Surf City dreaming of a Peter White Christmas

Mike Sciacca

Peter White hasn’t been to Surf City since playing the Golden Bear, a

popular venue that drew some of the world’s top musicians back in its

day.

But he will return at long last Saturday, when the multi-award

winning guitar sensation presents his smooth jazz sounds at the

Huntington Beach Library Theater.

It’s the final stop on his “A Peter White Christmas Featuring Rick

Braun,” 18-city, nationwide tour, which began in San Diego on Nov. 26

and included stops this week in Milwaukee and Cleveland.

“The Golden Bear was one of the places we used to play regularly,”

said White, 50, who back then was the band leader for Al Stewart.

“Ever since it closed down, we’ve been looking for a place to play in

Huntington Beach. I’m excited to be coming back.”

Joining White in is a pair of jazz luminaries, trumpeter Rick

Braun and saxophonist Michael Paulo.

The concert is part of the Huntington Beach Smooth Jazz Series.

“It’s pretty overwhelming and quite exciting to have Peter and

Rick playing in Huntington Beach,” said Betty Bennish, who, along

with her husband, Corky, put on the Huntington Beach Smooth Jazz

series. “Peter’s probably one of the first artists to get me into

this type of music. He and Rick are two gentlemen who have

contributed so much to the genre of smooth jazz.”

The Christmas concert will feature seasonal classics, some

original holiday songs and a few of the artists’ best-known hits

during a night that, White said, will be all about jazz, funk and

pop.

Above all, he wants everyone to have fun.

“We make the audience get into the holiday spirit,” White said.

“We make the audience sing along and get up and dance.

“We love to play in their faces. We make sure we walk the room

when we perform. You know, getting personal interaction with a

performer is the last thing an audience expects. It’s kind of a nice

surprise and makes the night that more intimate.”

It’s the second year White, who has been in the music business for

30 years, has done a holiday tour.

“This is a magical time of year and with our music, we want the

audience to feel the joy of being alive, especially at

Christmastime,” he said. “We want everyone to come out and see us

having fun, and we want the audience to have fun, as well. That’s

what the night is all about.”

* MIKE SCIACCA can be reached at (714) 966-4611.