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13th Annual North Beach Jazz Fest, July 25-29th 2007 in San Francisco |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 09 July 2007 |
 Bernard Purdie
Kicking off on Wednesday July 25th and spreading over the next five days, the visionary folks from Sunset Promotions and Alistair Monroe bring you what has been lovingly referred to as the "Soul of San Francisco." The festival draws thousands to San Francisco's most hallwoed neighborhood and boasts an abundance of free programming, making it San Francisco's foremost urban music festival. In its thirteenth year, this independently owned and produced festival presents a collection of musicians who continue to push jazz into the future, while honoring its glorious past. Each show defines a theme, and then presents artists who represent its past, present, and future.
North Beach Jazz Fest has purposely maintained a distinctly grassroots, homegrown feel by consistently featuring local talent, and incorporating the neighborhood's unique jazz culture into the festivities. Almost every club, restaurant, café, and venue in the area has a part in the festivities and much to gain from the massive attendance. At the same time, the Festival always does its best to bring in treats from around the world, this year represented by Senegalese phenoms Daara J., And as always NBJF features a good dose of New Orleans flavor, this year personified by John Cleary and the Stooges Brass Band. This year the event's Thursday ("Latin Jazz") and Friday ("Jazz Forward") night shows have been expanded into "block party" style multi-venue-one-cover extravaganza centering on the festival's flagship venue, Mojito.
"This is definitely not your father's jazz festival," says founder Alistair Monroe. "The North Beach Jazz Fest is about hosting a great party in one of the city's most dynamic and storied neighborhoods. We bring people together to celebrate the cultural heritage of this neighborhood and this city."
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25:
"Jazz on Grant"
"Jazz on Grant" kicks off the NBJF every year with free jazz in more than a dozen clubs, cafes, bars and restaurants. This year the event will kick off at the SF Italian Athletic Club at 7pm with a performance by the Realistic Orchestra. Led by composer/trombonist/bassist Adam Theis, Realistic is a 20+ piece jazz orchestra composed from the "Jazz Mafia" collective. Other announced J.O.G. artists include Boca do Rio, Times Four, and NBJF legend BJ Papa.
2007 Jazz on Grant Schedule:
- SF Italian Athletic Club: Realistic Orchestra - 1630 Stockton St, 7pm
- All subsequent shows run from 8-11pm
- Mojito: Boca do Rio - 1337 Grant Ave
- Grant & Green: - 1371 Grant Ave
- Live Worms Gallery - TBA - 1341 Grant Ave
- Maggy McGarry's: - 1355 Grant Ave
- Royale: the Park - 1326 Grant Ave
- Ristorante Ideale: Gregory James - Grant Ave
- Cafe Trieste: BJ Papa - Grant @ Valejo
- Savoy Tivoli: Times Four - 1434 Grant Ave
- Dell'Uva: Kneebody - 1534 Stockton
- TBA - 1534 Stockton
- CAfe Divine: TBA - 1600 Stockton
- Columbus Cafe: PBR Street Gang- 562 Green
- Amante: Stephane Wrembel- 570 Green
- Café Roma: TBA - 526 Columbus Ave
- Café Figaro: TBA - 1318 Broadway
- Trattoria Pinocchio: TBA - 401 Columbus Ave
- Panta Rei: TBA - 431 Columbus Ave
- Steps of Rome: TBA - 348 Columbus Ave
- Joe Dimaggio's Chophouse: TBA - 601 Union Ave
- Northstar: TBA - 1560 Powell
- Pena Pachamama: TBA - 1630 Powell
- Washington Square Bar & Grill: - 1707 Powell
THURSDAY, JULY 26:
"Noche Latina"
"Latin Jazz Night" features artists who bring a decidedly Latin flavor. Mojito welcomes the latin-funk hop of San Francisco family-favorite Salvador Santana. The Grant & Green will feature Austin, Tx indie latin funk group Maneja Beto Royale will feature the traditional Colombian rhythms of Aluna Colombia. Latin Jazz night has been extended into 3 venues that will be running simultaneously with one wristband cover charge of $10. To but advance, click HERE. All four venues kick off at 9pm. Django Reinhardt clone Stephane Wrembel will also play a happy-hour set at Mojito from 6-9pm.
- Salvador Santana plus Happy Hour set with Stephane Wrembel (6-9)@ Mojito - 1337 Grant Ave, @ Green
- Maneja Beto @ the Grant & Green - 1371 Grant Ave
- Aluna Colombia @ Royale - 1326 Grant Ave
FRIDAY, JULY 27:
"Jazz Forward"
"Jazz Forward" features artists that are trying to bring jazz into the future, or who have incorporated jazz principles into futuristic music. Leading the charge is Dutch production trio Kraak & Smaak, who will be performing a DJ set. Known worldwide for their gentle fusion of organic acid jazz, funk, world beat and breaks, K&S is among the most sought-after remix groups on the planet. The Jazz Mafia is a bay area collective of the hardest working cats on the scene. Led by multi-instrumentalists Adam Theis and Joe Cohen, the Mafia is everywhere at once in many guises and lineups. For "Jazz Forward" they bring their 21st-century acid jazz styles direct to the Grant & Green. DJ Zeph recently celebrated the release of "Rise Up" with longtime collaborator MC Azeem on OM Hip Hop. He is among the city's most eclectic, and innovative beatslingers, capable of linking any number of genres seamlessly. For the "Jazz Forward" Zeph presents turntable jazz and live instrumentation, which he dubs DJ Zeph vs Million7 Sound. NBJF "Jazz Forward" will take place at Mojito & Royale, running simultaneously with one wristband cover charge of $10. Mojito opens at 6pm and Stephane Wrembel kicks off the music at 8pm. .
- Kraak & Smaak (DJ set-11:00pm), Stephane Wrembel (8pm) @ Mojito - 1337 Grant Ave, @ Green
- The Jazz Mafia @ Grant & Green -DJ Zeph vs Million7 Sound @ Royale - 1326 Grant Ave
SATURDAY, JULY 28
"World in the Park"
NO COVER - ALL AGES - HALELUYAH!
The first of two amazing days of free music in Washington Square Park features an all-star lineup of artists with a distinctly world flair. Bay Area latin acid jazz legends Los Mocosos will have the crowd jumping with their upbeat grooves. North Bay conscious reggae heroes Wisdom make their first NBJF appearance after huge sets at Reggae on the River and Sierra Nevada World Music. Though his father played NBJF in 2002, this will be the first Washington Square set for Latin rock first family member Salvador Santana. San Francisco's own Albino!has made waves by channeling the sound, spirit and massive lineup of Nigerian legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. New York's Stephane Wrembel has gained worldwide fame for his immense similarity to the style and sound of teh late great Django Reinhardt. Kinkysweet Records DJ Tom Thump is a San Francisco institution, playing every variety of music for over 20 years, including a major stake in the acid-jazz and broken beat movements. Sterling James has graced our stage with her voice and presence for 11 years. She currently can be heard on Energy 92.7 and KBLX
SATURDAY SCHEDULE (times subject to change)
- 12-1 Stephane Wrembel
- 1:20-2:20 Albino!
- 2:40-3:40 Salvador Santana
- 4:00-5:10 Wisdom
- 5:30-7 Los Mocosos
Washington Square Park
CORNER of COLUMBUS & UNION, San Francisco
NO COVER!!! | Noon-7pm | ALL AGES
SATURDAY, JULY 28: NIGHT SHOW
BERNARD PURDIE, GRANT GREEN JR. & FRIENDS
at MOJITO - 1337 Grant Ave, San Francisco 9pm $15
Legendary drummer Bernard Purdie and guitarist Grant Green Jr hold court at Mojito with a who's who of local talent. This is a ticketd show.
SUNDAY, JULY 29
"Jazz & Heritage in the Park"
NO COVER - ALL AGES - HALELUYAH!
Sunday represents the second of two sublime days of free music in bucolic Washington Square Park with a tribute to the sounds and sights of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. There are few artists on earth with the legacy of Bernard Purdie, who has played on more records than any living drummer. He will be joined by Blue Note hammond B3 organ legend Reuben Wilsonn and guitar wizard Grant Green Jr who will appear as the aptly named "Godfathers of Groove". A legend in his own right, John Santos has hammered his percussion rhythms with a who's who of latin jazz and salsa. Local acid jazz group Bucho has made quite a name for themselves for their chops and energy. New York's Stephane Wrembel has gained worldwide fame for his gypsey-jazz dexterity and taste. Chanteusse Megan Jacobs celebrates the recent release of her first solo album "Prosperity" and will will open the show, MOTION POTION will spin the breaks, and STERLING JAMES will MC. Sterling James has graced our stage with her voice and presence for 11 years. She currently can be heard on Energy 92.7 and KBLX.
SUNDAY SCHEDULE (times subject to change)
- 12-1 Megan Jacobs
- 1:20-2:20 Stephane Wrembel
- 2:40-3:40 John Santos
- 4:00-5:10 Bucho
- 5:30-7pm "The Godfathers of Groove": Reuben Wilson, Bernard Purdie, Grant Green Jr
Washington Square Park
CORNER of COLUMBUS & UNION, San Francisco
NO COVER!!! | Noon-7pm | ALL AGES
SUNDAY, JULY 29: NIGHT SHOW
REUBEN WILSON, BERNARD PURDIE, GRANT GREEN JR
at MOJITO - 1337 Grant Ave, San Francisco 9pm $15
Legendary drummer Bernard Purdie, organist Reuben Wilson and guitarist Grant Green Jr hold court at Mojito closing out the festival with an evening of acid jazz and boogaloo. This is a ticketed show. |
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 Monday, 01 December 2008
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