My friend, Margie Baker, the wonderful jazz singer, PhD, esteemed San Francisco retired teacher and educator, performs one Thursday a month at the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay, California. I've always wanted to see her in that venue but the Ritz is a little out of my price range, especially since my retirement. Nonetheless, my friend, Silvia and I decided to go for their "Jazz, Burgers and Beer" event this past Thursday. The Ritz offers this package for $19, including validated parking so we figured that wasn't too bad. We'd sip and eat slowly, enjoy
great music for three hours, and enjoy the incredible ambiance.
I must say, this Ritz Carlton is one of the most beautiful I've seen. It is perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific coast of Half Moon Bay, about 25 miles south of San Francisco. We went on a perfect day, just before sunset so, for our $19 each, we had magnificent views ( of course, the view could be had for no monetary outlay, compliments of the Creator - but the enhancement of a nice glass of wine and Margie Baker singing the blues made it truly beyond description! ).
One of many orchid displays
Part of the golf course, on the Pacific
Pacific sunset at the Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay, CA
Day is almost done
The gazebo, in the glow of the setting sun
The Ritz, as viewed from the Pacific Ocean side -
lounge is one the second floor with the wide windows
Silvia had fish and chips
I opted for fritto misto - a combination of calamari and shrimp
Our beloved, Margie Baker
Margie did three songs that really made me happy - "Georgia" ( of course, this GA girl always
likes to hear that and can she ever do this song justice! ) - "Basin Street Blues" ( Margie knows I went to nursing school in New Orleans - my friend, Shota Osaba, a fabulous jazz pianist who plays for Margie occasionally and is the one who introduced me to her, always plays this for me
but this is the first time I've heard her sing it - WOW! ) and my all time favorite, "At Last" ( in her wonderful voice that can reach out to the Pacific, Margie sang this so beautifully, it almost brought tears to my eyes! Really, every song she sang was great but I love to hear her do blues. It always makes me think of those nursing school days back in New Orleans.
I just kept thinking that this woman, who taught the children of San Francisco for almost half a century, and traveled the world singing jazz, probably did more for world peace than half the U.N. negotiations and political struttings over the years. I think music is a universal language that helps people communicate and understand each other and Margie Baker sure knows how to speak it!
