Mike Henderson, dubbed “the Blues Professor” by John Lee Hooker, is a veteran blues guitarist, singer, and bandleader who holds a monthly afternoon slot at The Saloon, San Francisco’s oldest bar. His sets lean into electric Chicago and West Coast blues, with lived‑in vocals and sharp guitar work. It’s barroom blues at close range.
Katy Stephan’s residency at Comstock Saloon turns the room into a small, candlelit listening space. At the piano she blends jazz‑inflected originals with reimagined standards and art‑pop tunes, her clear, expressive voice sitting right on top of the clink of glassware and low conversation. It’s an intimate, song‑forward set that feels equally at home as...
The Magic School Busk holds weekly residency directly in front of The Red Window at the corner of Stockton and Columbus. This high‑energy busking collective has become one of North Beach’s unofficial “resident joy‑makers,” blurring the line between band and audience as people pause, sing along, or dance on the sidewalk. Whether you are enjoying a...
Marcus Shelby and his Sextet return to Keys Jazz Bistro for Conversation: The Language of Charles Mingus — a powerful deep dive into the creative life of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, featuring rarely performed Mingus compositions from 1950–1960, excerpts from Beneath the Underdog, and commentary by bandleader and bassist Marcus...
Two-time Latin Grammy nominee Eddy Navia and Quentin Navia are joined by master violinist Georges Lammam, dancers and dancing. Their performances blend the charango (a traditional ten-string instrument), haunting sounds of panpipes (zampoñas) and notched flutes (kena) with high-energy rhythms. You don’t need a plane ticket to experience a "little piece of South American carnaval,"...
Gaucho is a masterful Bay Area band that combines the influence of gypsy jazz of 1930’s Europe with the rhythmic drive and collective improvisation of New Orleans swing music, gutbucket blues and elements of ragtime. Their sound, a uniquely American concoction, blends instrumental acuity and lighthearted humor that keep their audience coming back for more....
Marcus Shelby and his Sextet return to Keys Jazz Bistro for Conversation: The Language of Charles Mingus — a powerful deep dive into the creative life of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, featuring rarely performed Mingus compositions from 1950–1960, excerpts from Beneath the Underdog, and commentary by bandleader and bassist Marcus...
The Wolves are a dynamic Chicago Blues band led by harmonica player and vocalist Matias Tasley. They are known for their electric shows featuring classics from Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and Junior Wells. Tasley honed his craft in Chicago, playing with legends like John Primer and James Wheeler, absorbing authentic blues at Rosa’s Blues Lounge....
Prepare for a sonic assault of the best kind as Marshall Law takes the stage at Tupelo. A long-time staple of the San Francisco music scene, this powerhouse trio is known for delivering a "powerful punch" of high-energy rock and roll. Specializing in the golden era of guitar-driven music, Marshall Law transforms the intimate Grant...
Experience the ultimate "living theater" of North Beach as The Magic School Busk takes up their weekly residency directly in front of The Red Window. Positioned at the vibrant, sun-soaked corner of Stockton and Columbus, this high-energy busking collective captures the spontaneous spirit of the neighborhood. The performance is a masterclass in Street Swing and...
North Beach New Orleans
Prepare for a foot-stomping night as San Francisco’s own The Good Bad brings their explosive brand of bluegrass to Tupelo. A staple of the West Coast "Newgrass" scene since 2010, this five-piece ensemble delivers a high-velocity take on traditional string music. Known for their tight vocal harmonies and rowdy stage presence, they turn the standard...
Trio Côtier is a San Francisco based combo with a sound that is inspiring, expansive, and a little bit dangerous, much like our California coast. Join us at Pier 23 for a drink, a bite and a listen. Bring a friend. https://youtu.be/rm1m4aF8aps
Mari Mack & Livin’ Like Kings bring a blues-focused set to The Saloon in North Beach. Today’s lineup features Mari Mack on vocals with Arne Frager on bass, Richard Wood on keys, Dave Powell on guitar, and Martin Cunningham on drums.
Golden Sardine in North Beach hosts a special poetry reading with Camille T. Dungy — celebrating her newest collection America, A Love Story (Wesleyan Press) alongside Cate Lycurgus and a guest to be announced. Set in the wine bar and poetry bookstore’s intimate upstairs loft, this July 11 event offers an evening of contemporary poetry...
Jazz Mafia: Low End Theory brings a bold, brass-powered sonic experience to Keys Jazz Bistro — a trombone-driven ensemble led by Jazz Mafia co-founders Adam Theis and Eric Garland, built around a formidable front line of four trombones and a rhythm section capable of shifting from subtle, cinematic textures to explosive, high-energy future jazz. Deep...
This Saturday, join two-time Latin Grammy nominee Eddy Nadia, Pachamama band, Andean costumed dancers and special guest master violinist Georges Lammam for a magical, musical night in a historic speakeasy.
Jazz Mafia: Low End Theory brings a bold, brass-powered sonic experience to Keys Jazz Bistro — a trombone-driven ensemble led by Jazz Mafia co-founders Adam Theis and Eric Garland, built around a formidable front line of four trombones and a rhythm section capable of shifting from subtle, cinematic textures to explosive, high-energy future jazz. Deep...
Prepare for a sonic assault of the best kind as Marshall Law takes the stage at Tupelo. A long-time staple of the San Francisco music scene, this powerhouse trio is known for delivering a "powerful punch" of high-energy rock and roll. Specializing in the golden era of guitar-driven music, Marshall Law transforms the intimate Grant...
Shad Harris is a California-based multi-instrumentalist and blues vocalist appearing at The Saloon in San Francisco. A bandleader known for his keytar work with The Groovenators, he blends West Coast blues with funk and has been active since the mid-1960s, including performances with artists such as Etta James and Charlie Musselwhite. He performs regularly at...
Adam Klipple brings his soulful organ trio to Keys Jazz Bistro — a world-traveling organist, pianist, and keyboardist who has toured with Lauryn Hill, Blood Sweat and Tears, and rising jazz phenom Veronica Swift, Klipple is now proudly rooted in San Francisco with a band built for the bandstand. Joined by Kai Lyons on guitar...
Experience the ultimate "living theater" of North Beach as The Magic School Busk takes up their weekly residency directly in front of The Red Window. Positioned at the vibrant, sun-soaked corner of Stockton and Columbus, this high-energy busking collective captures the spontaneous spirit of the neighborhood. The performance is a masterclass in Street Swing and...
The Jazz in the Alley 5th anniversary season continues with a performance by The Arrows in Kerouac Alley. Playing Blues, R&B, and Soul music, this trio brings out the best of the American songbook. With both original and classic material, The Arrows bring unique interpretations of songs from the past and present. Featuring Kelyn Crapp on...
Otherwise Brewing welcomes the Matt Bae Jazz Trio — led by San Francisco‑based jazz pianist Matthew Bae, whose roots in classical piano and viola, chamber music, orchestra, and American Gamelan give his playing a rich, multidimensional depth. Performing in settings from intimate duos to larger ensembles, he brings a continuous study of the jazz language...
The Sunday Blues Jam at Pier 23 is the perfect way to spend a rollicking afternoon on the waterfront — anchored by the inimitable blues drummer Sean Donoghue, this open jam welcomes professional musicians and budding artists alike to jump in and play. Grab a drink, a bite, hit the dance floor, and bring your...