It’s been a while since we’ve seen all our family, friends and fans! We’re just going to call it a “hiatus”, but as you all know it was much more than that. This pandemic had caused so much grief in our lives with family, jobs and businesses. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that lost their loved ones and careers.


We are so happy that this has finally blown over. We, as a band, had not been able to hang out together and jam since December 2019. For the first time in over a year and a half, we all met up again and played together. Playing jazz was like riding a bike. We all just gelled and grooved together as if we hadn’t stopped.


One major change for us was Richard Morrison, our friend and bass player for over 20 years has retired, sold his home and he and his wife Dee picked up and “the first thing you know, they moved to Tennessee!” So of course, before we could jam together again, we had a bit of a hole that needed to be filled. We held some auditions and found someone that fit right in. So we want to welcome the newest member of the SpareTime family, Leroy Chavez on bass guitar and vocals.


Not only did bands, of every caliber, simply stop playing with each other due to Covid, but obviously the venues were closed too. Some, unfortunately, have closed down permanently. So even when we’ve “honed our chops”, we still need to find places to play so we can see all your happy faces once again! That task is in the works and we hope to be playing again real soon. And to those businesses that were able to conform and survive during this pandemic, we are very happy to see your doors open!


So… to all our family, friends and fans… SpareTime is back and we will be seeing you real soon!

Well after more than 10 years, we’ve just updated our website to a WordPress format. There had been issues with the “Flash” format we had in the past, viewing our site from assorted devices. Unless your device was “Flash” friendly, you wouldn’t be able to view the website. Not very good when we want to keep in touch with all of you and all of you can’t keep in touch with us. Sorry for the inconvenience of “trying” to view our site! No more! Check back soon to view photos that you’ve never seen before as we are still updating.


Feel free to post a comment. Or, if you have a question/want to be added to our mailing list, fill out the form on our “contact us” page. All info is kept private between you and SpareTime as stated in our “Privacy Statement“.


You can also visit us at facebook.com/sparetimejazz, or instagram.com/sparetimejazz. Or click on the Facebook/Instagram icons below!


Enjoy our new website!

“The event attracted hundreds of guests from the LA and SC areas who enjoyed the sights and sounds of SC’s own SpareTime, Richard Smith, Doc Powell and Paul Jackson, Jr.”

The Santa Clarita Magazine From “Jazz Guitars Under the Stars” at the Paseo Club.

“I happened upon SpareTime playing at a local Borders book and coffee bar and was amazed at the quality and variety of their sound. Bruce Powell, lead winds and keyboard player, has yet to meet an instrument he can’t make sound magical, and it’s amazing to watch him switch from one instrument to another without missing a beat. And when they need a vocal touch they turn to Heli Sterner, whose mellow and sultry sound adds just the right touch to those non-instrumental selections. Since my discovery I’ve booked SpareTime for several events, and have yet to have anything but superlatives thrown their way by those in attendance. Bottom line is this, SpareTime puts the smooth in smooth jazz.”

Chris Markenson L-3 Communications Ocean Systems
Executive Assistant to the President

The sultry sounds of smooth jazz had fans dancing in the aisles as jazz artists Peter White, Eloise Laws and Santa Clarita’s own sizzling jazz band, SpareTime lit up the stage at the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center.

The Magazine of Santa Clarita, April 2007

The Canyon Theatre Guild will present an entertaining night of music, wining and dining during the Fifth Annual “Night of a Thousand Stars” gala celebration and auction at the Valencia Country Club.

Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the event will be special guest, Mark Thompson, of the “Mark and Brian” show.

Headlining the evening will be the popular smooth jazz band, “SpareTime”.

From “Escape, The Signal” September, 2002