May 11
Franc D’Ambrosio

Back by popular demand, Broadway singer Franc brings his new composite of hits from Hollywood. Best known as the longest-running “Phantom of the Opera, Franc won our hearts with his Broadway review at the Bach. Pianist Chuck Larkin. $35. francdambrosio.com

May 18
Hot Club of San Francisco

Celebrating the music of Django Reinhard and Stephane Grapelli’s pioneering Hot Club de France. This accomplished ensemble breathes new life into the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars plus original compositions from lead guitarist, Paul Mehling. $30. www.hcsf.com/

May 25
Vocalist, Nicholas Bearde Quartet

R&B vocalist and actor taps into black music's deeper currents with ballads of sophisticated singers such as Lou Rawls, Arthur Prysock and Nat "King" Cole. Oakland resident is one of Bobby McFerrin's original and ongoing "Voicestra" members, completing an east coast tour that includes Carnegie Hall. Bearde, who teaches a class entitled "The Soulful side of Jazz" at Berkeley's Jazz School -- the continuity between jazz vocals and soul music. Dancing second set. $30. www.nicolasbearde.com

Pianist/vocalist/songwriter Spencer Day, reveals the influences of composers from Gershwin to Lennon and McCartney. In his music, one can hear the vulnerability of Chet Baker or Jeff Buckley and the phrasing and swing of Ella Fitzgerald. His voice inspires comparisons to Harry Connick Jr. Critics call Spencer Day “the male counterpart to Norah Jones.” Yet Spencer’s musical style is all his own, fusing jazz, contemporary and folk/country genres. After his release of “Movie of Your Life”, David Wiegand of the SF Chronicle says, “Enough. Spencer Day doesn’t need to be compared to anyone anymore.” $30. www.spencerday.com

June 29
Jackie Ryan

Jackie Ryan’s last CD, "You And The Night And The Music" hit #1 Nationwide and stayed on the top of the charts for 34 weeks -- longer than any other artist on the charts. Jazz Times Magazine says Jackie is "one of the outstanding jazz vocalists of her generation and, quite possibly, of all time." Jackie will be performing music from her last CD as well as previewing some songs from her soon to be released CD. $30. www.jackieryanmusic.com

July 27
Joe Locke, Force of Four

Vibraphonist Joe Locke leads a unique new quartet, made so by the melding of four distinct musical personalities into a fresh sounding ensemble. The influences of New York, Cuba, Philadelphia and Puerto Rico come together in this group, as well as places traveled by these four player/composers. "This is one of the very best groups I've ever assembled", says Locke. "Whether the music is swinging hard, funky or delicate, these guys know how to squeeze the juice out of the material. Playing with this band is really rewarding."
Joe Locke (vibes), Robert Rodrigues (piano), Johnathan Blake (drums), Ricardo Rodrigues (bass). $30. www.joelocke.com/projects/fof.htm

August 10
The Eddie Gale Collective

Featuring: Eddie Gale (trumpet) San Jose’s Ambassador of Jazz; Kidd Jordan (saxophone) of New Orleans, known as one of the busiest musicians in the world; Dick Griffin (trombone) of New York, formerly with Rasaahn Roland Kirk; William Parker a leading avant garde New York bassist; Marcus Shelby who brings leadership to the big-band circuits of Northern California; and Joe Hodge (drums) of the South Bay, formerly with Maynard Ferguson. $30. www.eddiegale.com

August 17
The Jack Sheldon California Cool Quartet

Along with Lester Young in the 30s, Dizzy Gillespie in the 40s, and Zoot Simms in the 50s, Trumpeter, vocalist, actor, comedian Jack Sheldon is one of the Original Lions of the West Coast Sound.

Trumpeter . . . played an important role in developing the 1950’s bebop-inspired West Coast Scene and later featured on innumerable soundtracks. It was his sensuous trumpet solo that immortalized Johnny Mandel's "The Shadow of Your Smile" from the Taylor-Burton film "The Sandpiper”. Sheldon's collaborative list: Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Curtis Counce, Shelly Manne, Art Pepper, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Sammy Davis Jr., Rosemary Clooney, Diane Schuur and many other greats.

Singer . . . a “sublime vocalist”, Jack has been a featured singer on soundtracks like "Speechless” (MGM). Jack Sheldon's distinctive voice has been heard consistently over the years on numerous commercials, motion pictures, and animated shows.
Actor . . . made his acting/comedy debut on "The Steve Allen Show", appeared regularly on various television series including Dragnet and Star Trek-The Next Generation. Most notable was his 18 year association with The Merv Griffin Show as featured soloist, resident comedian and musical director. He guest-starred in several major motion pictures including “For The Boys”, starring Bette Midler. $35. www.jacksheldon.com

August 24
Ramana Vieira and Ensemble

Highly regarded “new voice of Portuguese world music.” The Ensemble produces unique blend of original compositions and the longing strains of traditional Portuguese Fado music.

Fado is the result of the 19th Century interactions between Portuguese, Arabic and Brazilian music performed by sailors far from home. It is synonymous to an indescribable sense of yearning, loss and homesickness that compares favorably with the raw emotion of American blues music or the soulful Gypsy roots of Spanish Flamenco.

Ramana Vieira (vocals), Marcie Brown (cello), Al Martinez (bass guitar), Didier Bouvet (guitar), Jeff Luiz (classical guitar), Steve La Porta (drums/percussion). $30. www.ramanavieira.net

While this Bay Area group's music also reflects more modern influences, it draws primarily from bands such as Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman and Count Basie.

Jim Rothermel (saxophones & clarinet/leader), Noel Jewkes (saxophones & clarinet), Steve Campos (trumpet & flugelhorn), Larry Vuckovich (piano), Al Obidinski (bass), Tony Johnson (drums), Trombone player to be named. $30. www.jimrothermel.com/

September 7
New West Guitar Quartet

Four award-winning guitarists from the Univ. of Southern California Flora L. Thorton School of Music bring their unique blend of four-part guitar harmonies to jazz standards, introducing a new sound to fans of jazz guitar – the improvisational elements of jazz with the performance standards of a chamber group. Perry Smith, John Storie, Brady Cohan, Matt Roberts. $30. www.newwestguitar.com/live/

September 14
San Francisco Comedy Competition

Details to be announced.

October 5
Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy

Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy has developed a unique “small big band” sound and is carrying on the tradition of many of the great drummer-led jazz bands (Art Blakey, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones and others); communicating with music lovers of all generations, striving for excellence and playing non-compromising, burning, straight-ahead jazz.

Featuring alto saxophonist Andy Fusco (Buddy Rich/Mel Lewis), tenor and soprano saxophonist Walt Weiskopf (Toshiko Akioshi Jazz Orchestra/Steely Dan), pianist Mark Soskin (Sonny Rollins), bassist Baron Browne (Billy Cobham/Jean-Luc Ponty) and drummer/bandleader Steve Smith (Journey/Steps Ahead) $35. www.myspace.com/stevesmithjazzlegacy