Rich Flynn performs tonight Upstairs, bringing his unique sound to the rock and classic acoustic tunes you know and love. Rich also plays lead electric guitar in "Finding Stella", an up and coming bay area original band, and also in the cover bands "Public Eye" & "The Primates" around the bay area. Please see Rich's website for more info. Rich says: "I always take requests, but I don't always give them back ..."
Joe Aspatore is a native of the Bay Area, Born and Raised in San Francisco.
Joe started playing guitar at the tender age of 8 and has many influences in his career; mostly folk, as to his own admission, “didn’t own an electric guitar until he was 17”. A veteran of the steel string; who claims inspiration from such artists as Crosby Stills and Nash, Peter Green, and Dave Mason.
Joe did his stint in the late 70's and 80’s as a hired player for local bands and acoustic ensembles.
He is content now to be back where he started, on the acoustic guitar.
His sparse textural guitar stylings of finger picking, and slide, accompanied by a rich tenor voice, are a pleasure to see, hear, and feel.
Beginning April 26, veteran jazz saxophonist Bryan Girard will be performing every Sunday at Benicia's First St. Cafe from 2:00 to 5:PM. Girard is well known in these parts, having run the wildly popular jazz program at The Shoreline Restaurant for over five years until its demise last October. He will be appearing with various small groups in the intimate upstairs room at the Cafe, a space seemingly designed for jazz. With its expansive bay view, comfortable seating and excellent acoustics, music lovers can enjoy great food and an extensive wine list while soaking up some of the best jazz to be found in the North Bay."
Girard has been entertaining jazz audiences around the bay and around the world for over three decades. He has performed with many of the top players and continues to expand his repertoire with original compositions as well as the best standards of the genre. You can learn more about the man and his music, as well as listen to some samples, at www.bryangirardjazz.com.
Keith Little is a nationally acclaimed bluegrass musician, recording artist and composer. He is an amazing vocalist and honorary lifetime member of the California Bluegrass Association. Jim Nunally is a nationally acclaimed bluegrass musician as well. He is a two-time Western Open Flatpicking and Master Guitar Picking Champion. These guys are the real deal! We are so lucky to have these guys performing Upstairs! Don't miss this exciting music!
Nancy's life experiences are evident in the lyrics and melodies of her original music. She captures and distills the moments and moods during all types of weather: spirited and feisty, reflective and romantic - catching the feeling of a person, place or situation and produced in a variety of styles - country, folk, torch, Caribbean, and gospel. Her melodic and soulful voice has been described as a blend of Tracy Chapman and Joan Baez.
Joanne Weil Heald & Charolette Gibb
Date:
Saturday, October 10
Time:
8:00pm - 11:15pm
Event Category:
Country, bluegrass, folk
Description:
Once again Joanne & Charlotte blend their voices to bring their audience a rich repertoire of country and swing favorites in the Americana style. Listeners will appreciate the "sooth & groove" soulfulness these ladies offer while accompanied by an all acoustic band of talented instrumentalist. For a sampling of their sound go to either http://www.jwheald.com or http://www.charlottegibb.com/.
Andrea Claburn - New to our Venue - Jazz on Sunday Afternoon!
An exciting new voice on the San Francisco jazz scene, Andrea Claburn brings a warm, rich tone and improvisational energy to classic swing, bebop, and modal jazz.Classically trained in piano and violin - and schooled by master jazz vocalists including the great Nancy King - Andrea brings a musician’s depth to vocal jazz performance. “Smart, sexy, and sophisticated,” she has performed at clubs throughout the Bay Area, including Savanna Jazz, Kelly’s of Alameda, Octavia Lounge, and the JazzSchool with local luminaries such as Larry Dunlap, Jim Zimmerman, Peter Barshay, Sheldon Brown and Buca Necak. “Andrea has it all: a great voice and rhythmic sense, musical chops, warmth, intellect, and wit.” -Suzanne Pittson
OPEN MIC NIGHT - Upstairs tonight!!!
Date:
Thursday, October 15
Time:
7:30pm - 10:30pm
Event Category:
Open Mic
Description:
Come join us for an Open Mic night with Deborah Kuhl as M.C.!
Sign up starts at 7:00 pm and performances start at 7:30pm. Come enjoy some terrific local talent or signup and share your music with all of us!
BYOG & BYOM (bring your own guitar and bring your own music)!!
There will be a sound system, piano and microphone set up.
Hope to see you there!
Steve Meckfessel - New to our venue!!! Come up and say hello!!!
Steve Meckfessel started writing songs at the tender age of 13. His early days were spent playing bass guitar and singing harmony in ‘Size Five’, a popular teenage rock and roll band in Sacramento . In his college years he formed an acoustic folk duo with a close friend in Santa Cruz . Ten years ago, after two decades of musical darkness, he pulled his dust covered guitar out of the attic and began to write again, but the new songs explored themes brought on by age and maturity—songs of family secrets, of long forgotten poets, of separateness, connection, of second chances and acceptance. Steve’s first CD, ‘Twice’ was used on the television show ‘JAG’—he is finishing his second CD, ‘Under Beautiful Skies’, which is being produced by Keith Greeninger. He is a guitar player’s songwriter—his songs are distinguished by their varied voicings and unexpected chord progressions. From 2003 up until last year, he played lead guitar and sang in the Orinda based rock and roll cover band, Stone Soup. He lives in Alameda .
Rich Flynn - Upstairs Tonight!!!
Date:
Saturday, October 17
Time:
8:00pm - 11:15pm
Event Category:
Rock & Roll, Oldies
Description:
Rich Flynn performs tonight Upstairs, bringing his unique sound to the rock and classic acoustic tunes you know and love. Rich also plays lead electric guitar in "Finding Stella", an up and coming bay area original band, and also in the cover bands "Public Eye" & "The Primates" around the bay area. Please see Rich's website for more info. Rich says: "I always take requests, but I don't always give them back ..."
