Charlie and the Tropicales at Specs bring a little New Orleans nightlife to North Beach. Led by trombonist Charlie Halloran, a fixture of the Crescent City’s traditional jazz scene, the horn-driven band plays retro Caribbean melodies and dance rhythms with a 1960s lounge feel. Their sound moves easily between tropicalia, jazz, and rocksteady, giving the...
A wide-ranging night of musical and comic performances led by Matt Berkeley at Tupelo. Matt Berkeley & The Electrictronic Folk is a San Francisco Bay Area-based group known for playing a mix of dubfunk Soul music. The band features Matt Berkeley on keyboards and vocals, along with a rotating lineup that includes musicians like Dylan...
The Saloon welcomes legendary blues firebird Cathy Lemons — a Dallas‑born vocalist and songwriter whose “velvety and hypnotic voice, resonant of a female Howlin’ Wolf” has mesmerized audiences for over 30 years. Drawing inspiration from Aretha Franklin, Lou Ann Barton, and Big Mama Thornton, she earned her stripes across Texas, recording with Anson Funderburgh, sharing...
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...
Paula West performs at Keys Jazz Bistro. A true treasure of the Bay Area jazz scene, vocalist Paula West is celebrated for her rich contralto voice and deeply expressive interpretations...
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 at the Comstock Saloon plays energetic, guitar-led early jazz that blends 1930s Gypsy jazz with New Orleans swing, ragtime, and gutbucket blues. Led by guitarist Dave Ricketts, the band’s sound is lively, acoustic, and built for a crowded barroom.
Marshall Law at Tupelo features Sam Marshall and his dynamic band performing an energetic mix of Blues, Rock, Country, and Soul. Their shows combine classic covers and original songs with powerful rhythms, soulful melodies, and guitar-forward arrangements, creating an inclusive, crowd-pleasing live set built for dancing and sing-alongs.
Aki Kumar at The Saloon brings harmonica-driven Chicago blues together with vintage Bollywood melodies and Hindi vocals. The Mumbai-born, San Jose-based singer and harmonica player calls this distinctive blend “Bollywood Blues,” keeping a traditional blues foundation while drawing on his Indian musical heritage.
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...
Trio Côtier at Pier 23 brings an easygoing piano-trio sound to the waterfront, mixing swing, Latin rhythms, and traditional jazz with lively improvisation.
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.
Clairdee brings sophistication, warmth, and a velvety voice to Keys Jazz Bistro — a celebrated vocalist whose heartfelt interpretations span the standard repertoire, gospel, and R&B with equal grace and authenticity. As the great Nancy Wilson said of her: "In the tradition of all great vocalists, Clairdee infuses each song with her own unique style...
Tristan Lake Leabu at Paname brings vintage Americana, indie folk, and 1970s-inspired rock and roll to San Francisco Unplugged, a monthly intimate acoustic music series hosted by Anthony Arya. The California-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist pairs earthy storytelling with raw, expressive vocals, drawing on classic blues and folk-rock influences.
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.
Stu Silverman leads his band at the Comstock Saloon, bringing a guitar-focused set to the historic North Beach room. A versatile guitarist known for work with groups such as the Stu Silverman Quartet and the Stu Crew, he performs a mix of jazz standards, bebop-influenced lines, and blues-tinged material that fits the saloon’s listening-focused cocktail...
Mike Zilber at Keys Jazz Bistro brings a saxophone-led post-bop sound, balancing intense swing, lyrical ballads, and adventurous improvisation. He’s joined by pianist Peter Horvath, bassist Dan Feiszli, and drummer Jason Lewis for a contemporary jazz quartet set.
Marshall Law at Tupelo features Sam Marshall and his dynamic band performing an energetic mix of Blues, Rock, Country, and Soul. Their shows combine classic covers and original songs with powerful rhythms, soulful melodies, and guitar-forward arrangements, creating an inclusive, crowd-pleasing live set built for dancing and sing-alongs.
Delta Wires bring their powerhouse blues to the stage at The Saloon. Inducted into the California Blues Hall of Fame and voted “Best Live Band” by the East Bay Express, they draw on their long Bay Area history and festival appearances, including the San Francisco Blues Festival, to present a set rooted in their established...
Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Kai Lyons- guitar,...
Fred Ross "Out to Brunch" at Keys Jazz Bistro brings soulful vocals to a blend of jazz, blues, R&B, and funk. A San Francisco native and longtime Starlight Room performer, Ross draws on a career that includes touring with funk greats Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, and Maceo Parker.
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...
Vince Lateano Trio brings a veteran Bay Area rhythm section to Jazz in Kerouac Alley, hosted by Vesuvio Cafe. Drummer Vince Lateano has been a central figure in San Francisco jazz since the 1960s, with major collaborations including Vince Guaraldi, Cal Tjader, Woody Herman, and Stan Getz; he also served as house drummer at Jazz...