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Arts & Entertainment

Saint Rocke Opens a Soundbox of Surprises

Wednesday nights at the PCH venue bring together a mix of musical talent.

Steve Aguilar's soundbox of music at Saint Rocke could well be an artistic version of Forrest Gump's proverbial box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get at the weekly showcase of local and visiting musicians.

Musicians were invited to perform on stage Wednesday with the house band —Aguilar on keyboards, Bryon Holley on drums and Al Kim on bass. The event asks for no cover and all performances are unrehearsed.

"This night is like a drug with all these talented musicians," said James McKenna as he tried to explain how easily local artists could get addicted the series.

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McKenna sang a soulful version of Radiohead's "Creep" and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" with the house band during his turn on stage. He said that he normally performs with his own band, and teaches.

"I haven't been here in a while," he said. "But in the summer, I'll be here more often."

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Fellow musician Jonalyn Habil made her Soundbox debut with a delicate "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones and Alicia Keys' "A Woman's Worth."

The drums and bass took five for musician Heath Francis' passionate vocals as he performed Prince's "Purple Rain." Then Francis, a Soundbox regular with his band, The 3 Heads, picked up the groove with Stevie Wonder's "Very Superstitious."

Newcomer Justin Panariello, a well-known bassist, said, "I just moved here from New Jersey, and a friend said I had to come be a part of this."

While local singer Michelle Porter-Bentjen, who was born and raised in the South Bay has been participating in Soundbox since its inception.

"I've known Steve [Aguilar] for fifteen years," she said.

Porter-Bentjen took the stage, performing Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know,"which she told the crowd is drummer Holley's "favorite song." But the night didn't just consist of covers.

The Dirty Suits from Venice Beach made its first appearance at the event. Two members of the four-piece band, Jaime Sol Black and Jeremy Ferrick, played guitar and bass for a selection of their original rockabilly-blues songs. 

Regular Greg Wishon, who's trained by notable jazz composer Mike Hoffman, also brought original scores to the stage while playing guitar during a few sets.

With all of the local and visiting talent in the house, the music spanned a spectrum of styles. From jazz and funk to rock, pop and rhythm and blues, Aguilar kept the music flowing, adapting to whatever the guests brought on stage.

"We get all kinds of talent in here," explained guitarist Shaun Hague, who also acts as a booking agent for Saint Rocke, "From new talent to serious session musicians of major artists."

The Soundbox sessions are every Wednesday at Saint Rocke, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

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