Live Jazz in the Balcony Lounge

Every Friday Night, 7 pm – 11 pm

August 17
Soul Sauce

Soul Sauce is a mix of Afro-Cuban, Jazz, and Brazilian music. The result is a rich, warm sound with beautiful grooves. The band mixes jazz covers (Miles Davis, Ellington, Cole Porter, Gillespie) with original arrangements that seem to glide through the air, then cook on low flame before sizzling, Soul Sauce echoes the qualities of the great Cal Tjader band. Sounds of Toots Thielemans floats through the band with Jon Eriksen on harmonica. The band is made up of Curt Moore drums, Jon Eriksen vibes and harmonica, Rich Kuhns piano, Rich Girard bass.

August 24
Johnnie Bamont Quartet

A San Francisco native musician and surfer, Johnnie plays soprano, alto, tenor, baritone saxes and flute. Johnnie is a member of Huey Lewis and the News, and is also an original member of the Greg Adams’ band “East Bay Soul.” Johnnie has performed and toured with numerous artists including Boz Scaggs, Cheryl Crow, Sly & the Family Stone, and Tower of Power. Tony Saunders, on bass, is a San Francisco native, his Dad, legendary keyboardist Merl Saunders, helped launch his career. Tony has played with Jerry Garcia, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Kahn. John Worley, jazz musician and educator, has performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Wayne Shorter, Pete and Sheila Escovedo and Wayne Wallace. Bill Hampton will be on guitar.

August 31
Something Big

Something Big celebrates the music of the Rat Pack, the Brat Pack, Brit Pop and the transcendent songcraft of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It’s a delightful musical cocktail and one made a bit spicy with a dash of cool jazz and James Bond. Eva Jay Fortune – vocals, guitar, and percussion; Kevin Bertness – keyboards; Steve Fowler – standup bass; and Nicky Garratt – Guitar.

September 7
John Kalleen Group

The John Kalleen Group is a hot version of “Summertime,” a cool version of “Footsteps” and beautifully crafted originals! The JKG is a jazz quartet in the classic style, offering fresh compositions, echoing the admired hard bop and post-bop eras of the 50s and 60s, but infused with a modern, dynamic spark. And of course, they deliver swinging, spirited arrangements of the classics from those eras. An evening with the John Kalleen Group is a night of excellent musicianship, up-tempo energy and killer jazz with an incentive drive.

September 14
Orquesta Conquistador Quartet

Orquesta Conquistador entertains with lively classic Latin jazz, traditional Cuban music, Salsa, Mambo & Cha Cha Cha. Carlos Ramirez, manager of the band has studied Latin percussion in Cuba as well as with bay area legends. Orquesta Conquistador band members are Nerio DeGracia on piano, Dave Somers on bass, Michael Parykaza, trumpet and Carlos Ramirez, percussion.

September 21
Kurt Ribak

Berkeley bassist and native Kurt Ribak (pronounced ree-bok) has been studying and gracing the Bay Area with his soulful, eclectic and original jazz for years. Paul Chambers, Ray Brown and Charles Mingus have been strong influences over the years along with Latin R&B and reggae. Experience the original works of Kurt Ribak!

For more information call 415-386-3330