Brian Auger: Bumpin’ The B at Yoshi’s
Brian Auger, the legendary British B-3 and keyboard player, returned to the Bay Area for a one-night gig with Alex Ligertwood, Santana’s former lead vocalist (1980-1998). The combination was extraordinary.
Los Lonely Boys Interview: Through Blood, Sweat and Tears
The three Garza brothers, Henry (vocals, guitar), Ringo (drums, vocals), and Jojo (bass, vocals), began their musical journey when their father recruited them to back his band. In the ’90s, the Tex-Mex blues-rock trio began writing and performing their own material. Success came in 2004, when their debut single "Heaven" reached number one on the Billboard adult contemporary chart and the Top 40 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The group eventually won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Peter Frampton’s Circus: No Clowns – Just Guitars
Peter Frampton kicked off his Guitar Circus revue last year with acts like Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Roger McGuinn, and B.B. King, who joined him at various points during the tour. This time around, it's blues legend Buddy Guy and Randy Bachman from Bachman–Turner Overdrive, or The Guess Who, if you can remember back that far.
Bettye LaVette: Raisin’ Hell In Oakland
The 68-year-old Detroit-raised soul singer howled, strutted, and delivered a powerhouse performance tonight at Yoshi’s. She’s an “overnight sensation,” but jokingly told the audience that it took her 52 years to get there.
The Zombies Invade Stern Grove
The Zombies, the '60s psych-pop band—not the undead—closed the 77th Stern Grove Festival on Sunday with a free concert for music fans of all ages. This season’s lineup included the S.F. Symphony, Rufus Wainwright, Darlene Love, and Sergio Mendes.
For B.B. King, The Blues Never Stop
B.B. King is a living blues legend. His first Nashville recordings date back to 1949, and his stage name comes from his days as a disc jockey when he was known as the Beale Street Blues Boy. He’s still on the radio with his own music channel on SiriusXM, where he frequently shares anecdotes from his multi-decade career. He also owns a chain of blues-themed restaurants in several major cities that offer nightly entertainment.
Steely Dan Vibrates Concord
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Walter Becker and Donald Fagen are touring this summer with their Steely Dan Jamalot Ever After tour across 47 cities. Although they have no new material, the set list is packed with several unique cover songs and features extended arrangements of familiar favorites.
Garth Hudson w/ Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle At Yoshi’s
Garth Hudson was The Band’s keyboard player for over 30 years. He’s 76 now. The years have bowed his massive shoulders and weakened his voice, but his playing remains creative and strong.
John Mayall at Lesher Center for the Arts
Over his 50-year career, Mayall has seen musicians like Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor pass through his bands and move on to legendary fame. His current lineup with Rocky Athas (guitar), Greg Rzab (bass), and Jay Davenport (drums) is no exception, and they work perfectly with the blues master.
Dr. Lonnie Smith and his In The Beginning Octet at SFJAZZ
Dr. Lonnie Smith is familiar with the SFJazz stage, having performed over the years with musicians like alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson and at the Soul Jazz Summit in 2008.
Michael Franti’s Four-Hour Show At The Greek Theatre
Going to a Michael Franti show will leave you feeling energized and hopeful about the planet's future. I’ve never seen any performer put so much effort and care into a performance as Franti does. As a bonus, he makes time to hang out with his fans before and after the show.
Arturo Sandoval: Sensational at Yoshi’s
Arturo Sandoval wins you over with those first few notes on his golden trumpet. The sold-out Saturday night crowd at Yoshi’s cheered and clapped as the Grammy-winning musician gracefully moved from trumpet to timbales, piano, electric keyboards, and vocals. His 75-minute set was too short to spend with a jazz legend like Sandoval.
Blue Öyster Cult – Still Burnin’ For You
With all their Godzilla glory and hard-rock and heavy-metal legends, Blue Öyster Cult kicked off the Memorial Day weekend with a jaw-dropping Friday night concert at Slim’s.
Dan Hicks Pays Tribute To Fats Waller At SFJAZZ
Wednesday, May 21, marked what would have been Fats Waller's 110th birthday, an African American pianist, singer, and songwriter known as The Clown Prince of Jazz. Everyone from The Beatles (yes, The Beatles) to Louis Armstrong has covered Waller, and the Bay Area’s own legendary Dan Hicks served as the host for the Waller birthday celebration at the SF Jazz Center.
Sean Lennon’s GOASTT Delivers Psych-Rock Sounds
I’m not sure about the tiger, but Sean Lennon summoned some psychedelic ghosts during his exciting performance at the Great American Music Hall. As you might know, he's the 38-year-old son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Sean and his girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl, a world-class model, have formed the indie psych-rock band called The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger, or GOASTT for short. The group has had various incarnations since 2008, and their second album, Midnight Sun (Chimera Music), is part of their ongoing journey.
Stephen Stills Brings Solo Tour To Yoshi’s SF
At age 69, Stephen Stills openly admits that he’s not ashamed to use a few stage tricks to get him through his shows these days. “I once got some sage advice from, of all people, Tony Bennett,” recalled Stills to the packed house at Yoshi’s. “Never be afraid to lower the key or use a teleprompter.” While his voice has become much raspier and his memory impaired enough to recall lyrics without the aid of a screen at foot level, Stephen’s fretwork still shines.
Lindsey Stirling “Shatters” SF With Two Sold-Out Shows
Lindsey Stirling’s current Shatter Me tour visited San Francisco for two sold-out shows at The Warfield (May 16/17). The show began with dramatic drum beats as the violinist bowed behind a sheer curtain that reached the ceiling. Taunting the crowd for several minutes, her wraithlike silhouette was visible on a raised platform illuminated by a large circular video screen. When the curtain finally lifted, the classically trained violinist erupted into the fitting song “Beyond the Veil.”
Graham Nash crushes Napa with new songs and nostalgia at City Winery
Graham Nash is anything but the “Simple Man” of his song title. The 72-year-old, two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, gently turns back the clock to reveal a passionate life filled with music, love, and political activism. His April 30th concert was the second of two sold-out shows at Napa’s City Winery.
David Crosby’s Triumphant San Francisco Return
David Crosby survived a liver transplant, kicked hard drugs, and has outlived most of his rock and roll friends. But his luck was a bit thin back in February when he postponed all his California tour dates, including two shows at the Great American Music Hall, after undergoing emergency heart surgery. Without the surgery, a heart attack was imminent. The 72-year-old rock legend dodged that bullet and came roaring back with two sold-out shows a GAMH, April 20 and 21.