Don't Miss This Show!!!

Trombone/classical guitar duos are very rare in Jazz. While few dare to exist beyond the occasional recording or live performance, Cressman and Faquini have transformed their platform into a sophisticated medium showcasing the extraordinary influence Brazilian contemporary artistry has had on music throughout the world. Tagged as the “Bossa Nova girl” while studying at the Manhattan School of Music, Cressman has always been inspired by Brazilian culture, frequently attending the California Brazil Camp in the mountainous enclave of Cazadero, California where she met Faquini, a Guinga protégé teaching at this annual summer gathering.

In time they discovered the dynamic nature of their instrumental pairing as well as the unique aperture it lends to the intricate nature of Brazilian music. Having mastered a resonant, open, and full bodied sound, Cressman and Faquini utilize a spacious tonal vocabulary, deft harmonic pairings and meticulous arranging that perfectly lends itself to the unique repertoire they’ve cultivated over the years.

Simplicity can feel like a rare commodity in our increasingly complex world. Knowing this, Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini recognize that the simplicity of their instrumentation provides an introspective way to celebrate the legacy of música popular brasileira and the remarkable manner in which Guinga extends the vocabularies of its exceptional harmonic and melodic systems. Managing the perfect balance of space, pacing and musicianship, Cressman and Faquini have mastered the mechanics of unpacking the deep musical authority that defines the DNA of Brazilian music and the core of Guinga’s genius.

Cressman’s musical pedigree is impeccable, growing up as the daughter of vocalist Sandy Cressman and Santana trombonist Jeff Cressman, gaining fame as a member of Phish leader Trey Anastasio’s solo project, and working with Nicholas Payton and Wycliffe Gordon. A virtuosic instrumentalist and gifted singer, she’s a former member of the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars who has made good on her prodigious beginnings, working with a diverse range of artists including salsa icon Pete Escovedo’s Latin Jazz Orchestra, world music giant Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra, and iconoclastic multi-instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum.

Faquini, who was born in Brasília and now lives in Berkeley, California 15, was mentored by legendary Brazilian composer Guinga. He went on to study at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley and immediately after graduating joined the faculty there. He is also on the faculty at California Brazil Camp, alongside musical legends including Ivan Lins, Guinga, Chico Pinheiro, and Spok. Ian has become one of the most unique and respected guitar players in the San Francisco Bay Area, with his distinct compositional style and harmonic sense. He is also a brilliant accompanist, which has made him an in-demand collaborator with vocalists in the Bay Area and beyond.

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Marcus Anthony Shelby is a composer, bassist, bandleader, and educator who currently lives in San Francisco, California. His work focuses on the history, present, and future of African American lives social movements and music education.

In 1990, Marcus Shelby received the Charles Mingus Scholarship to attend Cal Arts and study composition with James Newton and bass with Charlie Haden. Currently, Shelby is the Artistic Director of Healdsburg Jazz, an artist in residence with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, and a past resident artist with the San Francisco Jazz Festival and the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Shelby has composed several oratorios and suites including “Harriet Tubman”, “Beyond the Blues: A Prison Oratorio”, “Soul of the Movement: Meditations on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”, “Black Ball: The Negro Leagues and the Blues”, “Green and Blues”, and a children’s opera “Harriet’s Spirit” produced by Opera Parallel 2018.

Christopher Clarke: Trumpet. Phil Vieux: Alto Sax/Flute. Greg Jacobs: Piano. Jemal Ramirez: Drums. Marcus Shelby: Bass

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Unfortunately, Brad Barton is ill and this show has been cancelled. Look for a rescheduled date later this year.

Mardi Gras is a centuries-old tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. It was initially celebrated by European Christians as a way to mark the beginning of Lent and to prepare for the fasting period of Easter. Mardi Gras is believed to have arrived in North America on March 3, 1699, when the French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville camped about 60 miles downriver from the future site of New Orleans. Knowing it was Fat Tuesday back in France, Iberville named the spot Point du Mardi Gras and held a small gala. A few years later, French soldiers and settlers feasted and wore masks as part of Mardi Gras festivities in the newly founded city of Mobile (present-day Alabama). To this day, Mobile claims to have the oldest annual Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, although New Orleans has the biggest North American celebrations.

Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual Lenten sacrifices and fasting. It's a time of celebration, food and music.

The Medicine Ball Band was created on the streets of San Francisco by Daviid Sturdevant more than 50 years ago. It has rolled across many terrains, picking up many amazing musicians along the way. Always holding on to the roots of New Orleans, the Medicine Ball continues its annual Fat Tuesday Celebration at the Sound Room this year featuring vocalist Rhonda Benin; John R Burr- piano; John Stafford- clarinet, vocals, John Hunt- trombone, vocals; Anton Patzner- violin, vocals, whistling; Chris Aschman- trumpet, steel pan; Richard Howell- sax; Ron Belcher- bass Chauncey Roberts- vocals; Leon Joyce Jr- drums; David Sturdevant- guitar, banjo, harmonica, vocals and surprise guests. Get your tix soon as this always sells out!

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Vocalist extraordinaire Kenny Washington and trumpeter Erik Jekabson deliver the true New Orleans sound and spirit, but with a modern twist. Washington is a New Orleans native and Jekabson has lived and performed in the Big Easy. They are backed by Jekabson’s New Orleans Sextet: Rob Barics, clarinet and tenor sax; Dan Zemelman, piano; Ron Belcher, bass; and Deszon Claiborne, drums. The evening will include traditional New Orleans tunes, both instrumental and vocal, performed in the fun, loose, freewheeling style that is so representative of the Big Easy.

Erik Jekabson is a trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is equally busy playing and composing for different bands, leading his own groups, teaching a wide variety of students and running the Young Musicians Program at the California Jazz Conservatory.

Erik has eight CDs out under his own name: “One Note at a Time” (2020) “Erik Jekabson Sextet” (2018) and “Erik Jekabson Quintet” on the Wide Hive label, “A Brand New Take” (2016) on the OA2 record label, and “Erik Jekabson Quartet & John Santos: Live at the Hillside Club”, (2014) ,“Anti-Mass”(2012) , and “Crescent Boulevard” (2010) on his own Jekab’s Music record label. His debut CD, “Intersection”, was recorded in New York in 2002 and released on the Fresh Sound/New Talent label.

Kenny Washington thrills audiences across the globe with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range, and rapid-fire scatting. He is described as one of “the Bay Area’s best kept musical secrets,” Washington’s astounding improvisational flights, inventive approach and emotional intensity are awe inspiring. If you have never heard this New Orleans native sing before, prepare to join a global audience that has been wowed by Washington’s talent.

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Mamajowali features three veteran musicians – one from Mali, West Africa and two from the United States – that have found common ground in a new and unique sound. Interweaving two continents and three uniquely different musical sensibilities, their cultural and instrumental blend of kamale ngoni (the hunter’s harp), six string guitar, percussion, fiddle, mandolin and singing is traditional, innovative and uncommon – all at the same time. Mamajowali overlays West African and Latin American music with old time Americana and spirited originals with hoppin’ high energy grooves and tons of improvisational trialogue. Come listen to the sound you’ve never heard ~ “Afromericana!”

Joe Craven – Award winning creativity educator, former museum curator, actor, festival emcee, Director of RiverTunes Music Camp and Co-Director of Wintergrass Youth Academy, multi-instrumentalist Joe Craven’s love of performing music has put him in many musical genres and alongside many musicians, from Jerry Garcia, David Lindley and Jason Marsalis, to fusion banjoist Alison Brown and groups such as Psychograss and The Horseflies. For 17 years, he was percussionist and violinist for mandolinist David Grisman. With presenting workshops and lectures in Costa Rica, to thousands of school kids in Scotland, from house concerts to major festivals and from Carnegie Hall to busking at Cannery Row – Joe’s at home and loving every minute.Master kamale ngoni player,

Mamadou Sidibe is from the Wassoulou Region of Mali, West Africa. Twenty-five years ago Mamadou played a groundbreaking role in transforming the music of this region from it’s origins in hunters’ sacred melodies- -played on six string donso ngoni (hunter’s harps)– to a music of philosophical observations, politics and daily life. Mamadou was one of the first to expand the instrument’s range with two extra strings, creating the popular kamale ngoni. He has recently enhanced the kamale ngoni even further, by creating 10 and 12 string kamale ngoni. Mamadou, with artists Coumba Sidibe, Oumou Sangare and Ramatu Diakite, spread the new sounds through recordings and performances in Europe, Africa and the United States. Not only is Mamadou an award winning musician and master of the kamale ngoni, he is accomplished on several other African instruments as well.

Fingerstyle guitarist Walter Strauss’s multi-layered style draws on cultural guitar traditions – Spanish, American roots, classical, jazz. But what makes his playing utterly unique is the influence of other global stringed instruments. He has delved deep into the gourd harp traditions of West Africa, translating traditional kora and kamal’ngoni pieces to the guitar. Malian kora legend Toumani Diabate calls Walter’s guitar rendering of kora music “inspirational”, and proposed Walter's duo with his son, Sidiki Diabate, a West African star in his own right. Walter's collaborators have ranged from Grammy-winning kora player Mamadou Diabate to Scottish fiddler Johnny Hardie & Grammy-nominated guitar maestro Alex de Grassi. He has performed internationally at venues like Lincoln Center, the Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland, and Le Diplomate in Bamako, Mali.

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Join us for our monthly Blues Blowout. You won't want to miss these!

Jules Leyhe might look like your everyday, average, unassuming guy, but he’s one of the world’s foremost blues slide-guitar players—so much so that even Premier Guitar magazine called his music “the best blues slide licks since Derek Trucks, maybe even Duane Allman.” Those might sound like some big boots, but this Oakland native not only fills them, he wears them out and has to order new ones. This year, he is showcasing a new blues series at the Sound Room, where Leyhe and his Family Jules Blues Blowout take a look at new music each month.

Named one of Guitar Player Magazines 12 Players of Christmas in 2014 as well as the Bay Area Blues Foundations All Stars in 2015, Leyhe has already shared the stage with many of Blues greatest talents including Buddy Guy, Barry Goldberg, Fantastic Negrito, Nick Gravenites, Elvin Bishop, and Maria Muldaur.

Leyhe has performed with with Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite, Chris Cain, Jimmy Vivino, Fantastic Negrito, Elvin Bishop, and Maria Muldaur, played the national anthem at the Oakland Coliseum, and been featured in guitar player, premier guitar, and vintage guitar. Leyhe’s music is a mashup of blues, hip-hop, fusion, rock and Latin music. Conceived and constructed using vivid fantasy, the Berklee grad imagined what it would sound like to pair signature elements from diametrically opposed artists. Picture Duane Allman jamming with jazz piano great Gil Evans, or Jimi Hendrix playing in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Family Jules Band features drummer Isaac Schwartz, and renowned bassist Andrew Couttie on bass with Ian McArdle on keys

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Continuing Jazz Mafia’s much talked about monthly residency at The Sound Room, this special night brings together Jazz Mafia and Tiffany Austin in a celebration of their decade-long collaboration. The 7-piece band of core Jazz Mafia musicians will perform original songs co-written by Tiffany and Jazz Mafia director Adam Theis, along with Adam’s arrangements showcasing Tiffany’s remarkable vocal talents. The evening will also feature a tribute to jazz legend Art Blakey.

Tiffany Austin - vocals

Adam Theis - trombone, musical director

Mike Olmos - trumpet

Tommy Occhiuto - sax

Colin Hogan - keys

Joshua Thurston-Milgrom - upright bass

Henry Plumb - drums

In the year 2000, trombonist, bassist, composer, arranger, and producer Adam Theis co-founded Jazz Mafia – an eclectic artist collective of forward-thinking and accomplished players in Electro, Hip-Hop, World, Classical, and Jazz. Twenty years in the making, Jazz Mafia is a prolific staple of the quintessential San Francisco sound, uniting creative and accomplished Bay Area instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, composers, and arrangers.

The collective quickly garnered a reputation for its collaborative and risk-taking spirit, and over the years has worked with Roy Ayers, Lyrics Born, Zion-I, Rebelution, Latyrx, Galactic, Ledesi, Blackalicious, and Jackie Greene, to name a few. Recently, the collective performed sold out residencies at the SFJAZZ Center and served as the house band in The Soiled Dove – its large-scale cirque-inspired collaboration with The Vau de Vire Society. Jazz Mafia has also recently collaborated with the Oakland Symphony at Paramount Theatre of the Arts, as well as with GRAMMY-winning composer Mason Bates and his Mercury Soul project at the Kennedy Center in DC. Jazz Mafia also curates musical experiences for Stanford University, Oakland Art & Soul Festival, and many other presenters.

This event features Vocalist Tiffany Austin. Austin's music and voice draw upon influences such as Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin, yet she also infuses songs with her own signature style that is precise, intelligent, and soulful.

Austin is becoming a national figure in her own right: an artist with a musical message as topical as an unsettling headline and as timeless as an Ella Fitzgerald ballad. Andy Gilbert

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Two-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Mads Tolling and the dynamic multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Vicki Randle are teaming up for an unforgettable musicalcollaboration! This powerhouse duo promises an electrifying blend of Tolling’s virtuosic jazz violin and Randle’s soulful vocals, rhythmic mastery, and boundless energy. Together, they are redefining genres with a fusion of jazz, funk, blues, and Americana, creating a vibrant, one-of-a-kind soundscape.

Mads Tolling, celebrated for his innovative compositions and exceptional skills, brings his extensive background as former member of the Turtle Island Quartet and Stanley Clarke’s band. Vicki Randle, known for her magnetic performances as a longtime member of "The Tonight Show" band and collaborations with legends like Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples, infuses every note with passion and authenticity.

Joining Vicki and Mads this evening are the Mads Men, renowned bassist Gary Brown and virtuoso pianist Colin Hogan. Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness Mads Tolling and Vicki Randle in concert for the first time—a thrilling journey through sound and emotion that will leave you inspired and wanting more!

Mads Tolling – violin

Vicki Randle – vocals & percussion

Colin Hogan – keys

Gary Brown – bass

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Join us for Laugh Attack at the Sound Room! The show features top comedy designed to leave you holding you holding your sides. You don't want to miss this Comedy Party!

Featuring Host Sean Francisco. With over a decade of entertainment experience, his zany performance style and unconventional act may leave you in stitches both figuratively AND literally. Sean has appeared on multiple streaming networks including "Discovery+" and the Belgium "VTM GO". He has performed everywhere from swanky private events, to casinos and amphitheatres. Through comedy and magic, Sean has collaborated with the Bay Area's top talents and is excited to bring his unique blend of hilarity and wonder to you!

Karen Braswell is a rising San Francisco based comedian. Originally from New York, Karen left Wall Street to pursue a career in literally anything else, and she now performs comedy on every stage, sidewalk and dive bar all over SF. A regular at local favorites like Cobb’s Comedy Club, Punch Line and Cheaper Than Therapy, Karen also is a member of the HellaFunny production team, helping run over 20 shows a week throughout the Bay Area. With a fresh take on things like dating, dogs and growing up as the teacher’s pet, Karen turns expectations on their head with her irreverent style.

K. Cheng has appeared at the Comedy Cellar, the Comedy Store, and Gotham’s Comedy Club… not to perform, he’s just appeared there. He has, however, performed at NBC Stand Up for Diversity, EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival), and San Francisco Sketchfest. He’s the producer of Crazy Funny Asians, Cosplay Comedy, The Khmers of Comedy, and Cardi Spelling Bee. He’s also a contributor to The Lunar Times, From the Desk of Nerd Legion, and The 1990 Institute. He is a guest lecturer on comedy at St. Mary’s College and Mills College.

Arturo Raygoza Jr is an energetic comedian who produces and performs in shows from the Bay Area to LA. He is a writer, filmmaker, and CEO of Street Light Entertainment. The production company that produces shows such as Ultimate Roasting Championship which you can find on YouTube. He has recently been selected for San Francisco Sketchfest. Arturo has performed with Jamie Kennedy and Saturday Night Live legend Darrell Hammond. Arturo is getting ready to film his first hour comedy special this year.

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StorySlam Oakland is Oakland's longest-running true storytelling show, where people tell short and true stories from their lives. Or just listen and laugh.

February's theme is "Advice." What have you been telling people? What have they been telling you? Come tell us a 5-minute true story about some memorable advice you received (or gave) and what happened. Life lessons, relationships, marriage and parenting, work or retirement, anything goes as long as you tell us the story behind it and what happened. (But please, save your medical stories for another audience.) Unasked for advice, a suggestion you were compelled to make, an online review that swayed you. We could all use some funny advice stories! Note: not all stories may be funny. Sometimes advice turns out to be tragic.

Featured Storyteller:Eva Schlesinger is a well-known Bay Area storyteller who you may have seen onstage at The Moth or other StorySlam Oakland shows. But we're giving her a long rein to tell us a more elaborate story as our Feature. Eva is a writer and humorist, who is beloved for her memorable style. If life is an ever-changing river, Eva has the rare ability to take its pebbles and sand and create story gold.

HOW THE SHOW WORKS:

Anybody can put their name in the hat for a chance to tell their true, personal story on the theme.

Storytellers will be mostly picked at random from the names in the hat. We usually have time for 8 to 10 open-mic storytellers. We also present one or two Featured Storytellers from our wonderful storytelling community. These are people who have won awards at various shows, or just are known to us for their great storytelling style and charisma. The Featured Storytellers tell true, personal stories, but a little longer than the open-mic'ers.

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SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

Next Flamenco show is March 29

This event has SOLD OUT!

Join us May 9 for the next Sinatra show

Amy D.’s innate ability to carry lyrics and capture the essence of a song can be traced back to her early years. Hearing the sense of longing in romantic music from The Great American Songbook to The Quiet Storm's R&B slow jams, she found her own timeless sound.

In a special concert on February 8th at The Sound Room, Amy presents “All About Love,” depicting the many aspects of love woven through a diverse selection of romantic songs and spoken word.

Come discover a new found appreciation of what love can be in our relationships, family, and society inspired by the powerful, thought-provoking messages from bell hooks’ acclaimed novel All about love and Amy's own quest to define love and its multidimensional nature.

Featuring: Amy D, voice; Jeff Goodkind, piano; Etienne David Franc, bass; Jason Lewis, drums. +Special Guests

Amy D. (Amy Dabalos) is a vocalist, songwriter, and music educator who encourages reflection and healing through creative expression. With a musical foundation rooted in jazz, followed by formal classical training, Amy D. relishes in the subtle, technical, and innovative. A San Jose native now residing in Oakland, her luminescent voice and heartfelt performances have been featured throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2010. Past appearances include SFJAZZ, Yoshi’s Oakland, The Sound Room, Keys Jazz Bistro, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, and Healdsburg Jazz Festival.

Her debut album ‘Like You’ was released in 2019 on Unspeakable Records, in collaboration with producer Michael Aaberg (Goapele, Lalah Hathaway, Derrick Hodge). In addition to performing and recording with her new band Heart Matter (with vibraphonist Dillon Vado), she empowers others along their own journeys to express through voice and communication through 1:1 coaching and workshops.

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Presenting a mixture of Original music, Jazz, Fusion and South American gems.

Rebecca Kleinmann started synthesizing her diverse musical interests as a flutist and vocalist at Indiana University, where she began her studies as a Classical Flute performance major and historically graduated as the first Jazz Flute major in the history of the school’s Jazz Studies program, thanks to the support of her beloved mentor, the late David Baker. She then moved to California where she lived for 20 years performing widely, teaching music and began yearly pilgrimages to Brazil where she cultivated her love and understanding of various Brazilian musical genres. Now newly based in her home state of North Carolina, Rebecca leads her Quintet "RKQ" which was awarded the 2024 Chamber Music America Performance Plus grant. She leads Brazilian Choro groups "Noites Carolinas,” and “Forró Triângulo” and is a professor at UNC Chapel Hill as the director of "Charanga Carolina” focused on Caribbean and South American music. She has toured world-wide from Spain to Australia, performed and recorded with Grammy winning artists including Hermeto Pascoal, Airto Moreira, and Taylor Eigsti and has been featured at major festivals and venues including the San Jose Jazz Festival, Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Birdland, Yoshi’s and SF Jazz.

The Hogan Brothers - Steve (bass), Colin (keyboards), and Julian (drums) - are a jazz fusion trio based in Oakland, California. Their influences, while rooted in American styles such as Jazz, Funk, R&B, and Pop, are also informed by many international styles such as Timba, Tango, Gamelan, Highlife, Soukous, Afro-pop, North Indian Classical music and much more. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, the brothers credit their parents (Jim & Maddie) for their diverse musical upbringing, exposing them to a plethora of international musical styles at young ages. They were fortunate not only to take advantage of the wide variety of excellent music programs available in the Bay Area (Berkeley High Jazz, Young Musicians Program, Cal State East Bay Music, UC Berkeley Ethnomusicology), but also had the opportunity to study internationally with master musicians in such countries such as Indonesia, Cuba, Ghana, and Brazil. The brothers are collectively involved in many projects and have performed extensively throughout the US and internationally (Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Barbados). They have performed with many great artists/projects such as: James Moody, Hugh Masekela, Peter Erskine, Tommy Igoe, Larry Graham, Bob Brookmeyer, Roy Ayers, Josh Jones, Goapele, Maria Schneider, Bobby Brown, Evan Rachel Wood, Keith Terry, Victor Wooten, Latoya London, Dave Chappelle, Crosspulse, Dynamic, Adam Theis, Jazz Mafia, and O-maya. The Hogan Brothers continue to perform and study internationally, always seeking to broaden their audience and sound.

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If you are a blues fan, it doesn't get any better than this!!!

Take some influence from B.B. King, Albert King, Ray Charles, and a pinch of Albert Collins. Add in dazzling blues and jazz guitar chops, a rich soulful baritone vocal delivering original, often wry and beleaguered lyrics with sophisticated chord changes and instrumentation, and skills on various horns and keyboards, all delivered with an uptown cool that never lacks searing passion. It all adds up to the one and only Chris Cain, who has gone from being a newcomer phenomenon bursting onto the blues scene in 1987 with a classic debut release, to being a legend, inspiration and long-established member of the blues pantheon.

His jazz-informed blues guitar playing is fiery, emotional and always unpredictable. His vocals—gruff, lived-in and powerful—add fuel to the fire. His indelible original songs keep one foot in the blues tradition and both eyes on the future. The pure joy Cain brings to his playing and singing is palpable, and draws fans even closer in.

"Hands down my favorite blues player on the scene today. He’s an absolute blinder of a guitarist, with the voice of B.B. King and the chops of Albert King." –Joe Bonamassa

"Chris Cain? Now that boy can PLAY the guitar!" –B.B. King

"Chris Cain is a hot-shot guitarist and a singer with the maturity of blues masters like Bobby Bland and B.B. King." –The Washington Post

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This is a show you will absolutely not want to miss!

Kelly Green is one of NYC's most exciting new artists "well worth discovering" (NYC Jazz Record)! A true "triple threat", Kelly Green mesmerizes audiences as a pianist, vocalist, and composer. Kelly’s remarkable talent has led her to share the stage with jazz legends such as Christian McBride, George Coleman, Billy Hart and many others showcasing her exceptional skill, empathy, and musicality. She has brought her compelling talent and personality to prestigious venues including The Kennedy Center, Dizzy's Jazz Club, Birdland, and Blue Note and has toured with her band all over the US, Europe, and South America.

Green will be joined by her renowned band of world class musicians Evan Hyde on drums and Luca Soul Rosenfeld on the upright bass.

Kelly Green is known for her intricate lyric driven arrangements of Jazz standards and her auspicious "outside-the-box" original compositions. With her trio she will be performing selections from their classic repertoire, music from their latest album 'Seems' and music from their upcoming album 'Corner of My Dreams'.

Esteemed writer and radio DJ Thierry De Clemensat describes their new album ‘Seems’ as “…an album of incredible class with musicians you’ll instantly adore.”

“Kelly Green is one of the most talented & spirited people I know. Everything about her is joyous and swingin’!” -Christian McBride

“She is no mere songwriter, but an artist and performer in toto...Green’s composing skills are more than impressive.” -Michael Bailey (All About Jazz)

“Kelly Green is a triple threat as pianist, vocalist and composer” -Jazz Weekly, George Harris

“She is no mere songwriter, but an artist and performer in toto…Green’s composing skills are more than impressive.” -All About Jazz, C. Michael Bailey

Tickets for the show at Kelly Green Trio

Join acclaimed New York City-based pianist, vocalist, and composer Kelly Green for an engaging and insightful masterclass on learning songs and playing in ensembles. Hailed as one of NYC's most exciting new artists and praised by Christian McBride for her joy and swing, Kelly brings her extensive experience performing with jazz legends like George Coleman, Billy Hart and many more. Kelly is an accomplished educator, teaching for the prestigious World-renowned education program Jazz House Kids for the last 10 years and has many students who have gone on to study jazz at college and have successful careers.

In this masterclass, Kelly will guide participants through her method of mastering new repertoire and collaborating effectively within a group setting. Known for her intricate, lyric-driven arrangements of jazz standards and innovative original compositions, she will share techniques on:

• Efficiently learning and internalizing songs

• Developing a strong sense of time and groove

• Enhancing communication and empathy among musicians

• Creating engaging arrangements in a small group context

Kelly will be joined by her world-class trio featuring Evan Hyde on drums and Luca Soul Rosenfeld on upright bass, who will help demonstrate how to interact dynamically within an ensemble. The session will also include performances of selections from her albums Seems and Corner of My Dreams, offering real-world examples of how to apply these concepts on stage.

Whether you're a vocalist, instrumentalist, or bandleader, this masterclass is perfect for anyone looking to improve their ability to play confidently in a group and make meaningful musical connections. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of jazz’s rising stars!

Master Class is 5:30-6:30

Show is 7:30 - 9:30

Tickets for: Master Class & Show with Kelly Green

Angela LaFlamme heads up a six-piece band from San Francisco that deftly re-imagines some of our favorite music from ’20s through the ’00s into her own swinging sound. Drawing on favorites from Billie Holiday to Tom Waits, the Cure to Count Basie, and also iher own original material, this sextet embodies more than just a retro jukebox, it creates a memorable live show experience.

Angela LaFlamme: vocals
Timothy Orr: drums
Greg Olwell: double bass & guitar
Jeff Hobbs: violin/saxophone/clarinet
Myles Boisen: guitar
Kymry Esainko: piano

“A fantastic band… sexy and sleek.” —Huffington Post

Tickets at Angela LaFlamme: Brand New Dream

Join us for our monthly Blues Blowout. You won't want to miss these!

Jules Leyhe might look like your everyday, average, unassuming guy, but he’s one of the world’s foremost blues slide-guitar players—so much so that even Premier Guitar magazine called his music “the best blues slide licks since Derek Trucks, maybe even Duane Allman.” Those might sound like some big boots, but this Oakland native not only fills them, he wears them out and has to order new ones. This year, he is showcasing a new blues series at the Sound Room, where Leyhe and his Family Jules Blues Blowout take a look at new music each month.

Named one of Guitar Player Magazines 12 Players of Christmas in 2014 as well as the Bay Area Blues Foundations All Stars in 2015, Leyhe has already shared the stage with many of Blues greatest talents including Buddy Guy, Barry Goldberg, Fantastic Negrito, Nick Gravenites, Elvin Bishop, and Maria Muldaur.

Leyhe has performed with with Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite, Chris Cain, Jimmy Vivino, Fantastic Negrito, Elvin Bishop, and Maria Muldaur, played the national anthem at the Oakland Coliseum, and been featured in guitar player, premier guitar, and vintage guitar. Leyhe’s music is a mashup of blues, hip-hop, fusion, rock and Latin music. Conceived and constructed using vivid fantasy, the Berklee grad imagined what it would sound like to pair signature elements from diametrically opposed artists. Picture Duane Allman jamming with jazz piano great Gil Evans, or Jimi Hendrix playing in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Family Jules Band features drummer Isaac Schwartz, and renowned bassist Andrew Couttie on bass with Ian McArdle on keys

Tickets at Blues Showcase: Jules Leyhe Band

Oakland Samba Revue is the San Francisco Bay Area’s premiere banda de gafieira. Featuring a full horn section with tightly crafted original arrangements featuring 3 vocalists, O.S.R. draws on the sounds of samba de gafieira; an eclectic form of traditional samba from Brazil. O.S.R.’s unique brand of samba de gafieira includes heavy does of jazz, funk, forró, bolero and more.

O.S.R. is a product of Grupo Falso Baiano co-founder Brian Moran – “Morangão” (guitar/cavaquinho/vocals and arrangements), backed by a rotating cast of some of the Bay Area’s best jazz and latin jazz musicians including vocalists/percussionists Catia Machado Lund and Katiana Vilá, Zack Pitt-Smith and Marçelo Meira (reeds), Erik Jekabson, Henry Hung and Ethan Pires (trumpets), Jeff Cressman and Remee Ashley (trombones), Brendan Neutra (bass), Fabio Reis and Dillon Vado (drums).

Tickets at Oakland Samba Revue

DON'T MISS THIS SHOW!!!
Marina Crouse is one of the most notable talents on the San Francisco/Bay Area music scene. Her early classical training is reflected in her powerful and versatile vocal style that creates a genuine excitement in every performance. Her most recent music has focused on Boleros and Spanish love songs, but her early performances were singing the Blues and we are VERY EXCITED to have her perform again!

"A new voice as strong as the best blues singers of the past as she sings with the intensity of a Koko Taylor, heartbreak of Etta James, raw emotion of Big Maybelle... Marina Crouse has all it takes to be the next top lady of the Blues" ~ Noel Hayes, DJ at KPOO 89.5FM
"Marina Crouse is long overdue her day in the sun. This big, delicious voice deserves to be heard! Really soulful." ~Danny Caron, guitarist and former musical director with Charles Brown
Marina regularly performs in the Bay Area, sharing the stage with many notable Bay Area musicians, including Garth Webber, S.E. Willis, Ruth Davies, Pamela Rose, Tammy Hall, Danny Caron, and many others.

Garth Webber is a Berkeley-based guitarist/singer, known internationally for his signature tone, who has played with Miles Davis, Gregg Allman, Bill Champlin, Mose Alison, Robben Ford, Boz Skaggs, Merl Saunders, Bob Weir, Doctor John and others. His style is a mix of blues, jazz and rock. He has three Solo CD projects out and has played on many recordings for Bay Area artists. His style is modern but with a foundation in traditional blues.

Tickets at BIG Birthday Bash for Marina Crouse with the Garth Webber Band

Bassist/Composer/Band leader Fred Randolph brings his fiery quintet to The Sound Room Thursday January 23. The group has recorded 4 cds: “Learning Curve”, “New Day”, “Song Without Singing” and it’s most recent offering “Mood Walk”. JW magazine says of Mood Walk: “Stylistically eclectic, supremely grooving, endlessly fascinating masterwork… a rambunctious, twist, turn and improvisation-filled set.”

Joining Fred will be some of the most in demand musicians on the scene: Erik Jekabson trumpet, Sheldon Brown saxes and flute, Isaac Schwartz drums, and Murray Low piano.

www.fredrandolph.com

Tickets at Fred Randolph Quintet

January's theme is "Trying Something New."

We are excited to present Fred Brill as our Featured Storyteller this month. Fred is an avid storyteller/performer and writer. He's won the Moth StorySlam twice, and has recently come up with his own recurring StorySlam show in San Francisco at The Marsh Theater. It's called, "Conundrum Chronicles - where stories are told, moral dilemmas unfold." He lives in Berkeley with his wife Mimi and their two rescue dogs. They have 5 adult kids and several grandchildren. Fredbrill.com

Tickets at StorySlam Oakland

Horns have been the backbone of the 20 year deep genre-bending West Coast musical collective known as Jazz Mafia. “New Directions In Brass” features the brass of Jazz Mafia taking the 100 year old brassband ensemble into the future, with innovative new rhythms that reflect current music, while keeping a solid foundation in the tradition of New Orleans Jazz and street party music.

Adam Theis- Trombone, Ross Eustis- Trumpet, Richard Benitez- Trumpet, Tommy Occhiuto- Sax, Jonathan Seiberlich- Tuba, Darian Gray- Drums

In the year 2000, trombonist, bassist, composer, arranger, and producer Adam Theis co-founded Jazz Mafia – an eclectic artist collective of forward-thinking and accomplished players in Electro, Hip-Hop, World, Classical, and Jazz. Twenty years in the making, Jazz Mafia is a prolific staple of the quintessential San Francisco sound, uniting creative and accomplished Bay Area instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, composers, and arrangers.

The collective quickly garnered a reputation for its collaborative and risk-taking spirit, and over the years has worked with Roy Ayers, Lyrics Born, Zion-I, Rebelution, Latyrx, Galactic, Ledesi, Blackalicious, and Jackie Greene, to name a few. This is a continuation of Jazz Mafia’s much talked about monthly residency at The Sound Room.

Tickets at Jazz Mafia: New Directions in Jazz

The big guy from out West and larger than life energy (he’s also 6’5’) performer, guitarist, singer, banjoist, songwriter, composer, entertainer, musical historian and teacher Mitch Polzak wears his heart on his sleeve and his playing in his heart.

Polzak performs rockabilly and 60’s country music with the religious fervor of Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash and delivers a Honky Tonk ballad with the sincerity of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. Mitch will bring a room to a fevered pitch of joyous energy on the dance floor and then tell you a story in a song like two old friends sitting at a kitchen table at midnight.

His virtuosic guitar skills and influences range from the blazing flying fingers of Joe Maphis, Marty Stuart, Roy Clark, and Don Rich to the timeless dreamlike state of “Sleepwalk” by Santo and Johnny along with the vast valleys of deep rumbling twang associated with Duane Eddy.

There is not one singular definition of Polzak’s music but that is very specific to what he does. Being fluent in the musical languages of Country, Rockabilly, Honky Tonk, The Bakersfield Sound, Surf, early Rock and Roll, Bluegrass, Cajun, Blues, and Truck Driving music gives Polzak the unique voice of the melting pot of the American musical experience. This is why he consistently connects with so many people directly at every show.

Polzak’s abundant joy in communicating with people through music leaps off the stage through every fiber of his being. His near-constant genuine smile can be seen clear across the room and invites you in without any pretense or judgements. Some call him “The Honky Tonk Mister Rogers”!

Make no mistake though. Underneath that smile is a deep and reverent respect for the history and integrity of the music and musicians who came before him and created the sounds and told their stories.

Tickets at Mitch Polzak

Many of us have friends, colleagues, or family who have lost everything in the devastating fires in the LA area. If you remember the 1991 Oakland fire, this may be a frightening reminder. We will be donating proceeds from this event to the LA Red Cross.  

CSU Northridge is nationally recognized as a destination program for aspiring musical professionals. The TenTet is coordinated by Gary Fukushima, jazz pianist, CSUN educator and monthly contributor to DownBeat Magazine. The TenTet is made up of some of the best and brightest students in the jazz program at CSU, Northridge. They are on a tour of Central and Northern California as representatives of CSUN's award-winning jazz program, which has over 80 jazz majors who participate in three big bands, vocal jazz and latin jazz bands, and over a dozen combos. The TenTet's mission is to entertain the public and inform them of the hallmarks of CSUN Jazz.

The CSUN Jazz TenTet is ten distinct artistic voices:

Gianna Pedregon, violin; Alya Olcan, vocals; Cesar Hernandez, trumpet; Christopher Astoquillca, alto saxophone; Brandon Muhawi, tenor saxophone; Matteo Rivera, trombone; Steven Caceres, guitar; Elder Gindroz, piano; Erick Hernandez, bass; Osmar Barrios, drums.

Come hear the future of Jazz!

Tickets at CSU Northridge TenTet

Lotería is a Mexican card game that is played like bingo but with images instead of numbers. The Gurkestra Lotería Project presents original compositions inspired by the iconic lotería images by drawing on rhythms from around Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Gurkestra is: Charlie Gurke - saxophone and compositions; Josh Jones - drums; Patrick Morehead - keys, with special guests: Anthony Blea - violin and Camilo Landau - guitar

Charlie Gurke is a Bay Area based saxophonist, composer, and educator. In addition to leading various incarnations of his Gurkestra, Charlie is a member of the John Santos Sextet, The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, Edgardo Cambon’s groups Candela and Latido. An active freelancer, Charlie regularly performs and records with collaborators in a variety of genres. Recent performances of note include the 2018 and 2019 Monterey Jazz Festivals (with John Santos and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, respectively), and the 2019 Montreux Jazz Festival (with the Grammy winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra).

Charlie is currently on the faculty at Laney Community college in Oakland where he leads the Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Combos, and teaches music theory. Charlie is also part of the faculty of the Community Music Center in San Francisco, where he teaches Jazz Ensembles and is part of the faculty for the Mission District Young Musician’s Program.

A native of the Bay Area, Charlie attended the San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA), where he studied with Wayne Wallace and Melecio Magdaluyo, among others. After high school Charlie moved to New York and attended the New School's Jazz and Contemporary Music program, studying with legendary saxophonists Billy Harper and George Garzone. Charlie holds a bachelor's degree in music with an emphasis on composition from California State University East Bay (aka Cal State Hayward), and a master's degree in jazz studies from the University of Oregon.

Drummer & Percussionist Josh Jones is recognized internationally from his touring and recording with such Jazz greats as Don Cherry, Steve Coleman, Omar Sosa, Yosvany Terry, and Jacqui Naylor. His recent recording projects include “Then and Now” with Blue Note recording artist Benny Green, as well as a project with Cuban royalty Chuchito Valdes. Josh continues to perform with his various ensembles at clubs and festivals in the Bay Area and remains a major influence on the jazz community not only as a performer, but as a highly respected educator.

Patrick Morehead has recorded with a wide spectrum of musicians ranging from the soulful, jazz vocalist Gail Dobson to multi-Grammy recording artist Karl Perazzo (Carlos Santana band) to folk artist Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star). He performed with top artists such as Sheila E, Steve Turre, Jerry Gonzalez, Louis Romero, Orestes Vilato, Bobby Allende, Johnny Rivera, Poncho Sanchez, Giovanni Hidalgo, John Santos, Bobi Cespedes and Benny Velarde (Cal Tjader).

Anthony Blea played and recorded with Artists Israel Lopez “Cachao”, Ray Charles, S.F. Opera Orchestra, John Santos Ensemble, Jazz Mafia, Anthony Blea y su Charanga, Charanga 76, Orquesta Broadway and many more. Anthony also is a professor of Music at the San Francisco City College where he teaches Orchestra, Violin and Community Choir.

Camilo "con su estilo" Landau lives in Oakland and plays with The Cuban Cowboys, LaTiDo, AguaLibre, Carne Cruda, La Mixta Criolla, Dave and the Diamonds, The Los Shoegazers, and more. He has performed or recorded with Susana Baca, Omar Sosa, Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band, Quetzal, Ozomatli, Los Lobos, Batista, Sambada, Los Mocosos, Fito Reynoso, Arturo Ortega, Santero, Los Compas, The Ska Messengers, Medusa, Edgardo y Candela, Bobi Cespedes, Maldita Vecindad, John Santos, Vission Latina, Los Cojolites, Kepa Junkera, Domingo Siete, Jesus Diaz, Francisco Herrera, Azabache, Nina Serrano, Pamela Rodriguez, Burning Star, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, John Santos (on a Grammy®-nominated CD) and many more.

Tickets at Gurkestra Lotería Project

18 year old, trumpeter Skylar Tang has become a prominent figure in the Bay Area jazz scene and has garnered national recognition for her trumpet playing and composing. She is an award-winning student at Juilliard Conservatory and Columbia University who has performed at Carnegie Hall, SFJAZZ, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Monterey Jazz Fest, Davies Symphony Hall, Royal Albert Hall and more.

She has toured the US, Europe, and South Africa with Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra Jazz Band, which featured guest artists Sean Jones, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Jazzmeia Horn. As the winner of the 2022 Essentially Ellington’s Student Composition/Arranging Contest, she conducted and performed her original composition "Kaleidoscope" with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Inspired by the profound history of black American music, Skylar strives to create honest, innovative, and relevant music that speaks to all aspects of the human condition.

Featuring

Brahm Sasner, Piano

Ben Halle, Bass

Ben Schwartz, Drums

Tickets at Skylar Tang Quartet