Resident Talent Returns to 'Soothing' San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano’s own singer/songwriter Christina Duane returns to perform in concert April 29 at the  

You may remember that Duane was co-founder of the pop/rock duo Velvet Bleu.  Sixteen years ago, it debuted Rhapsody, then followed it up with Capistrano, which was critically acclaimed and featured songs Duane  wrote about the place she once called home: San Juan Capistrano.

Velvet Bleu’s album included such songs as “Mirror of My Soul," about relationships, parents with children, love and loss, growth and gain, all wrapped in pretty poetry with a memorable melody. Her “Mission by the Sea” composition paints a musical snapshot of San Juan Capistrano. In it she mentions the and the Coach House, captured for posterity on this unforgettable recording.

Duane’s upcoming performance will find special comfort in sharing the stage on Friday evening with Melissa Ritter, the harmonic voice from her Velvet Bleu recording days. They’ll perform three songs from the Rhapsody album,  as well as Duane’s newly released song, "Time Standing Still." Look for another old friend in her band. Saxophonist Monte Byrd will take the stage. He’s been recording and performing with Duane for the past 16 years. Paul McIntire will show off his violin virtuosity. Martin Gerschwitz, from the legendary rock band Iron Butterfly, will join the group on keyboard, along with guitarist/composer/producer, Byron Fry.  Lavelle Jones will man the drums. 

Duane has assembled an eclectic group of musicians who can best interpret her original sound and music. Her compositions cross genres of folk, rock and Celtic. They're often with jazzy or blues overtones, yet all are rooted deeply in classical music. She employs harmonics like Joni Mitchell's and has the purity and crystal-clear vocals that remind me of Judy Collins'. Sometimes there is a poignant tone to her music, with Duane’s voice provocative against a strumming guitar; folksy like Joan Baez. 

San Juan Capistrano Patch: Tell us about the time of your life when you lived in San Juan.

Christina Duane: I lived on Via Sequoia in Mesa Vista on the overlooking the town and the beautiful hills. The sun would set over the mountains every evening. In 1996, my 17-year marriage to my first husband ended, and I was very devastated. I wanted to have a complete change and moved to San Juan Capistrano to heal and start a new life. Everything about San Juan Capistrano soothed me, from the sound of the passing trains and mission bells to walking the willow- and cactus-lined streets of Los Rios or watching the cowboys ride along the river bed. I wrote " by the Sea" about the people, traditions and life in San Juan Capistrano. I met wonderful friends like artist Arturo Guevara,  and we put art and music shows together in the during those years.

San Juan Capistrano Patch: What are your influences musically?

Duane: Judy Collins, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Annie Lennox, Gordon Lightfoot, Enya and Melanie Safka have influenced my music. As far as people who have been important to me musically ... I would have to say that my sax player, Monte Byrd, has been a constant inspiration and support to me musically, creatively and as a dear friend. I met Monte at a Coach House concert we were both doing in 1996, and I now have him fly to Oregon to play with me. Melissa Ritter, who was in Velvet Bleu with me, was also a great influence. Together we learned how to share the stage and be a team, each showcasing each other's strengths and encouraging each other, lessons that I have carried with me all of these years. Both Melissa and Monte will be there at the Coach House and with me at my Saturday concert, Festival of Goddesses in Laguna Beach, where I will sing songs about relationships, womanhood and reflecting God's love and light, and a special song I wrote for the festival last year called "Love Light Within."

San Juan Capistrano Patch: What do you miss the most about living in California?

Duane: I miss my family and friends the most. My dad, my brother and his family, my son Josh and his wife, Paige, and little grandson August, who is 2, live in SJC.  They are also expecting a second child.  I miss my daughter and four of my grandkids who live in Oregon. Secondly, I miss San Juan Capistrano, those passing trains, the sound of the , sitting in ' sun-drenched patio and enjoying family and friends.

San Juan Capistrano Patch: What is the best memory you have of performing at the Coach House early in your career?

Duane: I played many times at the Coach House and Galaxy theater, opening for Berlin, Clarence Clemons and others. But one night, I did a big benefit concert there for a lady who was dying of cancer and had an antique store in SJC. My band and I played.  Robert Anthony Aviles, electric violinist from Insight, also played, and then he played on "Mission by the Sea," adding that amazing solo he does on our recording. My mom was dying of cancer at the time, and I did the concert in honor of her, and it was a beautiful, magical night. I love the time before a concert, when everyone is up in the dressing rooms getting ready to go out. There is such a camaraderie among band members, who are like a family. The Coach House has such a wonderful history upstairs, where the walls are lined with the photos of so many amazing artists who have been in those halls. You can feel the presence of all of that history before you walk out on stage. That is what I wrote about in "Mission by the Sea."

San Juan Capistrano Patch: What inspires you to write a song?

Duane: My songs are inspired by the beauty of nature, history, treasured relationships and the cycles of life. I usually get the words and music at the same time, and I quickly record it on my phone so I don't forget it. Then I refine and expand the lyrics.

San Juan Capistrano Patch: Tell me about the new Time Standing Still project and how it came to be.

Duane: "Time Standing Still" is the title track of my new CD and was inspired by the lost living graveyard of an innocent era that dots the highways and byways of America, those boarded-up diners and small towns that couldn't survive urban sprawl. It is about rediscovering the highways and byways of small-town America and cherishing our history and the people in our lives. It is being produced by guitarist/composer Bryon Fry, and I am recording it on my trip down to California.  Both San Juan Capistrano and Jacksonville, OR, hold complete magic for me. They are my two favorite places in the world. Both are amazing historic towns—one with its jewel, the mission, and the other it's gold mining history and now liquid gold—its wine country.

Duane will open for veteran vocal artist Vonda Shepard at 8 p.m. April 29 at the Coach House, and will play again April 30 at the Festival of the Goddesses in Laguna Beach. For more information or to purchase tickets, vist orangecounty.net/concerts.

Correction: This version of the article contains the correct spelling of Martin Gerschwitz.