Night Life

Jazz in the IE!  Having lived in the Inland Empire for about six years I've seen many changes.  One of the recent changes has been the introduction of jazz on a regular basis with a couple of new clubs dedicated to this great music.  I know many people in the IE over the years who lament having to drive to the OC or LA to get their fix for jazz and particularly Latin Jazz.  Well now they have two new venues that seem to be catching on, the Hip Kitty Jazz and Fondue Lounge in Claremont Village and the Alley Kat Jazz Lounge in Rialto.  The Alley Kat just opened this past month and is also going to be featuring a local Latin Jazz band that has played at the Hip Kitty.  The group is called MAMBOP.  They've had great audience reaction playing at many of Claremont's summer street fairs, Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga and at the Hip Kitty.  Now they're bringing their blend of Latin Jazz and classic Salsa to the Alley Kat in Rialto.  If you like our local southland's Grammy winning Latin Jazz star Poncho Sanchez's music you'll love Mambop's music.  They'll be brining Poncho's music, some Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and their own arrangements of some classic jazz tunes.  Hopefully all those folks who previously would drive to LA and the OC will support Jazz and Latin Jazz in the IE.  Who knows one of these days people in LA  and the OC might start driving to the IE for their Jazz fix! 

I must thank IE-Dude for reminding me of this excellent Restaurant located in what used to be turn 9 of the Riverside International Raceway. They had just finished building the new Riverside Records office when the Acapulco opened its doors to the public.