Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

Hella Fitzgerald -- from bebop to hiphop --  is an award-winning jazz and soul band fronted by dynamic female vocals, sassy horns, and an all out swingin’ rhythm section. With music spanning vintage jazz and blues, and classic soul, Hella Fitzgerald puts on a show!

Drummer/Vibraphonist/Saxophonist Smith Dobson V has been performing in the Bay Area for nearly twenty years. Originally from Santa Cruz, Ca., Dobson is a member of an important Jazz family. His father, the late Smith Dobson IV, was a world renown Pianist and director of the Jazz series at the Garden City in San Jose for over twenty years, where he accompanied artists’ like Art Pepper, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, Chet Baker, Red Norvo, Tal Farlow, and Lee Konitz, to name a few.

Also in the family, Grandfather Smith III is a Jazz Accordionist, Grandmother Norma, Mother Gail, and Sister Sasha are all Jazz Vocalists. The family often performed as a group at the Garden City, and other venues, as well as many local schools and workshops. As a child, Smith V had the opportunity to study with legendary Jazz Drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, who said of his pupil, “He has the talent, determination and persistence as a musician, combined with the dedication necessary to succeed… improvisational skills totally advanced, excellent sensitivity, both solo and as an accompanist… my most talented student!”

Smith has had the honor of working with some of the great Jazz artists, locally and internationally, such as Bobby Hutcherson, Red Rodney, John Handy, Sheila Jordan, Red Holloway, Pete and Conte Condoli, Phillip Harper, Hal Stein, Noel Jewekes, Ben Goldberg, Graham Connahs’ Sour Note Seven, Darren Johnstone, Will Bernard, and Kenny Brooks.

Alejandro Del Valle is a self-taught master pianist, arranger and composer for bands, orchestras, dance music and music for film.  Born in Cuba, he recently moved to the Bay Area after spending 25 years working in France.  He has toured over 20 countries, including Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Russia, Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Brazil, Canada and Cuba. Alejandro is also an educator and conducted master classes at the Salon de Provence and the Poitiers Conservatory. In 2004, he was the Music Director of “Les Orientales”, arranging and directing a 2-hour performance of Arabo-Andalusian Music by an orchestra at the National Theater of Algiers, the Francofolies de la Rochelle, at the Theatre Mogador in Paris and the “Fiesta du Sud” in Marcelle. 

His latest project “Picking Up the Pieces” is a retrospective on his work, a musical conversation between his past and present as he navigates the uncertainty of a new life in the US.  

“Throughout my life as an artist, I have had numerous sources of inspiration. I usually start from the rhythms of Cuban and Afro-Cuban music but use them in a fusion environment rather than traditional music. Living in South of France, I had musical contact with the gypsy music that reigns in Spain, from which I have borrowed many traditional chords to compose pieces like “Vicente's Song”. There, I also had contact with North African music from Algeria, which inspired me to start working with the 6/8 rhythm as captured in my piece “On the roof.”

In particular, I mix all my past and present work to make up the different compositions. A series of compositions called “Elements” were inspired by the way percussionists feel music.

In recent years I have incorporated elements of Rag Time to interpret the contemporary Cuban music, written at the beginning of the 20th century. This work in turn inspired me to compose “Contradanzas” with a perfume from the past.

In general, I weave cinematic images and scenes throughout my music. I have always felt that my music pieces are like films without images, something like Mendelssohn's “Songs Without Words”.

What do you get when you fuse the spicy grooves of Afro-Peru with that funky sound of Oaktown? A ground-breaking, new, energetic genre with distinctive rhythms and innovative melodies that will inspire you to hit the dance floor. Oaklando is the brainchild of SF native Patrick Morehead, the composer and keyboardist who’s played with such talents as Karl Perazzo, Steve Turre, Jerry Gonzalez, and Benny Valarde. Conceived at the Patio de Ochun Studios, with drummer Josh Jones (of Omar Sosa) bassist David Pinto (of Susana Baca) and cajon player Juan Medrano Cotito (of Susana Baca) Oaklando was engineered by multi-grammy winner, Greg Landau (of David Byrne fame), and became a recipient of the prestigious Music in Place Grant. Oaklando has regular performances at Local Edition, Lakehouse Jazz, Elevation LVK, and Zeitgeist. Along with Morehead, Cotito and Jones include Charlie Gurke (sax), Chloe Scott ( flute) Pedro Rosales (cajon/vocals) vocalist Marina Lavalle (Peru Negro) with guest appearances on the first recording ‘Lima Oakland’ by NY jazz phenom Yosvany Terry. Check out the newest single OAKLANDO on all platforms Oaklando is honored to present the highly acclaimed Dawn Club with its fusion of Afro-Peruvian rhythms and funky jazz dub.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

Azure McCall, Hawaii’s first lady of jazz is a multi-award winning vocalist. She is heir to the vocal tradition of Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald. Her warmth and sense of humor fuel every interpretation. After releasing her first CD ‘Body and Soul’ she was asked by the great bassist Ray Brown to be his vocalist on tour. Of course, she accepted, beginning an incredible jazz journey – school was in! Soon after, Azure became the first singer to work with Freddie Hubbard’s band. Additional collaborators include Frank Morgan, Tennyson Stephens, Joe Lovano, Geoffrey Keezer, Curtis Lundy, Dizzy Gillespie and many more. In 2008, President Barack Obama asked her to perform at his pre-election party. “That’s why he won,” Azure says (smiling). Azure became the ‘Jazz Diva’ for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Cruises. She has traveled to more than 50 countries including, Greece, Germany, Russia, and Italy- just to name a few.

Jazz trumpeter/steelpan musician Chris Aschman enjoys a multi-faceted career as a performer, educator, studio musician, and arranger. A Baltimore native, Chris segued to Philadelphia to study jazz trumpet at the University of the Arts in 2004 and became a mainstay in the Philly scene. Since this time he has enjoyed a diverse career, having shared the stage with artist such as Paquito D’Rivera, Stanley Clarke, Dionne Warwick, Bakithi Kumalo, Chaka Khan, Kool and the Gang, Andy Narell, Ray Holman, Lotus, Dopapod, Tauk, and many others. Since relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2022, he has launched his new project, Sky Daddy, combining his loves of jazz funk, latin jazz, and steelband music into an exciting modern sound.

Sky Daddy features Aschman on trumpet and steelpan, Bay Area staple Tony Peebles on saxophones, Blood Sweat and Tears’ sensational pianist Adam Klipple on jazz organ, and young phenom Henry Plumb on drumset. Aschman’s unique original compositions and arrangements call to mind groups like the Dave Holland Quintet, Kneebody, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, and Snarky Puppy. While employing odd meters and interesting harmonies, their sound never fails to exude the excitement and groove of Philadelphia’s funky and gritty music scene.

Adam Klipple, who has been described as "a standout pianist who has gone to school on McCoy Tyner and Cecil Taylor and earned his degree," plays piano, Hammond organ, sampler, and a variety of vintage keyboards. He currently is a member of the legendary jazz rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears. He also currently performs and records with jazz phenom Veronica Swift.

Adam has recorded and performed onstage with the likes of Ghostface Killah, Lauryn Hill, Graham Haynes, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Craig Harris, Joe Bowie's Defunkt, Sekou Sundiata, Marc Ribot, John Medeski, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Carla Cook, Dave Fiuczynski, David Gilmore, Josh Roseman, Peter Apfelbaum, Jay Rodriguez, Groove Collective, and Smokey Robinson. He has appeared at renowned venues including the Blue Note, Iridium, the Jazz Standard, Blues Alley, and the Knitting Factory, and at jazz festivals around the world.

Also a composer and arranger, Adam has earned grants from Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Arts International, Meet the Composer, and the U.S. Department of State, enabling him to tour and teach master classes in southeast Asia, the Pacific Rim, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.  

Introducing The Verve Quintet, The Bay Area’s hottest new jazz ensemble! Celebrating the effervescent sound of the 1960’s hard bop era. In addition to performing their own original compositions they honor the great jazz artists like Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Art Blakey, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Lee Morgan to name a few.  The Verve Quintet is led by Trumpeter Daniel Herrera and saxophonist Andrew Dixon, who’s dynamic pairing and complementary musical stylings create a unique and exciting sound that you will not want to miss!

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

Hella Fitzgerald -- from bebop to hiphop --  is an award-winning jazz and soul band fronted by dynamic female vocals, sassy horns, and an all out swingin’ rhythm section. With music spanning vintage jazz and blues, and classic soul, Hella Fitzgerald puts on a show!

The N. T. B. Collective is a Bay Area based jazz fusion group merging sounds and styles from all over the world.

The N.T.B. trio, which will be featured for this event, is comprised of drums, bass, and piano. Each musician is highly accomplished; coming together to generate a unique musical energy. N.T.B. has been playing various venue residencies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for over 3 years.

Fault Line Trio is one of the Bay Area’s most dynamic and innovative crossover jazz projects! Swing, R&B, and sophisticated grooves. Featuring Jay Sanders - piano and keys, Lukas Vesely - bass, and Brian Fishler - drums.

"Gaea is quite a multi-talented pianist/flautist/vocalist/composer/arranger/bandleader, with a wonderfully compelling gift for jazz, ballads, and Brazilian-flavored music" -Benny Green

Gaea Schell is a graduate of both acclaimed McGill University in Montreal and Vermont College of Fine Arts and spent time in New York as a recipient of a Canada Council for the Arts grant studying with pianist/composer Richie Beirach. Accomplished and versatile, she - as drummer Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath says, “is a triple threat and plays the heck out of the piano with them small hands".

Gaea Schell has three acclaimed CDs out, is a sideperson on multiple recordings, and has played with many notable names (Bob Sheppard, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Bobby Watson, Clare Fischer Big Band, Vince Lateano, Marcus Shelby and the late Stacy Rowles to name a few) in addition to often leading her own trio or quartet at venues regionally and internationally including Vibrato Grill & Jazz in Bel Air, Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Yoshi’s, and Knickerbocker in New York City.

Gaea headlined twice at the San Jose Jazz festival.

In a career that has spanned over 20 years, Victor Little has established himself as a consummate professional electric bassist, displaying impeccable time, taste, technique, and tone while playing in a wide spectrum of styles-from blues and jazz to Indian and flamenco music-with a long list of luminaries that includes Patti Austin, Billy Preston, Angela Bofill, James Carter, Charlie Musselwhite, and Booker T. Jones. 

Victor, a Chicago native, grew up surrounded by musicians and music. His father was a saxophonist, and Victor, like other members of his family, played in church. On the radio, icons such as Aretha, Sly, Coltrane, Miles, James Brown, the Jackson 5, Kool and the Gang, P-Funk, Elton John, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Rush gave him his first taste of pop music. Victor’s first instrument was trumpet, but by high school he had switched to electric bass and fallen under the spell of bass players such as James Jamerson, Bernand Edwards, Chuck Rainey, Verdine White, Stanley Clarke, Anthony Jackson, Jaco Pastorius, John Paul Jones, and Billy Cox. He continued his formal studies in college.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

Adam Klipple, who has been described as "a standout pianist who has gone to school on McCoy Tyner and Cecil Taylor and earned his degree," plays piano, Hammond organ, sampler, and a variety of vintage keyboards. He currently is a member of the legendary jazz rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears. He also currently performs and records with jazz phenom Veronica Swift.

Adam has recorded and performed onstage with the likes of Ghostface Killah, Lauryn Hill, Graham Haynes, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Craig Harris, Joe Bowie's Defunkt, Sekou Sundiata, Marc Ribot, John Medeski, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Carla Cook, Dave Fiuczynski, David Gilmore, Josh Roseman, Peter Apfelbaum, Jay Rodriguez, Groove Collective, and Smokey Robinson. He has appeared at renowned venues including the Blue Note, Iridium, the Jazz Standard, Blues Alley, and the Knitting Factory, and at jazz festivals around the world.

Also a composer and arranger, Adam has earned grants from Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Arts International, Meet the Composer, and the U.S. Department of State, enabling him to tour and teach master classes in southeast Asia, the Pacific Rim, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.  

Joe Warner is setting the Bay Area jazz scene on fire. A rising star known for his captivating style and electrifying performances, he's the pianist and musical director for the legendary vocalist The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol, leading the charge with his own Joe Warner Trio while sharing stages and studios with icons like Houston Person, Billy Hart, Buster Williams, John Handy, Mary Stallings, and Gary Bartz. Warner’s deep groove and versatility have also led him to work with not just jazz royalty but cultural heavyweights like Mistah F.A.B., Bernard Purdie, and Robert Randolph. Whether it’s classic jazz or genre-bending collaborations, Warner’s got the keys to the future. His trio will thrill and delight audiences with fresh takes on jazz standards, blues, ballads, and adventurous swingin'.

Jinx Jones Biography (Jazz Trio)

"Jinx is a guitar virtuoso who seamlessly moves from rockabilly to jazz to twang and back again, sometimes in the same song. Those with a liner note obsession will remember Jinx’s playing on En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind.”

(San Francisco Chronicle)

Jinx Jones boasts a prolific career spanning from the 1990s, during which he has been a prominent figure in the San Francisco Bay Area jazz scene. His musical journey, deeply rooted in R&B and Soul collaborations with luminaries such as Solomon Burke and En Vogue, has laid a solid groundwork for his ventures into the realms of soul jazz and hard bop. Jones' distinctive approach to jazz is deeply influenced by the venerable traditions set forth by iconic guitarists such as Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel, and George Benson.

“You've heard fretboard prestidigitator Jinx before: he lent studio guitar and bass to En Vogue's hit, "Free Your Mind." Professionally impressive as it is, though, that credit does not represent his own chosen styling. Jinx's headlong endeavors draw freely and unto satiation from classic rocka-billy, vintage jazz, and spartan honky tonk….” D. C. Larson, Crackerjack Magazine, UK

In recent times, Jinx Jones has achieved international acclaim with the release of his latest solo jazz album, "Blue Gardenia." This album showcases his guitar artistry, striking a perfect balance between delicacy and energy, reminiscent of the soulful and profound styles of the genre's legendary masters.

“Jinx Jones is out there. Four or five nights a week, the great guitar player with the immaculate pompadour can be found at various Bay Area venues, working the stage, doing his thing. The Colorado native came up serving as a sideman to rock ’n’ roll royalty, playing with the likes of Chuck Berry and Solomon Burke.”

Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle

The Hard Bop Quintet is a jazz group from the San Francisco Bay Area inspired by the fiery style of the early 1960s New York jazz scene.

The group began as the brainchild of two Bay Area jazz musicians who grew up together in Santa Cruz, California: trombonist Scott Larson, and trumpeter Jay Sanders - the idea for the band being to create a hard bop jazz group which seamlessly fuses different musical aesthetics from boogaloo, afro-cuban, and bebop into the contemporary jazz landscape.

The groups repertoire consists of original compositions by Larson as well as new interpretations of genre classics by legends such as Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan and Kenny Dorham.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

Known for their stylish blend of classic jazz, pop, and R&B, this Bay Area band delivers sophisticated sounds with a modern edge. Featuring hip horn lines, lush harmonies, and captivating improvisations, The Klipptones will transport you to the golden era of cool jazz while adding their signature flair. Don’t miss this unforgettable tribute to the iconic Chet Baker!

Drummer/Vibraphonist/Saxophonist Smith Dobson V has been performing in the Bay Area for nearly twenty years. Originally from Santa Cruz, Ca., Dobson is a member of an important Jazz family. His father, the late Smith Dobson IV, was a world renown Pianist and director of the Jazz series at the Garden City in San Jose for over twenty years, where he accompanied artists’ like Art Pepper, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, Chet Baker, Red Norvo, Tal Farlow, and Lee Konitz, to name a few.

Also in the family, Grandfather Smith III is a Jazz Accordionist, Grandmother Norma, Mother Gail, and Sister Sasha are all Jazz Vocalists. The family often performed as a group at the Garden City, and other venues, as well as many local schools and workshops. As a child, Smith V had the opportunity to study with legendary Jazz Drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, who said of his pupil, “He has the talent, determination and persistence as a musician, combined with the dedication necessary to succeed… improvisational skills totally advanced, excellent sensitivity, both solo and as an accompanist… my most talented student!”

Smith has had the honor of working with some of the great Jazz artists, locally and internationally, such as Bobby Hutcherson, Red Rodney, John Handy, Sheila Jordan, Red Holloway, Pete and Conte Condoli, Phillip Harper, Hal Stein, Noel Jewekes, Ben Goldberg, Graham Connahs’ Sour Note Seven, Darren Johnstone, Will Bernard, and Kenny Brooks.

Tomoko Funaki was born in Japan into a musical family. Following in the footsteps of her parents, both musicians, she studied classical violin and flute. A move to New York exposed her to a broad range of musical genres but she found herself increasingly drawn towards jazz. After moving to San Francisco in 2002, she began studying upright bass and quickly immersed herself into the San Francisco jazz scene, studying and performing with luminaries including Ray Drummond, Rodney Whitaker, Rufus Reid, the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, Andrew Speight, Vince Lateano, Mark Levine, Donald "Duck" Bailey, Allan Harris and Denise Perrier. She has also been involved in jazz education programs such as ‘Stanford Jazz Workshop’ and SFSU ICA ‘The Generations Jazz Project’ in recent years.

tomoko-funaki.com

Zachary Westfall has been playing bass professionally for over a decade. He attended Berklee School of Music in Boston. Upon finishing he moved to Asbury Park, New Jersey. While on the east coast Zach performed with Gloria Gaynor, Wyclef John, Michael Franti, Tommy James, Steven Van Zandt, Steve Forbert, and Nicole Atkins, among many others. He has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, UK, and Japan with various groups. Zach is also a seasoned Jazz musician. He led his own quartet at the Monterey Jazz festival.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.

Known for their stylish blend of classic jazz, pop, and R&B, this Bay Area band delivers sophisticated sounds with a modern edge. Featuring hip horn lines, lush harmonies, and captivating improvisations, The Klipptones will transport you to the golden era of cool jazz while adding their signature flair. Don’t miss this unforgettable tribute to the iconic Chet Baker!

Silver Bell Jazz Band inspires dancers and listeners all over the Bay Area. The band specializes in ragtime, blues, swing, and dixieland from the early 20th century. They’re known for their authenticity and dedication to the craft as well as their foot-tapping energy.

Kasey Knudsen is a San Francisco-based saxophonist, composer & educator. She earned her BA in Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Music. Knudsen has been commissioned by the Jazzschool's Emerging Artist Series to write and perform new work as well as Intersection For The Arts, the De Young Museum, and the San Jose New Works Festival. She leads her own quartet and sextet and co-leads The Schimscheimer Family Trio and the Holly Martins.

Knudsen can be seen performing with a number of ensembles and bandleaders including Ben Goldberg, Klaxon Mutant All Stars, the Ian Carey sextet, Aaron Novik, Erik Jekabson, Circus Bella's All-Star Band, and many more. Knudsen has played with Fred Frith's world premiere of Gravity Live, the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, Allison Miller, Chris Cohen, Charlie Hunter, Rova Saxophone Quartet, & many others.

What do you get when you fuse the spicy grooves of Afro-Peru with that funky sound of Oaktown? A ground-breaking, new, energetic genre with distinctive rhythms and innovative melodies that will inspire you to hit the dance floor. Oaklando is the brainchild of SF native Patrick Morehead, the composer and keyboardist who’s played with such talents as Karl Perazzo, Steve Turre, Jerry Gonzalez, and Benny Valarde. Conceived at the Patio de Ochun Studios, with drummer Josh Jones (of Omar Sosa) bassist David Pinto (of Susana Baca) and cajon player Juan Medrano Cotito (of Susana Baca) Oaklando was engineered by multi-grammy winner, Greg Landau (of David Byrne fame), and became a recipient of the prestigious Music in Place Grant. Oaklando has regular performances at Local Edition, Lakehouse Jazz, Elevation LVK, and Zeitgeist. Along with Morehead, Cotito and Jones include Charlie Gurke (sax), Chloe Scott ( flute) Pedro Rosales (cajon/vocals) vocalist Marina Lavalle (Peru Negro) with guest appearances on the first recording ‘Lima Oakland’ by NY jazz phenom Yosvany Terry. Check out the newest single OAKLANDO on all platforms Oaklando is honored to present the highly acclaimed Dawn Club with its fusion of Afro-Peruvian rhythms and funky jazz dub.

Ladies and Gentemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area's newest and hottest swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. This seven piece ensemble will transport you to the 1940’s, it is truly the world’s smallest big band!

Fog City Swing is co-led by saxophonist Greg Johnson and trumpeter Daniel Herrera.