Blue Turtle Bistro & Bar, one of midtown Savannah’s newest dining destinations, is offering yet another niche to its attraction catalog: live music three nights a week. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, patrons of Blue Turtle’s modern dining area or its brand-new extended bar are enjoying performances by known, local musical talents Velvet Caravan, Ricardo Ochoa & Sasha Strunjas, and Jackson & Maggie Evans. With the recent Grand Opening of Blue Turtle’s bar, neighborhood patrons now have a central location to unwind with custom cocktails, delectable dishes and the universal language of live music.

Five-piece group Velvet Caravan is one of the most unusual ensembles in the area and has grown a loyal following through their weekly performances at Blue Turtle’s sister restaurant, downtown’s B. Matthew’s Eatery. Band members include Ricardo Ochoa (violin), Sasha Strunjas (guitar), Jared Hall (keyboard/accordion), Eric Dunn (bass) and Jesse Monkman (percussion). Combining Gypsy, Honky-Tonk, Swing and Latin, the group plays upbeat tunes from all over the world with thunderous virtuosity – as well as a relentless sense of humor.

Additionally, Ricardo Ochoa and Sasha Strunjas are entertaining patrons at Blue Turtle with Gypsy Jazz – a music that is an amalgam of many traditions ranging from Eastern Europe-stemmed roots to Spanish, Moorish, Arabian, French, and North African influences. The duo puts a unique twist on the genre, based on their international backgrounds.

Sasha originally hails from Yugoslavia and is a true embodiment of the gypsy guitarist, self-taught from an early age by studying and performing with jazz groups touring around his native country, Germany and the United States. Ricardo - a versatile, classically trained violinist with a talent for also wailing on the fiddle, theremin and keyboards – was born in Venezuela and brings a distinct Latin flavor to the duo’s playing.

Guitarist Jackson Evans and bassist/singer Maggie Evans also take center stage at Blue Turtle. Rounding out musical influences from around the world, this dynamic duo just returned from a yearlong stint performing in China. Both musicians have a vision to inspire new audiences and refresh the jazz tradition, blending the sounds of Brazilian, traditional, and Latin styles of jazz with influences ranging from rock and Americana to swing and contemporary jazz. Beyond live music, Blue Turtle Bistro & Bar has a number of reasons to visit throughout the week, with daily Happy Hour specials from 4pm until 7pm and an assorted Small Plates menu that is available every day after 4pm, including Sundays. Other special happenings include “Sunday Brunch”, “Craft Brew Monday”, “Cocktail Tuesday”, “Wine Wednesday’, and “Ladies Night Thursday”.

Upcoming Music Schedule Blue Turtle Bistro & Bar, 7pm – 10pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday:

August 23 - JACKSON EVANS (solo guitar)
August 24 - JACKSON & MAGGIE EVANS
August 25 - RICARDO OCHOA & SASHA STRUNJAS

August 30 - JACKSON EVANS (solo guitar)
August 31 - JACKSON & MAGGIE EVANS
Sept. 1 - JACKSON EVANS (solo guitar)

Sept 6 - JACKSON EVANS (solo guitar)
Sept. 7 - VELVET CARAVAN
Sept. 8 - RICARDO OCHOA & SASHA STRUNJAS

Sept. 13 - JACKSON EVANS (solo guitar)
Sept. 14 - VELVET CARAVAN
Sept. 15 - RICARDO OCHOA & SASHA STRUNJAS

Sept. 20 - JACKSON EVANS (solo guitar)
Sept. 21 - VELVET CARAVAN
Sept. 22 - RICARDO OCHOA & SASHA STRUNJAS

Sept. 27 - JACKSON EVANS (solo guitar)
Sept. 28 - JACKSON & MAGGIE EVANS 
Sept. 29 - RICARDO OCHOA & SASHA STRUNJAS