MJ'S BRASS BOPPERS, Afrika Bambaataa and More Set for Yoshi's San Francisco, Now thru 3/11

Thu, Feb 14, 8pm
Thu, Feb 14, 10pm
Fri, Feb 15, 8pm
Fri, Feb 15, 10pm

ALL SHOWS SOLD OUT!!!

Two Decades on, Mint Condition stands along with The Roots as the only high-profile examples of a self-contained, hit-making Black music band, and with Mint's emphasis on songs and great singing, the sole band carrying on the great tradition of R&B funk bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire, The Meters, War, The Commodores, Lakeside, Slave and many more that were an important, progressive element of the Black music scene in the '70s and '80s.
Read more here.

Sat, Feb 16, 8 & 10pm
8pm $46, 10pm $36
LINDA EDER
Accomplished Broadway singer & actress
Showcasing one of the greatest contemporary voices of our time, Linda Eder's diverse repertoire spans Broadway, standards, pop, country and jazz. As the tragic character "Lucy" in the Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde, Eder blew the roof off of New York's Plymouth Theatre each night as she belted out signature songs "Someone Like You" and "A New Life." Her Broadway debut, for which she was rewarded with a Drama Desk nomination, sent her already rapidly rising star blazing across the sky, securing her spot as one of America's most beloved singers and dynamic live performers. Read more here.

SupaBad Ent presents The R&B House Party Pt 2
Sat, Feb 16, 10:30pm, 21+
GA $25
Couple (Attendee +1 guest) $40

LAWRENCE BEAMON: From Renaissance to The Struggle of Paul Robeson
A Black History Program
Sun, Feb 17, 7pm
$20
Lawrence was one of 40 contestants selected to compete on NBC's hit show America's Got Talent, and made it to TOP 5, which garnered over 44 million viewers, Lawrence's powerful rendition of "Ole Man River" evoked powerful emotions in viewers, and brought the studio audience to their feet. He won the hearts of the judges and received millions of votes from fans across America and around the world - Lawrence made it to the final round of competition and toured in Las Vegas on America's Got Talent Live, hosted by Jerry Springer. Read more here.

Mon, Feb 18
Club and restaurant closed

Tue, Feb 19
Club and restaurant closed for a private event

KURT ROSENWINKEL
Jazz guitarist touring new album Star of Jupiter
Wed, Feb 20, 8pm
$22
Although one of the most emotive interpreters of standards repertoire, Rosenwinkel is also undoubtedly one of his generation's most prolific composers. The National Endowment for the Arts Composer's Award winner asserts that it is his writing which helped develop what has now become a singular voice in modern jazz. He also credits his Philadelphia hometown for a solid and communal musical upbringing, where he grew up in the midst of a robust music scene under the tutelage of influential jazz elders like Al Jackson, Eddie Green, Tyrone Brown, and his musical father figure, alto saxophonist Tony Williams. It's here that he had the platform to develop his distinctive voice, which has garnered international critical acclaim, and attention from such wide-ranging artists as Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson of The Roots, the legendary Eric Clapton, and Q-Tip formally of the iconic hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, with whom Rosenwinkel has been featured both live and on his highly regarded solo efforts, The Renaissance (2008) and Kamaal the Abstract (2009). (The renowned rapper also co-produced Rosenwinkel's exploratory 2003 release, Heartcore.) "I can't really control what comes out of me, compositionally speaking," says Rosenwinkel. "In fact, it's kind of like I'm discovering things that are already there when I'm writing so the process of composition is more about having a blank slate in my mind and then seeing what comes and then discovering things. I feel like it's less of a function of will than it is a function of just listening." Read more here.

CASSANDRA WILSON
2x GRAMMY-winning jazz singer and producers reinterprets vintage blues, country and folk music
Thu-Sat, Feb 21-23, 8 & 10pm
8pm $45, 10pm $36
Cassandra Wilson is a jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi. Described by critic Gary Giddins as "a singer blessed with an unmistakable timbre and attack who has expanded the playing field" by incorporating blues, country and folk music into her work. She began playing piano at six, guitar by the age of twelve and was working as a vocalist by the mid-'70s, singing a wide variety of material. After moving to New York City in the early '80s, Cassandra met saxophonist Steve Coleman and became one of the founding members of the M-Base Collective. She signed with Blue Note Records in 1992 and released a landmark album titled "Blue Light 'Til Dawn" which would pave the way for a new generation of jazz singers seeking an approach and repertoire that challenges the supremacy of the American Standard songbook. Wilson has continued interpreting in fresh and creative ways vintage blues, country and folk music up until the present day. Her awards include: two GRAMMYs, the Django D'Or, The Edison Music Award, a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail, and the 2012 Echo Award for Jazz. She also performed one of the leading roles in Wynton Marsalis' "Blood on the Fields," the first jazz work to receive a Pulitzer Prize. Read more here.

JOHN HANDY 80th Birthday Celebration
Jazz Heritage Center's 5th Anniversary Tribute to Jazz Legend John Handy for his 80th Birthday
Sun, Feb 24, 3-5pm
$80 VIP, $50 show only
Event will include a VIP Champagne Reception that will be followed by a musical Tribute emceed by JAZZ 91.1 radio personality Sonny Buxton. Performances include a special appearance by John Handy, pianist Glen Pearson, Guitarist Calvin Keys, Bassist Ron Belcher and more, Artist, curator and former Kearney Street Executive Director Nancy Hom will curate a John Handy exhibit opening in the Koret Heritage Lobby that day.

About John Handy: Jazz encyclopedias list John Handy as an alto saxophonist who also plays tenor and baritone saxophone, saxello, clarinet, oboe, and vocals. He is actually a consummate world musician and teacher who has devoted his life to using music to elevate the human spirit. His soulful and fiery saxophone style is instantly recognizable to generations of jazz fans world-wide. As a performer and composer he continues to sweep audiences into ecstasy with his vast range of creative, emotional, and technical inventiveness. With a superb knowledge and practical experience with music of several cultures, he fuses, with each selection, a musical genre that is coherent, provocative, logical, and enjoyable. As a singer, he brings a kind of storytelling narrative to the blues that is entertaining, educational, and moving; while his "up tempo" scat vocals could be compared to the best scat singers anywhere. He sings ballads with inventiveness that is rare among singers. Read more here.

YAELISA & Caminos Flamencos
Flamenco troupe led by Emmy award-winning dancer & choreographer Yaelisa
Sun, Feb 24, 7pm
$21
Caminos Flamencosmade history as the first ever flamenco troupe invited to present at Yoshi's San Francisco, playing to standing ovations and two sold-out concerts in 2011 and 2012 - this upcoming show will be no exception with the presence of an all-star cast of new and guest artists!

Yaelisa & Caminos Flamencos was founded by Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa. The recipient of numerous awards both locally and nationally, Caminos Flamencos boasts some of the finest flamenco artists in the U.S. today. Performing on this occasion will be the extraordinary flamenco guitarist Jason McGuire "El Rubio," one of the most watched guitarists on YouTube; phenomenal dancer from Spain, Oscar Valero, with guest singer El Grillo, top jazz and fusion drummer Joey Heredia and famed bassist Tim Levebvre, both direct from Los Angeles. Read more here.

Mon, Feb 25
Club and restaurant closed

SECONDHAND SERENADE
Acoustic rock band
Tue, Feb 26, 8pm
$25
With the heat of summer in full swing, the next stage of Secondhand Serenade's saga is gearing up for release. Those familiar with the words of John Vesely, the man behind Secondhand Serenade, have lived through his picturesque stories of life's ups and downs - from the act's acoustic debut, Awake, to the fuller, and more emotionally complex sounds of 2008's sophomore A Twist In My Story. Fans have gravitated to John's heart-on-his sleeve approach and are consistently moved by his tales of life, love and loss that foster universal understanding. Along this journey, A Twist In My Story spawned the platinum-certified top 10 CHR Top 40 hit "Fall For You." The song also reached No. 21 on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100. With the release of Hear Me Now, Secondhand Serenade's third studio release for Glassnote Records, he gives a more in-depth look inside a man coming to terms with his shortcomings and moving forward with that understanding. Read more here.

Wed, Feb 27, 8pm
$24
DIONNE FARRIS: Hers is the voice heard pleading to god to "Help Me Understand Your Plan" on Arrested Development's chart topping 1992 GRAMMY award winning single, "Tennessee." Hers is the voice assuredly letting you know, "I Know (What You're Doing and it's Not Going to Work This Time)," on her ground breaking first top 10, GRAMMY nominated single from her critically acclaimed debut, "Wild Seed - Wild Flower." Hers is the voice that calmed Tupak Shakur's soul while in solitude, "She really got me through a lot of this time." Her voice is at the heart of black music today. She is the voice of the 'Love Jones' generation, with the undying classic anthem single, "Hopeless (as a Penny with a Hole in it)" This phoenix continues to rise, as her voice is named one of 2011's Top 10 Soul CD's on "Signs of Life: by Creative Loafing Atlanta.

RUSSELL GUNN: If one were attempting to design a prototype for the quintessential contemporary musician, trumpeter/fluegelhornist/composer Russell Gunn is the model. A certified member of the hip-hop generation, Russell's early aspirations in the world of rap music took precedence over the trumpet that he began playing in fourth grade. When he reached sixteen, his dedication to the art of jazz took shape. Rather than abandoning the music he loved, he simply applied its energy, spirit and fiercely proud intellectual rage to the jazz idiom, creating a synthesis that is truly contemporary and singular. Gunn has developed his music from a wide variety of musical influences. In his case, Gunn weaves together elements of Cuban, Brazilian, African,"Go Go" music, and Hip-Hop into an adventurously progressive jazz style that pays tribute to its tradition while also extending the form. Read more here.

Thu-Sat, Feb 28 - Mar 2, 8 & 10pm
Thu 8pm $45, 10pm $40
Fri & Sat 8pm $50, 10pm 45

If Angie Stone had her way, she'd sit down next to every single one of her fans and pour out her heart - and soul - to them. She'd empower them with hard-earned wisdom; lessons learned from her very own heartache and happiness, mistakes and triumphs that led her to three GRAMMY Award nominations, two Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, and four Top 10 R&B albums (with her The Art of Love & War going all the way to number one). And with her new album, Rich Girl¸ the neo-soul songwriter has done just that, delivering a powerfully intimate collection of songs that wrap themselves around you like a warm embrace full of love and compassion, strength and wit.

"I spent a lot of time over the past few years working with other people, writing with them, working with producers. And then one day I realized that while I was doing everything I could to help them succeed and watching them grow, I was losing pieces of myself in the process." She explains "I shaved a lot of my originality off when merging with so many other people. Fans weren't getting Angie Stone. They were getting Angie and so-and-so. I knew I had to get back to my own music and skills. It's time for Angie to do Angie." That Journey returned Stone to her songwriting roots, determined to record an album where making great music and sharing her soul were the only things that mattered. Read more here.

Sun, Mar 3, 7pm (doors); 8pm (show)

$15 adv; $20 door

Barbary Coast Burlesque would like you to join them in our new year of gorgeous entertainment. Join us in an evening of molten hot burlesque entertainment by Bunny Pistol, Lola Martinet Sparkly Devil, Sid Scenic. Hoola Hooping Sensation Raphaele Dauboise. The hypnotic Belly Dance of Gia Haad. The show will be led by MC, Scott Levkoff and Stage Kitten Annie Oakland. Barbary Coast Burlesque is a cabaret show based in San Francisco created and produced by the one and only, Bunny Pistol. Read more here.

Mon, Mar 4

Club and restaurant closed

Tue, Mar 5
TBD

Wed, Mar 6, 8pm
$26 adv, $30 door

Original Founding members, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, and R&B Pioneer Award Winners Jerry Martini, Cynthia Robinson, and Greg Errico; The First inter-racial / inter-gender band in Rock & Roll history bring you the hits of Sly & The Family Stone. Featuring the Powerful Voices of Alex Davis and Trina Johnson on vocals bringing you the message of peace, love, and Social consciousness through musical harmony with some of the funkiest players of all time. Players like Nate Wingfield on the Guitar and Musical Director Blaise Sison on bass adding the proper pocket to the raw Family Stone sound. Read more here.

Thu, Mar 7, 8pm
$26

Rhett Miller is the front man and main songwriter of the hard-charging Rock 'n' Roll quartet the Old 97's, as well as an accomplished solo artist. In addition to his nine studio albums with the 97's (most recently The Grand Theatre Volume One and The Grand Theatre Vol. 2 in 2011), he has released four solo albums: 1989's Mythologies, 2002's The Instigator, 2006's The Believer, and 2009's Rhett Miller. Miller is set to release his first live covers album, The Interpreter Live at Largo, on November 22, 2011 on his own recently established label Maximum Sunshine Records. Read more here.

WILL DOWNING
Legendary singer/songwriter touring new album Silver (due Feb 12)
Fri-Sat, Mar 8-9, 8pm only

$50

Downing had his first national exposure as a popular backing vocalist in the '80s before signing with Island Records. He recorded two modestly successful albums and had a minor hit with a cover of "A Love Supreme" before releasing his breakout 1991 album A Dream Fulfilled. It was a marvelous disc that showed Downing not only possessed a fine baritone voice but that he was also was an excellent song stylist, deftly handling such diverse songs as War's "The World Is A Ghetto" and Paul Davis's "I Go Crazy" and providing a stunning, definitive version of Angela Bofill's "I Try." Both the "I Try" single and the album hit the Urban top 25, and critical acclaim for the disc abounded. Read more here.

Fri, Mar 8, 10:30pm

$24 adv, $28 door

Afrika Bambaataa was an important rap-music pioneer who became a forgotten elder statesman as rap evolved. Bambaataa, who took his name (which means "affectionate leader") from a movie about Zulu warriors, quit the Notorious Black Spades street gang in the mid-1970s and formed Zulu Nation, a music-oriented "youth organization." Among the members who became minor rap luminaries were DJs Red Alert, Jazzy Jay, and Whiz Kid, as well as Afrika Islam, who went on to work with Ice-T. Read more here.

Jazz, rock and blues guitar virtuoso
Sun, Mar 10, 6 & 8pm
$16, 6pm; $22, 8pm
Born in Israel, Oz started his professional career at the age of 13 playing jazz, blues, pop and rock music. By age 16, he was playing with top Israeli musicians and artists. By age 24, he was one of the most established studio guitar players in the country. Oz was also a member of the house band on Israel's top-rated television show for more than two years.

Since his 1996 arrival in New York, Oz has made a huge impact on the local and international music scene. His unique and intoxicating style has broken all the rules of instrumental guitar music by focusing on the groove. All-stars such as Keith Carlock, Anton Fig, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Dave Weckl often contribute on drums, with bassists Will Lee, James Genus, and Reggie Washington. Read more here.