The N. T. B. Collective is a Bay Area based jazz fusion group merging sounds and styles from all over the world.

The N.T.B. trio, which will be featured for this event, is comprised of drums, bass, and piano. Each musician is highly accomplished; coming together to generate a unique musical energy. N.T.B. has been playing various venue residencies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for over 3 years.

Alan Jones is a 21 year-old Bassist and Composer from Denver, Colorado dedicated to honoring the legacy of Black American Music through performance and composition. He has shared the stage with greats such as Matt Wilson, David Sanchez, Ed Simon, Christopher Clarke, Carmen Bradford, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Kristen Strom, and Keith Oxman. He currently studies with Matt Brewer and Scott Pingel at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Drummer/Vibraphonist/Saxophonist Smith Dobson V has been performing in the Bay Area for nearly twenty years. Originally from Santa Cruz, Ca., Dobson is a member of an important Jazz family. His father, the late Smith Dobson IV, was a world renown Pianist and director of the Jazz series at the Garden City in San Jose for over twenty years, where he accompanied artists’ like Art Pepper, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, Chet Baker, Red Norvo, Tal Farlow, and Lee Konitz, to name a few.

Also in the family, Grandfather Smith III is a Jazz Accordionist, Grandmother Norma, Mother Gail, and Sister Sasha are all Jazz Vocalists. The family often performed as a group at the Garden City, and other venues, as well as many local schools and workshops. As a child, Smith V had the opportunity to study with legendary Jazz Drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, who said of his pupil, “He has the talent, determination and persistence as a musician, combined with the dedication necessary to succeed… improvisational skills totally advanced, excellent sensitivity, both solo and as an accompanist… my most talented student!”

Smith has had the honor of working with some of the great Jazz artists, locally and internationally, such as Bobby Hutcherson, Red Rodney, John Handy, Sheila Jordan, Red Holloway, Pete and Conte Condoli, Phillip Harper, Hal Stein, Noel Jewekes, Ben Goldberg, Graham Connahs’ Sour Note Seven, Darren Johnstone, Will Bernard, and Kenny Brooks.

Andrew recently released his fourth album of original music, incorporating his jazz roots while also exploring new musical territories. This latest album, Mind Noise, is even more avant-garde than his previous works. Having grown up in Chicago and performed extensively around the world, he has developed a fresh and distinctive sound that sets him apart from the typical jazz fare. Andrew wrote and composed all the songs on Mind Noise, which includes a mix of delicate ballads and intense electronic pieces. The album showcases an expansive blend of saxophone solos, keyboard riffs, and drum and bass, and is sure to inspire listeners. Andrew's other releases, including "Renegade," "East Oakland Run Down," and "RAGE," can be found on his label, Epistemology Records.

Andrew was also accepted as one of only three students in the world by NEA Jazz Master David Liebman, who himself worked with the likes of John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Elvin Jones. Yet he is no stranger to these kinds of honors, having gained a full music scholarship to the University of Illinois, and also garnered awards from the Berklee School of Music. As early as four years old, Andrew was playing music, first piano, then moving on to saxophone at age 10. By the age of 13 he played his first professional gig, then at 18 started teaching. 

He has lived and been influenced in his music in Europe and Asia, and visited over 100 countries. Andrew Dixon has also toured many cities throughout the world such as Paris, Manila, Singapore, Tokyo, London, L.A., New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Jakarta, Seoul, Oslo, Montreal, Barcelona, and Toronto. Andrew’s busy schedule has included performances at the Monterey Jazz Festival; Chicago Jazz Festival; Montreal Jazz Festival; Tokyo Jazz Festival; Java Jazz Festival; Phillippine Jazz Festival; Mosaic Music Festival; Yoshis, Jazz Showcase; Green Mill; Lincoln Center; SFJAZZ; Kuumbwa Arts Center; Blue Whale; Velvet Lounge; and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

Mike Olmos has become one the most in demand jazz musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area while maintaining a frequent national and international performance/touring schedule. In the Bay, Mike has been performing with various bands such as the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Pete Escovedo, Wil Blades, Eddie Roberts, Jubu and Legally Blynd. ​

When in town he can be found hosting and joining jam sessions at local clubs.

​He has had the privilege of performing with Rosemary Clooney, Etta James, Michael Buble and many other great talents.

He can be heard on late legendary Blues/R&B singer Etta James' Grammy nominated final album "The Dreamer" as well as many others.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

Lose yourself in Bay Area’s Tracy Cruz’s spirit filled, rich candied vocals; she is a full-time musical artist, songwriter and vocal coach, taking home over 40 prestigious music awards such as the 

 2022 Intercontinental Music Awards for “Best of North America in the R&B genre”, 2022 Josie Music Award for “Vocalist of the Year” (R&B/Soul), 2022 One Earth Award GOLD for “Best Jazz Single”, 2021 InterContinental Music Awards “Best of North America” in the R&B category, 2020 Gold International Singer Songwriters Association Award for “Female Emerging Artist of the Year”, World Songwriter Award for “Best R&B Song”, 2020 National Black Music Award for “Best Recorded Song” and 2020 Bay Area Black Music Award for “Best Female Neo Soul Performer”. She has also received over 80 nominations including seven Hollywood Music in Media nominations and five Soultracks.com Readers Choice Awards.

Her illustrative sophisticated sound of sultry hurdling breaths of piercingly clear verberating mezzo soprano melodies, will cleanse your soul in a dream-like wonder. Her soothing velvet tales of hope, love, beauty and reflection are enlightened anthems of personal discoveries and affirmations. She has an earnest sound that comes deep within her soul, enthralled by the playful melodic upbeat rhythmic Neo Soul, Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop and Filipino fusions. It’s a soulful orchestra of percussion, guitar, pitched chimes, grooving bass lines, horns and angelic harp-like chords of originality and comfort with her band Instrumentali-T. 

Rooted in the industry for 17+ years Tracy Cruz has journeyed through sold out concerts, tours and openings for renowned artists such as Kenny Lattimore, Pete Escovedo, Miki Howard, Keke Wyatt, Sy Smith, Moonchild, Raheem Devaughn, Wes Felton, Sy Smith, Dee Dee Simon, Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas and more! 

As an active voting member and Chapter Governor (San Francisco Chapter) of the Recording Academy®, Tracy has also graced the stage, performing at prestigious venues and events such as Yoshi’s, Harlow’s, Tempe Center for the Arts, Roger Smith of Tower of Power - Bump City Winery, the San Jose Jazz Festival, the San Jose Center for the Performing Artists, San Francisco Giants Filipino Heritage Night, California Maritime Academy, Rockwood Music Hall, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Juneteenth Festivals across San Jose, Vallejo, Berkeley and San Francisco. She has worked with GRAMMY® Award Winner Kanetic Source and GRAMMY® Award nominated producer Brandon Williams. 

To be inspired by, and to collaborate with some of the greats, Tracy stays grounded by diligently working within her community for over 17 years, teaching and inspiring the youth at her celebrated Tracy Cruz Vocal Studio through singing, performing, writing, arranging, and mentorship. She encourages her students to stay steadfast about their dreams and to be enchanted with their musical world with full embodiment and freedom. Tracy is currently working on her new album "Sun After the Reign" which will be released in 2024.

A San Francisco born vocalist, with parents from Nicaragua, this singer/songwriter draws influence from the music of his upbringing; R&B, Hip-hop, Salsa, Baladas and combines them with the affluent Latin rhythms. Since the release of his debut salsa album "Vive Todo Ahora", Carlos' songs have been placed in the top Salsa/Tropical Spotify playlists. It generated buzz all over the world making him a preferred voice in the salsa genre. His roots in the Latin power vocal style produce warm, beautiful tones as he exhales his melodies. The singer songwriter engages his audience with his pure, passionate vocals and Carlos is able to rise up and shine. His sound is very identifiable to the Latin American community as it draws from Latin Balada roots and meshes them with R&B and Pop, creating original sounding salsa songs. His melodies are expressed through his passionate lyrics and his desire to reach people’s souls. 

El cantante y compositor Nicaragüense Carlos Xavier nos ha mostrado su más reciente disco “Vive Todo Ahora” que fue todo un éxito. Hoy se encuentra en su segunda producción con el All-Star team de, Efrain "Junito" Davila, Guianko Gomez y Juan Mayito Aracil. En esta segunda producción, Carlos y su equipo se juntan con el gran percusionista Marc Quiñones para darles el sabor que va identificar su sonido. Carlos Xavier vuelve de nuevo con sus canciones originales románticas, pero esta vez con mucha más experiencia. Carlos es muy versátil pero dice que la salsa es donde se siente en casa. Se siente muy orgulloso de poder seguir  esta tradición y disfruta sacar temas para el mundo salsero.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

“Foot-tapping hip-shaking songs of love & loss. Based in San Fransisco, roots in Havana, Los Angeles, Mexico City & London.

At just 21 years of age, Graham is a young gun making a name for himself in the world of Jazz today. A dyed-in-the-wool bebop pianist, he seeks to uphold the tradition of Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, Kenny Clarke, Hank Jones, and Barry Harris, among others, and treats their music equally as soul food and as ground as fertile for intellectual exploration as any of the great European masters of the last 400 years. 

Armed with a rigorous classical training, he has to quote one local great, "made a substantive contribution towards raising the 'mean tempo' of the tunes played within this sector of the S.F. jazz scene", though he feels just as at home on a contemplative ballad or a slow blues.

You may find him performing under either one of his apt pseudonyms, Dud Powell or Barely Harris. (inside jazz joke!)

Kai Lyons is a 30 year-old San Francisco native and student of all music. He is adjunct professor of jazz guitar at Cal State East Bay Hayward, teaches at the California Jazz Conservatory, and is a clinician for SFJAZZ, SF Symphony and Stanford University. He has performed with the SF Ballet Orchestra and Changui Guantanamo. He first visited Cuba in December 2016 through Cali2Cuba. On this first trip he became inducted into the Añá fraternity of bata drummers and studied with the illustrious Koto, “El Diamante Negro”. In 2017, at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, he became exposed to changui, traditional music from Guantanamo, and the conga Santiaguera, carnival street music from Santiago, Cuba. In January of 2018 Kai took a $12 dollar 28-hour chicken-bus ride from Havana to Baracoa and made his initial connections with the musicians and traditions of Eastern Cuba, learning about kiriba, nengon, and the Tumba Francesa. In 2022, he became the first foreigner to win 1st prize at the international changüí festival of Guantánamo Cuba, on the Cuban guitar known as the tres. In July of 2023, at the invitation of Roberto Duvergel Ray, the bongosero for Changui Guantanamo, Kai recorded tres on the debut album of Sincopa Uno, a professional Cuban changui ensemble, at Egrem Studios in Santiago, Cuba. As of May 2024, Kai has visited Cuba 13 times.

Daniel Herrera is a professional musician who has called San Francisco his home for the past twenty years. Originally from Monterey, Ca, Daniel grew up in a rich musical environment and was a beneficiary of the robust mentorship program of the Monterey Jazz Festival educational program. He went on to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, Ma before moving back to the west coast to make the Bay Area his home.

Daniel has toured nationally and abroad and performed at some of the world’s most renowned Jazz and music festivals including Montreux Jazz Festival, Jazz A Vienne, and Monterey Jazz Festival to name a few. 

Saxophonist Danny Brown and Trumpeter Daniel Herrera team up for this exciting night of music! They will perform a stylish mix of Blue Note Records classics and modern jazz. The pairing will feature Organist Parker Grant and Drummer Josh Setala. 

Armen Krakirian is an accomplished trumpeter and private teacher based in the Bay Area, California. Holding a degree in Jazz Trumpet Performance from Oberlin Conservatory (2023), Armen's musical journey has been enriched under the mentorship of the renowned jazz virtuoso, Dr. Eddie Henderson. Passionate about both performance and education, Armen has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Gerald Cannon, Gary Bartz, Billy Hart, Jay Ashby, Jake Silverman, and many others.

 Drawing inspiration from Hard Bop legends like Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, and a kaleidoscope of genres spanning Electronic, Rap/Hip-Hop, Pop, Classical, and Metal, Armen's versatility sets him apart. Beyond the confines of traditional jazz, his musical palette is a vibrant spectrum that resonates with diverse influences.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

McCall, Hawaii’s first lady of jazz is a multi-award winning vocalist. She is heir to the vocal tradition of Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald. Her warmth and sense of humor fuel every interpretation. After releasing her first CD ‘Body and Soul’ she was asked by the great bassist Ray Brown to be his vocalist on tour. Of course, she accepted, beginning an incredible jazz journey – school was in! Soon after, Azure became the first singer to work with Freddie Hubbard’s band. Additional collaborators include Frank Morgan, Tennyson Stephens, Joe Lovano, Geoffrey Keezer, Curtis Lundy, Dizzy Gillespie and many more. In 2008, President Barack Obama asked her to perform at his pre-election party. “That’s why he won,” Azure says (smiling). Azure became the ‘Jazz Diva’ for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Cruises. She has traveled to more than 50 countries including, Greece, Germany, Russia, and Italy- just to name a few.

After studying drums with Tony Williams in San Francisco, André has performed around the world with various artists including Dayna Stephens, Ambrose Akinmusire, Mike Olmos, Stacy Dillard, Julian Lage, George Kontrafouris, Perico Sambeat and Albert Sanz. After a stint back in his native Finland and some years in Spain, André returned to the Bay Area in 2015.

His first album, “Kaira” earned him a Finnish “Jazz-Emma” award, and he has subsequently released three albums as a leader, and five as a co-leader with various artists. Sumelius is a regular on the San Francisco jazz scene, and he can frequently be seen playing with a variety of local and international artists.

Joe Warner is setting the Bay Area jazz scene on fire. A rising star known for his captivating style and electrifying performances, he's the pianist and musical director for the legendary vocalist The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol, leading the charge with his own Joe Warner Trio while sharing stages and studios with icons like Houston Person, Billy Hart, Buster Williams, John Handy, Mary Stallings, and Gary Bartz. Warner’s deep groove and versatility have also led him to work with not just jazz royalty but cultural heavyweights like Mistah F.A.B., Bernard Purdie, and Robert Randolph. Whether it’s classic jazz or genre-bending collaborations, Warner’s got the keys to the future. His trio will thrill and delight audiences with fresh takes on jazz standards, blues, ballads, and adventurous swingin'.

"Jinx is a guitar virtuoso who seamlessly moves from rockabilly to jazz to twang and back again, sometimes in the same song. Those with a liner note obsession will remember Jinx’s playing on En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind.”

(San Francisco Chronicle)

Jinx Jones boasts a prolific career spanning from the 1990s, during which he has been a prominent figure in the San Francisco Bay Area jazz scene. His musical journey, deeply rooted in R&B and Soul collaborations with luminaries such as Solomon Burke and En Vogue, has laid a solid groundwork for his ventures into the realms of soul jazz and hard bop. Jones' distinctive approach to jazz is deeply influenced by the venerable traditions set forth by iconic guitarists such as Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel, and George Benson.

“You've heard fretboard prestidigitator Jinx before: he lent studio guitar and bass to En Vogue's hit, "Free Your Mind." Professionally impressive as it is, though, that credit does not represent his own chosen styling. Jinx's headlong endeavors draw freely and unto satiation from classic rocka-billy, vintage jazz, and spartan honky tonk….” D. C. Larson, Crackerjack Magazine, UK

In recent times, Jinx Jones has achieved international acclaim with the release of his latest solo jazz album, "Blue Gardenia." This album showcases his guitar artistry, striking a perfect balance between delicacy and energy, reminiscent of the soulful and profound styles of the genre's legendary masters.

“Jinx Jones is out there. Four or five nights a week, the great guitar player with the immaculate pompadour can be found at various Bay Area venues, working the stage, doing his thing. The Colorado native came up serving as a sideman to rock ’n’ roll royalty, playing with the likes of Chuck Berry and Solomon Burke.”

Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle

What does over 30 years of collaboration between four world-class jazz artists sound like?

Tenor saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree, pianist Adam Klipple, bassist Jesse Crawford and drummer Bill McClellan bring their extraordinary chemistry to this performance back to San Francisco.

With decades of shared performances across the U.S., Europe, and beyond, this quartet’s near-telepathic connection promises an evening of thrilling improvisation and an exclusive preview of new music for their upcoming album, "Seeing Red..."

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

In a career that has spanned over 20 years, Victor Little has established himself as a consummate professional electric bassist, displaying impeccable time, taste, technique, and tone while playing in a wide spectrum of styles-from blues and jazz to Indian and flamenco music-with a long list of luminaries that includes Patti Austin, Billy Preston, Angela Bofill, James Carter, Charlie Musselwhite, and Booker T. Jones. 

Victor, a Chicago native, grew up surrounded by musicians and music. His father was a saxophonist, and Victor, like other members of his family, played in church. On the radio, icons such as Aretha, Sly, Coltrane, Miles, James Brown, the Jackson 5, Kool and the Gang, P-Funk, Elton John, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Rush gave him his first taste of pop music. Victor’s first instrument was trumpet, but by high school he had switched to electric bass and fallen under the spell of bass players such as James Jamerson, Bernand Edwards, Chuck Rainey, Verdine White, Stanley Clarke, Anthony Jackson, Jaco Pastorius, John Paul Jones, and Billy Cox. He continued his formal studies in college.

Fault Line Trio is one of the Bay Area’s most dynamic and innovative crossover jazz projects! Swing, R&B, and sophisticated grooves. Featuring Jay Sanders - piano and keys, Lukas Vesely - bass, and Brian Fishler - drums.

Patrick Wolff is a saxophone and clarinet player with a long history in the jazz scenes of New York City and San Francisco. He has performed or recorded with Albert "Tootie" Heath, Matt Wilson, Grant Stewart, Louis Moholo-Moholo, Dena Derose, and many other jazz greats. Since moving to San Francisco in 2009, Wolff has played and recorded regularly in the bands of Marcus Shelby, Richard Sears, Graham Connah, Adam Shulman, and Diana Gameros. Outside of the jazz world, he has had an eclectic mix of work including long stints in West African pop/funk group Asiko, prog metal band Kayo Dot, and with fuji music legend Adewale Ayuba. With six albums released under his name, Wolff has made his mark as a bandleader with various groups playing his original compositions, and with classic jazz quartets and quintets focused on repertoire of the bebop and hard bop eras. His playing is characterized by a focus on lyricism and an embrace of the whole lineage of jazz styles.

Wolff is also a passionate jazz educator and advocate. For four years, he hosted and produced a weekly fearure show on KCSM 91.1FM ("Have You Heard"), exploring the work of emerging and underrated jazz artists, and continues to dj for the station on occasion. He was the Faculty Director at the Stanford Jazz Workshop from 2008-2013, and currently teaches jazz history, composition, and ensemble classes at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the College of San Mateo throughout the year, and at the Stanford Jazz Workshop in the summer.

Greg Jacobs is a pianist from San Rafael, California, who has been working full-time in the Bay Area performing and teaching private lessons since 2013. Greg studied classical and jazz piano with Gini Wilson as a teenager and first started working as a jazz pianist at 14 years old. He moved to San Francisco in 2007 to attend San Francisco State University, earning Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Physiology and Spanish respectively. Since Fall of 2017, Greg has played with Sueños Jazz Quintet, playing Fender Rhodes on their album, “Shots Fired.” Greg has performed at many premier jazz venues in the Bay Area, including Blue Note Napa, Black Cat, The Backroom, Impulse Room, Yerba Buena Gardens, Mr Tipples, Bird and Beckett, the Jazz Mobile, and Club Deluxe. He played for musical theater productions of Urinetown and Hairspray in 2018, Vox In A Box by Candace Johnson in 2019, was pianist-conductor for Chicago at the Throckmorton Theater in March 2019. Greg has also worked as Music Director of Covenant Presbyterian Church of San Francisco since early 2020.

Mike Olmos has become one the most in demand jazz musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area while maintaining a frequent national and international performance/touring schedule. In the Bay, Mike has been performing with various bands such as the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Pete Escovedo, Wil Blades, Eddie Roberts, Jubu and Legally Blynd. ​

When in town he can be found hosting and joining jam sessions at local clubs.

​He has had the privilege of performing with Rosemary Clooney, Etta James, Michael Buble and many other great talents.

He can be heard on late legendary Blues/R&B singer Etta James' Grammy nominated final album "The Dreamer" as well as many others.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

At just 21 years of age, Graham is a young gun making a name for himself in the world of Jazz today. A dyed-in-the-wool bebop pianist, he seeks to uphold the tradition of Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, Kenny Clarke, Hank Jones, and Barry Harris, among others, and treats their music equally as soul food and as ground as fertile for intellectual exploration as any of the great European masters of the last 400 years. 

Armed with a rigorous classical training, he has to quote one local great, "made a substantive contribution towards raising the 'mean tempo' of the tunes played within this sector of the S.F. jazz scene", though he feels just as at home on a contemplative ballad or a slow blues.

You may find him performing under either one of his apt pseudonyms, Dud Powell or Barely Harris. (inside jazz joke!)

Drummer/Vibraphonist/Saxophonist Smith Dobson V has been performing in the Bay Area for nearly twenty years. Originally from Santa Cruz, Ca., Dobson is a member of an important Jazz family. His father, the late Smith Dobson IV, was a world renown Pianist and director of the Jazz series at the Garden City in San Jose for over twenty years, where he accompanied artists’ like Art Pepper, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, Chet Baker, Red Norvo, Tal Farlow, and Lee Konitz, to name a few.

Also in the family, Grandfather Smith III is a Jazz Accordionist, Grandmother Norma, Mother Gail, and Sister Sasha are all Jazz Vocalists. The family often performed as a group at the Garden City, and other venues, as well as many local schools and workshops. As a child, Smith V had the opportunity to study with legendary Jazz Drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, who said of his pupil, “He has the talent, determination and persistence as a musician, combined with the dedication necessary to succeed… improvisational skills totally advanced, excellent sensitivity, both solo and as an accompanist… my most talented student!”

Smith has had the honor of working with some of the great Jazz artists, locally and internationally, such as Bobby Hutcherson, Red Rodney, John Handy, Sheila Jordan, Red Holloway, Pete and Conte Condoli, Phillip Harper, Hal Stein, Noel Jewekes, Ben Goldberg, Graham Connahs’ Sour Note Seven, Darren Johnstone, Will Bernard, and Kenny Brooks.

The Hard Bop Quintet is a jazz group from the San Francisco Bay Area inspired by the fiery style of the early 1960s New York jazz scene.

The group began as the brainchild of two Bay Area jazz musicians who grew up together in Santa Cruz, California: trombonist Scott Larson, and trumpeter Jay Sanders - the idea for the band being to create a hard bop jazz group which seamlessly fuses different musical aesthetics from boogaloo, afro-cuban, and bebop into the contemporary jazz landscape.

The groups repertoire consists of original compositions by Larson as well as new interpretations of genre classics by legends such as Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan and Kenny Dorham.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

Collectivity is a jazz/funk, psychedelic soul band originally formed in Shanghai, China and now based in the SF Bay Area. We're talking about blistering energy and genre blending from an ensemble of world class musicians with a focus on exploration through collective improvisation. Upbeat grooves, soulful guitar work and tight arrangements are things to expect from a collectivity show. They draw on influences from jazz/funk, gospel and psychedelic soul. 

With their high energy stage performances, this band has recently opened for Larry Graham at Shanghai Arena, performed in Mongolia at Ulanchabo Stadium, toured in Europe, and headlining festivals across the States, and has been turning heads touring throughout Asia and the US.

In addition to the guitar wizardry of bandleader Ben Misterka, the level of musicianship in this band is off the charts. The two horn players have played with Etta James, Boz Scaggs and The New Mastersounds! Bassist Uriah Duffy is one of the most loved on the scene, working with everyone from Christina Aguilera, Whitesnake, Too Short, The Family Stone to name a few. Keys wizard Kevin Wong is one of the most in demand in the Bay and Tokyo. You may have seen James Small on the drums touring the world with Fantastic Negrito. We can't wait to witness firsthand why Collectivity is renowned across several continents.

Silver Bell Jazz Band inspires dancers and listeners all over the Bay Area. The band specializes in ragtime, blues, swing, and dixieland from the early 20th century. They’re known for their authenticity and dedication to the craft as well as their foot-tapping energy.

Marcos Varela, an equally skilled doubler at both acoustic and electric bass, is among the most highly respected bassists/musicians in the American and International Jazz/music scene. His talents have also earned him many awards (YoungArts, Creative Capital, Jazz Road) and accolades as a musician, composer, producer, band leader, and educator.

In his hometown of Houston, Texas, Varela attended the renowned High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, which paved the path for him to NYC to attend the storied New School on scholarship. As a professional musician, he continues to be very active in the New York jazz and contemporary music scene, and has made a name for himself as one of the most in-demand bassists in the City and worldwide. He regularly performs with a wide variety of ensembles and band leader including: The Mingus Big Band, Nasheet Waits, John Holiday, George Cables, Ingrid Jensen, ‪Billy Hart‬, Antoine Roney, Charli Persip, ‪Clifton Anderson‬, ‪Jason Moran‬, ‪Geri Allen‬, ‪The Last Poets‬, ‪Leslie Odom, Jr‬., Frank Lacy’s Vibe Tribe, ‪Kendrick Scott‬, ‪Billy Harper‬, ‪Tyshawn Sorey‬, and Bob Mover, among countless others. Varela was also selected as a member of ‪Jazz at Lincoln Center‬ trombonist Vincent Gardner's Jazz Houston, which has featured guests such as ‪Gregory Porter‬, ‪Wynton Marsalis‬, ‪Ruben Blades‬ and‪ Jon Faddis‬‬. As a composer, Varela has also composed music for several film and television projects, including director Domenica Cameron-Scorsese's film "Roots in Water."

Legendary bassist ‪Ron Carter‬ contributed to the liner notes for Varela's Origin Records debut album "San Ygnacio,” where Carter writes that Varela's "Tone, Choice of Notes and Compositions will place his playing and name on the list of bassists to be heard.” In addition, Mr. Carter has made statements regarding Varela’s musical contributions, saying of him “a valuable asset to any musical organization,” “a truly unique musician,” “Mr. Varela belongs in the top bass players in the industry and his impressive resume confirms my words,” “a fine example of talent that is essential to the scene,” and “top notch proficiency on his instrument as well as a complete understanding of the history and details of the jazz art form.”

In addition to sideman work, Varela leads his own projects. This includes a European tour which featured a festival headlining performance of the music of his debut album “San Ygnacio” at the historic Jazz á Liège festival in Liege, Belgium. This project (Marcos Varela featuring Billy Hart)‬ shared a billing with Fred Hersch‬'s Trio at the festival. He also headlined leading an all star quartet at Prishtina’s Jazz Week in Kosovo, in March of 2020. He opened for the Legendary Mavis Staples with his “San Ygnacio project” in his hometown of Houston, TX at Discovery Green in October 2021 and most recently headlined the 30th anniversary of the Bilbaina Jazz Association in Bilbao, Spain at the beautiful and historic Teatro Arriaga Antzokia in December 2021. Varela’s newest projects include “One Mind,” recently released on the Spanish label Fresh Sound Records, with pianist Peter Zak, as well as Seamus Blake and Billy Drummond. Another project on the same label “Illumination” featuring Rob Garcia, Marcos Varela, John O’Gallagher, and ‪Noah Preminger,‬ was the most recent release on December 15th, 2020. 

Marcos was also a recent recipient of a South Arts “Jazz Road” grant and a Creative Capital fellow and Awardee

Marcos is an NS Design, Aguilar Amplification, Kolstein, Thomastik-Infeld Strings, Fishman, Mono Creators, and Fodera Artist.

Tomoko Funaki was born in Japan into a musical family. Following in the footsteps of her parents, both musicians, she studied classical violin and flute. A move to New York exposed her to a broad range of musical genres but she found herself increasingly drawn towards jazz. After moving to San Francisco in 2002, she began studying upright bass and quickly immersed herself into the San Francisco jazz scene, studying and performing with luminaries including Ray Drummond, Rodney Whitaker, Rufus Reid, the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, Andrew Speight, Vince Lateano, Mark Levine, Donald "Duck" Bailey, Allan Harris and Denise Perrier. She has also been involved in jazz education programs such as ‘Stanford Jazz Workshop’ and SFSU ICA ‘The Generations Jazz Project’ in recent years.

tomoko-funaki.com

Over the past 12 years, Jonathan Seiberlich has become a prominent member of the San Francisco Bay Area’s vibrant music scene. On any given night you may hear him perform with the San Francisco Symphony, the Nomad Session Wind Octet, Jazz Mafia collective, Circus Bella, and Kyle Athayde Dance Party. Jonathan has also performed alongside internationally renowned acts such as Sigur Ros, Ben Folds, Veronica Swift, Peter Apfelbaum, Josh Jones, and The California Honeydrops. 

Jonathan formed the Seiberlich Quintet in 2024 to explore music that combines “Classical” composition with avant-garde improvisational music. 

The debut record “Isolation Suite” features Danny Lunin-Laden(trombone), Mike Olmos(trumpet), Raffi Garabedian(tenor saxophone), and Scott Amendola(drums).