Past Shows

A true treasure of the Bay Area jazz scene, vocalist Paula West is celebrated for her rich contralto voice and deeply expressive interpretations of song.Her repertoire moves effortlessly from the Great American Songbook to inspired reinventions of music by artists like Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Johnny Cash, always delivered with nuance, emotional depth, and impeccable phrasing.West has performed in renowned venues across San Francisco and New York, including residencies at the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel and appearances at Jazz at Lincoln Center, SFJAZZ, Feinstein’s at the Nikko, and Yoshi’s. Her performances at the Algonquin earned three consecutive New York Magazine Nightlife Awards for Outstanding Female Jazz Vocalist.Praised by The New York Times for a voice that has “ripened into a driving expressive force,” Paula West continues to captivate audiences with performances that are both timeless and strikingly personal.Join us at Keys Jazz Bistro for an unforgettable evening with one of the great vocal stylists in jazz

A long time ago, in a city far away…  Jeff Marrs, Jason Muscat and Adam Shulman played for many years in a church band.  The postludes at the church were an opportunity for them to play whatever they wanted and the result was a funky fusion of jazz and rock and pop music.  They were all huge Star Wars fans and decided to channel their musical creativity into making funky fusion arrangements of John William’s iconic music.  Wampa was born!  They decided at that point to bring on Jesse Levit on saxophone and EWI which provided tons of fire and different textures. 

Wampa takes you on a journey through the music of Star Wars but in a way that you don’t expect!  We have a lot of fun with this music and we hope you will too

personnel:

Jason Muscat bass
Jeff Marrs drums
Jesse Levit alto and EWI
Adam Shulman keys

After 25 years as the lead vocalist for Santana, Tony Lindsay has garnered 11 Grammy awards, traveled on numerous world tours and recorded on seven Santana CDs: Milagro (1992), Supernatural (1999), Shaman (2002), Ceremony (2003), Food for Thought (2004), Ultimate Santana (2007), Multi-Dimensional Warrior (2008). In addition to many Grammy Show performances, Tony’s time with Santana included a 2003 pre-game performance at Super Bowl XXXVII where they were joined onstage by Beyonce. In 2015, Carlos Santana decided to change personnel in his band and set the wheels in motion for Tony to start on his 5th solo CD “Something Beautiful”. His previous solo albums are “Different Moods” (1995), “The Message is Love” (1997), “Tony Lindsay” and “Memoirs” (2014).

Returning to Keys, Suzanna Smith fronts another stellar ensemble to work her magic around the Peggy Lee songbook. “There are relatively few contemporary female vocalists who evoke Peggy Lee, at least not genuinely. Suzanna Smith numbers among that rare ilk. That Smith sounds like Lee — slightly breathy and warmly sensual with a hint of huskiness — is undeniable, but the parallels extend much further. Lee’s ability to not just caress a ballad but smother it in mink has seldom been matched. She was also a sage swinger — never too much, never too little — as well as a first-rate songwriter. Smith checks all those boxes.”

— Christopher Louden, Jazz Times

Patrick Wolff-saxophones

Edward Simon- piano

Marcos Varela- bass

Jerome Gillespie- drums

Patrick Wolff is a saxophone and clarinet player with a long history in the jazz scenes of New York City and San Francisco. His playing has been characterized by a focus on lyricism and an embrace of the whole lineage of jazz styles. For this special show, he has assembled a supergroup of some of the finest virtuoso musicians in modern jazz, hailing from SF, and NYC- heavy swingers, original voices, and accomplished bandleaders who have made big waves in the world of jazz.

Bay Area multi-instrumentalist Smith Dobson continues the Horns of SF series at Keys Jazz Bistro on the saxophone, with his long-running quartet, featuring Keith Saunders on piano, Eric Markowitz on bass, and Tony Johnson on drums. The quartet, which held court every Tuesday for nearly a decade at the now defunct Club Deluxe, will be exploring material from the great American songbook, as well as bebop classics and originals. 

Immerse yourself in the electrifying world of “Ritmo y Voz”, where the deep-rooted traditions of Afro-Cuban jazz meet the power of dynamic vocals. This high-energy performance features an all-star lineup, including guitarist Kai Lyons, percussion master Ernesto, bassist Mazar, and the incomparable Einar Leliebre Nuñez, whose fiery rhythms and soaring voice bring the soul of Santiago de Cuba to life. Drawing from the rich traditions of Rumba, Timba, Changüí, and Batá, the group weaves a tapestry of sound that pulses with history, spirit, and innovation. Their collective experience includes collaborations with legendary artists like Omar Sosa, John Santos, and other torchbearers of the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz traditions.

Einar “Tito” Leliebre – Vocals, Percussion

Ernesto Kindelan Mazar- Bass

Kai Lyons-Guitar

Keys favorite Kenny Washington always brings concert thrills and spills to Keys. Don’t miss out on one of our very own world class bay area artists!Kenny Washington has thrilled audiences across the globe with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range, and inventive scatting. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington appeared in 2013 with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, alongside vocalists Gregory Porter and Paula West. 

Contemporary jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer, Peter Horvath has been perfecting his craft since the age of six when he began taking classical piano lessons. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he attended the BelaBartok Conservatory of Music. At age 17, he won the National Jazz ComboCompetition in Hungary and two years later moved to Austria to attend theVienna Conservatory of Music. In 1983, Peter moved to the United States,where he studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has since performed, recorded and toured nationally and worldwide with a long line of world-class artist, including jazz greats Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson,Richie Cole, Ernie Watts, Eddie Henderson, Charles McPherson, Benny Maupin, the Victor Bailey Group, Lenny White, Arturo Sandoval, RandyBrecker, Marcus Miller, Pee Wee Ellis Funk Assembly, Bob Mintzer, BobSheppard, Craig Handy, Tiger Okoshi, Lalah Hathaway, Melba Moore,Ledisi, Keith Washington, Rosie Gaines, Ray Obiedo, Pete Escovedo and the Oakland Symphony. Peter composed for and performed with David Garibaldi for his critically acclaimed Warner Brothers video/CD series and recorded the tracks for Aretha Franklin’s performance of the NationalAnthem at the 1993 World Series.Peter Horvath’s first solo recording, “

Bob Kenmotsu was born in Stockton, CA, and learned music in public schools.  He graduated from San Jose State University and began working local music jobs in the Bay Area. After working a cruise ship job out of Los Angeles, he moved to New York and began working as a free-lance jazz saxophonist.

While in New York, Bob was a member of the Jack McDuff organ combo, and the Ruth Brown Band. He recorded ‘The Spark’, with Billy Hart and Ira Coleman, and ‘Bronx Tale’, with Pat Martino and Jack McDuff. Bob also played on Pat Martino’s ‘Nightwings’, with Bill Stewart and Marc Johnson. While living back east, Bob received a New Jersey Arts Commision Grant for composition.

In 1994, Bob went to Japan upon receiving a Japan/US Fellowship cultural exchange grant, and lived there until 1997. While in Japan, he played many clubs, concerts, festivals, and tours of the country.  Bob travels to Japan to tour each year.

In 1997, Bob returned to the US, to the San Francisco Bay Area. He recorded ‘Looking at Air’, with Bill Stewart, Essiet Okun Essiet and Joel Weiskopf.

Bob has played jazz all over the world including Blue Note jazz clubs in New York City, Tokyo, Ronnie Scott’s London, Kennedy Center DC, Village Vanguard, and Carnegie Hall.

Now, Bob lives in Berkeley, CA and is working jazz clubs and concerts on the West Coast. His latest recording, “I’m In Love With You”, features David Hazeltine, piano, David Wong, bass, and Billy Drummond, drums.

Bob Kenmotsu – Tenor Sax

Ben Stolorow – Piano

Ollie Dudek – Bass

Tim Bulkley – Drums

Grant Levin is a pianist and composer based in San Francisco. He has performed at the San Jose, Stanford, Fillmore, Cotati, Benicia, and SF jazz festivals.Levin has also performed at notable venues such as: SFJAZZ Center, Mildred Owen Concert Hall (Pacifica), Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall (SF),Yoshi’s (Oakland),Sam First(Los Angeles), and Dizzy’s (San Diego).He is a member of the Noel Jewkes quartet and leads his own group ‘Classic/Modern!

The Roger Glenn Jazz Organ Trio brings the soulful tradition of the classic Hammond B-3 jazz organ trio to life with swing, groove, and deep improvisation.

Master multi-instrumentalist Roger Glenn—on flute, saxophone, and vibraphone—is the son of the late Tyree Glenn, one of the 57 jazz greats pictured in the historic photo A Great Day in Harlem, and a longtime collaborator of jazz icons including Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Louis Armstrong.

Entering the jazz world at an early age, Roger has performed and recorded with legendary artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo Santamaria, Rosemary Clooney, and Herbie Mann. His flute playing is featured on Cal Tjader’s Grammy-winning album La Onda Va Bien, as well as recordings with Donald Byrd, Peaches & Herb, and Con Funk Shun. In addition to leading his own ensembles, Roger has toured with Taj Mahal, Kurt Elling, and The Count Basie Orchestra.

In 2025 he released his acclaimed Latin jazz album My Latin Heart, which has spent 26 weeks on the JazzWeek charts and has received worldwide radio airplay and enthusiastic critical praise.

Roger’s musical roots run deep in Latin jazz, but his artistry spans jazz, classical, and popular styles. With the Roger Glenn Jazz Organ Trio, he celebrates the rich tradition of organ trio masters—combining soulful grooves, blues, bebop, and Latin influences. The group was also featured as the opening band for Steely Dan in 2015.

Keyboardist Wayne De La Cruz began his musical journey at age nine on drums before discovering vibraphone and eventually the Hammond organ. By sixteen he had acquired his first Hammond B-3 and committed himself to the instrument’s distinctive sound. After years of performing on various keyboards, he returned to the classic Hammond B-3 in 2003 and now performs extensively in the traditional and modern organ trio style.

Drummer Mark Lee brings decades of experience on the San Francisco Bay Area music scene, performing in jazz ensembles and musical theater productions. He has also backed notable artists including Ernestine Anderson, Freda Payne, Charles Brown, Mary Lou Henner, Stephanie Powers, and The Pointer Sisters.

After going through a whirlwind of life changes, the San Francisco-based singer-songwriter, Liz Kennedy, has come to see songwriting not as a choice but as something she has to do. She says music sustains her and offers a way forward. Her decade-plus as a critically acclaimed recording artist has built her confidence in her ever-unfolding identity as a quirky, often humorous, and always insightful storyteller committed to honesty and to finding something unique to say.

Kennedy describes herself as honest and observant and adds, “I sure hope I can easily laugh at myself.” Her songcraft – where the lyrics always follow the music – perfectly reflects that thoughtful self-assessment. The fascinating part of the process is not knowing just where the inspiration will come from. “It’s strange how emotional pain and joy can equally send you racing to the piano to capture something … whether it’s a butterfly or a heavy brick.

Especially for jazz guitar enthusiasts: West Coast standard-bearers Jack Tone Riordan and Jeffrey Burr are your hosts for an evening of jazz guitar delights. Fans of Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Grant Green, Charlie Christian etc will not want to miss this special homage and celebration of six-string swingdom. 

A true treasure of the Bay Area jazz scene, vocalist Paula West is celebrated for her rich contralto voice and deeply expressive interpretations of song.Her repertoire moves effortlessly from the Great American Songbook to inspired reinventions of music by artists like Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Johnny Cash, always delivered with nuance, emotional depth, and impeccable phrasing.West has performed in renowned venues across San Francisco and New York, including residencies at the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel and appearances at Jazz at Lincoln Center, SFJAZZ, Feinstein’s at the Nikko, and Yoshi’s. Her performances at the Algonquin earned three consecutive New York Magazine Nightlife Awards for Outstanding Female Jazz Vocalist.Praised by The New York Times for a voice that has “ripened into a driving expressive force,” Paula West continues to captivate audiences with performances that are both timeless and strikingly personal.Join us at Keys Jazz Bistro for an unforgettable evening with one of the great vocal stylists in jazz

Love-Centric. Soul-Crafted. Groove-Infused.

AgapeSoul fuses soul, funk, jazz, and R&B into a sound that’s undeniably soulful and deeply uplifting. Led by bassist and visionary Darryl Anders, the band delivers tight rhythms, rich harmonies, and infectious feel-good energy.

Fronted by powerhouse vocalists Fred Ross and Sonya Distel, and anchored by an electrifying rhythm section—Anders on bass, George Jackson on drums, Mike Wynar on guitar, and Immanuel Junaedy on keys—AgapeSoul crafts music with a message and a groove that can’t be denied. This is more than a band—it’s a soulful experience.

After 25 years as the lead vocalist for Santana, Tony Lindsay has garnered 11 Grammy awards, traveled on numerous world tours and recorded on seven Santana CDs: Milagro (1992), Supernatural (1999), Shaman (2002), Ceremony (2003), Food for Thought (2004), Ultimate Santana (2007), Multi-Dimensional Warrior (2008).

In addition to many Grammy Show performances, Tony’s time with Santana included a 2003 pre-game performance at Super Bowl XXXVII where they were joined onstage by Beyonce. In 2015, Carlos Santana decided to change personnel in his band and set the wheels in motion for Tony to start on his 5th solo CD “Something Beautiful”. His previous solo albums are “Different Moods” (1995), “The Message is Love” (1997), “Tony Lindsay” and “Memoirs” (2014).

Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area’s newest and hottest jazz and swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. Enjoy an evening of swing, hard bop, and even some classic pop favorites performed only the way they can! This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s and beyond, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Immerse yourself in the electrifying world of “Ritmo y Voz”, where the deep-rooted traditions of Afro-Cuban jazz meet the power of dynamic vocals. This high-energy performance features an all-star lineup, including guitarist Kai Lyons, percussion master Ernesto, bassist Mazar, and the incomparable Einar Leliebre Nuñez, whose fiery rhythms and soaring voice bring the soul of Santiago de Cuba to life. Drawing from the rich traditions of Rumba, Timba, Changüí, and Batá, the group weaves a tapestry of sound that pulses with history, spirit, and innovation. Their collective experience includes collaborations with legendary artists like Omar Sosa, John Santos, and other torchbearers of the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz traditions.

Einar “Tito” Leliebre – Vocals, Percussion

Ernesto Kindelan Mazar- Bass

Kai Lyons-Guitar

 Tammy Hall-Piano and Vocals

Valerie Trout-Vocals

Kristen Strom-Saxophone

Kevin Goldberg-Bass

Ruth Price-Drums

Tammy L. Hall is a Grammy® award winning pianist/composer/educator/collaborator/musical  director whose career spans some 40+ years. She currently works with SFJAZZ Organization  as a Lead Teaching Artist. Hall has worked with a wide array of vocalists and instrumentalists,  including the late Etta Jones and Ernestine Anderson; Renée Wilson, Ms. Loretta Devine, Kim  Nalley, Ph.D., Antoinette Montague, Susanne Mintzer, Marcus Shelby, Tiffany Austin, Terri Lyne  Carrington, Regina Carter, Kristen Strom, Tia Fuller, Houston Person, Laurie Anderson, Gerald  Clayton, Mads Tolling, Linda Tillery, Leberta Lorál, Holly Near, Barbara Dane, Hector Lugo, Kalil  Wilson, Mimi Fox and Destiny Muhammad. In 2021 Tammy had the distinct honor of being the  inaugural Artist-In-Residence for the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Other collaborative highlights  include working with the late Maestro Michael Morgan and members of the SF Symphony on  the project, Currents: Bay Area Blue Notes (2019). Tammy also received the inaugural  Pleasant-Leidesdorff Community Stalwart award in recognition of her work in the community, from  the San Francisco Chapter of the Human Rights Commission. In 2017 she received the Bay  Area Theatre Critics Circle award for Best Musical Direction, for her work with Pamela Rose’s  Blues Is A Woman. 

Jazz trumpeter/steelpan musician Chris Aschman enjoys a multi-faceted career as a performer, educator, studio musician, and arranger. A Baltimore native, Chris segued to Philadelphia to study jazz trumpet at the University of the Arts in 2004 and became a mainstay in the Philly scene. Since this time he has enjoyed a diverse career, having shared the stage with artist such as Paquito D’Rivera, Stanley Clarke, Dionne Warwick, Bakithi Kumalo, Chaka Khan, Kool and the Gang, Andy Narell, Ray Holman, Lotus, Dopapod, Tauk, and many others. Since relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2022, he has launched his new original project, the Chris Aschman Volcanic Band, and is now releasing his debut jazz record after years of fine tuning his compositional skills. His writing features a unique architecture that combines funky pocket grooves with odd meters and a pervasive Caribbean influence, giving each song a unique rhythmic signature.

Chris Aschman – Trumpet, Steelpan

Tony Peebles – Saxophone

Kai Lyons – Guitar

Adam Klipple – Keyboards, Organ

Henry Plumb – Drumset

Guitarist Liberty Ellman has been performing on the international jazz scene for many years, having with worked with the likes of Joe Lovano, Greg Osby, Jason Moran, Vijay Iyer, Steve Lehman, Myra Melford, Wadada Leo Smith, JD Allen, and standout vocalists Somi, and Ledisi among others. Performed faculty concerts with Dave Liebman, Mark Turner and Terri Lyne Carrington. Mr. Ellman is perhaps best known for his 20 year tenure with Henry Threadgill’s groundbreaking ensemble Zooid. Their recording “In For a Penny, In For a Pound” was awarded a Pulitzer prize in 2016. Liberty was voted #1 Rising Star in DownBeat magazine’s 2016 Critics Poll, and he was also honored in the 2015 Jazz Times expanded critics poll, as one of the four guitarists of the year alongside Bill Frisell, John Scofield and Julian Lage. As a composer and bandleader Mr. Ellman has produced five critically acclaimed recordings of original work: Orthodoxy (Red Giant Records), Tactiles, Ophiuchus Butterfly, Radiate, and Last Desert (Pi Recordings). Ellman’s compositional style has been described as “At once highly controlled and recklessly inventive,” and “quite original and subtle.” Ben Ratliff of the New York Times wrote: “Mr. Ellman’s ballads are special, exotic things: their melodies are memorable.” Playing a combination of original music and songs from the classic repertoire, Mr. Ellman will be joined by some of the Bay Area’s best: Matt Clark on piano, Jeff Denson on bass, and Jaimeo Brown on drums.

The sensitive and sophisticated vocal stylings of Carla Helmbrecht are the perfect complement to the soulful, blues- and swing-influenced style of the Brad Leali ensemble. Not only do they explore classic jazz standards and original materials, but they are able to infuse historical and modern components to their unique arrangements. This dynamic duo will be backed tonight by a world class trio with Adam Shulman (piano/organ), Brian Fishler (drums), and Matthew Montgomery (bass).

With a unique style and sound that echo the influences of his past, Brad Leali is one of the most notable saxophonists of current times. Leali toured and recorded with numerous jazz greats, including several years with Harry Connick, Jr. and later with the Count Basie Orchestra. Leali was a standing member of the Kennedy Center Honors Band and performed for President Obama’s first inaugural celebration. He tours and is a featured soloist with the Grammy-winning musician and actor, Lyle Lovett. Brad is currently the Professor of Jazz Saxophone at the University of North Texas

“Saxophonist Brad Leali was among the most soulful and exciting I’ve heard recently.” – New York Times

“His solos are sparkling and Cannonball Adderley influenced.”
- Evening Standard (London, England)

Grammy-nominated singer/song-writer, Carla Helmbrecht, began her love affair with music at a young age. Her recording ONE FOR MY BABY earned a prominent position on Gavin’s Jazz Chart, while BE COOL BE KIND debuted as “the most added jazz record on radio in the nation” and received three Grammy nominations. Carla is a featured artist on numerous other recordings, television and major motion picture films. She lives in San Francisco and tours nationally and internationally

“… imaginative…poetic and sophisticated…She’s hip without being frenetic, laid-back without sounding haphazard, and best of all, the lady swings without sweating…the lyric writer’s best friend.”   -Harvey Siders, JazzTimes

“She exudes warmth in spades…An unusually gifted vocalist, impeccable phrasing…steeped in a swinging jazz sensibility that reminds me of Mel Torme….” -Carol Archer, R & R Magazine

An Irish guy, a black guy, a Hungarian, and a Jew, walked into a bar. Once they were perched on their barstools, the soulful organ master Jimmy McGriff, streamed through the laptop speakers. “Rock Candy” was the song, and it pleased the four men very much. So much so, the men, who just happened to be distinguished musicians, decided on the spot, to organize an organ dominate quartet, name it SMOKEHOUSE, and get some gigs. That’s exactly what they did, and now the rest of the story.

Eamonn Flynn – organ, vocals and songwriting

Eamonn was born and raised in Ireland. Prior to moving to America, Flynn was best known for playing Hammond B3 organ, and piano on the soundtrack for “The Commitments”, a film about an Irish Soul band. The soundtrack sold 14,000,000 copies. Flynn relocated to San Francisco, in 1997. He went on to record and tour globally with Michael Franti & Spearhead, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Pee Wee Ellis, Maria Muldaur, and Meters’ drummer, Zigaboo Modeliste to name a few. 

Anthony Paule – guitar, vocals and songwriting

Anthony, is creator and leader of the twelve piece, horn driven, “Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan”. APSO performs and records original Blues and Soul music. Under Paule’s direction APSO, has received seventeen BMA nominations, and recorded six albums. Anthony has also toured and/or recorded with Boz Scaggs, Charlie Musselwhite, the Johnny Nocturne Band, Jackie Payne, Mark Hummel, Home Cookin’, Frank Bey, Wee Willie Walker, Maria Muldaur, and Van Morrison. 

Willy Jordan – drums, vocals, songwriting

Willy, has a varied musical background (blues, zydeco, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, rock, and jazz). He has performed and/or recorded with Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Carlos Santana, and Motordude Zydeco. From 1996 to 1998 Willy toured and recorded with blues legend John Lee Hooker. “Something Smells Funky ‘Round Here” recorded with Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio, garnered Willy two Grammy nominations. “I Found A Love”, a duet Willy sang with John Nemeth, for John’s double BMA winning “May Be The Last Time”. Willy is now lead vocalist with The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra.

Endre Tarczy – bass, vocals, songwritingEndre Tarczy is a first call bassist around the San Francisco Bay Area. He has played with iconic musicians such as John Lee Hooker, Gregg Allman, Robben Ford, Chris Cain, and Coco Montoya. Tarczy is a frequent collaborator at Greaseland Studios in San Jose, often appearing as part of the “Greaseland All Stars” alongside producer Kid Andersen. He has played on countless releases recorded at Greaseland including albums by Terry Hanck, Jackie Payne, Kid Andersen, Diuna Greenleaf, and many others. From 2018 to 2025 Tarczy held down the bass chair in the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra performing at festivals all around the U.S. and Europe.

Keys favorite Kenny Washington always brings concert thrills and spills to Keys. Don’t miss out on one of our very own world class bay area artists!Kenny Washington has thrilled audiences across the globe with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range, and inventive scatting. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington appeared in 2013 with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, alongside vocalists Gregory Porter and Paula West. 

Bay Area multi-instrumentalist Smith Dobson continues the Horns of SF series at Keys Jazz Bistro on the saxophone, with his long-running quartet, featuring Keith Saunders on piano, Eric Markowitz on bass, and Tony Johnson on drums. The quartet, which held court every Tuesday for nearly a decade at the now defunct Club Deluxe, will be exploring material from the great American songbook, as well as bebop classics and originals. 

“Hammond Organ Party! is an exceptional collaboration…Rose and De La Cruz have hit a home run!”  – Pete Fallico, Doodlin’ Lounge

“Outstanding vocals…Rose hits that jazz & soul sweet spot with Wayne De La Cruz and Hammond Organ Party!”  Frank-John Hadley, DownBeat

Jazz and blues audiences will associate vocalist and educator Pamela Rose with her work of the past 15 years, a celebration of women songwriters in her book, recording and touring multimedia shows Wild Women of Song: Great Gal Composers of the Jazz Era and Blues is a Woman.  

But San Francisco fans know that Rose’s enduring passion for the swinging and soulful sounds of the Hammond B-3 organ have often paired her with jazz B-3 master Wayne De La Cruz at local clubs and festivals.  De La Cruz approached Rose with the idea of taking that partnership into the studio with special arrangements structured for voice and B-3. 

The result is Hammond Organ Party!, an inexplicably rare encounter between a soul-drenched singer and a prodigious B-3 practitioner. Loose and limber, moving and grooving, this project feels like a Saturday night celebration, with Rose and her top-shelf cast romping through rare jazz standards, blues and R&B classics.Joined onstage by guitar great Danny Caron (Charles Brown, Bonnie Raitt), drummer Mark Lee, this group is ready to Party!

Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area’s newest and hottest jazz and swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. Enjoy an evening of swing, hard bop, and even some classic pop favorites performed only the way they can! This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s and beyond, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Best known for her iconic 1970s hit, “Band of Gold,” Freda Payne is a Detroit native whose vocal talents were discovered early in her life. From singing at local events and appearing on television talent shows, including Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour, she joined The Don Larges Make Way for Youth radio show at just fourteen. Her early career included an album deal with Impulse Records/ABC Paramount and later with MGM Records.

A protégé of Quincy Jones during his big band era, Freda also graced the stage of the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2008 as part of his seventy-fifth birthday celebration. While she is widely recognized for her gold records “BAND OF GOLD” and “BRING THE BOYS HOME” produced by Holland, Dozier, and Holland, Freda’s talent has garnered her a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Female Vocalist for “Band of Gold,” and another nomination from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science for her album “CONTACT.”

Beyond music, Freda has also appeared in several films, including “The Book of Number 1s,” “Rag Doll,” “Sprung,” “Nutty Professor the Klumps,” “Cordially Invited,” “Rhapsody,” “The Divorce,” and the upcoming Netflix series “Family Reunion.”

Her extensive experience in musical theatre includes roles in productions such as “DUKE ELLINGTON’S SOPHISTICATED LADIES,” “AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’,” “DADDY GOODNESS,” “JELLY’S LAST JAM,” “BLUES IN THE NIGHT,” and her recent acclaimed portrayal of Ella Fitzgerald in “ELLA FITZGERALD FIRST LADY OF SONG.”

Freda has just released her 26th CD, a Capitol Records studio recording titled “LET THERE BE LOVE,” featuring jazz big band arrangements and duets with renowned artists like Johnny Mathis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, and Kenny Lattimore, which is currently charting in the jazz world. Her previous album, “Come Back Love,” was a return to her jazz roots. Additionally, her new memoir, “Band of Gold,” co-written with Mark Bego, which recounts her remarkable life story, is now available on Amazon.

Continuing to captivate audiences, Freda frequently performs at Jazz Festivals, appears as a guest with artists such as Michael Feinstein at Lincoln Center and Christian McBride, and consistently draws large crowds at R&B Soul Festivals, including sold-out shows in London for over 10,000 fans.

Adam Shulman – piano
Eric Markowitz – bass
Smith Dobson – drums

Known for her deep and thoughtful interpretations of the Great American Songbook, San Francisco Bay Area native Lori Carsillo was raised on a healthy diet of Julie London, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, and other jazz greats and was augmented by an early and enduring exposure to classical music. Her unique phrasing and less-is-more sound has led her to perform at such renowned venues as SFJAZZ, Yoshi’s, Albuquerque’s The Outpost, as well as international events such as the Fillmore Jazz Festival and Santa Fe Music Collective Jazz Series.

As a master songstress and storyteller, Carsillo has released five diverse albums and a multitude of singles to date. She continues to delve into songwriting and the worlds of theater, video production and film. As an artist—one with an insatiable desire to create—she is driven to bring her unique flavor of jazz to brand new audiences, and take it to bold new heights.

Eric Schugren – tenor sax, 

Cornel Fauler – drums, 

Willem von Hombracht – bass 

This trio has been playing together on and off for 35 years, ever since they first met in the early 1990s, when all three of them lived in Los Angeles. Their collaboration began at The World Stage, a jazz & poetry venue in the Leimert Park neighborhood of South Central LA, founded by drummer Billy Higgins and poet Kamau Da’houd. The trio branched off from a larger group called The Jazz Mission X-tet, and worked in several venues around ghe LA area. A long-standing weekly gig was at a live performance/health food spot, The Good Life. Since then each of the members have traveled widely, and worked with many other artists, but always took any opportunity to reunite. Schugren now lives in New York, and von Hombracht settled in St. Louis, but Fauler remains in his native Los Angeles. 

Their repertoire includes both original compositions and favorite standards. 

This will be their first appearance together at Keys; be sure to come out for some swinging grooves and good vibes!

Mike Olmos (trumpet)
Raffi Garribedian (tenor)
Greg Jacobs (piano)
Jaimeo Brown (drums)
Marcus Shelby (bass)

Miles Dewey Davis was born on May 26, 1926 making this entire year the centennial anniversary of arguably the most influential trumpet player in history. Marcus Shelby and his Quintet will pay homage to Miles by performing repertoire from his 1950-1960s catalog. This era was an artistically rich and innovative period for Miles Davis that included working with John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, Red Garland, Cannonball Adderley, Jimmy Cobb. Paul Chambers, and many others. During this 20 year period, Miles released a treasure trove of historical albums including Cookin’, Relaxin’, Workin’, Steamin’, Milestones, Miles Ahead, Kinda Blue, ESP, Seven Steps to Heaven, Nefertiti, Sorcerer, Miles Smiles, and dozens of live recordings. Much of this music is the cornerstone of our beloved art form. The Marcus Shelby Quintet featuring Mike Olmos (trumpet), Raffi Garribedian (tenor), Greg Jacobs (piano), Jaimeo Brown (drums), and Marcus Shelby (bass), will play a wide range of music from the Miles Davis repertoire from the 1950s through the 1960s and add commentary, stories, text, and reflection to one of the most creative and iconic geniuses of the 20th Century.

Immerse yourself in the electrifying world of “Ritmo y Voz”, where the deep-rooted traditions of Afro-Cuban jazz meet the power of dynamic vocals. This high-energy performance features an all-star lineup, including guitarist Kai Lyons, percussion master Ernesto, bassist Mazar, and the incomparable Einar Leliebre Nuñez, whose fiery rhythms and soaring voice bring the soul of Santiago de Cuba to life. Drawing from the rich traditions of Rumba, Timba, Changüí, and Batá, the group weaves a tapestry of sound that pulses with history, spirit, and innovation. Their collective experience includes collaborations with legendary artists like Omar Sosa, John Santos, and other torchbearers of the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz traditions.

Einar “Tito” Leliebre – Vocals, Percussion

Ernesto Kindelan Mazar- Bass

Kai Lyons-Guitar

Noel Jewkes is one of the premier saxophone players in Northern California.He has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 35 years, and has earned a distinguished reputation with lovers of Jazz music.Noel has recorded with John Hendricks, Wesla Whitfield, Mary Stallings, Paula West, Mike Greensill, Lavay Smith, Bill Bell, Mimi Fox, Graham Bruce, Bobbe Norris, Larry Dunlap, Larry Vuckovich, Pat Yankee and Jerry Hahn, as well as his own ensembles.

Patrick Wolff is a jazz saxophone and clarinet player with a long history in the jazz scenes of New York City and San Francisco. His playing has been characterized by a focus on lyricism and an embrace of the whole lineage of jazz styles. For this special show, he is joined by Helen Sung, an elegant and swinging piano stylist who effortlessly travels across different styles of modern jazz and classical music. She has performed with Clark Terry, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, Regina Carter, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cecile McLorin Salvant, and the Mingus Big Band, and has fronted a long and diverse list of bands playing her original music. Joined by one of the Bay Area’s finest drum and bass teams, Smith Dobson and John Wiitala, this will be a special night of the finest bop and post bop repertoire.

Returning to Keys, Suzanna Smith fronts another stellar ensemble to work her magic around the Peggy Lee songbook. “There are relatively few contemporary female vocalists who evoke Peggy Lee, at least not genuinely. Suzanna Smith numbers among that rare ilk. That Smith sounds like Lee — slightly breathy and warmly sensual with a hint of huskiness — is undeniable, but the parallels extend much further. Lee’s ability to not just caress a ballad but smother it in mink has seldom been matched. She was also a sage swinger — never too much, never too little — as well as a first-rate songwriter. Smith checks all those boxes.”

— Christopher Louden, Jazz Times

Kate Lamont crafts original music with emotional depth that grooves. A frequent vocalist with the Jazz Mafia family, Kate’s reputation as a genre-fluid vocalist keeps audiences guessing as to what she’ll do next. Her collaborative nature has produced a wide variety of arrangements (and a TED talk you can find on her website, katelamont.com ) giving each song a unique jumping off point. A creative interpreter, Kate uses spacious arrangements to cover some of her favorite artists like Joni Mitchell and Nancy Wilson, and Michael Jackson.

Kate will be joined by Mike Blankenship (keys) Miguel Castuera (bass), and Darian Gray (drums)

Immerse yourself in the electrifying world of “Ritmo y Voz”, where the deep-rooted traditions of Afro-Cuban jazz meet the power of dynamic vocals. This high-energy performance features an all-star lineup, including guitarist Kai Lyons, percussion master Ernesto, bassist Mazar, and the incomparable Einar Leliebre Nuñez, whose fiery rhythms and soaring voice bring the soul of Santiago de Cuba to life. Drawing from the rich traditions of Rumba, Timba, Changüí, and Batá, the group weaves a tapestry of sound that pulses with history, spirit, and innovation. Their collective experience includes collaborations with legendary artists like Omar Sosa, John Santos, and other torchbearers of the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz traditions.

Einar “Tito” Leliebre – Vocals, Percussion

Ernesto Kindelan Mazar- Bass

Kai Lyons-Guitar

After 25 years as the lead vocalist for Santana, Tony Lindsay has garnered 11 Grammy awards, traveled on numerous world tours and recorded on seven Santana CDs: Milagro (1992), Supernatural (1999), Shaman (2002), Ceremony (2003), Food for Thought (2004), Ultimate Santana (2007), Multi-Dimensional Warrior (2008). In addition to many Grammy Show performances, Tony’s time with Santana included a 2003 pre-game performance at Super Bowl XXXVII where they were joined onstage by Beyonce. In 2015, Carlos Santana decided to change personnel in his band and set the wheels in motion for Tony to start on his 5th solo CD “Something Beautiful”. His previous solo albums are “Different Moods” (1995), “The Message is Love” (1997), “Tony Lindsay” and “Memoirs” (2014).

Howard Wiley presents a celebration of soul-jazz, funk, gospel, and R&B steeped in West Coast flavor, combining Wiley’s hard-driving originals with a funkified selection of classics.

Wiley has been a standout on the Bay Area music scene since he was a teenager in the mid-1990s, and he’s taken on the mantle of mentor, sage, and prophet of jazz. More specifically, jazz as a populist art form that thrives best when its shared roots with blues, funk, R&B, soul, hip-hop, and gospel live close to the surface.

LJ Holoman – Organ

Dante “Taz” Roberson – Drums

Robert Kennedy is a Hammond organist, pianist, and accordionist born and raised in the American South and resident in the Bay Area since 1988. He has released two albums as a bandleader on Hammond Organ; his 2018 album “Closer to Home” was widely heard, peaking at #1 on RMR’s jazz chart.

Robert’s Quartet is built around the soul jazz and hard bop of the middle 20th century, drawing from players like Lee Morgan, Herbie Hancock, Hank Mobley, Horace Silver, and of course the greats of the Hammond organ: Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Charles Earland, and others. Along the way the group makes frequent forays into blues, funk, bebop, TV themes, pop tunes, and originals.

Robert Kennedy – organ

Ben Torres – tenor sax

Kai Lyons – guitar

Michael Reed – drums

Love-Centric. Soul-Crafted. Groove-Infused.

AgapeSoul fuses soul, funk, jazz, and R&B into a sound that’s undeniably soulful and deeply uplifting. Led by bassist and visionary Darryl Anders, the band delivers tight rhythms, rich harmonies, and infectious feel-good energy.

Fronted by powerhouse vocalists Fred Ross and Sonya Distel, and anchored by an electrifying rhythm section—Anders on bass, George Jackson on drums, Mike Wynar on guitar, and Immanuel Junaedy on keys—AgapeSoul crafts music with a message and a groove that can’t be denied. This is more than a band—it’s a soulful experience.

Immerse yourself in the electrifying world of “Ritmo y Voz”, where the deep-rooted traditions of Afro-Cuban jazz meet the power of dynamic vocals. This high-energy performance features an all-star lineup, including guitarist Kai Lyons, percussion master Ernesto, bassist Mazar, and the incomparable Einar Leliebre Nuñez, whose fiery rhythms and soaring voice bring the soul of Santiago de Cuba to life. Drawing from the rich traditions of Rumba, Timba, Changüí, and Batá, the group weaves a tapestry of sound that pulses with history, spirit, and innovation. Their collective experience includes collaborations with legendary artists like Omar Sosa, John Santos, and other torchbearers of the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz traditions.

Einar “Tito” Leliebre – Vocals, Percussion

Ernesto Kindelan Mazar- Bass

Kai Lyons-Guitar

Keys favorite Kenny Washington always brings concert thrills and spills to Keys. Don’t miss out on one of our very own world class bay area artists!Kenny Washington has thrilled audiences across the globe with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range, and inventive scatting. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington appeared in 2013 with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, alongside vocalists Gregory Porter and Paula West. 

Bay Area multi-instrumentalist Smith Dobson continues the Horns of SF series at Keys Jazz Bistro on the saxophone, with his long-running quartet, featuring Keith Saunders on piano, Eric Markowitz on bass, and Tony Johnson on drums. The quartet, which held court every Tuesday for nearly a decade at the now defunct Club Deluxe, will be exploring material from the great American songbook, as well as bebop classics and originals. 

Award-winning violin legend Tim Kliphuis (Holland) teams up with America’s rising star on gypsy jazz guitar Jimmy Grant (LA) to celebrate the music of famed musical duo, Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. Re-creating the 1930s in Paris, and drawing inspiration from current-day classical and folk music as well, they alternate moments of dazzling interplay with melancholy and sheer exhilaration, in an inspired conversational journey that is different every night. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area’s newest and hottest jazz and swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. Enjoy an evening of swing, hard bop, and even some classic pop favorites performed only the way they can! This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s and beyond, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

In a career that has spanned over 65 years, international jazz vocal legend Mary Stallings has earned a unique place in modern jazz. After decades of performing around the globe alongside a who’s who of talented collaborators, while quietly accumulating a series of thoughtful and well respected recordings, she still continues to challenge her boundaries and creative potential. Yet it is her deep connection to her roots and the community that nurtured her talent that reveal her artistry. Utilizing a wide and diverse repertoire, Stallings music expresses a profound spiritual essence combined with a love for that community that supported her. “This music is deep. lt is a life force. lt is a history of people’s lives and struggles. It is not just a bunch of notes., she explains. For this historic  debut performance at Keys, Mary returns to the Neighborhood where she first began her artistic journey, decades ago.

 Tammy L Hall Quartet: Tammy L. Hall, piano&vox; 

Ashley Jemison, Alto Sax; 

Amina Michelle Scott, contrabass; 

Ruth Price, drums. 

Songs we love about Love and all it’s joys and pains.

Tammy L. Hall is a Grammy® award winning pianist/composer/educator/collaborator/musical  director whose career spans some 40+ years. She currently works with SFJAZZ Organization  as a Lead Teaching Artist. Hall has worked with a wide array of vocalists and instrumentalists,  including the late Etta Jones and Ernestine Anderson; Renée Wilson, Ms. Loretta Devine, Kim  Nalley, Ph.D., Antoinette Montague, Susanne Mintzer, Marcus Shelby, Tiffany Austin, Terri Lyne  Carrington, Regina Carter, Kristen Strom, Tia Fuller, Houston Person, Laurie Anderson, Gerald  Clayton, Mads Tolling, Linda Tillery, Leberta Lorál, Holly Near, Barbara Dane, Hector Lugo, Kalil  Wilson, Mimi Fox and Destiny Muhammad. In 2021 Tammy had the distinct honor of being the  inaugural Artist-In-Residence for the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Other collaborative highlights  include working with the late Maestro Michael Morgan and members of the SF Symphony on  the project, Currents: Bay Area Blue Notes (2019). Tammy also received the inaugural  Pleasant-Leidesdorff Community Stalwart award in recognition of her work in the community, from  the San Francisco Chapter of the Human Rights Commission. In 2017 she received the Bay  Area Theatre Critics Circle award for Best Musical Direction, for her work with Pamela Rose’s  Blues Is A Woman.