Phuket Nightlife : Jazz Quartet

Tom McNamara has big dreams. For the year 2000 season, he decided to do something special for his guests at his three popular restaurants overlooking the Andaman Sea

While local favorite Tommy Doyle has a loyal following at Baan Rim Pa, he decided to invite a world class group of jazz musicians to play at his Japanese bistro, Otowa. As the season wore on, he decided the group needed a singer so he scouted what talent was available in America and found Stephanie Haynes, a jazz singer with a strong following in the Los Angeles region.

This enterprising singer joined Bolek Peplowski, Peter Ahmal, Jay Farmer and Tommy Doyle and together they are creating real excitement nightly at Baan Rim Pa. None of these group are strangers to the best music of the twentieth century. Bolek has played backup for Little Richard and Chubby Checker as well as Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie. 

Peter has played his drums for Natalie Cole, Herb Ellis and Mose Allison while Jay has toured with the Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo and Bennie Goodman Orchestras.

Stephanie trained as a classical flutist which is apparent in her expert phrasing. She's played in clubs and concerts for twenty years around Orange and Los Angeles Counties drawing raves for her moody interpretations of great jazz classics. She attributes her influences to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae. It's not often that talent as big as Stephanie Haynes comes to Phuket. She sings nightly except Mondays with the Raw Jazz Quartet.

Don't miss this opportunity to share with Tom McNamara this special dream. Contact: Baan Rim Pa at 340 789

Tom McNamara, the creative entrepreneur who has built some of Phuket's finest restaurants including Baan Rim Pa, has brought a quartet of American jazz musicians to his Japanese restaurant, Otowa. Tom wants to entertain visitors and residents of Phuket who want an international standard of music while eating what he calls the "finest dining in the Kingdom".

The group is called the Raw Jazz Quartet and they play nightly from 22.30 until 01.30. The group consists of Bolek Peplowski on saxophone, Sherman Rubin on piano, Peter Ahmal on drums and Jay Farmer on stand up bass. Individually, they have played with many of the top musicians of the twentieth century.

Bolek has played backup for Little Richard and Chubby Checker as well as Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie. Sherman has worked with Charles Mingus, Muddy Water and Brownie McGee while Peter has played his drums for Natalie Cole, Herb Ellis and Mose Allison. Jay has toured with the Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo and Bennie Goodman Orchestras.

Together they create pure jazz magic not heard on this side of the Pacific Ocean. A great evening is to have dinner at one of Tom's restaurants. The choice is Royal Thai cuisine at Baan Rim Pa, rich Italian fare at Da Maurizio's or sushi, sashimi and a full menu of Japanese treats at Otowa.

After dinner, head to Otowa which converts into what becomes a jazz bistro set over the Andaman Sea. The Raw Jazz Quartet will entertain playing selections from virtually the entire history of jazz. 

You will recognize many of the more popular tunes but it's when Bolek, Sherman, Peter and Jay start to "jam" that it gets really exciting. And usually every night, local musicians drop in to join in the fun. Guests can choose from a selection of sushi and pizza to enjoy during drinks.

The Raw Jazz Quartet plan to spend the high season until April on Phuket before returning to their professional lives in America. Don't miss this opportunity to hear great music in the stunning setting of Otowa.