Experience Spruce Ritual, a musical exploration of two great traditions: eastern Hindustani music and western classical music. Through sublime melodies, intricate compositions, and occasional improvisation, they take the listener on a heartfelt musical journey.

Led by composer, violinist, and vocalist Lucian Kano Balmer, Spruce Ritual released their debut album to great acclaim in February of 2023. "Spruce Ritual: The Way The Evening Speaks is a wonderfully original, musically masterful and evocative album. Lucian Kano Balmer has united skillful playing with soulful longing, and the results speak volumes." - Rebecca Cullen, stereostickman.com

Personnel:

• Lucian Kano Balmer - violin, vocals

• Charith Premawardhana - viola

• Nazan Aktas - cello

• Will Marsh - sitar, guitar

• Josh Mellinger - tabla

LJS is hosting a jam session on 4/15/2023 6-9 pm

There is a house piano, bass amp, and drum kit, as well as mics and sound gear. Attendance is open to all.

If interested in attending, please send us an email at: info@livermorejazzsociety.org, and we will reply with the address.

The LK Project featuring singer-songwriter trio Mike Lickiss, Chris Carter and Ken Cuozzo, is an acoustic-based musical blend of strong vocal melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Mike and Chris have been writing and performing together for the last 25 years as members of the band Lindy’s Kitchen. Ken, a friend from the earliest days of the group, joined in 2020. Described as the alternative to alternative, their “uncooked” sound comes across as authentic and refreshing to the listener.

Personnel:

• Chris Carter — guitar, vocals

• Mike Lickiss — guitar, vocals

• Ken Cuozzo — bass, vocals

Come join guitarist Dave Green and his collective of local musicians as they serve up jazz standards from the likes of Clifford Brown and Charlie Parker but with a uniquely different sound. This string-heavy quintet features Alan Lin on violin, Ruben Green on piano, Jonny Kaminek on upright bass and Chris Horgan on drums. Together they will be playing some of jazz's most classic tunes with a delivery that is both energetic and whimsical. Topping things off will be the captivating voice and guest appearance of Bay Area singer Teresa Tam. Not to be missed!

Personnel:

• Alan Lin — violin

• Dave Green — guitar

• Ruben Green — piano

• Johnny Kaminek — bass

• Chris Hogan — drums

Reserve Seats

The Mason Razavi Quartet performs the guitarist’s originals as well as choice standards. Razavi released two albums of quartet and nonet music that were warmly received by jazz radio - Quartet Plus (on First Orbit Sounds) and Quartet Plus Volume 2 (on Origin/OA2 records).

"Evocative storytelling is the hallmark of Razavi's music."

personnel:

• Mason Razavi, guitar

• Bennett Roth-Newell, piano

• Aaron Germain, bass

• Jason Lewis, drums

Live audience / Livestream

Details on the LJS website: https://livermorejazzsociety.org

To request a seat, email us at info@livermorejazzsociety.org, or use the web form at:

https://www.livermorejazzsociety.org/reserve-seats

If seats are available, we will email you a written invitation with the concert address

Seating capacity is limited, so advance notice is highly recommended

For Livestream info, refer to the 'Events' page of our website listed above

Suggested donation: $20 per person

LJS is hosting a jam session on 1/15/2023 4-7 pm

There is a house piano, bass amp, and drum kit, as well as mics and sound gear. Attendance is open to all.

If interested in attending, please send us an email at: info@livermorejazzsociety.org, and we will reply with the address.

An exciting quintet with two vocalists:

SHANNA CARLSON: 

With a warm, slightly husky and intimate voice, Shanna Carlson delivers a lyric invested with her love of song. A natural balladeer, who also swings like mad and has a playful side. A native San Franciscan, she played piano from a young age and later became a songwriter and band-leader.

Shanna has two of her own CD's as well as two compilations. Her vocals have been heard on radio stations both nationally and internationally, as well as in movies, television shows and most recently her title song from her latest CD, “Lost in Your Eyes”, as a promo for a theater company in Olympia, WA.

An educator at heart, she loves to relay tales of a song’s origins or a golden nugget of information about the writers and/or lyricists.  Shanna also coaches privately and, for 14 years, accompanied and taught at Jazz Camp West (now Living Jazz)in La Honda, California.  Giving back is  something that comes naturally and she enjoys working with Young At Heart Project, an organization that brings professional musicians into  senior facilities.  Shanna has played on some of the most respected stages in jazz: Yoshi’s, Dizzy's, Enrico's, The Stanford Jazz Vocal Series, The Topeka Jazz Workshop, and the San Jose Jazz Festival, to name but a few.  She performs on the West Coast as well as England, Sweden and Switzerland. 

LARRY SMITH: 

A rich, elegant voice that will stir your soul and melt your cares.

Larry is a singer of great feeling and depth with no fear of going to his impish side - anything can happen and usually does - and judging from the sold-out houses he has played to, the audience loves every minute of it,

A native of Berkeley, Larry was immersed in the dance world for many years, but always sang.  He studied voice with Esther Hughes and Mary Cobb-Hill.  His local mentors were Faye Carol, Martha Young and Sheila Smith.  He has performed in Nagoya, Japan, and other local clubs.  He has sold out house concerts in Oakland (Bird's Nest Jazz) and in Sacramento.

Personnel:

• Shanna Carlson — vocals

• Larry Smith — vocals

• Lee Bloom — piano

• Matt FInders — bass

• David Rokeach — drums

Reserve Seats

The Lisa B Swingin' Band Presents Poems & Tunes: 

Book Launch for God in Her Ruffled Dress 

plus Original Songs and Holiday Favorites

Don't miss this return to performance by singer and poet Lisa B (Lisa Bernstein) and her Bay Area all-star band after a two-year break! The occasion is the launch of her second poetry collection, "God in Her Ruffled Dress" (What Books Press). Lisa B will perform poems from the book solo and with music. Then she and her band will offer selections from her seven albums, including some holiday-season favorites. 

Personnel: 

• Lisa B (Lisa Bernstein) - vocals and spoken verse

• Ben Flint - keyboard and background vocals

• Fred Randolph - basses

• Julian Hogan - drums

A recording of a recent performance may be found at:

https://youtu.be/fZb1O2FYK-k

Advance praise for the new book:

“A dazzling lyrical demonstration... She takes us on a journey through ecstasy and pain: from the highs of great jazz performance to the zen of blood testing for diabetes. ” 

—Lawrence R. Smith, editor of Caliban 

“This collection reverberates with the noise and joys of others, a series of divine pleasures transcribed faithfully by a skilled musician and writer. Brava, Lisa.” 

—D.A. Powell, author of Useless Landscape, or A Guide for Boys and Repast: Tea, Lunch, and Cocktails 

Praise for previous records and publications:

“Seductive, clever, whimsical, provocative but always heartfelt verse backed by the imaginative accompaniment of Bay Area musicians....truly riveting.” 

—Jonathan Widran, The JW Vibe, on the record Reverberant: Poems & Music 

“An inventive and often haunting set...Listeners who like spoken word albums will enjoy this colorful effort.” 

—Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene, on the record Reverberant: Poems & Music 

“An extraordinary album that takes songs from the American songbook and adds bold poetry, an unexpected taste of rap, richly emotional singing, and exotic moods… a new standard for the 21st century.” 

—Hiroshi Ogawa, Jazz Life Japan, on the record I Get A Kick: Cole Porter Reimagined

“B brings her poet's incisive ear to uncover the roiling emotions beneath Cole Porter's glittering confections.” 

—Andrew Gilbert, Berkeleyside, on the record I Get A Kick: Cole Porter Reimagined 

Reserve Seats

Matt Finders and Friends has been swinging together for nearly ten years. Come check out the magic!

Matt Finders & Friends is:

• Karen Marguth — vocals

• John R Burr — piano

• Matt Finders — bass

• Kelly Fasman — drums

Reserve Seats

The Erik Jekabson Quartet, Sunday, Oct 08, 2023, 2-4pm

Erik Jekabson plays melodic and bebop-influenced trumpet and flugelhorn with a warm sound and has been described as "A cutting edge jazz player and writer"- (Jazztimes) and "A cerebral player known for his sophisticated jazz chops" (Allmusic Guide); he writes his own music and crafts interesting arrangements of standards as well.  He brings in a killer band of some of the most in-demand players in the Bay Area.
 
Personnel:

Erik Jekabson -- trumpet
Matt Clark    -- piano
Dan Feiszli   -- bass
Brian Fishler -- drums

Here is a recent video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLXzZuoHIMc

Editor's note:

"...In my salad days, I was a jazz trumpeter, and my heroes were such lyrical players as Tom Harrell, Woody Shaw, Kenny Dorham, Freddie Hubbard, Chet Baker, etc. When I put my own band together in 2019, I chose Erik to play the trumpet parts -- he is the perfect synthesis of my heroes from the jazz diaspora -- and yet he has his own voice -- unique among trumpeters.  Although there is no lack of intellectual reward in his work, the real prize is his deep emotional connection to the music..."

Tom Reynolds -- pianist, vocalist, arranger/composer, President and founder of Livermore Jazz Society 

Live audience / Livestream
Details on the LJS web site: https://livermorejazzsociety.org 
To request a seat, email us at info@livermorejazzsociety.org, or use the web form at:

https://www.livermorejazzsociety.org/reserve-seats

If seats are available, we will email you a written invitation with the concert address 
Seating capacity is limited, so advance notice is highly recommended
For Livestream info, refer to the 'Events' page of our website listed above
Suggested donation: $20 per person

Reserve Seats

The Las Positas Jazz Faculty Ensemble, an eclectic group of professionals with diverse backgrounds, presents a show that showcases the talent pool available at Livermore's local community college.

This set of phenomenal players and educators will rock the house for you!

Expect crafty wizardry over originals and standards. 

Personnel:

• Grant Leimbach — woodwinds

• Ryan Pate — guitar

• Dan Marschak — piano

• Cindy Browne Rosefield — bass

• Jeff Marrs — drums

Reserve Seats

The Tom Rose Blues Band is:

Tom Rose — guitars, vocals

Cindy Browne — bass

Tim Devine — sax

Tom Rose has performed across the United States and in over twenty countries around the world at events like the Montreux Jazz Festival, Glastonbury Music and Arts Fest, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest, Australia’s East Coast Blues Festival and the Fourth of July Celebration at the National Mall. Over the years of touring he was fortunate enough to perform and/or record with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Steve Cropper, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Scotty Moore, Ike Turner and Joe Louis Walker. He has shared bills with B.B. King, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Winter, George Thorogood and many more. He has recorded for BBC One Radio London, ZDF Television (Germany), Radio France, House of Blues Radio Network and CBC Radio Canada as well as Verve, Blue Thumb and House of Blues Records and the Smithsonian.

Reserve Seats

Saravá is a Brazilian Jazz Quartet that combines the Brazilian songbook with an American jazz sensibility. The group visits different corners of Brazilian music, including bossa nova and samba, as well as styles from the Brazilian Northeast. The group also takes some of the American songbook on a trip to Brazil. The pairing of Brazilian grooves with instrumental improvisation makes the Saravá musical experience both lively and intriguing. And it just might get you dancing.

Personnel:

• Dave Salvator — sax, keyboard

• Tony Corman — guitar

• Richard Lindsey — bass

• David Rokeach — drums

A recent recording may be found at: https://www.facebook.com/SaravaGroove/videos

Reserve Seats

Reserve Seats

The Laura Klein Trio with Mary Fettig:

“Jazz, She Wrote”

This all-star quartet of Bay Area jazz women originally came together to celebrate Marian McPartland's 100th birthday, with a sold-out show at Piedmont Piano. This time, the group will perform a wide range of captivating music by of a host of brilliant jazz composers, including Melba Liston, Tia Fuller, Emily Remler, Anat Cohen, Blossom Dearie, Mary Lou Williams, Laura Nyro, and others. Not to be missed!

• Mary Fettig - alto saxophone

• Laura Klein - piano

• Ruth Davies - bass

• Kelly Fasman - drums

In-person attendance is sold out — but the Livestream is available (instructions at https://www.livermorejazzsociety.org/events )

Reserve Seats

The Tom Reynolds Conspiracy will present a diverse musical program including multiple group configurations, vocals, instrumentals, originals and standards. This show is celebrating the January 2023 release of a couple of new CDs which the group recorded in June of 2022.

 Personnel:

• Erik Jekabson - trumpet, flugelhorn

• Tim Devine - tenor saxophone

• Tom Reynolds - vocals, piano

• Cindy Browne Rosefield - bass

• Jason Lewis - drums

Editor's note:

"...For this show, I've written several vocal arrangements, including songs by Michel Legrand, Sammy Fain, and three Brazilian songs I will sing in Portuguese..."

Tom Reynolds -- pianist, vocalist, arranger/composer, President and founder of Livermore Jazz Society

Reserve Seats

Luis Peralta is a 20-year-old pianist from Oakland, California. He began playing piano at seven, embarking quickly on a serious study of European Classical and American Classical Music (Jazz). In 2017 he performed Alex Conde’s Concierto Para Piano Flamenco y Orquesta as a soloist with the Oakland Youth Orchestra. In 2019, Luis was awarded a full scholarship to study piano at the New School in New York City. He has studied with and performed with Bay Area figures such as Howard Wiley and Marcus Shelby. Currently, he studies with NYC pianist Sullivan Fortner and SF Conservatory of Music piano professor John McCarthy. 

Personnel:

• Luis Peralta    - piano

• Brian Juarez   - bass

• Ben Esposito  - drums

A recent video may be found at:

https://youtu.be/FZh_biGAt40

Editor's note:

"...I had the good fortune to hear Luis perform at the All Steinway Gala at Las Positas College last September.  He brings an uncanny degree of historical depth and maturity to his playing, referencing more stylistic material from the past 100 years than I typically hear among jazz pianists today..."

Tom Reynolds -- pianist, vocalist, arranger/composer, President and founder of Livermore Jazz Society

Reserve Seats

Chris Bradley’s Traditional Jazz Band is a New Orleans-style jazz band, and they also play music from the 1920’s and 1930’s. The band features well-known musicians from the bay area and entertains fans from all ages with real, traditional jazz. They play happy music for today's and yesterday's jazz fans.
 
Personnel: 

• Rich Owens: Piano/Vocals

• Mike Ross: Drums/Vocals

• Guido Fazio: Reeds

• Steve Doherty: Bass

• Chris Bradley: Cornet/Vocals

Live audience / Livestream
Details on the LJS web site: https://livermorejazzsociety.org 
To request a seat, email us at info@livermorejazzsociety.org, or use the web form at:

https://www.livermorejazzsociety.org/reserve-seats

If seats are available, we will email you a written invitation with the concert address 
Seating capacity is limited, so advance notice is highly recommended
For Livestream info, refer to the 'Events' page of our website listed above
Suggested donation: $20 per person

Reserve Seats

For two decades, singer/songwriter/bassist Kurt Ribak has been writing originals and performing them with his band at venues ranging from house concerts to SF Jazz and Yoshi’s. His songs come mostly from the jazz idiom, but have eclectic influences (R&B, blues, gospel, etc). Groove-centric original compositions, described as "Mingus meets the Meters"; Kurt has brought his band to Yoshi's and SF Jazz. 

The Kurt Ribak Band is:

• Kurt Ribak - Bass, Vocals

• Greg Sankovich - Piano

• Lincoln Adler - Tenor Saxophone

• Carrie Jahde - Drums

Reserve Seats

This mix of Las Positas College faculty and alums with shake it up for you to close out the 2022 concert season with a mix of originals and standards.

• Danielle Perez - Vocals

• Dan Marschak - Piano

• Cindy Browne Rosefield - Bass

• Ian Sylvester - Drums

Reserve Seats

The Berkeley Choro Ensemble (pronounced "shoro"), is a group of world-class musicians from the SF Bay Area that made its debut in January, 2010, at the Berkeley Public Library. The group celebrates the music, culture and history of Brazil, with a special emphasis on the Choro genre, a style of music which emerged in the 1800's in Brazil, fusing the music of Brazil's European immigrants and the native music of Brazil's indigenous and African-Brazilian population. In particular, the choro sound is somewhat akin to a combination of European classical music, ragtime, and blues. Historically, the choro style influenced Brazil's most famous classical composer, Heitor Villa Lobos, to compose some of the world's most hauntingly beautiful music, the Bachianas Brasileiras. Their repertoire also includes samba, bossa nova, jazz, and the music of Northeast Brazil.

• Jane Lenoir - flute

• Harvey Wainapel - clarinet

• Ricardo Peixoto - guitar

• Brian Rice - percussion

Reserve Seats

Gifted Livermore violinist Jim Hurley leads his jazz quartet Night Harvest.

Night Harvest plays original world-influenced jazz fusion music, featuring electric violin along with guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. Latin, asian, gypsy, zydeco and african elements are woven into contemporary jazz compositions. Improvisation makes every performance a unique experience.

• Jim Hurley: violin and guitar

• Art Thompson: guitar

• Paul Schimmelman: bass guitar

• Bill Jenkins: keyboards

• Carrie Jahde: drums

for more information, see Night Harvest

Reserve Seats

The Tom Reynolds Conspiracy will present a diverse musical program including multiple group configurations, vocals, instrumentals, originals and standards. Tom is now doing vocals, and this show is celebrating the impending release of a couple of new CDs which the group recorded in June of 2022.

Personnel:

• Tim Devine - tenor saxophone

• Erik Jekabson - trumpet, flugelhorn

• Tom Reynolds - piano, vocals

• Cindy Browne Rosefield - bass

• Jason Lewis - drums

Reserve Seats

“Charged Particles” with Tod Dickow play the music of Michael Brecker

Personnel:

• Tod Dickow - tenor saxophone

• Murray Low - keyboard

• Aaron Germain - bass

• Jon Krosnick - drums

Last year, Bay Area jazz trio Charged Particles and tenor saxophonist Tod Dickow joined forces on the Summit Records album, “Live at the Baked Potato!”, playing the compositions of the late saxophonist Michael Brecker.  The band has performed this music on tour across the U.S. (in New York, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, California …) and in the U.K., and finally they will bring the repertoire to Livermore.

 Reviewers have lavished praise on their playing:

 “Tod Dickow has captured the magic and brilliance of Brecker and saturates the group with power and purpose. All three rhythm section members bring excitement and creativity to the bandstand.” - L.A. Jazz Scene

“Dickow proves to be a master at feeling Brecker's sound. Classic Brecker pieces, teeming with technical difficulties, are mastered by Dickow with a nonchalance that is indeed second to none. A powerhouse band.” - Jazzthetik Magazine

For more details, see http://www.chargedparticles.com/live-at-the-baked-potato.html.

Reserve Seats

A powerhouse group led by singer/songwriter Shanna Carlson and guitarist/composer Hugo Wainzinger promises a great time for all!

Shanna’s voice (similar to Rosemary Clooney), showcases her storytelling ability not only with her originals but with the Argentinian-influenced jazz compositions of Hugo Wainzinger…

Personnel:

• Shanna Carlson - vocals

• Hugo Wainzinger - guitar

• Larry Dunlap - piano

• Ken Okada - bass

• David Rokeach - drums

The well-known Bay Area drummer and bandleader Paul Yonemura brings his all-star quintet to LJS.

Personnel:

• Erik Jekabson - trumpet

• Bob Kenmotsu - tenor saxophone

• Frank Martin - piano

• Cindy Browne Rosefield - bass

• Paul Yonemura - drums

The Las Positas Jazz Faculty Ensemble, an eclectic group of professionals with diverse backgrounds, mixes it up with a show that includes some newly acquired members.

The Las Positas Jazz Faculty Ensemble is:

• Carl Oser - vocals

• Dan Marschak - piano

• Cindy Browne Rosefield - bass

• Jeff Marrs - drums

For two decades, Kurt Ribak has been writing originals and performing them with his band at venues ranging from house concerts to SF Jazz and Yoshi’s. His songs come mostly from the jazz idiom, but have eclectic influences (R&B, blues, gospel, etc).

The Kurt Ribak Band is:

• Lincoln Adler — saxophone

• Greg Sankovich — piano

• Kurt Ribak — bass, vocals

• Carrie Jahde — drums

Rory Snyder, well-known faculty emeritus of DVC, and long-time leader of the Night Jazz Band, leads a quintet performing original compositions.

The Rory Snyder Jazz Composers’ Group is:

• Dave Bendigkeit — trumpet

• Rory Snyder — alto saxophone

• Mark Rossi — piano

• Karl Hartmann — bass

• Jason Hansen — drums

This group features original compositions by the members.