I celebrated Thursday with John Lamb and Nate Najar – and you can see them Dec. 14 at the Palladium

I survived another big night in downtown St. Pete on Thursday – checking out a hot new steakhouse and hearing some of my favorite musicians.

 

I started at the VIP opening for Rococo Steak, the new restaurant on 2nd Ave South. The historic Y has been meticulously renovated to house the restaurant and a sports bar on the side. I especially love  the front porch, set with comfortable tables and chairs and soft lighting.

 

I sampled an assortment of appetizers with some of my Palladium pals – Brian Bailey, of I love the ‘burg, Susan Howard, Diane Bailey Morton and Joe Jimenez, Big 3 Entertainment’s Managing Director.  Mayor Bill Foster and his wife stopped by to share tales from their daughter’s wedding.

 

I slipped out just as stretch limos and luxury buses were pulling up with more guests. The restaurant is another jewel for downtown.

 

Since this is downtown St. Pete, I only had to walk a few steps to my next event – The Birthday Bash for John Lamb at the Studio @ 620.

 

The place was packed for the celebration that was organized by guitarist Nate Najar.  The Ray Biscoglia Trio opened the party, followed by La Lucha, featuring my favorite local singer, Jun Bustamante.  Nate’s trio, with Lamb on bass and Stephen Buckholtz on drums closed out the set with the tune Mandela by  Abdullah Ibrahim.

 

Before blowing out his big birthday candle, John talked about the power of music – a beautiful vibration that travels through us from “somewhere else.” It’s something all humans share – no matter if they are musicians or listeners, he said.

 

John – a true local treasure – is best known for his time playing with Duke Ellington’s band, along with trombonist Buster Cooper – who also attended Thursday’s event. Bob Seymour, of WUSF, MC’d the show.

 

If you missed that party, John, Nate and Stephen, along with New York City sax sensation Harry Allen, and the beautiful vocalist Lisa Casalino in concert at the Palladium on Saturday, Dec. 14. It’s Nate’s annual holiday jazz show. You can get a VIP ticket that includes a dessert reception with the musicians, so you can wish John a happy birthday!

 

For tickets and details, visit our website or call the box office at 727 822-3590. The pictures are mine, so please excuse some fuzziness, it was hard to hold still while all that good music was playing.