Vibe: Retro Jazz Lounge | Sophisticated & Social | Urban Speakeasy
Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club — often referred to by its full name, Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio — is a centerpiece of the Civic Center jazz scene. It channels the feel of a mid‑century recording studio, blending industrial‑chic details with a warm, retro atmosphere. The room walks a careful line between serious listening space and lively social lounge, making it equally welcoming for deep‑in jazz heads and friends just out for a night in the city.
Live Music & Atmosphere
Music runs nightly with a rotation of top Bay Area players, from straight‑ahead bebop trios to modern, more experimental quartets. The room layout supports both listening and conversation: a front bar area for socializing and a dedicated seating section closer to the stage for those who want to focus on the performance. Sightlines are good, the sound is tuned for intimacy, and sets tend to feel tight rather than background.
Mara Fox's Foxtet is a San Francisco-based jazz ensemble led by trombonist Mara Fox. The group typically performs a mix of hard bop, contemporary jazz, and original compositions. Mara Fox | Trombone Kasey Knudsen | Alto Lee Bloom | Piano Carla Kaufman | Bass Alexey Berlind | Drums Daria Nile | Voice
The Jaycie Grady Quintet is a San Francisco-based jazz ensemble led by drummer Jaycie (JC) Grady. The Jaycie Grady Quintet primarily plays contemporary jazz. Their style is rooted in traditional jazz fundamentals but incorporates modern elements and diverse instrumentation, such as the violin. Jaycie Grady: Drums Leela Paymai: Bass Julian Lopez: Piano Nathan Sariowan: Violin Ethan Buck: Alto Saxophone
The Jaycie Grady Quintet is a San Francisco-based jazz ensemble led by drummer Jaycie (JC) Grady. The Jaycie Grady Quintet primarily plays contemporary jazz. Their style is rooted in traditional jazz fundamentals but incorporates modern elements and diverse instrumentation, such as the violin. Jaycie Grady: Drums Leela Paymai: Bass Julian Lopez: Piano Nathan Sariowan: Violin Ethan Buck: Alto Saxophone
Maralisa & The Starlight Martinis is a San Francisco-based jazz quartet led by vocalist Maralisa Simmons-Cook. The group is known for a repertoire that blends classic jazz standards, bossa nova, and throwback soul, drawing inspiration from vocal icons like Nina Simone and Julie London.
Maralisa & The Starlight Martinis is a San Francisco-based jazz quartet led by vocalist Maralisa Simmons-Cook. The group is known for a repertoire that blends classic jazz standards, bossa nova, and throwback soul, drawing inspiration from vocal icons like Nina Simone and Julie London.
The Tomoko Funaki Hard Bop Collective is a San Francisco-based jazz ensemble founded in 2011 by bassist Tomoko Funaki. The group is known for its "energetic, swinging, intelligent, and fun" performances that remain firmly rooted in the hard bop tradition Jesse Levit | Alto Jordan Samuels | Guitar Tomoko Funaki | Bass Tony Johnson | Drums
The Tomoko Funaki Hard Bop Collective is a San Francisco-based jazz ensemble founded in 2011 by bassist Tomoko Funaki. The group is known for its "energetic, swinging, intelligent, and fun" performances that remain firmly rooted in the hard bop tradition Jesse Levit | Alto Jordan Samuels | Guitar Tomoko Funaki | Bass Tony Johnson | Drums
As a pianist, composer, and bandleader, Anne Sajdera, is a creative force whose music encompasses an unusually far-flung array of traditions. Known for her burnished lyricism, she melds American and Brazilian jazz with her training in European classical music, creating an utterly personal sound that’s melodically verdant, harmonically sophisticated and rhythmically compelling. Her first release, Azul (Bijuri Records, 2012)...
As a pianist, composer, and bandleader, Anne Sajdera, is a creative force whose music encompasses an unusually far-flung array of traditions. Known for her burnished lyricism, she melds American and Brazilian jazz with her training in European classical music, creating an utterly personal sound that’s melodically verdant, harmonically sophisticated and rhythmically compelling. Her first release, Azul (Bijuri Records, 2012)...
Eddie Mininfield, known as Eddie M, is an American musician. As a saxophonist, he was a member of Sheila E‘s touring band, and also toured with Prince on his Purple Rain Tour. Since the early 1980s, Eddie has toured/performed and recorded with artists such as Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, Verdine White, Beyoncé, Eric Benét, Teena Marie, Wayman Tisdale, Stevie Wonder, Paula Abdul, Jesse Johnson, Acoustic Alchemy, Martha Munizzi, Yolanda Adams and others. Eddie M is...
Eddie Mininfield, known as Eddie M, is an American musician. As a saxophonist, he was a member of Sheila E‘s touring band, and also toured with Prince on his Purple Rain Tour. Since the early 1980s, Eddie has toured/performed and recorded with artists such as Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, Verdine White, Beyoncé, Eric Benét, Teena Marie, Wayman Tisdale, Stevie Wonder, Paula Abdul, Jesse Johnson, Acoustic Alchemy, Martha Munizzi, Yolanda Adams and others. Eddie M is...
Sara Niemietz | Vocals Kai Lyons | Guitar Adam Klipple | Piano Malachi Whitson | Drums Adam Kubota | Bass James Mahone | Tenor
Sara Niemietz | Vocals Kai Lyons | Guitar Adam Klipple | Piano Malachi Whitson | Drums Adam Kubota | Bass James Mahone | Tenor
Le Jazz Hot (the Quartet/Trio of the Hot Club of San Francisco) is an ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli’s pioneering Hot Club de France. The ensemble borrows the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars from the original Hot Club, but breathes new life into...
Le Jazz Hot (the Quartet/Trio of the Hot Club of San Francisco) is an ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli’s pioneering Hot Club de France. The ensemble borrows the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars from the original Hot Club, but breathes new life into...
“With so much swing and a bit of snark, Mose always knew just the right tone to deliver his wise blues.” Flower Piano co-creator Dean Mermell originally hoped for someone to play a Mose Allison tribute at the event, but then realized he just wanted to do it himself. With Kymry Esainko on the keys,...
“With so much swing and a bit of snark, Mose always knew just the right tone to deliver his wise blues.” Flower Piano co-creator Dean Mermell originally hoped for someone to play a Mose Allison tribute at the event, but then realized he just wanted to do it himself. With Kymry Esainko on the keys,...
The Kelly Green Quartet is a New York City-based jazz ensemble led by pianist, vocalist, and composer Kelly Green. Known for blending traditional jazz standards with "outside-the-box" original compositions, the group is celebrated for its tight-knit chemistry and immersive storytelling Kelly Green | Piano & Voice Luca Soul Rosenfeld | Bass Evan Hyde | Drums Elijah J....
The Kelly Green Quartet is a New York City-based jazz ensemble led by pianist, vocalist, and composer Kelly Green. Known for blending traditional jazz standards with "outside-the-box" original compositions, the group is celebrated for its tight-knit chemistry and immersive storytelling Kelly Green | Piano & Voice Luca Soul Rosenfeld | Bass Evan Hyde | Drums Elijah J....
Colin Douglas | Drums Jesus Diaz | Percussion Kasey Knudsen | Alto Adam Theis | Trombone Kai Lyons | Tuitar Sam Bevan | Bass Sam Bevan is a versatile bassist known for his warm tone, deep groove, and lyrical sensibility. Active across jazz, soul, and improvised music scenes, he is a sought-after collaborator who brings...
Colin Douglas | Drums Jesus Diaz | Percussion Kasey Knudsen | Alto Adam Theis | Trombone Kai Lyons | Tuitar Sam Bevan | Bass Sam Bevan is a versatile bassist known for his warm tone, deep groove, and lyrical sensibility. Active across jazz, soul, and improvised music scenes, he is a sought-after collaborator who brings...
Vocalist Kenny Washington and trumpeter Erik Jekabson deliver the true New Orleans sound and spirit, but with a modern twist. Washington is a New Orleans native and Jekabson has lived and performed in the Big Easy. Erik Jekabson is a trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He...
Vocalist Kenny Washington and trumpeter Erik Jekabson deliver the true New Orleans sound and spirit, but with a modern twist. Washington is a New Orleans native and Jekabson has lived and performed in the Big Easy. Erik Jekabson is a trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He...
French-born saxophonist Cyril Guiraud is a master of the tenor and soprano sax, known for a sound that bridges the gap between classic European elegance and the raw, experimental energy of the San Francisco jazz scene. Cyril Guiraud | Saxophones Brother Ruckus | Drums Gary Johnson | Bass Jonah Levine | Piano
French-born saxophonist Cyril Guiraud is a master of the tenor and soprano sax, known for a sound that bridges the gap between classic European elegance and the raw, experimental energy of the San Francisco jazz scene. Cyril Guiraud | Saxophones Brother Ruckus | Drums Gary Johnson | Bass Jonah Levine | Piano