Cultured Pearl to host 2nd Time Around trio Feb. 16
Cape Gazette/Beach Paper columnist and radio personality Bob Yesbek (aka The Rehoboth Foodie) will bring his pre-Rehoboth Beach past to the Cultured Pearl restaurant at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16. After playing music professionally for over 28 years - including three years at the former Hideaway Lounge rock club on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Md., this new project is Yesbek's second time around. So his new trio, built around the sound of the iconic Hammond B-3 organ, is appropriately named 2nd Time Around.
Yesbek will be joined onstage by veteran drummer and educator Ken Schleifer and Rehoboth native Cody Leavel. Schleifer also performs with the popular jazz group 5th Avenue, the Oh Boy! Tribute to Buddy Holly, and the band Swing Junction. Schleifer spent 14 years as the elementary instrumental music teacher for the Cape Henlopen School District.
After graduating from Cape Henlopen High School, Leavel attended Shenandoah Conservatory, landing the first tenor saxophone/reeds position with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. After a successful run with that amazing band, he now graces the Cape Region with his music. Leavel and Schleifer are two of the founders of Swing Junction, and Leavel was one of the featured performers for the 2017 True Blue Jazz Festival.
Yesbek's portion of the proceeds from 2nd Time Around performances will be donated to the Culinary Scholarship Foundation he shares with Touch of Italy Restaurant Group. The nonprofit provides tuition assistance to select Delaware high school students and others who hope to continue their culinary education at accredited universities and vocational institutions. To date, the foundation has contributed thousands of dollars toward continuing education for these budding chefs and restaurant managers.
Yesbek says 2nd Time Around touts itself as playing "jazz, standards ... and a few surprises." So their repertoire should be anything but boring. Yesbek hints that attendees might actually hear Wilbert Harrison's "Kansas City" played back-to-back with Sinatra's "Angel Eyes." The eclectic menu and avenue view at Cultured Pearl will be an appropriate backdrop for the debut of 2nd Time Around. Reservations are a must. Call 302-227-8493.
