At first I thought it was a Ceanothus, because I had a 'Julia Phelps' in that area some years back.. but the leaves aren't stiff, they're very soft, with indumentum on the stems and undersides of the leaves. There are a couple of them growing in light shade, and have grown about 3' tall since Spring. No flowers.. Santa Cruz mountains, zone 9b.

I believe you are correct on the Ceanothus thought. I think it is Ceanothus thyrsiflorus.

No, I don't believe it's a ceanothus. Or at least one I'm not familiar with. The leaves are soft, unlike any ceanothus I've grown or worked with. Even newly emerging leaves on ceanothus have a stiffness or rubbery feel that these don't have. Also the veining on the leaves of Ceanothus thyrsiflorus are more parallel. The veining on my plant have one central vein.