Tony Johnson brings the 230 Jones Street crew this week! Saxophonist Charlie McCarthy is on the front line. A finer player than Charlie, you’ll not find anywhere on the planet. He takes flight at the downbeat and never fails to swing. Insouciant Sam Cady plays the piano with hip elan and effortless dexterity; composes the occasional tune as well. On bass, Chuck Bennett, who knows his instrument intimately and provides the pulse that keeps the music flowing. And then there’s Tony, himself. Tony the Tiger, he’s affectionately called, who’s been on the San Francisco jazz scene swinging and rattling out the rhythm since 1959.

This is our legacy band, harkening back to the trio that started it all in 2002 as a weekly jazz party helmed by tenor player Chuck Peterson, pictured here with Tony and bassist Dean Reilly, original members of the 230 Jones Street, Local 6, Literary Jazz Band, a quintet, as it was concocted back in 2008.

Set your sights on Sundays at 5pm to carry this particular little tradition into the future! From this point on (well, truth be told, after next Friday), we’re presenting a single, 7:30pm show on Fridays. The change-up is in the interest of doing justice to the music and the musicians. We’ve loved our Friday jazz happy hour, which started as a 3-hour weekly jazz party back in October 2002, nearly 24 years ago!

For the last three years, we’ve presented two shows nearly every Friday — always a 2-hour 6pm show and most often a second show at 8:30pm. Beginning in May, we’re moving that happy hour vibe over to Sunday afternoons with a 5pm start and a low bar to entry contribution-wise (though your cash is always appreciated!), lights up, food and drink welcome — bring it, share it, do what you like! Kids and dogs welcome! Somebody will need to stop at Critter Fritters on the way in and get a bag of dog treats, and somebody will need to bring some cookies! We’ll reimburse you. Just ask! (Note to the dogs: we don’t keep treats in the store, so don’t get your hopes up too high. We love you, youse dogs you, and all, but…)

As for Fridays, as well as Saturdays, look for one 7:30pm show every week, where we’ll endeavor to present the music in all the subtle and dimly lit magnificence that it deserves. For those shows, definitely bring cash for the cover charges, reserve in advance if you like (reservations are always a good idea, just call us at 415-586-3733 at least a day in advance of the show you want to attend), and bring something to sip if you desire. We have fine Hetch Hetchy tap water and cups. Also a corkscrew if you need one.

Jazz lives at Bird & Beckett! You make it so!