FARM presents “SPIRITED CHRISTMAS” CONCERT
featuring JIMMY CALIRE and APRIL HENDRIX
DECEMBER 8, 2007
Foundation of American Roots Music (FARM), the non-profit organization behind Ojai’s famed Bowlful of Blues, will host a fundraising concert in the Ojai Art Center gallery on Saturday, December 8th beginning at 8 p.m. The evening, entitled “Spirited Christmas,” will feature the Jimmy Calire Quartet playing jazz arrangements of Christmas standards from his album of the same name followed by a holiday-themed blues dance with special guest vocalist April Hendrix.
FARM, under the direction of blues impresario Michael Kaufer, hopes to bring back the Bowlful of Blues in the fall of ’08. The group also plans to reinstate its Roots Music-in-the-Schools programs that have reached many Ventura County children over the 20-plus years of the festival’s history. All proceeds from the December 8 event will be applied toward those goals.
Holiday appetizers and an open bar will be available. Admission is $20 per person. Tickets are now on sale at Cardinali Brothers Music, 139 W. El Roblar Dr., Meiners Oaks; Ojai Creates, 606 E. Ojai Ave.; and Ojai House, 304 N. Montgomery St., Ojai. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.
Businesses are encouraged to reserve blocks of seats early for holiday staff parties by calling FARM’s information line at 646-7230. For more information, go to www.bowlfulofblues.com.
Bowlful of Blues staff and supporters invite the community to bring in the holiday season in a swinging fashion while helping FARM bring back Ojai’s own Bowlful of Blues!

The band consists of Calire on keyboards and vocals, James Antunez on drums and vocals, Jack Joshua on acoustic and electric bass, and Stuart Ziff on guitar. April Hendrix, the soul-stirring lead singer of Babysister and Soul Star Express, will join the band for the Christmas blues set. Calire has served as band leader and arranger for the Bowlful of Blues All Star house band, backing many of the headliners who appear there.
Musician, composer, arranger & teacher Jimmy Calire has had an extraordinary and versatile career. In the late 60’s he was a member and principal writer of the legendary “Raven” a Buffalo, New York based band that went on to become a favorite of musicians all around the country. Playing keyboards and saxophone , he toured world wide for several years with the group “America.” Jimmy has recently worked as musical director for the Ojai Art Center, and has received rave reviews for his work in several productions including “Show Boat,” “South Pacific,” “My Fair Lady,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Big River.” A Calire original, “Beggars, The Musical,” played to packed houses. Most recently a musical version of “A Christmas Carol” featured his original songs. In 2003 Jimmy was named a “Living Treasure” by Ojai Rotary Club. In 2007 Jimmy received the first Mavric Lifetime Achievement Award.
Media: for more info, contact Lanny Kaufer at 805-797-2072, or email Lanny Kaufer.