Ode to Our Town

Aussie music maker Peter Clark has debuted his homage to our Eden by the Beach, 16 months after the Thomas Fire and devastating mudslides.

Montecito-based Peter, whose songs have been recorded by Eartha Kitt, Jane Russell, and Don Ho, is currently producing 2013 Teen Star winner Mary-Grace Langhorne, whose first CD will debut next month.

Peter’s new CD, Santa Barbara, features 17 tracks, with all music and lyrics written by him between 1992 and 2013, including “We Are Montecito 93108” with fellow jazz musician Maitland Ward, which features my column in this illustrious organ.

“They’ve been inspired by items in everyday life,” says Peter, who moved to our Eden by the Beach in 1988 with his late wife, Dallas.

This is his second laudatory recording to our tony town, having previously released The Songs of Santa Barbara in 1992 featuring selections dating back to 1926, including “Santa Barbara Earthquake,” “Goleta, My Goleta,” Oscar nominee Barry DeVorzon‘s “It’s Christmas Once Again in Santa Barbara,” and “Viva La Fiesta!” featuring tenor David Gonzales.

Proceeds from the CD will go towards Santa Barbara High School Jazz scholarships.

Kick off the Sunday Shoes

Montecito rocker Kenny Loggins is broadening his résumé.

Kenny and bubbly Janet Adderley, founder of the Santa Barbara Youth Ensemble Theatre, are collaborating on a summer stock production of the 1984 Herb Ross hit comedy-drama movie Footloose, starring Kevin Bacon and John Lithgow, with his band accompanying the talented youngsters.

Footloose author Dean Pitchford is also involved in the project, which will raise funds for the Unity Shoppe.

Janet has also asked Kenny to play plain-clothes detective Lieutenant Schrank in the troupe’s production of Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story next month, with an 11-piece orchestra, at the Lobero.

A whole new career trajectory for the 71-year-old singer-songwriter dubbed The Soundtrack King.