Every Saturday night, Bird & Beckett undergoes the full transformation from bookshop to jazz boîte… that’s French to you… a jazz club like no other in the City that still knows how. If you haven’t been, you may scoff– but once you’ve experienced live jazz at Bird & Beckett, you’ll know it’s true. An exquisite acoustic space, a friendly vibe you won’t soon forget and the Bay Area’s finest jazz players. $10 at the door gets you in on Saturday nights, and it’s the wisest use of a ten spot you’ll make this week.

Vinnie leading a quintet at Bird & Beckett on April 25th 2015, commemorating the late alto saxophonist Terrance Tony, with Larry Chinn on piano, Aaron Cohn on bass, Danny Brown on tenor sax & Jesse Levit on alto sax.

The 4th Saturday of every month, Bird & Beckett is the province of drummer Vinnie Rodriguez. Tonight, Vinnie has once again put together an exciting quartet, as he’s been doing monthly for us this past year since taking over for the late saxophonist Terrance Tony in March of 2015. It’s been a wonderful run, and on it goes!

Saturday, March 26th, 2016, 7:30-10:00 pm,
Vinnie’s quartet includes
Tim Lin (sax), Larry Chinn (piano) and Aaron Cohn (bass)
with Michael Hughes sitting in for Vinnie on drums.
Vinnie’s got the flu!

Tonight, the quartet delves into the exquisite compositions of hard bop jazz giant Hank Mobley, a tenor player whose work practically defines the sound of Blue Note Records, for whom he recorded 20 albums as a leader between 1955 and 1970.  In addition to his own albums, Mobley’s work is crucial to dozens of classic albums recorded under the leadership of his peers, most considered to be among the very greatest jazz players of the era. 

Larry Chinn plays piano on the date. Larry has worked for significant stretches with Margie Baker, a renowned singer and local treasure (read more on Dr. Baker here), and with the great saxophonist Jules Broussard, a jazz elder well known to young audiences from his association with Lavay Smith’s band, the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, among innumerable other bookings over four decades. Larry has also played with major jazz musicians including John Handy, Pharoah Saunders, Mark Murphy, Harvie Schwartz and Richie Cole.

Aaron Cohn is one of San Francisco’s finest young first call bassists, playing at every major venue that presents jazz. He’s about as talented a bassist as you could imagine, and we’ve been pleased to showcase him on the Bird & Beckett stage many times through the years.

Tim Lin is making his first appearance at Bird & Beckett. He’s a young player who’s been making a huge impression with his saxophone since returning to the Bay Area from USC a year or so ago with a newly minted degree in jazz performance. Such a good impression, in fact, that he’s earned a regular booking at San Jose’s Cafe Stritch, one of the key venues in the Bay Area these days. Catch him now while his star is on the rise. At the age of 22, Tim has already had professional appearances with jazz luminaries including Kenny Burrell and Tootie Heath, among many others. Tim has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, Blue Whale, Catalina Bar and Grill, Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, Fillmore Jazz Festival, and internationally in Taiwan.

Michael Hughes can be heard on Larry Coryell’s latest album, Heavy Feel.  Born in LA County, Michael was raised in the East Bay. He comes from a musical family — both his mother and brother teach music, and he began drumming at a very young age sitting in with his mother’s band. Studied at LA Music Academy, was a top student, played with Robben Ford and other major jazz talents, and was on staff at the Academy as well. Moving back north, he now works at Danville Music in sales and teaches privately. He also sings and plays in a well known Beach boys cover band.

Leader Vinnie Rodriguez regrets he can’t be here tonight– the flu has laid him low.  But we’ll have him back in a month.  Meanwhile, this is going to be an incredible date. You’d do well to come out for it!