Drummer Jimmy Ryan, with trumpeter Joel Ryan and bassist Bishu Chatterjee. Photo courtesy of Baytaper.com

July 8 marks the anniversary of drummer Jimmy Ryan’s passing. And though he’s sorely missed, the momentum he gave to our 2nd Fridays carries on! Tonight, Trombonists Stu Pilorz and Rick Elmore, pianist Don Alberts, bassist Aaron Cohn join forces with drummer Ron Marabuto to call some tunes that Jimmy would have called.

Jimmy always said that one day Bird & Beckett’s jazz scene would be well regarded as a high point of San Francisco jazz history, and, despite our desire to remain modest, we’re beginning to admit that we think it might well be true.

Come out and celebrate the legacy of a wonderful human being and a swinging drummer, Jimmy Ryan! Born in L.A. and migrating up here in the early 60s, he brought something special to the jazz scene — to Jimbo’s Bop City and Ronnie’s Soulville in the Fillmore in the early ’60s to the Gathering Caffe on Grant Street in the 90s, to Bird & Beckett in the 21st century, Jimmy invested every rim shot with his heart and soul. We miss him badly, but will celebrate him madly.