Scarfe returns for another program of elegant classical favorites, presented in his signature charismatic and informal way. He will be joined by clarinetist Matthew Boyles, a regular performer with the SF Opera and Ballet orchestras.

The trio will perform works that show how classical composers were already looking forward to the harmonic world of American jazz. Johannes Brahms' clarinet sonatas were some of the final works the great German romantic composer wrote, and despite being from the 1890s the music sounds at times like chord progressions that 1960s Bill Evans would have been proud of. They will also present works by Claude Debussy and Darius Milhaud, both of whom lived in Paris during the early 20th century explosions of jazz music around the world. Violinist Philip Brezina will join the ensemble to perform works from his new album, "California Classical", including William Bolcom's ragtime "The Graceful Ghost" and works by Fritz Kreisler and Eugene Ysaye.

The three will come together in the jazz-infused Suite for Clarinet, Violin and Piano by the French composer Darius Milhaud, who spent many years here in Oakland as one of the music faculty at Mills College, where he mentored such great composers as Dave Brubeck, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass.

Tickets at Classical Sound Room