Upcoming Shows

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, “

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

For this performance,the Trio breaks from its late night routine to create some midweek magic at Keys! Come hear Keys owner, Simon Rowe with two of the Bay Area’s finest.

His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Dave Macnab-Guitar, the ebullient Brian Fishler-drums and Rowe on Hammond organ for a set of Blues, Bebop, Ballads and Banter.

Simon Rowe-Organ

Dave Macnab-Guitar

Brian Fishler -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!

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. 

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, iscreator 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, songwriting

Endre 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.

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.

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!

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

Tony Monaco

Tony Monaco may be the best organ player you have yet to hear of flying stealth while playing arguably some of the hottest B-3 around. Mentored by the legendary Jimmy Smith in what is considered the more classic style, Monaco does not swing, smolder or smoke. “Tony Monaco burns is this most fitting!” CriticalJazz Review2012. Tony Monaco began his keyboard life at age eight. When he was twelve, his destiny as a jazz organist was sealed when he first heard Jimmy Smith. An enthusiastic student, Tony began working in Jazz clubs as a teenager in his native Columbus, Ohio, guided by local organ gurus Hank Marr and Don Patterson. Four years later, Jimmy Smith invited Tony to come play at his club in California, a peak lifetime experience for Tony.

Bruce Forman

A hectic touring schedule; twenty-one recordings as a leader,  countless sideman recordings including Ray Brown, Bobby Hutcherson, Roger Kellaway; soundtrack performances on three of Clint Eastwood’s distinguished films—most notably Academy Award-winning Million Dollar Baby; raconteur, arranger, acclaimed educator, in residence at USC’s Studio/Jazz Guitar Dept., when does Bruce Forman rest? 

Deszon Claiborne

A native of the Bay Area, Deszon Claiborne began his musical career at the early age of ten. Virtually self taught in the beginning, he went on to study with world-renowned drummers such as Richard Peterson, Rick Quintinel (Chuck Brown school of Drumming), James Levi, Billy Cobham and Kenneth  Nash , an experience which provided him with a strong foundation in jazz, rhythm & blues and world music. He has had the pleasure to perform or record with the following artists: Peter Apfelbaum, Don Cherry, Charles brown, Angela Bofill, Les McCann, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Robin Ford, Boz Scaggs, Greg Howe, Henry Butler, Giovani Hildalgo, Kai Eckhardt, John Handy, Taj Mahal, Donald Harrison, Rodney Franklin, and may others.

Will Bernard is in town performing with some of his long time associates, Adam Klipple and Deszon Claiborne. They will perform a mix of Will’s original music and jazz and soul-jazz classics drawn from the jazz organ trio repertoire.

Will and Deszon have been performing together  going back to Peter Apfelbaum’s Hieroglyphics ensemble from the 80’s and 90’s and continuing to the present day. Will and Adam started performing together when Will Moved to New York in 2007 and now on Will’s visits back to his Bay Area home town.

Although currently a New Yorker, Grammy nominated guitarist Will Bernard’s unique voice was formed fro the most part from the rich cultural roots of the San Francisco Bay Area. Along the way he studied classical music, jazz, played in basements and coliseums, and absorbed the Bay Area Multi-Kultii, the New York downtown edge, and the loose funk of New Orleans. He has performed or recorded with Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore, Robert Walter, John Medeski, Dr Lonnie Smith, Ben Sidran, Peter Apfelbaum, Jai Uttal, Tom Waits, Bill Laswell, Dr. John and a lot of other known and unknowns. 

San Francisco-based guitarist/bandleader Nick Rossi is now best know for leading one of the West Coast’s most dynamic and popular swing dance combos, but he cut his teeth in the Bay Area playing in a string of great R&B bands. With this quartet, centered around the Hammond organ, Rossi explores a wide-range of repertoire incorporating elements of both swing and soul in a classic jazz format.

Nick Rossi – electric guitar

Kamrin Ortiz – tenor saxophone

Adam Shulman – Hammond organ

Michael Reed – drums