Q&A Meet music man John Korty.

9 QUESTIONS FOR

Jonathan Korty

Award-winning musician and nightclub owner Jonathan Korty, son of Oscar and Emmy award-winning film director John Korty and designer Beulah Chang, could definitely be considered a product of his creative environment. The family lived in Stinson Beach when he was born in 1968 and soon moved to Mill Valley, Club Owner where Jonathan and his brothers David and Gabriel rode bikes, skateboarded and explored the mountainside. Besides SAN ANSELMO a formal education at Marin Country Day School, Branson and University of Hawaii, the art and artists of the county were prominent influences for young Jonathan. Hence, it wasn’t a stretch when, in 1995, he formed the successful eight-piece groove band Vinyl in his Homestead Valley garage. The band, which toured nationally and internationally, won countless awards and even appeared on Comedy Central’s South Park in the “Die Hippie Die!” episode. Today, along with serving as general manager and co-owner at Fairfax’s 19 Broadway, he continues to perform with Vinyl, as well as others including Chrome Johnson, Danny Click and Honeydust, and will once again join legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin in an exclusive Bay Area appearance at his own Fairfax club this month. We caught up with Jonathan — who had his prized Wurlitzer keyboard with him — before he headed off for another night of music. MIMI TOWLE

1Your dad is a film director; have you considered becoming an actor? I did get to play the role of

Herschel Tambor Brillstein III, the “multiethnic multiinstrumentalist” in the critically acclaimed National Lampoon mockumentary Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo, directed by and starring Les Claypool (of the band Primus) back in 2006, and so far that was it. wife, Kaeja, learned from my all-time favorite Marin musician, Austin de Lone, played for 10 years with Vinyl as the house band and honed my chops. My family and I adore the community of San Anselmo/Fairfax and I couldn’t be happier at 19 Broadway. I am right where I am supposed to be.

6Favorite restaurants? La Ginestra. I grew up going to La Gs and always get the “special ravs” (raviolis). We like the squid appetizer at Sushi Ran or anything at Sorella Caffe in Fairfax. My favorite lunch is the Korean BBQ plate at Java Hub Cafe in San Anselmo and for dessert, no question, Fairfax Scoop.

2What instrument do you play? Hammond B3 organ, keyboards and harmonica.

3Any local bands to watch out for? The Bad Jones, FenToN CooLFooT and the Right Time, ELP, Arann Harris and the Farm Band, FogDub, Black Water Gold, High Tide Collective, Gene Washington and the Ironsides, Junk Parlor, Jeff Campbell.

4Memories of growing up in Mill Valley? I remember being inspired by the rich musical history I gleaned

listening to KTIM’s Blue Monday Party at Uncle Charlie’s (hosted by Mark Naftalin) and perusing John Goddard’s legendary Village Music.

5Was it hard to make the switch from Sweetwater to 19 Broadway? Personally the “old” Sweetwater has such significance in my life. It’s where I met my beautiful 7 Favorite Marin tradition? Besides the live music seven nights a week in Fairfax, it’s a tie between the

Muir Beach Firemen’s Barbecue and recently I’ve loved going to the Fairfax Festival.

8Besides music? Mountain biking. I’ve been riding on Mount Tam my whole life and surfing in Bolinas — it’s where I learned.

9Favorite drink, and where? Iron Springs Brewery’s Sless’ Stimulating Stout. m