LAKEPORT, Calif. – Quietly, Lake County has recently become a hub for outstanding jazz. In January, the Soper-Reese Theatre hosted Grammy winner Paul McCandless, and 2020’s programming will include extraordinary jazz talent from Northern California and beyond.

Just two-tenths of a mile from the Soper-Reese on South Forbes Street sits Lakeport Christian Center, home to a vibrant and dynamic faith community whose sanctuary happens to offer pristine, warm acoustics perfectly suited to small ensemble music.

“It is the ideal venue to experiment and workshop new material,” exudes LCC Worship Leader and jazz saxophonist, Matt Rothstein. “In January, we brought one of the finest percussionists in the North Bay Area up to be part of a unique concert blending jazz and Indian ragas, and he was truly blown away by the space.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6:30 p.m., Rothstein will present his trio, RAY3, with very special guest, Tom Aiken.

“RAY3 is unapologetically a jazz group, in the tradition of the robust and searching trios of Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, and Joshua Redman,” notes Rothstein. “There will be plenty of space in this program for each of the musicians to stretch, and this is an incredible collection of regional talent!”

Providing the harmonic foundation is virtuoso bassist Pierre Archain, who anchored some of the most engaging jazz groups in San Francisco for decades.

“Pierre’s playing is at once muscular and poetic,” remarks Rothstein, “and it is always astounding to stand in proximity and feel the sheer force of his creativity.”

Mendocino’s Gabriel Yañez is a percussionist of uncommon insight, drawing on all aspects of the jazz tradition and the fertile tributaries of mathematics.

“There is a reason Gabe is one of the busiest musicians on the North Coast right now,” notes Rothstein. “He is growing by leaps and bounds and constantly challenging himself to new heights. Gabe is one of the most remarkable musicians in Northern California, in any genre!”

“Tom Aiken is the perfect musician to complement this group,” continues Rothstein. “He frames melodies, improvised and pre-composed, with a clarity and logic that is unique. Lake County knows Tom is equally likely to bring rocking, blues-drenched sensibilities and classical elegance, and that is a fantastic world of possibilities to add to RAY3.”

Rothstein’s own unique blend of jazz, folk and gospel music has brought recognition from the Grammy Foundation and Down Beat Magazine, and performances at the world-renowned Healdsburg Jazz Festival and the Sequoia Room in Fort Bragg, and he is very excited to bring this outstanding group to Lakeport.

“This promises to be a rewarding evening of thoughtful music from a collective of musicians with the tools and sense of adventure to uncover the extraordinary,” states Rothstein.

All ages are encouraged to attend, and admission is free. Donations will be appreciated.

Lakeport Christian Center is located on 455 S Forbes St. near the old Lakeport DMV building.