For two years now, every second Monday, Picton’s Main Street starts to swing. Toe tapping and finger snapping. Dining and discussing. Just walking by you can feel the energy.

Even in February. Maybe especially then.

Once a month, pianist Howard Lopez sets up his band in the front window and welcomes one and all with an eclectic mix of standards and surprises. The March edition featured Mr. Lopez with drummer Harry Ellis and Dan Douglas on trombone and flugabone (a tightly wrapped and valved version of the trombone). That’s right, no bass player. “I’ve always played the bass line with my left hand,” says Mr. Lopez, “and so I get in the bass player’s way. So I stopped hiring them!”

This trio of old friends did just fine without. I heard a collection of familiar tunes drawing on all kinds of rhythms: a waltz, a bossa nova, some calypso and a blues shuffle, and then, out of nowhere, Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag. 

Most memorable was a completely improvised ballad of quiet intensity, which had the musicians listening and responding in the moment.

For Mr. Lopez, “music is about connecting, and that’s what this gig is about.” The restaurant was full of regulars, friends greeting each other, the band taking requests, responding to the moment.

Mr. Lopez, hailing from a varied Toronto career, is a gentleman of many talents and an entrepreneurial spirit. “Howard’s a real character,” says Bistro owner Vicky Worlidge. “He’s full of outside-the-box ideas.”

“It’s been a really great, consistent event for for us, but honestly it’s for the locals,” she continues. “That’s who we want to be here for. It’s amazing how many people just come every month. It’s a real little community that it has created. They know each other from here.”

Much to my surprise, I learned that the Howard Lopez band has never played the theme from Cheers at this gig!

“He does do really thoughtful personal things,” adds Ms. Worlidge. “One regular couple celebrated their anniversary here recently and Howard sang a song for them, and they danced. And at Christmas he dressed up as Santa and told a story about the Beau Bistro the Night Before Christmas. He named the staff, he named the people who come here. He really does make it personal and people respond to that.”

Mr. Lopez reflects upon the state of the world. “We’re getting more and more removed from anything that is shared experience.” This is a loss that he wishes to repair. “‘Where everybody knows your name’ is bang on! This is the goal. I think we’ve been able to cultivate a community of trust, of acceptance, of ‘come as you are’.”

Mr. Lopez’s spirit is community oriented, to be sure. He can be found running a B&B, playing organ for a church, or accompanying Theatre Roulante’s productions. 

The success of the Beau Bistro’s jazz nights suggests this philosophy resonates. A celebration to open their third collaborative year takes place Monday 13 April. It is already so popular, an additional party is planned for Easter Monday on the 6th.

Guests with requests are always welcome at the Beau Bistro Jazz Nights.