Weekend Jazz Guide: Five Essential Shows

SFJAZZ is dark this weekend for private events, but the Bay Area’s club scene is wide open — and it’s stacked with strong local lineups.

Below are five standout jazz picks for Friday, February 6, through Sunday, February 8, with the vibe and ticket links in the same quick-hit format you’ve been using in your weekend guides.

1) Lisa Mezzacappa Quartet — Friday at Mr. Tipple’s

📅 Fri, Feb. 6
🎶 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm & 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
📍 Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio, San Francisco
Vibe: Adventurous, composition-driven jazz that blends original music with deep dives into work by Mingus, Ornette Coleman, and Geri Allen. Tight interplay and serious rhythmic conversation define this set.
🎫 Tickets/Info & Reservations: https://mrtipplessf.com/calendar/

2) Charles Unger Experience — Friday Late Set

📅 Fri, Feb. 6
🎶 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm & 10:30 pm – 11:30 pm
📍 Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio, San Francisco
Vibe: Classic quartet energy with saxophonist Charles Unger at the helm — swing, melody, and strong improvisational storytelling in an intimate listening environment.
🎫 Tickets/Info & Reservations: https://mrtipplessf.com/calendar/

3) Alon Nechushtan Quartet — Saturday Early

📅 Sat, Feb. 7
🎶 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm & 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
📍 Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio, San Francisco
Vibe: Post-bop clarity and cohesive group chemistry led by Nechushtan’s agile piano and Jesse Levit’s sax lines — perfect for Saturday night listeners who appreciate sophisticated small-group interplay.
🎫 Tickets/Info & Reservations: https://mrtipplessf.com/calendar/

4) Adam Klipple Soul Quintet — Saturday Late

📅 Sat, Feb. 7
🎶 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm & 10:30 pm – 11:30 pm
📍 Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio, San Francisco
Vibe: Groove-heavy soul jazz organization featuring organ, guitar, horns, and drums — a nightcap with warmth and rhythmic drive that leans into funk and soulful textures.
🎫 Tickets/Info & Reservations: https://mrtipplessf.com/calendar/

5) A Sound in Common — Black Cat (Post-Dinner Jazz)

📅 Fri & Sat, Feb. 6-7
🎶 9:30 pm
📍 Black Cat Jazz Club, San Francisco
Vibe: Contemporary jazz featuring Francesco Patti (tenor sax), Andrea Domenici (piano), Giuseppe Cucchiara (bass), and Andrea Niccolai (drums) — modern post-bop exploration with a cinematic touch and emotional depth.
🎫 Tickets & Info: https://blackcatsf.com/calendar/

🎷 Other Notable Pick

Tower of Power — Friday & Saturday at Yoshi’s (Oakland)

📅 Fri & Sat, Feb. 6-7
🎶 7:30 pm
📍 Yoshi’s, Oakland
While not strictly a jazz show, Tower of Power’s horn-driven funk and soul is deeply rooted in jazz traditions and showcases Bay Area brass mastery. These performances are part of a residency running through early February and often sell out.
🎫 Tickets & Info: https://yoshis.com/events/calendar/

📝 Venue Notes (Quick)

• Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio (SF) — Intimate listening-room jazz with multiple sets per night; reservations recommended.

• Black Cat (SF) — Supper-club jazz with table service and late sets; iconic Tenderloin jazz spot.

• Yoshi’s (Oakland) — Larger venue with music spanning jazz, soul, and funk; check the calendar for availability beyond the Tower of Power residency.

  Musicians and night-club proprietors lead complicated lives; it’s advisable to check in advance to confirm engagements