Review + Photos: Jazz Mafia’s “Future Standard” at the Pod Patio
Jazz Mafia's “Future Standard” (photo: Jon Bauer) Jazz Mafia’s “Future Standard” explores the world of current pop music through the lens of the jazz musician. This tradition of reshaping popular songs goes back as far as the roots of jazz: A popular song gets reimagined by musicians outside of the pop genre (in this case, incorporating improvisation), which then gets recorded, sampled, and incorporated into the next generation of pop music...and a cycle is born. Thus the music of Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish & Little Dragon (etc.,) are the standards of the future. Tune in (for free) to Jazz Mafia Tuesdays [...]
Review + Photos: Cosa Nostra Strings at the “Pod Patio”
Cosa Nostra Strings (photo: Jon Bauer) Here and there around the Bay Area, shows are still happening — with some obvious changes to the usual live-music experience. Here's what it was like for our photographer Jon to experience Jazz Mafia's Cosa Nostra Strings' new "Pod Patio" series, performed in a backyard in Oakland and livestreamed to YouTube. This week featured Lilan Kane on vocals. Seats for you and your pod at future concerts will be raffled off weekly — keep an eye on Jazz Mafia's Instagram for more info.
Photos: KISS at Oracle Arena
KISS (photo: Jon Bauer) In what will undoubtedly be one of the last big shows in the Bay for the foreseeable future, last week saw Oakland Arena get rock and rolled all night by the legendary KISS in what they have hailed as their final tour, set to in end 2021. They were joined by David Lee Roth, who gave great energy in setting the party tone of the night. Our photographer Jon Bauer has an excellent gallery from the night that you can check out below, and we hope we have more amazing photos like these again soon. [...]
Photos: Laurie Anderson at SFJAZZ
Laurie Anderson (photo: Jon Bauer) Pioneering and, in every sense of the word, legendary artist Laurie Anderson finished up a four-night residency at the SFJAZZ last Sunday evening. The first three nights of her residency included collaborations with other artists, with the final night featuring just Anderson herself. Our photographer Jon Bauer captured the wonderful gallery below from the last night that you can check out below.
Photos: Pink Martini at SFJAZZ Center
Pink Martini (photo: Jon Bauer) Pink Martini — the sprawling group with a number of musicians and known for performing a mixture of classical, jazz, and pop — has been around for 25 years now. Last week, they celebrated the many hits of their career at SFJAZZ Center, and our photographer Jon Bauer was at the show to capture the gallery from the night. Take a look at the excellent shots below.
Review + Photos: Joanna Newsom at the Herbst Theatre
Joanna Newsom (photo: Jon Bauer) Multi-instrumentalist Joanna Newsom performed two sold-out nights last week at the Herbst Theatre, showcasing her talents and unique style to a passionate crowd ready to appreciate the artist's live show. It was one of the few sporadic residencies the singer has done in the past year, and the Bay was lucky to be graced with Newsom returning home to perform. Our photographer Jon Bauer has the excellent gallery from the night below for you to check out.
Photos: Ben Folds with the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall
Ben Folds with the San Francisco Symphony (photo: Jon Bauer) Last Tuesday saw a very special show at Davies Symphony Hall where piano man Ben Folds held a unique performance with the San Francisco Symphony. It was a night that celebrated his songs that span his now decades-long career, from his solo work to his rock band work, and our photographer Jon Bauer was the the show that night to capture the gallery that you can check out below.
Photos: The San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival 2019 at Cafe du Nord
Ali & The Thieves Conspiracy of Beards Kugelplex (photo: Jon Bauer) The first night of the San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival, "A Celebration of Leonard's Music, Poetry, Insight & Humor" was put on this weekend at Cafe du Nord by a lineup of lovers of the musician/poet's work. The night did feature some performances and interpretations of the legendary writer's songs, but his work spans beyond just his music and the show reflected that, including readings, recitations, and reflections on Leonard's body of work. Check out the gallery below of a somber night of appreciating one of our greatest contributors to [...]
Photos: Beats Antique at the UC Theatre
Beats Antique (photo: Jon Bauer) Experimental world-based band Beats Antique played a homecoming show at the UC Theatre in their typical extraordinary style. Each show is different than the last with setpieces and costumes, which made this Halloween-theme show aptly timed. They were supported by another Oakland band, Sun Hop Fat, and our photographer Jon Bauer captured the dynamic gallery below that you can check out.
Photos: Tenacious D at the Masonic
Tenacious D (photo: Jon Bauer) The immortal and wonderful Tenacious D stopped by the Masonic in support of their latest release, Post-Apocalypto. Supporting Jack Black and Kyle Gass was Wynchester and our photographer Jon Bauer has a gallery from the night that you an check out below.