Live Jazz in SF Bay

A masterful vocalist and “the superman of the Bay Area jazz scene” ( SF Chronicl e), Kenny Washington is easily among the most beloved and soulful singers working today. A native of New Orleans, Kenny grew up singing gospel music in church and playing saxophone in the school band. He continued his music studies at Xavier University where he became interested in various styles ranging from traditional and contemporary jazz, to classical, to rhythm-and-blues and pop. Joining the U.S. Navy Band in 1986, Kenny performed and toured nationally and internationally through out the U.S., Asia, Russia, and Australia. After nine years in the Navy, Kenny made his home in the San Francisco Bay Area where he established himself as a top vocalist. While performing with the Michael O’Neill Quintet at the Douglas Beach House, Kenny met vibraphonist Joe Locke who happened to be in the audience. This led to an invitation to perform with Joe at Dizzy’s; Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC). Since then he has been a featured artist at JALC for over ten years where he has appeared with Joe Locke, Eric Reed, Eric Alexander, Joe Lavano, Branford Marsalis, Roberta Gambarini and Wynton Marsalis. With Wynton, Kenny has performed both in small groups and large including numerous times with the "Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.” In 2013 Kenny was featured in Wynton’s oratorio: "Blood On The Fields" which also included vocalist Gregory Porter. Kenny has headlined performances in Japan, Russia, Scotland, Shanghai, Denmark, Mongolia and many other countries. He has performed at top Jazz Festival including the Monterey Jazz Festival, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and the San Jose Jazz Festival. Kenny is a jazz vocalist virtuoso. Emulating the classic styles of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and infusing colors of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, Kenny's free, playful approach, with over a four-octave range is awe inspiring. His tone on ballads is liquid and his scat singing - informed by his saxophone playing - is rapid-fire, passionate, melodious and inventive. His intonation is so precise that it becomes noticeable if the piano wasn’t tuned that day. Kenny is considered by many to be the premiere male vocalist on the planet today. This man is a must-see. Tickets at Kenny Washington Quartet

About I'll be playing this weekend with pianist Mark Rossi and bassist Dean Muench for an evening of top-notch straight-ahead jazz. Along with a spectacular waterfront view and plenty of free parking, Manny's offers excellent food at reasonable prices and, of course, a full bar. We're looking forward to seeing you! 5 - 8pm. No cover!

Henry Hung, trumpet; Kasey Knudsen, saxophone; Colin Hogan, keyboards; Jonathan Herrera, bass; Eric Garland, drums. The Bird & Beckett Cultural Legacy Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization presents live music at least 3 times a week at Bird & Beckett Books & Records in San Francisco's Glen Park village. Seating is limited, so call ahead to reserve: (415) 586-3733. No advance ticket sales. Please bring cash. Venmo ok, if necessary. BYOB. Can't make the show in person? Stream it live at www.youtube.com/@bird_beckett https://www.youtube.com/@bird_beckett Throw in some money for the band via venmo: @birdandbeckett

With his iconic, signature jump and crowd-captivating energy throughout his world-renowned live performances, Billboard chart-topping, American saxophonist, songwriter, producer, and performer, Eric Darius, is breaking the mold of modern Jazz. His latest and boldest venture to date, Unleashed, is a testament to his ever-evolving artistic vision, fearlessly pushing all musical boundaries while innovatively fusing Jazz with elements of R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk, Pop, and much more. Born into a musical household with Caribbean influences, Eric's musical journey from Tampa, Florida, started early at the age of 11, performing at the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland with Sonny LaRosa & America's Youngest Jazz Band. Performing over a hundred shows a year in his early teens, honing his craft, he went on to record his first album independently at age 16, then made his major label debut on the global stage in 2004 with the release of Night on the Town. Taking the world by storm and causing a frenzy never seen before in Contemporary Jazz, he was prophetically hailed as Debut Artist of the Year by Smooth Jazz News Magazine later that year. Now, with eight highly acclaimed albums to his name, Eric continues to be a singular force on the music scene while forging new paths and bridging generational gaps. To date, he has racked up five No. 1 Hit Singles and 17 Top 10 Radio Hits on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. He was SESAC’s Top 10 Jazz Artist of the Year in 2015, Citril Starz Awards’ Best Jazz, Saxophonist, Composer, Producer & Musician of the Year in 2017, and most recently was selected the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Artist of the Year for 2022. From sharing the stage with GRAMMY® Award-winning artists such as Prince, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, David Foster & George Benson to name a few, making TV appearances on FOX’s The X Factor and TNT’s Mob City, running his own SagiDarius Music label, to serving as annual host of the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, Mexico Jazz Experience, & Paris Smooth Jazz Festival, Eric's impact on the music industry is undeniable. With his countless accolades and commitment to making a difference through music education in the schools, Eric Darius stands as a beacon of unparalleled talent and dedication in today's world of entertainment.

With his iconic, signature jump and crowd-captivating energy throughout his world-renowned live performances, Billboard chart-topping, American saxophonist, songwriter, producer, and performer, Eric Darius, is breaking the mold of modern Jazz. His latest and boldest venture to date, Unleashed, is a testament to his ever-evolving artistic vision, fearlessly pushing all musical boundaries while innovatively fusing Jazz with elements of R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk, Pop, and much more. Born into a musical household with Caribbean influences, Eric's musical journey from Tampa, Florida, started early at the age of 11, performing at the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland with Sonny LaRosa & America's Youngest Jazz Band. Performing over a hundred shows a year in his early teens, honing his craft, he went on to record his first album independently at age 16, then made his major label debut on the global stage in 2004 with the release of Night on the Town. Taking the world by storm and causing a frenzy never seen before in Contemporary Jazz, he was prophetically hailed as Debut Artist of the Year by Smooth Jazz News Magazine later that year. Now, with eight highly acclaimed albums to his name, Eric continues to be a singular force on the music scene while forging new paths and bridging generational gaps. To date, he has racked up five No. 1 Hit Singles and 17 Top 10 Radio Hits on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. He was SESAC’s Top 10 Jazz Artist of the Year in 2015, Citril Starz Awards’ Best Jazz, Saxophonist, Composer, Producer & Musician of the Year in 2017, and most recently was selected the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Artist of the Year for 2022. From sharing the stage with GRAMMY® Award-winning artists such as Prince, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, David Foster & George Benson to name a few, making TV appearances on FOX’s The X Factor and TNT’s Mob City, running his own SagiDarius Music label, to serving as annual host of the San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, Mexico Jazz Experience, & Paris Smooth Jazz Festival, Eric's impact on the music industry is undeniable. With his countless accolades and commitment to making a difference through music education in the schools, Eric Darius stands as a beacon of unparalleled talent and dedication in today's world of entertainment.

About Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Dave MacNab on Saxophone, the ebullient Jason Lewis on drums and Rowe on Hammond organ for a set of Blues, Bebop, Ballads and Banter. Late Set is supported by Jazz In the Neighborhood’s Guaranteed Fair Wage Fund.

About Ja Ronn & FLOW is a dynamic vocal ensemble led by Ja Ronn Thompson, blending gospel, R&B, soul, jazz, and contemporary sounds into powerful, genre-bending performances. Known for their rich harmonies, electrifying energy, and emotionally resonant storytelling, FLOW creates moments that feel both concert and community experience. With multiple sold-out performances at Yoshi’s and appearances on national platforms, Ja Ronn & FLOW deliver music that moves the spirit, the body, and the room.

Every Monday night Kyle Finley & The Dirty Works Jazz Band host Jazz Mondays @ Persona from 8 PM to 1:30 AM. This is a straight ahead jazz jam. All instruments and singers welcome. Small house band with drums, keys, upright bass, guitar, and amps available for jammers. Jazz jam open to all instruments & singers at a chill basement cocktail bar with a pool table and popcorn. If you're new, please introduce yourself to the band leader (the Bass Dude).