Results for "san francisco"

Robert Kennedy

Born: February 27, 1966

Robert Kennedy plays jazz organ, piano, and accordion in freelance solo and group settings, and is the accordionist in the acclaimed group Mission Hot Club.

Born and raised in the American South, Robert has lived and worked in the San Francisco bay area since 1988. He played piano in the Stanford University Jazz Band and studied jazz piano with the great jazz pianist, band director, and educator Bill Bell. Robert helped found the groups Hip Pocket Jazz Quintet and Double Funk Crunch, and has had the pleasure of playing venues such as Yoshi's, the Boom Boom Room, the Agenda Lounge (back in the day) and the SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium with renowned players such as Nancy Wright, Calvin Keys, Will Weston, Terrence Brewer, and many more, playing jazz, blues, R&B, and rock and roll. Among his many inspirations Robert counts the playing of Jack McDuff, Billy Childs, Larry Goldings, Herbie Hancock, and Tony Monaco.

Anthony Darren

Born: December 5, 1971

Accomplished Guitarist / Composer Tony Darren, whose diverse talent encompasses many musical styles from Jazz and R&B to Pop and Classical. Tony garnered a SESAC national performance award as well as a GRAMMY consideration for best new contemporary jazz artist for his CD, Sun Song. His first single hit #40 on the Gavin Contemporary Jazz charts (on over 100 stations coast to coast) and remained on the national charts for over 16 weeks. Tony first began studying guitar with renowned teacher & author Ted Greene, forming a deep bond that would last until Ted's untimely death. Regarded by his peers as among one of the top contemporary Jazz Guitarists, Tony's gift for capturing feeling in beautiful melodies is immediate and infectious and while he displays a casual tone, his virtuosity and technique are always evident

Mario Grillo

A native San Franciscan playing bass since 1982,I believe in providing a solid,unshakable rhythmic and harmonic foundation for the ensemble. As a veteran of the 80's Broadway rock scene, I have played at the Mabuhay Gardens, The Stone, the Chi-Chi Club, and almost every other conceivable venue in the city. I have ties to the local blues scene, having played with "Country" Pete McGill at the infamous A&C Club in Oakland, as well as with many others in the Bay Area. In the 1990's I performed vocally in the Ina Chalis Opera Ensemble. After attending The Player's School of Music in 1997, I was in the bass chair for the local band "Blue Oasis", which opened for such rock luminaries as Rick Derringer and All Points Bulletin(Lynyrd Skynyrd Alumni). I have performed the bass parts for full productions of the Broadway shows Kiss me Kate, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Crazy for You, and Little Shop of Horrors

Tony Saunders

Two-time Emmy Award winning bassist, composer, producer and son of legendary Bay Area keyboardist, Merl Saunders, Tony Saunders’ life has been infused with one musical adventure after another. As an arranger, producer, composer and performer, Saunders has conquered the worlds of jazz, gospel, R&B, pop, rock and world music. He earned the first of his two Emmys at age 14 for collaborating with his dad on the PBS documentary Soul Is and by 17 was playing with Merl and Jerry Garcia on their collaborative projects. The second was earned for his contribution on the TV show, Digital Journey, on the episode, “China: Their New Digital Economy.” Though he took one of his first musical lessons on piano from Herbie Hancock, the bass he received from John Fogerty’s brother Tom – and watching recording sessions with famed bassists Anthony Davis and Lee Miles - sparked a lifelong passion for that instrument that now, 50 years later, has led to his emergence as a major independent force in contemporary jazz.

Sandy Cressman

Once in a while, an artist is born with an inexplicable connection to a culture far from the artist’s origins. Such is the case with Sandy Cressman. Born in New York City of American parents, but with a Brazilian heart, Cressman began her recording career with the highly acclaimed vocal trio Pastiche, with whom she recorded three CDs, "That’s R&Bebop" (Pony/Canyon/Nova) "Remember That" (BluePrint), and "Pastiche"(Summit). Sandy’s connection with Brazilian music was first sparked when she first heard the music of Ivan Lins while in college as a vocal jazz major San Jose State University

Joan Torres

Bassist and composer Joan Torres has lead the Jazz Fusion ensemble All Is Fused since 2011. With 3 albums released to date, multiple award nominations, and the Vox Pop award for the Fusion Album category of the 14th Annual IMAs, the ensemble has been described as going "far beyond complex musical ideas managing to weave in a true sonic narrative" in their music (Music News 2016). Throughout several releases they have appealed to genre and non-genre fans alike. Since childhood, Torres grew as a musician, developing a deep interest for Jazz music that has guided his compositions for over a decade

Lydia Pense

Born: December 14, 1947

Lydia and the band debuted when the Fillmore was at its peak as one of the nation's musical Mecca's. Owner Bill Graham was so impressed with Lydia's voice and the sound of the band that he immediately signed Cold Blood to his new record label. During the span of six original late-60's, early-70's albums, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood helped, along with Tower Of Power, forge their own specific brand of funk/soul and R&B which came to be known as East Bay Grease. That music still holds up today, proving that great music is timeless and will continue to inspire generations to come. Lydia Pense and Cold Blood packed the San Francisco Ballrooms in their heyday, but that was then and this is now

Chazz Alley

Born: October 15, 1882

Nicolas Bearde

Born: September 15, 1960

Recording artist, Nicolas Bearde is an award winning vocalist, whose silky baritone sound, wit and engaging rapport draws the audience into his live performances. Nicolas has 6 CD's out on his own label, Right Groove Records. His most recent album, “I Remember You : The Music of Nat King Cole" released on August 30, 2019, featuring special guest and sax great, Eric Alexander, rose quickly to the Top 20 on the Jazz Week Charts, garnering rave reviews at home and abroad. 

Nicolas is also the featured vocalist on sax legend Vincent Herring's chart-topping  CD, “Hard Times"  as well as the vocalist and narrator with Vincent’s "Story of Jazz Orchestra"  a 10 piece ensemble of jazz luminaries( Eric Alexander, James Carter, Jon Faddis, Jeremy Pelt, Steve Turre, Mike LeDonne, Kenny Davis and Carl Allen) who travel the world presenting Jazz music's 100+ year history. 

Clif Payne

Born: June 8

"THE VOICE OF SILK & SOUL"
Harlem-born and classically trained, Clif has one of the most beautiful voices in music today. Discovered by jazz icon Bobby McFerrin, Clif has opened in concert for Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Dionne Warwick and has performed with Freda Payne, Sly & The Family Stone saxophonist Jerry Martini, Harvey Mason, pianist/arranger Laurence Hobgood, Ledisi, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Sheena Easton, Randy Jackson, Tower Of Power, keyboardist David Sancious, saxophonist Dave Koz, former Chicago lead vocalist Bill Champlain, the LA acapella ensemble Inner Voices and jazz fusionists Hiroshima. He has also shared the stage with Dianne Reeves, The Commodores, Mary Wilson, Shelia E. and Lakeside. Clif's album credits include George Benson, Little Anthony, En Vogue vocalist Maxine Jones, saxophonists Gerald Albright and Dave Coz, Phil Perry and Arsenio Hall Show music director Victoria Theodore. Pop superstar Katy Perry, pianist Taylor Egsti and trumpeter Chris Botti are among the celebs who have been in Clif's audiences. As a guitarist, Clif has backed impressionist Rich Little, legendary disc jockey Wolfman Jack, Danny Gans and former Platters lead vocalist Sonny Turner.