Live Music & Local Cuisine
Rock out, drink up and chow down. Whether you’re a Santa Cruz local or simply hanging ten for the weekend, we invite you to join us for Live Music Nights at Jack O’Neill Restaurant. Sing and sway to some of the area’s top musicians every week as you enjoy Jack’s signature cocktails and snack on our seasonal coastal bites.

DAN FRECHETTE - August 26
Aug 26, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Dan Frechette is a musical force; As anyone who has ever met him can attest, he is a living, breathing folk festival who's songwriting has been appreciated by the likes of Bob Dylan, Tim O'Brien, Doc Watson, and David Bowie. Raised in the small town of Pinawa, Manitoba, where the vast prairies meet the Canadian shield, Dan took an early obsession with music to the extreme, garnering the attention of major publishing which signed him a deal when he was just 17. To date he has recorded over 100 solo albums to date, learned to play 15 instruments across multiple genres, and has written lyrics and music to well over 1600 original songs.

JIM LEWIN AND DIANA Z - August 28
Aug 28, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Jim Lewin and Diana Z bring together worlds of acoustic rock, folk, reggae, bluegrass, Americana and more, featuring Diana’s lush vocals, Jim’s intricate picking, duet harmonies and a wide variety of cool. Together they make a great team, bringing out the best in each other as they spotlight their diverse influences and musical histories. Their shows are fun and lively. Diana’s enchanting voice entwines with Jim’s fiery picking as they traverse a deep repertoire of songs from many eras and cultures, from 80’s grunge to Grateful Dead, Irish ballads to acoustic reggae, classic country duets, timeless folk song cycles, and their own great originals. With intricately arranged vocal harmonies and an ebullient stage presence, their whimsical rapport and obvious love for each other warms the heart.

TED WELTY - September 2
Sep 02, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Ted Welty (T. Rollin), guitarist and singer/songwriter, is best known as co-founder of 1990s alternative rock band Iguana Jive. The group was signed in 1994 by indie label, Maddog Record, and went on to record their first album at A&M studios. A second album was recorded and released in 1997.

SCOTT SLAUGHTER - September 4
Sep 04, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Called a human jukebox by his many musical friends and partners, Scott has performed professionally for over 30 years in bands, solo, or behind headline entertainers such as Huey Lewis, John Denver, Glenn Campbell, Vince Gill, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Darius Rucker and others.

JOHNNY FAB - September 9
Sep 09, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
As a singer, he is by known by many as a “bourbon-esque” crooner, to others, he is a curious oracle of jazz, soul and the blues. With his fingers dancing upon the keys of the piano, Johnny Fabulous brings music and laughter through stories and song. Blending the swing of Sinatra with the soul of Ray Charles, Fabulous brings his unique style of songwriting and performance of his songs for your listening pleasure. Songs you will love, songs you’ll remember. Johnny Fabulous performs hundreds of shows for thousands of folks every year with great conviction that music and laughter is still the best medicine.

MO ANIMO - September 11
Sep 11, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
From acoustic to full band sound looping, Animo mixes soulful vocals, soothing acoustic riffs, with infectiously heavy bass lines, drumbeats and keys, creating a unique blend of original sound. Strumming his Fender and laying down the lines on the Roland Juno, Animo pulls in the crowd and creates a great vibe in any room. Animo has been a professional musician for over 20 years. His love of playing music has taken him across the country and out to Hawaii multiple times. His devotion to enhancing the crowd experience has had him working regularly with clubs, restaurants, and events.

DAN FRECHETTE - September 16
Sep 16, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Dan Frechette is a musical force; As anyone who has ever met him can attest, he is a living, breathing folk festival who's songwriting has been appreciated by the likes of Bob Dylan, Tim O'Brien, Doc Watson, and David Bowie. Raised in the small town of Pinawa, Manitoba, where the vast prairies meet the Canadian shield, Dan took an early obsession with music to the extreme, garnering the attention of major publishing which signed him a deal when he was just 17. To date he has recorded over 100 solo albums to date, learned to play 15 instruments across multiple genres, and has written lyrics and music to well over 1600 original songs.

PETER CLARK - September 18
Sep 18, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Peter Clark is a Santa Cruz musician that started playing guitar during the Folk music revival of the 1960’s. His early study of fingerpicking techniques of folk and blues artists is the basis of his musical style. Playing in bands such as the Louis and Clark Expedition and Stormin’ Norman through the 1970’s and 80’s he added Western swing, classic country, roots rock and roll, and other uniquely American styles to his musical vocabulary. Since then, he has continued to explore the world of thumbpicking through original songs, carefully curated classics, and any songs new or old that lend themselves to a tasty 6 string experience. Influences include Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, and Tommy Emmanuel. These days he can be seen at many local venues playing and singing with the guitar/harmonica duo Harpin’ and Clark.

KYLE KOVALIK - September 23
Sep 23, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Raised on the Monterey Peninsula, Kyle Kovalik attended the Guitar Institute in Hollywood. Relocating to Seattle, he cut his teeth playing electric blues and rock on a plethora of stages in the Northwest. Always a fan of song-craft, Kyle wrote, recorded and performed with the Americana band Jackson Sundown, as well as adding guitar to many other artist’s projects. Currently back in his beloved Monterey, Kyle performs all over California, from LA to the Bay Area to the Sierras. His solo shows are full of fiery acoustic guitar, original songs and interesting covers. He can also be seen as half of the duo Two Rivers, featuring Richard Bryant, singer extraordinaire. If that isn’t enough, you can find Kyle playing lead guitar with the 5Star Band, as well as his new project Highway 68.

JIM LEWIN AND DIANA Z - September 25
Sep 25, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Jim Lewin and Diana Z bring together worlds of acoustic rock, folk, reggae, bluegrass, Americana and more, featuring Diana’s lush vocals, Jim’s intricate picking, duet harmonies and a wide variety of cool. Together they make a great team, bringing out the best in each other as they spotlight their diverse influences and musical histories. Their shows are fun and lively. Diana’s enchanting voice entwines with Jim’s fiery picking as they traverse a deep repertoire of songs from many eras and cultures, from 80’s grunge to Grateful Dead, Irish ballads to acoustic reggae, classic country duets, timeless folk song cycles, and their own great originals. With intricately arranged vocal harmonies and an ebullient stage presence, their whimsical rapport and obvious love for each other warms the heart.

TIM BRADY - September 30
Sep 30, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tim Brady is a singer/songwriter from the Monterey Bay area and leader of the locally award winning Santa Cruz band Cement Ship. The acoustic guitar style, singing tone and original songs from Tim seem to fit a wide array of crowds and genres, but maintains a natural and stripped down approach for the sound. Honest and raw, sweet and smoky, dynamic like the sea.