CAPITOLA JIVES TO FREE JAZZ GIG

CAPITOLA – For jazz singer Jacqui Naylor, Sunday night at the Village was like a battle of the bands.

Naylor and her quartet kicked off a free two-night concert series presented by Peter Dwares, a San Francisco businessman and part-time Capitola resident, from a balcony in Dwares’ condo overlooking the Esplanade.

Across the street, businesses play different styles of music, but Dwares wanted to give people something he thinks is lacking in the Village: music geared for people in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Naylor agrees, and she was ready to show Capitola an alternative to what it’s used to, she said before performing.

“I was really excited when Peter asked me to be a part of it,” she said.

She sang mostly songs from her latest album, “East/West,” for a crowd of about 70 people, many trying to keep warm with jackets and blankets.

Saratoga residents Margaret and Frank Zampella said they weren’t aware of the jazz concert, but it was a nice surprise. “I think it’s a great idea,” Margaret said. “It creates traffic for Capitola.”

Christy Delaney, a waitress and bartender at Zelda’s restaurant, ventured across the street to check out the performance and said it was interesting because no food or liquor was being offered.

“It also may take away business from other places,” she said, adding it’s “kind of distracting.”

But Peter Howes, who booked the talent, said events like these increase foot traffic in the Village, which helps local businesses. “You couldn’t ask for a better spot to do this,” he said.

The second jazz concert is a 5 p.m. Sunday and features singer Opie Bellas.