Welcome to the winter 2023 issue of the exclusive Claremont Music Guide; a quarterly collaboration between Claremont Music Scene and Miss Claremont.
We come together to collect and highlight music events and activities happening around the Claremont area making it easier for you to experience live music at any given day of the week.
There’s a lot of music events to share with you so let’s get right into it, shall we?
Friday Noon Concert Series
The Friday Noon Concert Series is jointly sponsored by the Pomona and Scripps Colleges Departments of Music and the spring 2023 series is upon us!
Performances promptly start at 12:15 PM at the Balch Auditorium located at Scripps College.
Here’s the upcoming schedule for January-February
1/27 – Genevieve Feiwen Lee (Pomona), piano; Todor Pelev (Pomona), violin. Music by Beethoven, Grazyna Bacewicz, and Barbara Heller
2/3 – Con Gioia, Preethi de Silva (Scripps), director. Inspired by Goethe: Lieder by Schubert, Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, Mozart, Reichardt, Zelter and others
2/10 – Anne Harley (Scripps), soprano. New music by Eric Ulman, Moshe Shulman, Akira Miyoshi, Yii Kah Hoe, and Aida Shirazi
2/17 – Jennie Jung (Pomona/Scripps), piano; with Jin-Shan Dai, violin; Ben Ullery, viola; Jonathan Karoly, cello; Jory Herman, bass. Schubert: Quintet in A Major, D. 667, “Trout Quintet”
2/24 – Francisco Castillo (Pomona), oboe; Carolyn Beck (Pomona), bassoon; Kathryn Nevin, clarinet. Music by Jenni Brandon, Deon Nielsen Price, Adrienne Albert, and Cécile Chaminade
Free Concerts at Garrison Theater
There are six free concerts happening at the Garrison Theater located at Scripps College from January through April:
February 5 @ 2 pm - 3:30 pm: Tapestry Vocal Ensemble
February 26 @ 3 pm - 4:30 pm: Spring Choral Concert
March 4 @ 8 pm - 9:30 pm: Claremont Concert Orchestra
March 5 @ 2 pm - 3:30 pm: Claremont Concert Orchestra
April 29 @ 8 pm - 9:30 pm: Combined Choral and Orchestral Concert
April 30 @ 8 pm - 9:30 pm: Combined Choral and Orchestral Concert
Music at Pomona College
This semester the Music Department at Pomona College has a plethora of musical performances lined up such as pianist William Chapman Nyaho in a program of music of Africa and the African diaspora and Southern California violinists for a cycle of Beethoven violin sonatas.
Claremont Music Scene
Claremont Music Scene (CMS) is a volunteer-driven organization with the purpose of connecting people together through music. They’re dedicated to highlighting and elevating the music scene in Claremont by connecting musicians with each other and to venues.
Check out their live music events calendar that will give you updated info on all the live music happening around Claremont at any given time of the week.
OJP Music Lounge Schedule
Ophelia’s Jump Productions (OJP) is a local gem. They’re a non-profit local theater company since 2013 based producing Broadway caliber theater in Claremont and Upland. In 2022, OJP expanded to open the OJP Music Lounge (2009 Porterfield Way, Suite H in Upland) which accommodates various live music performances and can seat up to 55 people.
“The OJP Music Lounge is an intimate space for music where artists are the focus. We host an eclectic list of artists from all over the US and even the UK as well as beloved local bands who play their original music." - Beatrice Casagran, Artistic Director, Ophelia’s Jump
This space is also available for rent for small events. Their music lounge features cocktail tables that surround the band/musician and tiered stadium seating, ideal for an intimate and exclusive environment to sit back and enjoy the musical journey.
Get tickets to any of these upcoming shows::
Feb 3⎼4: Not A Moment Too Soon
Mar 18: The Old Grey Cats
Mar 24: Jazz Fellowship
Mar 25: Mick Rhodes & The Hard Eight
May 19⎼21: The Silence Within Her: A Cabaret
May 27: Jazz Fellowship
Jun 24: Mick Rhodes & The Hard Eight
Jul 29: Jazz Fellowship
Aug 26: Jazz Fellowship
Nov 17⎼19: Canciones de mi Gente- an evening with Javier Solís, King of the Bolero Ranchero
Local Music Spotlight: Jazz Fellowship
Bandleader and drummer, Jon Watson, formed a diverse group of musicians from different walks of life who possess a deep passion for Jazz. That shared passion is what makes it a fellowship, and, with every performance, Jazz Fellowship strives to collectively create a thing of beauty for everyone to enjoy.
Featuring classically-trained Jazz vocalist, Antoinette Catalla, Jazz Fellowship thrills audiences with tunes from Jazz standards, Bossa Nova to Blues and Bebop.
Get to know the Jazz Fellowship better by:
Listening to their music sample here
Watching them play live at Ophelia’s Jump Mar 24, May 27, July 29, and August 26
Following their Instagram
For 2023, Jon has expanded Jazz Fellowship’s roster of musicians to include two saxophonists now (alto and tenor) in addition to plans to feature exceptional guest musicians from time to time as well.
“I’m really excited about this year,” Jon says. “We’re going to build upon last year’s success with an expanded lineup of outstanding musicians, a greater focus on Latin Jazz, and more opportunities for our singer, Antoinette, to showcase her incredible talent as a vocalist.”
“Ophelia’s Jump,” Jon continues, “is a fantastic local venue for live music, too. We are especially looking forward to coming back this year to bring the swing and entertain their audiences again with great music!”
Places Hosting Hosting Live Music Regularly
The Canyon - Montclair
That 80s Bar - Montclair
Balch Auditorium - Scripps College
Garrison Theater - Scripps College
Old Stump Brewing - Pomona
La Verne Brewing Co. - La Verne
Last Name Brewery - Upland
Opehlia’s Jump Productions - Upland
The Quarter Creole (Tuesdays) - Claremont
Chase's - La Verne
Cafe Wang - La Verne
1906 Inc Pub - Upland
Piano Piano Dueling Piano Bar - Claremont
Refer to the Live Music Events Calendar managed/maintained by Claremont Music Scene to learn about live music events happening around town.