Locals & Legends celebrating the music of James taylor
Locals & Legends:
Celebrating the Music of James Taylor
Description
Presented by Santa Barbara Records & The Granada
with The Santa Barbara Symphony | Nir Kabaretti, Music and Artistic Director
The Next Chapter in a Growing Santa Barbara Tradition
Following last year’s powerful community celebration, Locals & Legends returns with a renewed vision and a fresh musical focus, continuing the mission of Santa Barbara Records and The Granada Theatre to spotlight the artistic heartbeat of our region. This year, the collaboration turns to the timeless catalog of James Taylor, exploring his warm melodies and poetic storytelling through the voices of Santa Barbara’s own musicians.
Santa Barbara Records artists, Omar Velasco, Céleigh Chapman, Mendeleyev, Will Breman, and Jess Bush, will bring Taylor’s most cherished songs to life in newly reimagined arrangements supported by The Santa Barbara Symphony under the direction of Music and Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti. Alongside highlights like Carolina in My Mind, Fire and Rain, and Country Road, each artist will also perform an original song inspired by the spirit, style, and legacy of James Taylor—creating a bridge between his iconic songwriting and the contemporary voices shaping Santa Barbara’s music scene.
Joining this year's lineup are four special guest artists who graced the stage at last year's inaugural concert: James Raymond, a celebrated musician and producer, and son of the late David Crosby; Steve Postell, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and Crosby's final musical director; Miriam Dance, a performer, educator, and beloved Santa Barbara staple; and Lois Mahalia, a vocalist of remarkable depth who has shared the stage with Joe Walsh, Kenny Loggins, and Joe Sample. They are backed by an all-star house band featuring Randy Tico on bass, David Delhomme on keys, Jesse Siebenberg on pedal steel, lap steel, and dobro, and Austin Beede on drums, many of whom call Santa Barbara home. These artists’ credits include collaborations with artists such as Whitney Houston, Jeff Bridges, Kenny Loggins, and José Feliciano, as well as film projects including Top Gun: Maverick and A Star Is Born.
Rooted in collaboration, powered by local talent, and guided by a shared spirit of community connection, the 2nd Annual Locals & Legends deepens this emerging Santa Barbara tradition—one where local musicians reinterpret legendary music while contributing stories of their own.
A Charlie Brown Christmas High Tea
Join James Raymond [piano] and his Trio ~ Jon Gagan [bass] & Stave DiStanislao [drums] for a new Santa Fe tradition as they perform the entire soundtrack to Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Songs to include "Christmas Time is Here," "Linus and Lucy," "O Tannenbaum," and many more! High Tea and Brunch ~ Don’t miss it!
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Join James Raymond [piano] and his Trio ~ Jon Gagan [bass] & Stave DiStanislao [drums] for a new Santa Fe tradition as they perform the entire soundtrack to Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Songs to include "Christmas Time is Here," "Linus and Lucy," "O Tannenbaum," and many more!
James Raymond Trio with Jon Gagan & John Bartlit
Unit B presents The James Raymond Trio with Jon Gagan and John Bartlit performing music by Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter and others, reinterpreting songs by the Beatles, Neil Young, Oasis plus original tunes.
Santa Fe Songwriter Showcase @ Unit B
James is musical directing and hosting an inspiring night of original music at Unit B, Santa Fe’s premier performance space for serious listeners and adventurous artists.
Santa Fe Songwriter Showcase @ Unit B
🎶✨ “Songs In The Air” - Santa Fe Songwriter Showcase @ Unit B
Thursday, July 31st – 7PM
I’m curating and hosting an inspiring night of original music at Unit B, Santa Fe’s premier performance space for serious listeners and adventurous artists.
This show features three incredible acts:
🎙️ Lily Pinto – lush vocals and cinematic songwriting that hits the heart
🪕 Lara Manzanares – poetic, soulful and rooted in the spirit of New Mexico
🎸 Marc & Paula’s Roadside Distraction – alt-folk charm with a wry lyrical twist
My band:
🎹 James Raymond – piano
🎸 Jon Gagan – bass
🥁 John Bartlett – drums
James Raymond Trio w/Jon Gagan and Robby Rothschild
James joins up with bassist Jon Gagan and drummer/percussionist Robby Rothschild for a night of adventurous trio jazz.
Piñon Piano Project
As the sun dips below the mountains, the Garden comes alive with the sound of music! Join us for a special Thursday Classics after-hours event featuring the Piñon Piano Project for an unforgettable evening of live classical and contemporary piano performances in a magical outdoor setting.
🕰 Performance Schedule
3:15 PM – Nico Rattray – Lullabies & Magical Night Music
4:00 PM – Michael Maricle – Finding The Voice Of This Piano
4:45 PM – James Raymond – Improvisations and Explorations on the Modern American Songbook
5:30 PM – Holly Mead’s Piano Studio – Young pianists perform “Coda’s Tale,” inspired by nature
6:15 PM – Lauryn Bomse – Bodies in Motion: 11 Oscillations from the Observable Universe
James Raymond Trio w/Jon Gagan & Steve DiStanislao
James - piano
Jon Gagan -bass
Steve DiStanislao - drums
LOCALS & LEGENDS: CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF DAVID CROSBY
Santa Barbara Records’ artists Glen Phillips, Chris and John Beland, Shawn Thies, Jonathan Firey, and Kathleen Sieck take center stage along with special guests James Raymond, Steve Postell, Miriam Dance, Lois Mahalia, and more, for an evening dedicated to community and local artistry while celebrating the music of David Crosby. Backed by an all-star band of Santa Barbara's top talent and the Santa Barbara Symphony, Nir Kabaretti, Music and Artistic Director, this special performance reimagines Crosby’s iconic catalog while showcasing original works from Santa Barbara’s finest musicians.
From singer-songwriters to seasoned performers, this event celebrates the full circle of Santa Barbara’s music scene. It’s a night to honor where we come from, who we are, and the sounds that unite us.