Jazz in Napa

OUT AND ABOUT NAPA

UVA Trattori, located just off main street and Clinton in downtown Napa, is such a fabulous restaurant open Tue. through Sun. You would be remiss if you don’t stop by Wed. through Sun. evening - particularly Fri. and Sat. -when you can listen to live jazz music.

Last night (Jan. 20) a really fun thing happened at UVA’s -- The Jack Pollard Entertainment Group which included Jack, owner/lead vocalist, Max Perkoff at trombone, Gus Pogius on base and Eric Wiley playing the keyboard. Those of you who missed this experience truly missed something of real pleasure in Napa. It was a San Francisco-type night as they mixed up their selections switching around while playing the songs made famous by such stars as Nat King Cole, Marvin Gaye, Frank Sinatra, Lou Rawls, Stevie Wonder and more. If that wasn‘t enough for you, Jack threw in “Play it Again, Sam,” from Casa Blanca!

Bravo to UVA owner-partners, Sean and Giovanni, but mostly to all those of us who got to have some fun with these guys. When Jack sang Marvin Gaye I noticed everybody, audience, wait staff and bartenders alike, could not keep still. In fact, I even ventured over to a pretty brunette and convinced her to come out and do a few steps.

Did I forget to mention that the food is wonderful at UVA’s? It was literally standing room only from 8:30 pm until about 11:00 pm when perennial owner-host Sean and Chef Giovanni were able to seat and feed all. By the way, about 11:00 pm they shift to a “Pizza-Only” eatery until closing at midnight, so even the late crowd will get fed.

Go to the very well done UVA Trattori, Web site where you’ll find their menu’s for lunch and dinner and their live jazz schedule of groups and dates.