For local businessowners Essence Roberson and her husband Ken McCormick, three years has passed quickly. Their Ukiah mini-golf business, T-Up Ukiah is celebrating their success with their second annual Jazz Festival on April 5th.
The festival is dedicated to their friend and supporter John Beatty, Mendocino County’s penultimate sound man, who passed away in 2024. Beatty’s wife, Paula Samonté will be headlining the show, performing with renowned saxophonist Bill Saxton and a host of other Mendocino, Sonoma and Lake County jazz luminaries. This year’s festival sponsors are Advantage Towing, I-Trust Will, Justin Peterson Law, Lakes of Wada, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Lotus Restaurant, Mendocino Forest Products and The Coin Shop. “We cannot begin to express our gratitude to our sponsors, many of whom have supported T-Up since before we opened,” says Roberson. “They saw the value of our business as a great place for kids and families and a gathering place for community events like the Jazz Fest.”
Roberson stresses that this show pays tribute to John Beatty, who provided the sound for last year’s Jazz Festival- one of his last gigs before his unexpected passing.
“I’m a newcomer to this community, so when I moved here, I had no idea of the history of John and Paula. John became the sound person for every event we’ve held. I can still see him lugging equipment into our building while sharing stories about his life with Paula. John always made our little hole in the wall sound amazing,” smiles Roberson.
“During our first year, we were trying to build a following. John never charged us for anything. We were honored to have a master like John have his finale with us,” says McCormick. “Our first forays into the music scene were having small open mic nights back in our lounge. John made every single person sound like a superstar. All of Paula’s CD’s, musical trinkets and posters in the lounge were brought in by John. He made our mini-golf space into so much more.”
Mark Jason, who worked closely with Beatty for many years will be providing sound for the show. “John Azzaro will be saying a few words about John during the festival intermission,” says Roberson.
Once again, saxophonist Bill Saxton will be travelling from Harlem to Ukiah for a return performance. Following graduation from the New England Conservatory of Music, Saxton traveled the world, performing and recording with jazz greats including Roy Haynes, Jackie McLean, Clark Terry, Nancy Wilson, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the County Basie Orchestra, Carmen McRae, Tito Puente and many more. An honorary recipient during the White House’s Black Music Month, Saxton was inducted as a Jazz Legend at the Library of Music at New York’s Lincoln Center. He received a proclamation from New York State Senator Cordell Cleare for his exemplary service to the community and the preservation of “Bill’s Place,” his historic speakeasy that was once the after-hours hangout of everyone from Moms Mably and Duke Ellington to Langston Hughes.
Paula Samonte’ needs no introduction. Singing since she was a child, the performer and instructor has been in more shows and musicals than one could count. She has sung with the Ukiah and Lake County Symphony, The Mendocino College Jazz and Concert Bands and represented women in jazz for the Donne in Música Foundation in Rome. She was a featured artist at a gala event for the Christopher Reeve Foundation and has been a national promotions director for Paul Winter Consort and the Narada record label, where she worked with Billboard Magazine and other industry publications on behalf of the artists she represented. An actor, voice instructor and promoter of music throughout Mendocino County, Samonte’ is a beloved local legend.
The lineup includes many familiar faces for those who have followed Samonte’s career. Instead of performing a solo set, Samonte’ will be singing with a number of her favorite artists and musicians that Beatty loved to do sound for. Pianist John Simon is coming from Sonoma County with his trio, the Trimates, which includes Tom Shader, bassist and Kendrick Freeman on drums. At the end of the festival, Samonte’ will perform a few solo numbers with longtime friend Simon.
It wouldn’t be jazz without longtime favorites Paul Kemp on keyboards and Machiko Shimada on vocals. The duet will perform classics and standards interspersed with Kemp’s words of wit and wisdom.
Local heroine Jenna Mammina has been a part of the local and national music scene for many years, performing with the likes of Bobby McFerrin, June Millington, Rickie Lee Jones, Al Jarreau, Phish, David Sanborn, Ray Obiedo, Will Ackerman, Liz Story, Tuck Andress, and Rosemary Clooney. “It’s such a treat to have Jenna available for a local performance,” says Samonte’.
Come for the music and stay for the acerbic and always off-key banter of keyboardist and raconteur Ed Reinhart. The renowned pianist is a master of boogie-woogie, blues and original material and will feature the vocal accompaniment of Dawn Senften.
Guitarist Will Siegal is bringing his crew of Friends to the concert- Dave Scollin on alto sax and clarinet, Steve Baird playing bass and Greg Bryant on keyboards.
A special treat is in store for attendees. Roseanne Coryell Wetzel, multifaceted vocalist will be performing with piano powerhouse, the amazing Barney McClure.
Bay Area comedian Mo Jones will be the festival MC. “Mo has opened for incredible comedians and artists, as well as being a headliner himself. He’s going to add to the lightheartedness and fun during set changes,” says Roberson. Jazz-themed fare will be served up by Chef Reesie. “Elegant Rebellion- a troupe of fashion and editorial models will be on hand in their full regalia, and we will have a couture fashion brand, DSV Live, dressed in 1920’s-era clothing and setting up a mini-boutique shop here on site,” Roberson continues. All attendees will receive a gift bag with treats from sponsors and supporters.
“We are honoring the memory of John, but we are also focusing on Paula this year,” says McCormick. “When we first met Paula, we had no idea that so much could come from one person blessing our lives. And when things were the hardest, Paula always had a way to shine a ray of light on any situation.”
“Paula coordinated the entire festival lineup and raised funds through sponsors and donors, so that our artists are paid what they should be paid. She is a genuine advocate for the arts, while always considering the needs of our small business and finding a way to make it all work. Show like this are usually organized by a team of people. Paula did it all- a seven-hour jazz festival featuring every kind of jazz you can think of with 16 legendary and talented musicians,” McCormick continues.
The couple and Samonte’ are about to embark on an even bigger dream- McCormick and Samonte’s Place, or MSP: a jazz-inspired restaurant and bar located in San Francisco.
“When we created the concept for T-Up, we didn’t realize it would develop into so much more than mini-golf,” says Roberson. “We’ve hosted over 250 live events- from major performers to providing a stage for aspiring artists. We made our space available to anyone who wanted to share their voice and talent, and from that, came Jazz Fest, which fueled our latest endeavor- the opening of MSP. Paula, who is a native San Franciscan, will be returning to her home stage.”
Recently, McCormick and Roberson met former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown in their search for the perfect location for their venue. “When I mentioned Paula, Mr. Brown recognized her name. He said, ‘I remember hearing her perform in the City and in Sonoma,’” Roberson recounts. “He told us we’d be welcomed in San Francisco and that he couldn’t wait for Paula to come to the City and share her music and stories.” A plan to create a short documentary about Samonte’ is in the works.
In the meantime, T-Up continues to grow as a business. Photos by Jerry Stoll, the resident photographer for the Monterey Jazz Festival grace the walls of McCormick’s Beer House, which sells craft beers from Anderson Valley Brewing Company as well as unique creations like beer-infused cotton-candy. Over the past three years, the business has supported a number of local organizations and schools including St. Mary’s, Deep Valley Elementary, Redwood Charter School, Senior Scram, Project Sanctuary, United Disaster Relief and the Boys and Girls Club. “Every summer we provide 2,000 free plays of golf to the community. We try to make our mini-golf course affordable while continuing to support Ukiah,” says McCormick.
“Support the arts,” says Samonte’. “This is a wonderful festival- joining together with all these grand musicians that I’ve known for so many years. It’s just pure joy to be in one space, together. To be a part of this- there’s no words. It’s been a blessing to be on this journey with Ken and Essence at this phase in my life. Keep your dreams alive. They do come true,” she smiles.
The festival begins at 2 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at Mendocino Book Company and online at www.tupminigolf.com/#/.
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