From: Dan
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2010

We caught your first 2 sets at Circle of Fifths Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed it. San Diego is lucky to have you (including wonderful Laura) to remind us of what really good music sounds like. We have also seen you at the Chula Vista East Lake Trader Joe's shopping center the last 2 summers.
I know this is probably futile, but I have some requests for your repertoire:
Junior Walker & the All-Star's "Shotgun," "I'm a Roadrunner," and "How Sweet it Is," and also "Cast Your Fate to the Wind."
By the way, does "Circle of Fifths" refer to the musical term or to the alcoholic beverage term? Or both
Best wishes from us both.
Dan Harrison & Pat

[Chris' reply follows]

Hi, Dan and Pat,
Yep, it was a great gig, and the place was packed! The manager said we've had the biggest crowds of all of the groups who've played there, and he loves having us. Then he told us we were fired. Really. The owners of the place have decided to go with the "dueling pianos" concept (which is why there were two of them on the stage), and were just experimenting with jazz. The manager, Will, is sure that once the owners see that the dueling pianos concept is losing money for them, and that they were making lots of money by having us there, that we'll be asked back. In the meantime, we're urging people who saw us there to write a review on Yelp and write especially about how great the jazz is.
As for "Shotgun," I've played it thousands of times, mostly with the Mar Dels and the Heroes (we might play it on Friday when I rejoin the Mar Dels for a night at Tio Leo's on Napa in the Morena area; we start at 8:30). I actually got to have a conversation with Junior Walker when I was in Candye Kane's band; we opened for him at the House of Blues in New Orleans. But it's not really a jazz tune, so that's why it's not in our repertoire. And I've played "How Sweet It Is" with many, many different bands, mostly with Harvey and 52nd St. Jive back in the '80s. It might be worth looking into as a jazz tune, so thanks for the suggestion! I don't know the other tune, though.
We used to play "Cast Your Fate..", and maybe we should resurrect it. The chart's still in our book. Thanks for reminding me of it!
"Circle of Fifths" is a nod to the musical term; the club was intended to be a live jazz club, which makes it a perfect name; for dueling pianos...not so much...
Thanks so much for your support, and I hope I'll be able to e-mail you soon with new news about upcoming gigs!

Chris

[original gig notice follows]

• The Chris Klich Jazz Quartet with Laura Preble
• Donovan's Circle of Fifths
• 333 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
• Reservations recommended (619) 906-4850
• Jazz supper club, with emphasis on tapas, small meals, and martinis
• Saturday, Oct. 2nd
• 8pm until midnight

Hey, Jazz Fans!
I told you a few weeks ago about a brand-new jazz supper club, Donovan's Circle of Fifths, in the heart of the Gaslamp. This venue is great in that it emphasizes the music as well as the food and drinks (they specialize in martinis, some with real exotic names, but there's a full bar, too); the stage is right in the middle of the restaurant, although you can hear the music throughout the bar, and even outside. Yet, the volume is perfect, owing to a great sound system and a dedicated sound man. We played there on Sept. 11th to a very enthusiastic crowd (that included a lot of you on this mailing list!) and our audition was a tremendous success. We'll be playing there once or twice a month, and our next appearance is coming up this Saturday!
I'll be joined by Laura's great voice, Ed on piano, Brian on bass, and Toby Ahrens on drums, and we'll be playing great jazz in a great location. The food is awesome (they treated us to a meal when we played there earlier), and everyone who came told us how much they enjoyed the food, as well as the opportunity to hear us play while dining.
As I mentioned in my previous e-mail, I don't normally request that our fans make an extra-special effort to come out to our shows, but we need to prove to the owners that our previous turnout wasn't just a fluke, so I'm hoping sincerely and effusively that you can join us this Saturday. You'll be glad you did, and so will we!
The club has valet parking, and there's lots of other parking lots nearby (there's a parking garage a block south and east that has $8 parking for the whole night; that's where I park). I hope that if you come down, you'll make reservations and let them know you're coming down to see us play. We sure appreciate it! The number is (619) 906-4850.
And we thank you for your support in the past and the future for all of the great musicians in San Diego, especially the guys in my band!

Chris

Dear Chris,
Thank you so much for helping make Will & Ambers wedding so beautiful. You both were great...everyone loved your music!
I am mailing the check today. I can send all to Dave or mail your part directly to me if you send me your mailing address.
Thanks again so much!
Marla

Hey Chris... thanks for blowin' your horns for me at my CD Release Party and on the KUSI Morning Show. As usual, you played like the virtuoso you are and really made the songs sound cool. I look forward to the next gig I can wrangle ya for...Thanks again.
-Charlie Imes (Chris performed on his CD).

Thanks again for playing for me at the Borgia wedding. You guys are great! I had a lot of fun singing with you and I really appreciate it. Cheers!
-Heather Maher

Chris: You really helped to make last night a success. Thank you so much for everything you have done with the Jazz Ensemble. The impromptu performance of Lester Leaps In totally brought the house down. God Bless you. Those kids really admire you and are always asking when you are going to be there again. Be well and thank you again and again.
-Vince Greco, director of The Jazz Ensemble, a group consisting of the most talented young jazz students (ages 14 through 19) in the San Diego area.

I thought you and the band did a great job at our wedding Apr 22, 2006. I wanted to add you to my LinkedIn contacts!
-Henry (via the "LinkedIn" network)

Hi Chris,
Just wanted to tell you that my recording client is very happy, and that he called out your work specifically as "exceptional."
"That guy is the best musician on the CD!"
Thank you, I appreciate you and your music.
xochuck

Man, you is BAAD! Caught your act on Inside Jazz. A reed man myself (tho' no great shakes) and can appreciate a cat who lays it down straight-ahead yet pushes the envelope.
I do a service to the local jazz community here, HonoluluJazzScene.net, and if you're ever in town, look me up.
Clay Freeman, webmaster@HonoluluJazzScene.net

Hello Kris and gang. Want to send a very warm thank you for sunday night-9/10/07 at Coyote Grill there in Carlsbad. You guy's sounded GREAT! You all know how to put it down but you and your drummer... whew... SMOKIN'! Seriously, it was a total treat for me... on vacation... had been at the beach all day and just wanted to have some good food and spirits and I got all that and more, I was in the yellow trunks leaving at 7 or so, anyway... t'was a pleasure, thanks again and I'll check out your cd as well. Do you ever come up to Seattle? You'd sound good at Dimitrous Jazz Alley.
Cheers. Joe.

Chris, thank you so much playing at our big event! Our guests loved the music and we have since received MANY compliments about all of you. And thanks for taking the time to let Kris practice with you, you probably don't know that singing with a band has always been a huge dream of his, and since the session with your quintet, he hasn't been able to stop thinking about it. Although to many of our guests, him singing to me was special; but for those of us who really know him, the most special part of the evening was Kris realizing one of his greatest dreams. Thank you for making that come true for him. It means more than you know.
Thank you again for an amazing evening, Kris and I are so grateful!
Blessings, Jen

Hi Chris,
I've been playing tracks from Blue Skies since you sent the album. I'll try to get you the playlists from the weeks I've aired the album. Thanks again for sending it. It's an excellent, solid album with inspired playing (and singing, too, of course!) with lots of great tunes given excellent arrangements.
Thanks again!
Cary Meister ("Doc Jazz")
KAWC-FM 88.9 mHz
By the way, we're streaming live on the web now at www.kawcradio.org. Just click on the box where you can listen live. The next time I play a track from your album I'll try to let you know in adavance so you can listen if you're so inclined.

Hello Chris and Laura,
Chris you don't know me but my name is Jane Kaufman and I am Laura's first cousin from Ohio.  Hello Laura!!  I had the pleasure of listening to your CD Blue Skies.  Oh my Lord!!!!!!!!  It is unbelievable.  I have to tell you that I am not a huge fan of jazz, but this CD is awesome!  Laura's voice is perfect and hearing you play the flute sends chills down my spine. The flute is the only instrument I can play, or at least try to play:>)  Tell Laura  my daughter Jeanette tells everyone that her cousin is a famous singer:>)  You both can be very proud of your accomplishments.  What great talent (I dont' know why Laura couldn't leave some talent for the rest of us)!  Take care and we wish you all the best with everything.
God Bless,
Nick, Jane, Benjamin, Luke and Jeanette

Hey, Chris.  I just got done listening to the three CDs I have of you and Laura.  Excellent!  I hadn't listened to the older ones in a while.  I just wanted to tell what an outstanding musician I think you are.
I saw Kenny G last week in Vegas.  Not a bad player really, but what a bunch of schlock.  The people actually gave him a standing ovation!  I couldn't bring myself to stand up.  Eighty five bucks to see him and no cover no minimum to see you!  Something not quite right there.
I have 4 of your CDs including the Xmas one.  Is that all of them?
Well, I'm to Vegas again for a couple weeks.  See ya soon, I hope.
Bill

But, this can't wait . . . your new CD is ONLY AWESOME!  And yes, we know that we're SHOUTING!!!
Perry

August 23, 2005
Greetings Chris!

Our Summer Music Series just ended.  I wish to say an enthusiastic thank you to you, Laura Preble, and the members of the Chris Klich Jazz Quintet!  The North Park Community Association thoroughly enjoyed your performance at Bird Park.

The music panel had a collection of 90 promotional packages to select from.  There is so much fine local talent but it was our sincerest wish that your band would be available and willing to perform.

It felt so good to be able to offer the sound that you have to the Bird Park audience.  Your interpretation of jazz standards is perfection but particularly so for a summer venue outside with all generations of listeners.  Many expressed their thanks for Laura’s vocal renditions after the show.

Sorry that our sound system wasn’t quite as tight as I expected, but even so, you were able to deal with that and maintain your professional focus.  It was a pleasure working with you and I wish you continued success.

Cheers,
Shirley
Summer Concert Chair

Bye for now
Mary P.

Dale J.
San Diego

Here's a suggestion: On your website, it would be nice if you had a link on the homepage to Barstar.com so a fan can rate your band without having to search all over the site. I wanted to do that, but it wasn't there so couldn't. Maybe it's someplace, but it's not convenient. It's just a suggestion. You deserve more votes, and it would move you up closer to #1. As a side note, that's where I discovered your band. You are the top rated band in the jazz category, I believe. Were from South Orange County, so it was great to see a good San Diego band playing close to us. It was well worth the drive down...

Thanks again,
Carol Y.
Lake Forest, CA