FROM TOP : HELENE GATES ; JAZLEY FAITH rock-and-roll . And from May through the summer , live music is also offered from 1-4 and 6-9 p . m . on Sundays as well as 6-9 p . m . Thursdays .
“ Some call music ‘ food for the soul ,’ ” says Executive Chef Prabeen Prathapan . “ It relaxes our nerves and takes the edge out of our stressful life . Once you are relaxed , you can eat at a calmer pace and chew properly , helping aid digestion .”
Not far away , Bayside Restaurant offers elegant New American cuisine overlooking Newport Harbor with menu choices that include rib-eye steak , braised short ribs and oven-roasted rack of lamb . For the best views , dine alfresco on the wraparound patio with built-in heaters and sun drapes . The newly renovated bar and lounge area still retains its iconic Venetian wine tower as well as a ceiling with oars from Italy ’ s Venice canals .
There is music at Bayside seven nights a week from 6-10 p . m ., and during Sunday brunch from 11:30 a . m . to 3:30 p . m ., with genres varying from jazz to blues and contemporary hits . Late Friday nights are dedicated to live jazz jam sessions from 10-11:30 p . m ., where guests can bring their own instrument or step up to the piano or mic to perform for the crowd . Diners are in for a treat on Thursday nights when Ron Kobayashi , Jerry Mandel , Craig Springer and Lou Savage from the Irvine Barclay Theatre take the stage .
“ I enjoy being able to express myself through music at these public venues because of the ability music has to enhance everyone ’ s experience ,” says Kobayashi , a jazz pianist who has been a full-time musician for 35 years . “ The biggest challenge of playing live music is being able to please everyone with [ the ] choice of material to be performed … because there is such a diversity of musical tastes .”
Bayside also doubles as an art gallery , with rotating museum-quality pieces adorning the walls . “ Our motto is ‘ Dining As Art ,’ and we believe this extends from the beautiful food on the plate to the art on the wall and the music coming from the lounge ,” says Bayside owner Marc Ghoukassian . “ These incredible local artists are a joy to listen to , and our goal is to bring happiness to every guest who walks through the doors at Bayside . It ’ s important to highlight all the artists of our community .”
For a tropical vibe , head to the newly remodeled Tommy Bahama Restaurant , Bar & Store in Corona del Mar Plaza . The relaxed , island-inspired eatery offers full-service dining both indoors and outside with fresh local fare , cocktails and desserts . There is live , contemporary music seven days a week that ranges from mellow to upbeat . “ Live music is a key element to the Tommy Bahama experience ,” says
Opposite page : Hyatt Summer Concert Series ; this page , from top : Newport Beach Jazz Festival ; Bayside Restaurant
General Manager Daniel Anthony . “ It adds to the atmosphere and lends a creative , positive upbeat energy to our relaxed island lifestyle vibe . And our guests love it , which is very important to us .”
At the north end of town by the airport , supper club Campus Jax presents a wide variety of music six nights a week ( closed Mondays ) as well as handcrafted cocktails and dishes from the California- Cajun menu . “ The club only seats 150 for dinner , but the sound system and audio engineering team , thanks to the support of nearby pro audio company , QSC , rival anything you ’ ll hear at large performing arts centers and arenas ,” says owner Jack Jasper .
Expect to find everything from big bands to rockabilly and swing , jazz , local and tribute bands , singer-songwriters , crooner-style vocalists , party dance groups and world-class touring musicians such as John Tesh , a pianist and regular performer there , and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval , whose latest album , “ Rhythm & Soul ,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award , was produced at Campus Jax under the record label MetaJax Entertainment , started during the COVID-19 pandemic by the venue ’ s entertainment partner , Tim Ellis .
“ MetaJax was born out of the struggle to keep musicians and performers working throughout the pandemic ,” Jasper says , adding that MetaJax has produced more than 400 livestream performances broadcast globally and helped get struggling musicians paid over $ 200,000 since it began in March 2020 , five days into the pandemic lockdown .
This June , expect the Tijuana Dogs , Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra , vocalist Matt Mauser performing Sinatra tunes , jazz singersongwriter Crystal Lewis , Lia Booth ’ s jazz quintet and tribute bands for Chicago , the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt , Joe Cocker , Aerosmith and Santana .
Campus Jax is especially known for its jazz programs . “ Curated by MetaJax producer and
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