band brings together some of the area’s most up and coming talented players. Nathan Hunnicut’s rich trumpet tone, Evan Tindall’s energetic drumming, Wyatt Schmidt’s steady bass grooves, and Matt Cho’s expressive guitar work create a sound that’s both sophisticated and soulful.
Known for their engaging live performances and spontaneous chemistry, the Two Trees Jazz Project frequently features special guest artists, making every show a unique musical experience. For their upcoming performance, the group will present a fresh, eclectic take on Charlie Brown’s Peanuts Christmas alongside modern jazz favorites. This will be a celebration of holiday spirit and improvisational artistry that captures the heart of Ventura’s vibrant music scene.
Franklin Murphy- keys
Nate Hunnicut- trumpet
Matt Cho- guitar
Evan Tindall- drums
Wyatt Schmidt-bass
Mercedes Carter – saxophone
Allison Gutow- vocals

Happy Hour with The Fred Kaplan Trio
2025-12-12 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-05 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-28 17:00 - 19:00
West Coast Swing and Boogie Woogie Blues with Fred Kaplan and friends
Every Friday in the bar side Happy Hour 5-7pm.
no cover

CLOSED TODAY
2025-12-11 17:00 - 23:00
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will be closed today.

Happy Hour with The Collins/Rollins Group
2025-12-11 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-04 17:00 - 19:00
Tom Collins – guitar
Kent Rollins – piano
with special guests.
no cover
Happy hour barside

Morganfield Burnett
2025-12-10 19:00 - 22:00
$10 cover at the door
Blues harmonica/vocals
With Howard Miller, Jill Avery, and Brad Wisham
and special guest, Dave Melton

Happy Hour with The Tom Collins Trio
2025-12-10 17:00 - 19:00
Happy Hour with The Tom Collins Trio
no cover
bar side

Happy Hour with Kent Rollins & Friends
2025-12-10 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-03 17:00 - 19:00
Happy Hour with Pianist, Kent Rollins and friends
bar side, no cover

The Gratitude Jazz Jam
2025-12-09 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-12-02 19:00 - 22:00
Ventura County’s hottest jazz night! Hosted By Tyler Hammond (drums) with the hottest house band around, Karl Hunter (saxophone), Guil Juliao (bass), and Tom McMorran (piano). You are guaranteed to find SOMETHING during this night that will butter your biscuit. It’s the best variety night this side of the Canejo Grade.
21+
$10 cover
Jazz Jam Guidelines:
1. The focus of this jam is to play Jazz music. It is NOT live band Karaoke.
2. Be prepared/ Know the tune/Know what key you’d like to play the tune in.
3. Bring charts for the band if you’re going out of standard Jazz repertoire.
4. After the melody is finished, allow room for everyone to solo.
5. Please don’t come onto the stage unless you are called up.
6. Be kind and supportive to other performers.
7. After 9pm, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a turn.
8. Whatever Tyler says, goes.

Happy Hour with Monte Montgomery & Friends
2025-12-09 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-02 17:00 - 19:00
Happy hour barside with multi-instrumentalist, Monte Montgomery & special guests!
No cover

Holiday Toy Drive
2025-12-07 14:00 - 19:00
21+ only!
$10 Cover Charge plus one new, unwrapped toy for donation
This year marks the 25th Annual Toy Drive, a tradition rooted in bringing hope and joy to children during the holiday season. The Live Riders Motorcycle Ministry, who have been bringing joy to children for over 15 years through this joint project, is honored to host this year’s event and continue the mission with compassion and community spirit. All donations will support children from the Angel Tree Program—youth with a parent who is currently incarcerated—and local foster children. By giving, you are helping ensure that every child feels remembered, valued, and celebrated this holiday season. Together, we can make a meaningful difference where it matters most.
Featuring live music from
The Ray Jaurique Band
Rj Mischo
Paddy Marsh
Steve & Sally
Karen Eden & The Bad Apples
Milo Sledge
Flattop Tom
Eric Lemaire
And more!
Raffle Prizes!

The Walt Johnson'S Sinatra Tribute Band Christmas Holiday Special Ft. Michael Falcone
2025-12-06 20:00 - 23:00
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
Advanced tickets $25 GA/ $35 Front Row Seating
$30/$40 at the door (subject to availability)
Walt Johnson is well known for his work with Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Barry Manilow, Barbara Streisand, The Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie, The Commodores, Wayne Newton, Johnny Mathis, Melissa Manchester, Tower of Power, Lionel Hampton, Louis Bellson, Mel Torme, Vic Damone, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini, Helen Reddy, Engelbert Humperdink, Julio Iglesia, Tony Bennett, Tony Orlando, Dolly Parton, Joe Walsh, Kenny Rogers, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Andy Williams, Bob Hope, Ann Margaret and others.
Michael Falcone (vocals) Walt Johnson (trumpet) Ira Nepus (trumbone) John Cheas (saxophone) Tom Romero (baritone saxophone) Michael L. Preddy (piano) Richard Weller (drums) Michael Velasquez (bass) Seth Oster (guitar)

Magician Shawn McMaster
2025-12-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-29 18:00 - 20:00
Roving magic tricks to entertain during happy hour on the bar side and prior to the evening show 6-8pmShawn McMaster has presented his wild style of comedy and magic in clubs and theatres around the world. He has appeared in Las Vegas, off-Broadway, on cruise ships, and is a favorite performer at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. Becoming interested in magic at the age of six, Shawn’s early inspirations were not only magicians, but also classic comedians. His ability to blend the astonishing with the absurd has delighted countless audiences all over the world, making him a highly sought-after act. You may have caught Shawn’s appearances on America’s Got Talent or on Masters of Illusion where he presented one of that program’s most memorable and hysterical moments. You’re sure to enjoy the magic and comedy of Shawn McMaster.

Happy Hour with Tom McMorran Solo Piano
2025-12-06 17:00 - 19:00
Happy Hour with pianist Tom McMorran
No cover

Native Vibe
2025-12-06 14:00 - 17:00
$10 cover
Afro jazz
Bill Macpherson – guitar
Rafael Langa- percussion
George Friedenthal – keys
Danny Campbell- drums
Phil Rodriguez – trumpet
Randy Tico – electric bass

SicNarf presents: The Narfcracker
2025-12-05 20:00 - 23:00
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
Advanced tickets $15/$20 at the door
SicNarf is Everett Kelly’s unique sixteen piece experimental fusion ensemble. SicNarf performs Everett’s original compositions and arrangements which sounds unlike anything you’ve ever heard. Everett’s music is an immersive combination of progressive rock, jazz fusion and mixed meters all complimented by cinematic harmonies that will keep you on the edge of your seat, jamming along and wondering what’s coming next! Featuring the Narfcracker compositions.

Staci Griesbach
2025-12-04 19:00 - 22:00
$20 cover at the door

STACI GRIESBACH – “HOLIDAZE”
Swing into the spirit of the holiday season with vocalist Staci Griesbach’s Jazz Trio as she celebrates HOLIDAZE, her latest EP of the same name. Blending jazzy sophistication with festive warmth, HOLIDAZE features new fresh holiday originals along with beloved classics reimagined through a vibrant mix of swing, bossa, and blues that’s sure to get everyone in the Christmas mood! HOLIDAZE expands on Griesbach’s 2023 album Christmastime, featuring her original “You and Me at Christmastime” which was featured in Hallmark’s A Very Vermont Christmas. This year, in 2025, her jazzy original “Holiday For Two” appears in this year’s Great American Family movie A Cherry Pie Christmas. Known for her innovative jazz interpretations of artists like Patsy Cline, Shania Twain, and George Jones, Griesbach brings that same creativity and heart to the holidays.

Staci Griesbach- vocals/piano
Shane Savala – guitar
Gary Wicks – bass
Aaron Sefaty- drums

RJ Mischo Blues Showcase
2025-12-03 19:00 - 22:00
$10 cover
Legendary harmonica player, RJ Mischo with featured guests. First Wed of every month
11/5/25:
Fito De La Parra – drums
Rick Reed- bass
Bill Flores- guitar/sax

Mestizo Beat
2025-11-29 20:00 - 23:00
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
Advanced tickets $20/$25 at the door
The West Coast Latin Funk Ensemble, Mestizo Beat, coming out of Los Angeles, CA is an instrumental group that blends the sounds of 60’s-70’s Funk & Soul, Latin Jazz, Afrobeat, Psychedelic Rock and Hip-Hop. The band’s music carries a certain sense of nostalgia, using their creativity to fuse the old with the new, constantly paying homage to the greats who came before.
Mestizo Beat was formed in late 2016 in Topanga, CA by The Magaña Brothers, Aquiles (Guitar) and Agustin (Drums). After years of developing the sound through gigging and recording with different players in the Los Angeles area the group truly found their sound by adding key players Jose Castro (Bass) Pedro Flores (Percussion) and Jesse Audelo (Saxophone/Flute).
Over the years the band has grown with members rounding out to an eight-piece band and has now become a national touring act while producing a music catalogue with the help of several independent labels such as Colemine Records, All Town Sound and F-Spot Records.
The Mestizo Beat live experience displays an ecstatic delivery of rhythm and harmony at every live performance. With a mighty brass section that reminds us of Kool & the Gang or Fred Wesley’s J.B.’s to blazing guitar solos reminiscent of Hendrix and Santana, filled out with soulful melodic organ solos and ground shaking bass lines, all which ride on the foundation of flavorful Latin rhythms and rock-solid drum grooves. Their passion for this music is a force that cannot be denied, igniting the dance floor into an electric frenzy, leaving your soul with the vibration of love. It is their legacy to share their appreciation for this music with the world, to spread the message of unity and equality while embracing the beauty of diversity and cultural differences by living, loving and dancing with one another in peace and harmony.

Happy Hour with The Robert Van Trio
2025-11-29 17:00 - 19:00
happy hour barside with pianist, Robert Van
Bob Wider- bass
Dave Hunt- drums
No cover

Red Headed Stepchild
2025-11-29 14:00 - 17:00
$10 cover
Blues band
Pat McClure – guitar
Barry Birmingham – drums
Gabriel Ibarra – bass
Jack Durant – keys

Brian Swartz Quintet
2025-11-28 20:00 - 23:00
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
Advanced tickets $20
$25 at the door
Trumpeter, vocalist, composer, and arranger Brian Swartz brings his acclaimed quintet to The
Grape for an evening of sophisticated jazz. The group performs an elegant blend of classic jazz
standards and Swartz’s original compositions, all delivered with his distinctive trumpet playing
and introspective vocal style.
Swartz is one of Los Angeles’s most respected jazz figures, having worked extensively with
major ensembles like John Beasley’s Monk’estra and maintaining a highly successful 7-year
residency in Downtown LA prior to 2020. The Quintet features an all-star lineup of top-tier
musicians, including Keith Fiddmont (saxes), Steve Cotter (guitar), Chris Colangelo (bass),
and Kendall Kay (drums). This performance promises a captivating listening experience that
honors the rich history and vibrant future of jazz.

Closed For Thanksgiving
2025-11-27 17:00 - 23:00
Happy Holidays!!

Guy Martin Band
2025-11-26 19:00 - 22:00
$10 cover at the door
Blues and Rock n roll with local legend guitarist/vocalist Guy Martin.

“What’s an evening like with the Guy Martin Band? Great blues, jaw dropping guitar playing, and one hell of a good time!” – VC Reporter

Guy martin was born and raised in Ventura, ca. His love for playing the guitar started at the age of 16. Prior to that, Guy had a hidden passion for music production and recording…all the way back to around 8 years old.

Practice makes perfect, as Guy has carved his way into one of the premiere blues guitar players coming out of Southern California today. Currently, still paying the bills by way of general contracting during the day, Guy still finds the time to put everything else he’s got into his passion…his music. He is just one of those artists that doesn’t feel the need to tour to sustain a living. Being on stage, however, pleasing crowds, is ultimately where he always wants to be.

Back in the late 90’s and early 2000, Guy and his band had released only two projects to disc, one live and one studio effort. However, the live shows continued throughout Southern California for many years, including opening slots for several big acts such as B.B. King, Gregg Allman, Slash, Litte Feat, Jeff Healey Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Junior Brown. Guy has even shared the stage with the likes of Dave Mason.

Music production is still a current passion, and a 2nd career. Guy owns and operates a local, full production recording studio in Ventura, CA called BlackCouch Studio. Many local artists have made their way through to lay down their talents for their new and future releases, as well as many collaboration efforts.
