Live Jazz (& Blues) Meetup Group

Let's do brunch at Angeline's Louisiana-style restaurant (alligator hash, anyone?) and then walk over to the nearby central library for a free performance by the Dave Rocha trio, performing original tunes and jazz standards on the fifth floor. Meetup members have caught at least a few performances by this hard bop-oriented trio over the years (including a previous show at the library) and liked what they heard :) ... Please note that this free concert is one hour long.

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: if you're joining me for the brunch, meet at Angeline's no later than 12:00 noon. If you're not doing the brunch, meet me on the fifth floor of the central Berkeley library at 2090 Kittredge (near Shattuck), prior to the concert's 2:00 p.m. starting time. (The brunch is limited to 4 people. I will happily accommodate additional RSVPers for the concert by itself.)

NOTE: Due to limited seating availability at the restaurant, I'm giving preference to brunch RSVPers who haven't racked up a history of no-shows or late cancellations.

HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, 5 feet tall, with glasses, and short, salt-and-pepper hair. I'll send my mobile number and more info to RSVPers before the event date. Feel free to text me if you don't spot me.

EVENT COST: The hourlong jazz concert is FREE. Brunch costs depend on your order. I also welcome $1.00 donations to offset the hefty fees that Meetup charges me as lead organizer.

TRANSIT/PARKING: The restaurant and library are located within a block or so of downtown Berkeley BART station and assorted AC Transit bus lines. Parking is on the street.

MORE INFO:
https://berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/15348653

AUDIO plus MORE INFO:
http://daverochajazz.com/

https://angelineskitchen.com/sites/all/files/brunch.pdf

Described by various listeners as world jazz, raga rock, and “Ravi Shankar jamming with the Buena Vista Social Club," this band features original music by sitarist/guitarist/composer Will Marsh. For this concert, Will is joined by Josh Mellinger, percussion; Prasant Radhakrishna, saxophone; and Crispin Campbell, cello.

MORE INFO:
https://willmarshmusic.com/about/

EVENT COST: Tickets are about $28 per person online via Humanitix (or, if the show doesn't sell out in advance, you can buy a ticket at the door for a slightly higher dollar amount, with either cash or Venmo). I also welcome $1.00 donations to defray the hefty fee that Meetup charges me as lead organizer of the Live Jazz (& Blues) Group.

TICKET INFO: Buy your own tickets at the following link:
https://events.humanitix.com/will-marsh-and-the-integration-ensemble/tickets

NOTE that this event is on a Sunday night.

SEATING: General admission, mainly on couches, in a casual, pleasantly funky, coffeehouse-type setting

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: Unless joining me for dinner beforehand, meet me out front of the Back Room by 6:30 p.m., so we can get seats together. If we miss each other there, look for each other in the seating area. (The show is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. and will likely consist of two sets, ending at about 9:00 p.m.)

HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, about 5 feet tall, with short, salt-and-pepper hair, and glasses. (See my photo with my Meetup profile.) I'll send my cellphone number and more info to RSVPers prior to the event. PLEASE TEXT ME IF YOU DON'T SPOT ME.

STILL TBD: Optional pre-show dinner at a nearby restaurant, possibly a nearby Nepalese restaurant on Shattuck. Stay tuned for updates on that :) ... (NOTE: I typically limit dinners to six Meetup members who don't flake out on their RSVPs - but will gladly accommodate additional people for the show itself.)

(NOTE: NO food or drink is sold at the Back Room, but you are free to bring your own snacks or BYOB.)

PHOTOS of the Back Room and more details about the space:
http://backroommusic.com/about-the-back-room/

PARKING: Parking is easier to find as you get away from Shattuck OR as you go north of University. There is also a paid garage a few blocks away, but folks typically find free parking on side streets or main streets. http://backroommusic.com/transportation-parking/

TRANSIT/LOCATION: The Back Room is located just off University, about a block from MLK (and Trader Joe's), on AC Transit bus routes, and less than a half-mile from the downtown Berkeley BART station.

For this concert, the highly acclaimed percussionist and composer John Santos will be joined by sextet members Saul Sierra on bass, John Calloway on flute, Melicio Magdaluyo on horns, Charlie Gurke on sax, and Marco Diaz on piano, along with special guest percussionists Kiazi Malonga, Bongo Sidibe and Baba Moshe Milon, as they explore the African roots of Latin jazz.

SHOW COST : $39 per person (including Freight fees) for tickets bought prior to the day of the show. Tickets bought on the concert date cost $5 more. Also, I welcome $1.00 donations from Meetup attendees to defray the hefty fees that Meetup charges me as lead group organizer.

MORE INFO, VIDEO and TICKET LINK:
https://secure.thefreight.org/15477/15478-john-santos-sextet-260301

Buy your own tickets. Seating is General Admission. NOTE that this show is on a Sunday night. I'm posting this concert farther in advance than usual because I think it might sell out.

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: Unless joining me for dinner beforehand, meet no later than 6:30 p.m.. in the Freight's lobby, so we can aim to get some decent seats together. (The doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show starts at 7:00 p.m.)

HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, 5 feet tall, with short, salt-and-pepper hair and glasses. I'll send my cellphone number to RSVPers prior to the event. PLEASE TEXT ME IF YOU DON'T SPOT ME.

OPTIONAL PRE-SHOW DINNER at Tender Greens, a good fast-casual restaurant on University near Shattuck, at 5:30 p.m.

TRANSIT/PARKING: Conveniently located less than a block from the downtown Berkeley BART station and from multiple AC Transit bus lines serving Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. There's a paid parking garage next door to the Freight, and some free street parking available in the neighborhood (more so away from Shattuck or north of University).

VENUE WEBSITE:
https://thefreight.org/visit/

Acclaimed pianist Edward Simon brings a stellar trio to the piano store to perform music from his new album, Venezuela: Latin American Songbook Vol. 2, which draws further inspiration from the rich musical heritage of his homeland and neighboring countries. Each piece is reimagined through Simon’s refined touch as an arranger, resulting in a vibrant dialogue between tradition and innovation. Joining him for this concert will be bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Adam Cruz.

EVENT COST: $35 at the door if tickets are still available then -- OR $32.50 in advance online. (NOTE: ticket sales at the door might be cash only.)

Also, if you haven't done so recently, consider donating $1.00 to defray the hefty fees that Meetup charges me for being head organizer of the Live Jazz (& Blues) Group.

SEATING: Seating is general admission. Buy your own tickets.

NOTE that this is a Monday night show.

EVENT DETAILS and TICKET LINK:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/piedmontpiano/2041714

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: Meet near Will Call by the time the doors open at 6:30 p.m., or shortly after that in the seating area-- ideally, in the left-hand section for a better view of the piano keyboard. (The show starts at about 7:00 p.m.; Piedmont Piano shows typically consist of one 90-minute set with no intermission.)

HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, 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.

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 stop.) There are at least two paid parking lots in the area, and there is often free street parking unless there are shows at the three large concert halls in the neighborhood.

MORE INFO: edwardsimon.com