Live Jazz (& Blues) Meetup Group

As part of the Oakland Public Library's returning Jazz on Sundays series at their Golden Gate branch, trombonist and composer Charles Hamilton (a California Hall of Fame inductee who directed the world-renowned Berkeley High School jazz program for 28 years) will head up a terrific band that includes the fabulous Tammy Hall on piano, as well as Charles Thomas on bass, Deszon Claiborne, on drums, and Benjamin Ball on alto sax. Their band will perform from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. They will be preceded by a youth group performing from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

COST: The show itself is free, but, as always, I welcome $1.00 donations from Meetup attendees to offset the $180.00 per year that Meetup charges me as head organizer.

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: At 2:15 p.m. at the Oakland Library Golden Gate Branch at 5606 San Pablo Avenue. Meet inside the auditorium, assuming it's open by then. (NOTE: the library is typically closed on Sundays, but opens its downstairs auditorium for its Jazz on Sundays events about a half-hour before showtime.)

HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, about 5 feet tall, with short, salt & pepper hair and glasses. (See my pic with my Meetup profile.) I'll send my mobile number to RSVPers before the event, and if I'm missing anyone when I get seated, I'll post a Comment on the Meetup Event Page with my location info.

TRANSIT: I believe the AC Transit bus line 72 stops at/near this library branch, with other stops including uptown Oakland (across from the 19th Street BART station) and the El Cerrito Plaza BART station. Check the AC Transit website for details. Note for drivers: I assume that parking is on the street.

MORE INFO:
https://www.charleshamilton.net/

Known for its fresh takes on familiar tunes, Brazilian gems, and original pieces, Morchestra takes the bandstand in the second of Jazz in the Neighborhood's recently launched big-band series in the amphitheater atop Salesforce tower in downtown San Francisco.

COST: The concert is FREE, but if you haven't donated recently to offset the $180.00 per year that Meetup charges me as head organizer, please consider doing so now. Cash or PayPal welcome!

SETTING: Outdoors, atop the Salesforce Tower (on the same level as their beautiful gardens).

MAP of Salesforce Park:
https://www.tjpa.org/salesforce-transit-center/salesforce-park

SOME SEATING is provided for this concert series, but you have to get there early to grab one of those chairs. As a backup, it'd be a good idea to bring a low-backed chair or beach towel to spread on the grassy area in front of the concert stage.

WHAT ELSE TO BRING: There is NO shade in that area, so be sure to bring sun protection and water. You may also bring your own food and drink, if desired. (Alternatively, the nearest food and beverage purchases can be made in Salesforce Park's Main Plaza or in the restaurants on the ground floor.) No animals are allowed, unless they are service animals.

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: By 12:00 p.m. in the amphitheater lawn area. NOTE that there are two separate event areas on opposite sides of the Salesforce tower elevators. Look for the area with the raised stage and the LAWN. There might also be a sign over the stage reading Jazz in the Neighborhood. (The concert is due to start at 12:30 p.m. and go to 2:30 p.m., presumably with an intermission at the halfway point.)

HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, about 5 feet tall, with short, salt & pepper hair and glasses. See my pic with my Meetup profile photo. After I arrive at the concert location, I'll post a Comment on the Meetup Event Page saying where I'm sitting. If you don't spot me, feel free to text me or leave a question on the Meetup Event Page.

TRANSIT: Short walk from Mission or Market Street Muni bus lines or from the Montgomery BART station. (I'm unsure what parking options are in the area. If you're driving, it'd be a good idea for you to look online for paid parking garages before you head out for the concert. Don't count on finding free street parking!)

MORE INFO:
https://www.tjpa.org/salesforce-transit-center/faq

https://auralinemusic.com/auraline-groups-and-artists/morchestra-big-band

Acclaimed pianist and composer Cyrus Chestnut's contributions to the jazz world have earned him widespread praise, with JazzTimes describing his playing as "virtuosic" and Down Beat calling him “one of the finest jazz pianists of his generation.” A graduate of the renowned Baltimore School for the Arts, Chestnut's childhood exposure to gospel and classical music shaped his approach to the piano. His career as a sideman has included collaborations with jazz giants such as Wynton Marsalis, Betty Carter, and Donald Harrison, while his leadership of the Cyrus Chestnut Trio has solidified his place as one of the foremost jazz pianists today. For this appearance as part of Piedmont Piano's jazz piano masters series, he will be performing solo.

EVENT COST: $42.50 in advance online (including small service fee), or $45 cash at the door

SEATING: Seating is general admission on folding chairs. Buy your own tickets. Be sure to buy your ticket for the 5:30 p.m. show.

NOTE: Mr. Chestnut is doing two separate shows that evening at the piano store - an indication that they expect at least one of the shows to sell out, which is why I'm posting this event farther in advance than usual.

EVENT DETAILS:
https://piedmontpiano.com/calendar/2026/8/8/cyrus-chestnut

TICKET LINK:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/piedmontpiano/2261066

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: Let's aim to meet at the piano store no later than 5:00 p.m., when the doors are due to open for the show. (The show starts at about 5:30 p.m.; Piedmont Piano shows typically consist of one 90-minute set with no intermission.)

HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, about 5 feet tall, with glasses, and short salt and pepper hair (see my photo with my Meetup profile). I'll email RSVPers my phone number prior to the event - and if I get seated before other Meetup members, I'll post a comment on the Meetup Event Page saying where I am located.

TRANSIT/PARKING: The piano store is a short walk from the 19th Street and 12th Street Oakland BART stations. (The closest BART exit is the one near 17th and Telegraph, accessible from the 19th Street BART station.) There are at least two paid parking lots in the area, and there is often street parking unless there are shows at several large concert halls in the neighborhood. NOTE that parking meters are enforced citywide in Oakland on Sundays from noon to 6:00 p.m.