Evan Thomas has that thang. It’s in his inner soul, and that feeling which captures a down home essence, the foot stompin’, and head – nodding style, of the old Mississippi delta

 and  Chicago Blues. 

 It’s the grit, in his soulful voice and his cryin’ guitar which sets him apart. Evan Thomas’s classic, electric blues guitar style, is influenced by some of the great guitar players of our time. The Evan Thomas Blues Band also features Wally Schnalle on drums, George Franklin on Bass and Noel Catura on Sax. The Band is experienced and packs a potent performance, full of style and tone. Something fans of the Blues will not soon forget. This energetic and High Energy Funky Soulful Blues Band has opened for Great Acts such as Curtis Salgado, Tommy Castro, Daniel Castro and Tia Carroll. They Have performed at venues and Festivals such as San Jose Jazz Fest, Martinez Blues Festival,  Gilroy Garlic Festival, Folsom Chicken Festival , Poor House Bistro, The Powerhouse Pub, The Phoenix, Bankhead Theater, Almost Famous Wine Co, Impulse Room, Lillte Lou's BBQ,  Roxx on Main, Just to name a few. If you are looking for a great show with some fine musicians, And want to be entertained and have a bunch of FUN,  then The Evan Thomas Blues Band is a great fit for you!

In his extensive musical career, Danilo has played with extraordinary internationally known musicians such as Ray Barretto, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, Dizzy Gillespie, and Carlos Santana. He demonstrates some of his best work on bongo and vocals on Ruben Blades' CD, "Ruben Blades and Son del Solar, Live!" In addition to having released three albums of his own original Salsa music, in recent years he has performed with Poncho Sanchez and Tito Puente, Jr.  From his experience of playing with such notable artists, Danilo chose only top-notch musicians when it came to putting together his own band, Orquesta Universal. They perform extensively at clubs and festivals, as well as for private parties, in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, playing a full spectrum of Latin music, including Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, Cumbia, Reggaeton, Latin Jazz, as well as Swing, R&B, and Jazz Standards. Live performance videos of both Danilo's music groups and Danilo performing with some of the artists mentioned above are available on his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/danilopaiz

Aaron Wolf 

Aaron Wolf, is making a name for himself in the American reggae scene, expanding his following from his firm roots in the SoCal market. Following the independent release of his debut EP, Greater Than Self, which has over 500,000 streams to date, Aaron Wolf has been able to find his audience and connect with key members of his Wolfpack music Tribe as well as his band. Aaron Wolf has shared the stage with acts such as Slightly Stoopid, KBong, Brandon Hardesty, Howi Spangler, Fortunate Youth, Vana Liya, Sensi Trails, the Elovaters, Johnny Cosmic, Kyle Smith, and more. 

Koosh

 Saxena is a guitarist and singer-songwriter based

 in the seaside town of Capitola in Santa Cruz, California. Over

 the last decade and a half Saxena has been a member of several bands, the most notable of those being Little Envy

 who, once signed to Housework Records, carried out a handful of shows and tours

 in the US alongside the likes of Armor for Sleep, I the Mighty, and Emarosa.

After working with producers Reto Peter and Ed Clare, he released his solo debut EP in 2020 and his self-titled album in 2021. Influenced by a plethora of genres and world sounds the album displays Saxena's flair on the acoustic guitar alongside inspiring lyricism. ‘Trying My Best' and ‘Tide' start off with an exotic sitar introduction before launching into a groovy alt-rock number. ‘Spiraling' and 'Misbehavin'

 exhibit a jazzy aura, dominated by minor chords and a chorus of trumpets that carry the song's momentum. If these tracks are anything to go by, they're a sign of good things to come from Saxena as we head into the new decade.

The self-titled record is out now on Spotify, Apple Music

 and all other digital platforms, along with three music videos available on  YouTube.

Jump start your Valentine celebrations with award winning vocalist, Nicolas Bearde, whose style is influenced by the likes of Lou Rawls, Nat “King” Cole and Bill Withers. His smooth baritone sound, wit and engaging rapport, honed by years on the road, draws audiences across the globe into his live performances. In a career that has spanned over 35 years,

Bearde, born and raised in Nashville, TN has earned a unique place in the contemporary male vocal jazz scene having performed, toured and/or recorded with jazz legends such as Nat Adderley, Jr. Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander, Bobby McFerrin, and Bernard Purdie,...

Manny Martinez has been a staple in the SF salsa scene for over 25 years singing for Louie Romero's Mazacote, Azabache, Jesus Diaz y su QBA, Josh Jones, Vibrason, La Rebeldia, Los Mocosos and various other great Bay Area bands. 2023 marks Manny's solo venture singing mostly original tunes as well as some classic covers.

The soulful Oakland-based vocalist Lilan Kane (LEE - lawn) returns to Blue Note with her signature vocal blend of jazz, R&B, and blues infused into her latest musical endeavor:  Lilan Kane Sings Nancy Wilson. With classic renditions of Nancy’s iconic songs as well as  fresh rearrangements, Lilan and her band honor one of the greatest vocalists of all time. 

ABOUT LILAN:  A graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Kane has sold out numerous residencies at Yoshi's Oakland and SFJAZZ as well as performances at Minton's Playhouse (NYC), Chris's Jazz Cafe (Philly), French Quarter Festival (New Orleans), Concord Pavillion, The Mint (LA), Fillmore Jazz Festival and many others. 

 

“A sweetly soulful voice” - Mercury News

Her songs have been featured on KCSM, WGBO, Jazziz.com, Soulandjazz.com, Soultracks.com, Thisisrnb.com and others. Her new single "TKMO" pays homage to the challenges of quarantine as well as one of her favorite artists Roy Ayers. 

Kane has sung with Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra, and opened for Hall & Oates, Lenny Williams, Freddie Hughes, The Doobie Brothers, Chicago, Sharon Jones, Trombone Shorty, and Morgan james.

J. C. Smith winner of the 2017 ECEM Male artist 0f the year, Metro Newspapers Best Of Silicon Valley “Best Original/local Band”, and 2006 Bay Area Blues Society West Coast Blues Band of the Year award winner is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an outstanding performer noted for his energy and charisma. Prior to playing guitar, he was the drummer for the Back to Back Blues Band. In 2000, he emerged from behind his drums, armed with a Gibson 335. J. C. attacks the Blues as if he is being guided by the masters like T-Bone Walker, Albert King, and Johnnie Guitar Watson. The J. C. Smith Band’s current release “Defining Cool” is by far the best recording to date. Listed for the 52nd Grammy Awards for “Best Contemporary Blues CD,” it entered the Living Blues Radio Charts at #16 and was a “Pick to Click” on XM Radio. After 20 weeks on the Roots Report, the CD climbed the charts as high as #25 nationally. In 2004, Smith released “That’s What I’m Talk’n ‘Bout,” co-produced by Grammy Award Nominee Joanna Connor. This CD shows masterful songwriting, outstanding arrangements, and traditional quality. It features a host of Chicago players including Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, who worked with the Muddy Waters Band for twenty years. 2001 marked the release of Smith’s first effort “Midnight Creeper” which brought him international attention. Smith has toured throughout the United States, Eastern Europe, Mexico,South America,and Russia,to sell out crowds. Smith has work with and shared the stage with notable artist such as Hubert Sumlin, B,B, King, Buddy Guy, Buddy Miles, Son Seals Willie Bigeyes Smith, Pinetop Perkins and many more. He is also known as radio personality Johnnie Cozmik on KKUP F.M. J. C. feels that his goal in life is “To keep the Blues alive and take the message to the people.”

Instrumentation

Douglas Mancini (Bass) Has work a number of years with this unit , including our second Canadian Tour. Prior to that he worked with James Armstrong, Chris Cain, and a host of bands in the Los Angelas area.

Noel Catura (Sax) One of the Bay Areas Best. Noel has worked with Joe Louis Walker, Chris Cain, Bobby Wamack, Charles Brown, Sista Monica, and the list goes on.

Gene Reynolds (Vocals) formally with Gregarious Move

Scott Porter (keys) is an all around pro. He delivers a one two punch that will rock your socks off…

Tim Richard ( Drums) Worked with The John Lee Hooker Band and recorded with a host of other top player including John Lees Grammy winning LP Jealous,

This band of seasoned players is a true Blues band with one goal in mind…keeping the Blues alive.

 "Conga Drummer and lead singer Edgardo Cambón and his 4tet “LaTiDo” will set Mama Kin’s dance floor on fire with their high energy repertoire spanning from Mambo, Cha-Cha-Chá, Guajira, Cumbia, Merengue, to Bachata and Timba!

Do not miss the rare opportunity to see and hear up and close this amazing line up of young and veteran Bay Area Latin music masters.”

Although born and raised in Richmond, California, Andre's French-Kreole heritage is deeply rooted in Louisiana. He embarked on a path with specific knowledge and extraordinary talents at a very young age. True to his culture and love of music, he has crafted a career well beyond his years as an artist. 

Andre grew up experiencing the French Kreole (La-La) dances his grandparents held at their church parish, St. Mark's Catholic Church. The best Zydeco musicians Louisiana had to offer traveled to California to play at these dances. The exposure allowed him to develop his love for traditional French Kreole music. Andre regularly played with visiting bands, such as the late John Delafose and many local Zydeco and Cajun bands, including the late Danny Poullard (California Cajun Orchestra). By age twelve, Andre formed his band, "Zydeco Magic." Andre is self-taught and constantly increases his repertoire.

In his 30's, he had already been deemed a legend. There is widespread agreement that he is an exceptional, multi-dimensional musician with a finely honed ability to merge his accordions with musical mastery. 

The Washington Post called Andre "A master at pumping out fast, funky rhythms on an instrument not usually associated with earthy syncopation. A versatile student of the music, Thierry can't be lumped into Zydeco's old-school R&B-influenced camp or its nouveau, rap-inspired one: He and his band lay down both soulful, traditional slow-dances and bottom-end-booming kinetic groovers."

Michael Tisserand, author of The Kingdom of Zydeco, considered the definitive book on the history of Zydeco music, wrote,"In America, great migrations produce great music. Just as Delta musicians took Highway 61 to Chicago and electrified their blues, so did the Kreoles and Cajuns migrate to California and establish vital dance communities. Now the California scenes rival anything back home in Louisiana, and that's due to players like Andre Thierry, a standard-bearer for the new generation. Thierry is among the best of both the West Coast and the Gulf Coast, and he combines youthful vigor with a mature appreciation for his inherited tradition."

 Andre's style isn't conventional; he and his accordions provide a signature sound by creating magnetic, sonic landscapes. The rhythmic songs drive an atmospheric blend, giving his band a powerful edge, naturally building a dedicated following through performing, touring, and a string of album recordings like "It's About Time," "A Whole Lotta Somthin" and "Are You Ready To Learn".  

Thierry leaves his musical imprints on recordings like "Live! At the Woodshop", "Kreole United, Non-Jamais Fait" and "Kreole United, Tu Kekchause A' Korrek", even when singing, songwriting, and producing with a collective of artists, while their contributions are discernible, 

In his "Bouncin With The Blues" album, Thierry performs songs written or popularized by music legends:  Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Albert King, and Clifton Chenier. Breaking all accordion stereotypes, unforgettable performances with Sammy Hagar (gritty hard Rocker) and David Hildago (influential Latin singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist) showcased fabulous fusion with Andre in his musical zone and pumping genre-bending sounds.

The Accordion defies all national and continental borders. Andre Thierry was the first American artist to perform in the Akkordeonale, International Festival (Program 2016). Representing the USA — Impelling Blues with Kreole Roots- Andre celebrated with audiences touring Germany, delivering awe-inspiring performances, coming together with musicians in a vivid interchange. Though the musicians came from different cultural backgrounds and musical styles, they shared the language of music, creating a thrilling coexistence on stage.

Forthcoming about his journey, Andre Thierry's music creations are intoxicating and timeless. Enjoy the unfolding of this charismatic artist as he vibrates Accordion Soul, raising the frequency with stimulating beats, attracting any music lover to the dance floor! 

Before moving back up to the Bay Area Jim recorded his first recording of all original music (“Give and Take”) featuring an all-star cast including Ernie Watts, Russ Ferrante, Marc Johnson, Ralph Penland and John Abercrombie. After relocating to the Bay Area he formed a new band performing the material from “Give and Take”. His group, featuring saxophonist Dann Zinn, drummer Wally Schnalle and pianist Murray Low performed at the San Jose, Monterey and Stanford Summer Jazz festivals.  Later Jim toured Italy multiple times with both the San Jose Jazz Festival Quartet and the Gulio Capiozo Quintet.  Currently Jim is a faculty member (Professor of Jazz Guitar Studies) at both San Francisco State and Santa Clara Universities. 

Mike Blankenship is a musical force of nature. Musician, composer, arranger, collaborator — his partnerships include Lauryn Hill, Sheila E, Leon Bridges and Michael Franti & Spearhead. 

Trained in jazz piano, Mike knows all the rules and how to break them. He works in that space between what should be and what can be. The result is a wide range of styles and relevance inspired by influences from John Coltrane to Stevie Wonder to A Tribe Called Quest. 

Mike can build a musical experience to make those coveted emotional connections with your audience.  

Mike believes in supporting his community, he has formed a jazz/hip-hop trio named BLACKLONDON to help bring Oakland music back to its roots, giving Black musicians creative and financial opportunities in the increasingly gentrified Bay Area arts scene. He is also a Co-Founder of Yeah, Art!, a nonprofit bringing arts education to schools in historically marginalized communities.