Anna's Jazz Island - Meeting the Incredible Anna

Last Tuesday was a real pleasure for me. I went to Anna's Jazz Island for the first time (yes, my first time... after being here about a year!)

I walked in and immediately felt comfortable. It's kind of dark, but in a good way.. nice and cool (I mean the air, as well as the vibe), and the club is located in a great neighborhood in Berkeley.

So, I ordered some food and drink and started listening. Some talented people, for sure. The band was awesome! The drummer Joseph Earl and pianist John Burr and bassist - who was so good, but I got interrupted before getting his name.

Anna performed and I discovered why she has her own jazz club. :) She has a real talent for pulling those words all over the place while she's singing. I like the dramatic way she phrases... it was a pleasure hearing her and meeting her near the end of the evening.

People seemed really interested in hearing more of me, so I hope to stop by again soon! I performed "Don't Worry Bout Me" (one of the songs on Anna's new album, it turns out!) and "Glory of Love."

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival - Photo Shoot and Realistic Orchestra (a Jazz Band)

Today Jason & the Argonauts (my band) did a photo shoot in Yerba Buena Gardens - such a beautiful spot - with our photographer Bobbie. We got some great shots (see the new photo gallery on Jason Brock Jazz), but we also heard and saw a cool jazz group while we were in the park.

As I have discovered, there is something called the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival that is going on pretty much all year round - and it's free! They are doing many different kinds of perfomance art there, but jazz is featured quite frequently! While we were there, Realistic Orchestra was playing.



They sounded pretty good to me. I wish I could have heard more! People were really into checking them out though, and there were lots of people just chilling in the grass watching the band perform. Looks like something I'm gonna check out again.

Jazz in Monte Rio

We, Jason & the Argonauts, performed at Café les Jumelles recently. It was a cool place - very relaxed and not a jazz club - more a restaraunt that serves incredible food (see the Yelp reviews) and a bar. Very casual and comfortable.



As you can see I made it to the gig in a sling... I really hurt my arm just a couple of days before - owww!!!

Also, we opened for a rock band called Hell 69! Wow... that is awesome. Their drummer (Drummin' Dave) actually sat in with us, too. Thanks for the help, Dave!



We may be showing up in Monte Rio sometime soon to perform again, but if you're wondering who else you might find performing jazz there, we hear that the Pink Elephant has jazz from time to time, too. And nearby Healdsburg has a lot going on - even the annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival!

An Evening at Savanna Jazz on Mission

So, I went out to Savanna Jazz with a fellow musician friend of mine, Gerald Beckett (He plays flute like no other!). We listened to the band led by a guy named Michael Jones - they were pretty tight, actually. They had a really young guy playing piano & sax there, too - he said he'd been playing there since he was even younger - cool! He was pretty good.



Gerald and I got a chance to play toward the end of the jam session there. I did Too Late Now and Autumn Leaves. It went pretty well. I know they work with all kinds of vocalists there, and they didn't know what to expect from me, but I think they were pleasantly surprised (I hope anyway!).

The amazing Gerald did a great song that I didn't know as well - and I'm having a total blank on the name of it! Anyway, great stuff and people were blown away by his talent, as usual. The audience appreciated my stuff as well, and asked us to return on Thursday night, when there will be another Open Mic/Jam Session that is more vocalist-centric.

I think I'll we'll be there.