Vibraphone legend Bobby Hutcherson was born on this day in 1937. I first heard Bobby live in an SFJAZZ concert in 1999 celebrating three generations of vibraphonists featuring the great Milt Jackson and young lion Stefon Harris. It was an incredible night of music. I had the opportunity years later to ask Stefon Harris his thoughts on that evening and he was still mesmerized from that great night of music.

I most recently heard Bobby at Yoshi’s San Francisco for his pre-birthday concert. Bobby has had some health challenges in recent years but this night he was on fire. He played a 90 minute set of original compositions and standards including “I Thought About You”, “S’Wonderful” and a reflective rendition of “I’ll Be Seeing You.” In addition to being a fine musician, Bobby has a great sense of humor. There was even a moment during “S’Wonderful” when Bobby sang some of the lyrics. His stellar band included fellow vibraphonist Warren Wolf, Anthony Wilson on guitar, Glenn Richman on upright bass, Joe Gilman on piano, and Bobby’s son, Barry Hutcherson held down the drum chair which was previously held by drummer great Eddie Marshall who passed away last year.

Happy Birthday, Bobby! Please keep bringing us your wonderful music!

Photo Credit: James Knox

A Special Jazz Salute to Black History Month – February 1 thru March 4, 2012 – Jazz Heritage Center Lush Life Gallery – 1320 Fillmore Street – San Francisco. Opening reception and panel discussion on February 2 from 6-9pm. The panel discussion will be from 6-7pm in the Jazz Heritage Center Media Room and moderated by Norman K. Brown. Please come out!!!

I am pretty excited to be in the company of fellow artists, James Gayles and Jim Dennis for this exhibit.

Healthcare Benefit for Dayna Stephens – All-Star Musicians’ Tribute Monday July 4 at Yoshi’s San Francisco

Many of you know saxophonist Dayna Stephens as a popular face in the local Jazz scene. On Monday July 4th, The All-Star Bay Area Musician’s Community is coming together to support him while he waits on a dire kidney transplant and faces costly anti-rejection medications at a monthly rate of over $4,000 a month for an indefinite time period.

Special Guests Include: Marcus Shelby, Lavay Smith, John Santos, Ray Obiedo, Faye Carol, Kenny Washington, Mike Olmos & Wil Blades, to name just a few who are turning up in support.

Help a musician in need, while seeing a stellar jazz show at the same time!

Cost: $25 advanced / $35 at the door

Tickets can be purchased here:
http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/1940

If you are unable to attend, donations can be made at the following:
Chase Bank – The Attune Agency, Account number 925641219 OR
Send a check to made to: Attune Agency – 2588 Mission Street, Suite 215, SF, CA 94110
(Please Note: Dayna cannot accept contributions directly)

Photo Credit: James Knox

Song stylist Clairdee will be performing “Mad About Gershwin” at The Rrazz Room in the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco tonight. This is her Rrazz Room debut so let’s pack out the house.

I first saw Clairdee perform in 2002 at Yoshi’s Oakland. She featured the music of Rodgers & Hart that evening. We came in to select our seats near the end of her sound check. She came down and greeted people in the audience after she finished. It is a moment I will never forget and it has endeared me to her for life.

Clairdee is the consummate performer. No matter the genre of the song, she takes it and makes it her own. I love they way she can make the room stand still when she sings a beautiful ballad. You are in for a great treat tonight. See you there!

Photo Credit: James Knox

I cannot think of a better way to start off your Christmas than to see Clairdee’s 8th Annual Christmas Show at Yoshi’s San Francisco on Christmas Eve. This show sells out quickly so please get your tickets soon. See you there!!!

Trumpeter Ian Carey and his quintet will be playing at Coda in San Francisco on Wednesday, 10/13 from 7-11pm. Go see live music!!!

TERRENCE BREWER AND CITIZEN RHYTHM WILL PERFORM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2010, 9PM
AT YOSHI’S SAN FRANCISCO LOUNGE,
1330 FILLMORE STREET, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94115, 415.655.5600
$7

www.CitizenRhythm.com

Yoshi’s Lounge Website:
http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/1547

YOSHI’S SF ‘LATE NIGHT LIVE TUESDAY’S’ PRESENTED BY ‘BAY VIBES’

Bay Vibes Website:
http://www.bayvibessf.com/fr_bayvibes.cfm

(Alameda, CA, September 30, 2010) – Medeski, Martin, and Wood, SouLive, Miles Davis, and Cream get into a bar fight…it’s the closest imagery that describes the sound of San Francisco based music collective, ‘Citizen Rhythm’ (www.CitizenRhythm.com). Imagine the music of Mingus, Monk, Miles, and more fused with funk, hard rock, hip-hop, and odd-meter grooves.

Formed in 2009 by award winning San Francisco Bay area based guitarist, Terrence Brewer, ‘Citizen Rhythm’ is another evolution of fusion. Taking all of the musical styles Brewer grew up playing and marrying them together to create the best of all worlds – music that has booty-shaking grooves, is harmonically and rhythmically advanced, based on the open improvisation form that is jazz…and, at times, it rocks…hard.  Filling out the core lineup of ‘Citizen Rhythm’ are talented veteran Bay area musicians Michael Coleman (Beep!  Shumann’s Human’s) on Keyboards, Rob Rhodes (Ledisi, Mary Wilson, Fred Ross) on drums, and Gabe Davis on Electric Bass.

YOSHI’S SAN FRANCISCO Late Night Tuesday’s Live is a weekly event spotlighting the Bay areas hottest band in a sexy setting full of inspiring energy.  Come relax and enjoy some tasty sushi rolls served late or strap on your dancing shoes and get to work.  Yoshi’s local series in the lounge is the place to be for catching San Francisco’s cutting edge music in a world-renowned venue.

YOSHI’S JAZZ CLUB AND LOUNGE: 1330 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, 415.655.5600, http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/1547

Winner - SF Weekly “Best Jazz Artist” Award
Winner – Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce ”Artist of the Year” Award
Winner - Bay Area Blues Society ”Best Jazz Group” Award

www.CitizenRhythm.com
www.terrencebrewer.com
www.strongbrewmusic.com
www.myspace.com/terrencebrewer
www.Twitter.com/TerrenceBrewer
www.FaceBook.com/Terrence.Brewer

Media Contact:

Terrence Brewer
Info@TerrenceBrewer.com
510.755.2821

Photo Credit: James Knox

Vesta – vocals
Glen Pearson – keyboards
Craig T. Cooper – guitar
Curtis Ohlsen – bass guitar
Dante “Taz” Roberson

I went to see Vesta Williams at The Rrazz Room last night. It was like catching up with an old friend whom you had not seen for years. Vesta opened her 90 minute set with a fiery rendition of her classic “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” She then took us on a musical journey through her classics and recent recordings. She sang David Gates and Bread’s “I Want To Make With You.” It was sultry and steamy and she traded scat licks with guitarist Craig T. Cooper. On Bill Withers’ “Use Me,” she got a little help on background vocals from an audience member whom she invited on stage and was able to keep up with Vesta’s mesmerizing vocals. Next in our journey, she did an incredible a cappella medley of Deniece Williams’ “Free”, Sly Stone’s “If You Want Me To Stay”, The Spinners’ “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love”, Marvin Gaye’s “Distant Lover” and several of her own gems – “4U,” “Sweet, Sweet Love,” “Hunger”, and “You Still Do It For Me.” She asked the audience what they wanted to hear and they called out all her classics. I should also mention that in between songs, Vesta did hilarious impersonations of Patti LaBelle, Michael McDonald, and Tina Turner. Vesta closed out the evening with her signature song, “Congratulations” and she moved every soul in the room. She took us from sad to celebratory for she told us though she had lost a love, she still had a friend in Jesus. Yes, she took us to church! She put so much of herself in this song that she was almost in tears at the end. That is the power of a great song and a great singer. She sang every note to the fullest. She encored with one of my favorites, “Don’t You Blow A Good Thing.” I definitely want to here more of her music real soon.

Her incredible band included her longtime friend Craig T. Cooper on guitar and Bay Area favorites Glen Pearson on keyboards, Curtis Ohlsen on bass guitar and Dante “Taz” Roberson on drums.

I got meet her after the show and she was wonderful. Her next album, Seven, will be released in July and the first single will be “Silly.” I asked her about her album title and she said, “Seven is her seventh project and seven is a number of completion.” Be on the lookout for Vesta!

Photo Credit: James Knox