SFJazz 2013

[RainyDay]

Random thoughts...

First and foremost, I want SF Jazz to be successful. I continue to support the organization--even though I rarely go to events anymore--because I want jazz to survive by any means necessary. The new venue looks outstanding and is a real tribute to the folks who pulled it off. At some point, I will get over there and check it out.

Last night I went to Oakland Yoshi's to hear Joe Lovano. Since their format change, I rarely go. It was a bit of a flashback for me to be there on a Thursday for the 8pm set, which was always my favorite time. Lovano came out and before starting the set, delivered a heartfelt love poem to Yoshi's telling the crowd how much the club meant to him, how much he enjoyed playing there, what a wonderful venue it was, and how glad he was to be back. I love Oakland Yoshi's. It's intimate, you get squeezed into a tiny table with other jazz foamers, if you are lucky, and you get to hear the best that jazz has to offer. That is, until a couple years ago. The restaurant went from being good to great so the plus is having a yummy snack at the bar (or the restaurant) before the set. The staff is warm and friendly. Before Yoshi's changed their format, I used to joke that I was on Yoshi's payroll deduction plan. When I retired, I looked forward to spending even more time there. Oh, well.

There are rumors floating around that Yoshi's is having financial trouble. My biggest fear about the SF club was that it would tank and take Oakland with it. I wrote to Kaz and expressed those concerns. I hope the rumors are not true.

Today, the SF Chronicle reported on SF Jazz's opening with a picture of, among others, Joshua Redman and Joe Lovano playing together, which I was watching on the online streaming when the video crashed. The article stated

After years of planning, waiting and building it was hard to believe that the moment had arrived--that what organizers call the country's first stand-alone jazz concert hall was about to come alive with genuine musical greats playing in front of some of the city's most glamorous and powerful denizens.

The emphasis is mine. I hope the beautiful people don't get bored with SF Jazz like they did with SF Yoshi's. I hope the educational aspect of SF Jazz can sustain it along with others programs I've heard hinted at. The rich folks made substantial investments in SF Jazz so having a sense of ownership may serve it well. SF has always been fickle about jazz so I am hoping this is supported by folks outside of SF and it becomes a national treasure and not just a local venue.

Lovano was great last night, by the way. Just ridiculously great. He had two drummers, a pianist and Esperanza Spalding who missed most of the set due to an undefined instrument malfunction. I didn't realize she had gone missing until Lovano mentioned it. The rest of the band was just that good. Drummer no. 1was very good, drummer no.2 was amazing. Pianist, great, Ms. Spalding, good while we saw her. This was my first time seeing or hearing her playing music or arrangements that were not her own. She really is very good. They all seemed to be having a lot of fun playing together. The talking drum solos were off the hook. Drummer no. 2 managed to flip a cymball off the stand and almost into the audience. He was mortified and eveyone laughed. It was sort of like live TV in the 1950's but waaay better. They played Strayhorn, Dizzy, Parker, and several songs from his new CD "Cross Culture." Lovano ended the set thanking the audience and saying how much he loved Yoshi's audiences. Everyone clapped until hands went numb.

[Valerie]

Random thoughts...

First and foremost, I want SF Jazz to be successful. I continue to support the organization--even though I rarely go to events anymore--because I want jazz to survive by any means necessary. The new venue looks outstanding and is a real tribute to the folks who pulled it off. At some point, I will get over there and check it out.

Last night I went to Oakland Yoshi's to hear Joe Lovano. Since their format change, I rarely go. It was a bit of a flashback for me to be there on a Thursday for the 8pm set, which was always my favorite time. Lovano came out and before starting the set, delivered a heartfelt love poem to Yoshi's telling the crowd how much the club meant to him, how much he enjoyed playing there, what a wonderful venue it was, and how glad he was to be back. I love Oakland Yoshi's. It's intimate, you get squeezed into a tiny table with other jazz foamers, if you are lucky, and you get to hear the best that jazz has to offer. That is, until a couple years ago. The restaurant went from being good to great so the plus is having a yummy snack at the bar (or the restaurant) before the set. The staff is warm and friendly. Before Yoshi's changed their format, I used to joke that I was on Yoshi's payroll deduction plan. When I retired, I looked forward to spending even more time there. Oh, well.

There are rumors floating around that Yoshi's is having financial trouble. My biggest fear about the SF club was that it would tank and take Oakland with it. I wrote to Kaz and expressed those concerns. I hope the rumors are not true.

Today, the SF Chronicle reported on SF Jazz's opening with a picture of, among others, Joshua Redman and Joe Lovano playing together, which I was watching on the online streaming when the video crashed. The article stated



The emphasis is mine. I hope the beautiful people don't get bored with SF Jazz like they did with SF Yoshi's. I hope the educational aspect of SF Jazz can sustain it along with others programs I've heard hinted at. The rich folks made substantial investments in SF Jazz so having a sense of ownership may serve it well. SF has always been fickle about jazz so I am hoping this is supported by folks outside of SF and it becomes a national treasure and not just a local venue.

Lovano was great last night, by the way. Just ridiculously great. He had two drummers, a pianist and Esperanza Spalding who missed most of the set due to an undefined instrument malfunction. I didn't realize she had gone missing until Lovano mentioned it. The rest of the band was just that good. Drummer no. 1was very good, drummer no.2 was amazing. Pianist, great, Ms. Spalding, good while we saw her. This was my first time seeing or hearing her playing music or arrangements that were not her own. She really is very good. They all seemed to be having a lot of fun playing together. The talking drum solos were off the hook. Drummer no. 2 managed to flip a cymball off the stand and almost into the audience. He was mortified and eveyone laughed. It was sort of like live TV in the 1950's but waaay better. They played Strayhorn, Dizzy, Parker, and several songs from his new CD "Cross Culture." Lovano ended the set thanking the audience and saying how much he loved Yoshi's audiences. Everyone clapped until hands went numb.

Rainy: i am SO glad you got to have this evening!!! it must have been so nourishing for you. just wish i had been there with you!! you sure heard some of the best! hope to see you this year. i think our LACMA memberships have expired!! xoxo

[Peterdubya]

I love Yoshi's Oakland.

[BFrank]

I love Yoshi's Oakland.

Thanks for all you're great programming over there, Peter! I hope your new gig is going well.

Rainy: I echo your sentiments about the whole Yoshi's situation. I understand why they are doing what they are doing, but it's a shame to see the programming change so radically. Not unlike the transformation that Kimball's went through in its day, and ultimately they didn't survive. I hope Yoshi's doesn't suffer the same fate.

FWIW, I much prefer the Oakland Yoshi's, too. A much more intimate and friendly atmosphere. I live about 5 minutes away from the Fillmore location, but rarely go there.

[RainyDay]

Valerie: Haven't been back to LACMA since we met up with you. Did you notice that my Facebook banner is the vintage street lamp display? Haven't been to Harold and Belle's either but you will get an invite when I go.

BFrank: Yes, I understand too but it's just so sad. I've never been to the SF club. Talk about nowhere near regional transit. No Muni #38 for me that late at night.

Peter: It still seems weird to go to Yoshi's and not bump into you.