A formidable roster of poets assembles this Sunday and three Sundays later for a reading addressing the searing moment, its long time coming and its crucial path forward. We are proud to be associated with this monumental gathering of voices at this pivotal moment in time Read at the link below an extensive piece prepared by organizer and host Kim McMillon to learn about, and from, the participating poets, each a seasoned and impassioned artist, all sharing a sense of urgency that we must heed. https://www.narrativepathsjournal.com/ guest-column-wake-up-america-part-i-by-kim-mcmillon/ https://ninaserrano.com/black-lives-matter-in-the-revolution-of-the-heart/

Jazz in the bookshop, every Friday! Jazz in America, and around the world, every minute of every day since the turn of the last century… and who can say when it really started. But jazz as we know it? It’s here now! This week, we present a return engagement by pianist Walter Earl — performer, composer, arranger, bandleader. Stop by our live stream on facebook for a beautiful solo performance this Friday evening, from 7 to 8:30pm. Here’s where to view the live stream:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/bird.and.beckett/videos/?ref=page_internal Here’s where to donate: https://tinyurl.com/Donate-B-and-B Give $20 if you’re able, more if you’re flush. Any amount is appreciated. The first $200 goes to Walter, the next $100 goes to the organization, and two-thirds of any donations beyond that point go to Walter. If you love Walter and his music, then help him out; if you just think musicians shouldn’t work for peanuts, then have the…

The Elegance of Noel Jewkes Saxophonist Noel Jewkes has been a revered and well loved figure on the San Francisco jazz scene for five decades plus, and he’s turning 80 today! We’ll celebrate in the bookshop with a duo concert featuring Noel and pianist Keith Saunders. Be sure to have some cake on hand at home! Here’s where to view the live stream:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/bird.and.beckett/videos/?ref=page_internal Here’s where to donate: https://tinyurl.com/Donate-B-and-B Give $20 if you’re able, more if you’re flush.

Adam Shulman plays two sets of originals and jazz standards from swing to bop to the new thing. He’s been a driving force on the Bay Area jazz scene as ensemble player, soloist, accompanist, composer and bandleader since moving to San Francisco 18 years ago.  At 7pm, you’ll find the  facebook live stream here Scroll down to find the video screen with the red “live” rectangle. Refresh your screen if you don’t see it– you might just be a little early to the party! Please support our featured musician tonight by donating via PayPal at this link. or by Venmo @birdandbeckett $20 suggested less or more as your circumstances demand or allow Prior to his arrival in San Francisco, Adam studied jazz piano with Smith Dobson while earning a degree in classical performance at UC Santa Cruz.  Now, he has four albums laden with his own compositions and a fifth on…

Rich and Jenny have each had long careers in the jazz circles of the Bay Area, and have worked together in a variety of contexts, not least their marriage… As a “cohabitating couple” we’re able to let them stand unmasked within six feet of each other to perform from the Bird & Beckett stage, if not for an in-store audience, then at least for the whole wide world tuning in via our live stream. Together, they’ll offer a number of jazz standards and Rich will assay solo versions of tunes including Come Sunday, Del Sasser, Cheryl, Lament and Footprints. Please help us offer a decent payday to a couple of fine musicians in a time of no gigs and short bread. Consider your $20 donation via PayPal or Venmo, or by check mailed to the store, a cover charge well worth the expense! It’ll otherwise be a cheap “night out”…

Boccaccio’s Muthologos Boccaccio (whose name means “mouth”) offers to us his purpose in composing The Decameron:  “to tell a hundred tales, or fables or parables or histories, call them what you will, told in ten days by a worthy group of seven ladies and three young men formed in the recent season of deadly pestilence, along with certain songs…”           And prose-fiction, relative to all we see, hear, and speak, has never been the same.            Why?  Because of all Boccaccio says, as words upon the page.  Even as they arise from a specific location, there are further worlds in these words, composed in times as interesting, dare we say it, as our own.   No in-store audience is allowed due to the pandemic, but you can find the facebook live stream link by clicking here. Scroll down to find the video…

The bassist Giulio Xavier Cetto and the pianist Javier Santiago, both prominent figures on the San Francisco jazz scene, share an apartment here in San Francisco; fortunately, that cohabitating status allows us to book them as a duo for our live stream series, and we welcome them back! No in-store audience is allowed due to the pandemic, but you can find the facebook live stream link here. Scroll down to find the video screen with the red “live” rectangle. Refresh your screen if you don’t see it–you might just be a little early to the party! If you prefer, look for the stream on the Bird & Beckett YouTube channel. You can, and we hope will, pay your cover charge via PayPal at this link. or by Venmo @birdandbeckett $20 suggested and encouraged; less or more as your circumstances demand or allow! Javi and Giulio are among the finest young…

Click here to view and listen on YouTube! King of the San Francisco saloon and salon pianists, Eric Shifrin sings too, and rolls through material from Cole Porter to Hoagy Carmichael to Gene Autry.   He’s been charming the swells, swindlers and stand-up guys in bars and bistros from the Barbary Coast to Nob Hill for decades and shows no signs of flagging. Our live stream will keep you smiling this Friday evening… tune in! And pay the cover charge (donate) if you’re able to help us pay this fine musician! Reward Eric for a sterling talent and a distinguished career and also help him meet the bills in this time of few gigs and short bread! If you find $10 a stretch, then contribute $5. Consider it your cover charge, please. There’s no audience in the house, so it’s up to you in your house! Here’s where to donate:…

  Vocalist Sherri Roberts and pianist David Udolf are collaborators in music and life and household chores, including much dog walking. Incidentally, they’re wonderful musicians, both! They’ll present an evening of jazz standards, familiar and surprising, charming and impeccably performed. Settle in for a cozy hour of lovely music. Sherri has several albums to her credit, supported by tremendous jazz colleagues from both coasts. David is a top-flight pianist, arranger and musical director who works with such major talents as Mary Stallings, Denise Perrier, Jules Broussard and many more. Note the 7pm start, for David & Sherri’s East Coast fans, friends and colleagues… Help us help Sherri & David meet the bills in this time of few gigs and short bread! If you find $10 a stretch, then contribute $5. Consider it your cover charge, please. There’s no audience in the house, so it’s up to you in your house!…

A long-time force on the Bay Area jazz/hip hop/afro-funk music scene, David Boyce is revered for his work since the mid-1990s as a founding member of the Broun Fellinis as much as for his connection with the soprano saxophone genius of New Orleans jazz pioneer Sydney Bechet, aand so many points along the jazz journey. He’s one of the towering intellects of the music, graced with ample good humor and kindness. We’re always honored and pleased when David comes to play, and floored by the music, by turns titanic and lovely, that pours from his horn.     Help us help David meet the bills in this time of few gigs and short bread! If you find $10 a stretch, then contribute $5. Consider it your cover charge, please. There’s no audience in the house, so it’s up to you in your house! Here’s where to donate: BEWARE OF SCAMMERS…

Come to Bird & Beckett via our live stream to celebrate with Nashville Honeymoon. Lynne Maes and Hank Maninger are the Tammy Wynette and George Jones of our time and place, though with much less alcohol. Two voices, two guitars, two songwriters. Cohabitating and so contagious! Remember while you’re here to pay the cover charge, unless you’re broke, as may well be the case! And if that is the case, we sympathize and consider you our guest! But if you’re doing ok, don’t stint! Should musicians play for free? We don’t think so, and we know our patrons don’t think so either. The live stream shows are all about getting the musicians some funds in a time of no gigs and short bread. When 7:30 Sunday evening rolls around, click on the links below to attend the show and pay your cover charge! View/Listen             …

Pianist / improviser composer / producer Walter Earl The music flows from Walter’s huge heart through his hands and the instrument to create a soulful experience you won’t be able to, and won’t want to shake.     Help us help Walter meet the bills in this time of few gigs and short bread! If you find $10 a stretch, then contribute $5. Consider it your cover charge, please. There’s no audience in the house, so it’s up to you in your house! Here’s where to donate: https://tinyurl.com/Donate-B-and-B Give $20 if you’re able, more if you’re flush! The first $200 goes to Walter (that’s our guarantee to him), the next $100 goes to the organization, and any donations beyond that go to Walter. If you love him, help him out! If you just think musicians shouldn’t work for peanuts, then have the courage of your convictions and help him out.…

Few are better suited to a solo outing than guitarist Jeffrey Burr. Widely acknowledged as among the very top jazz guitarists in the Bay Area, he ranks with the best anywhere in contemporary jazz. Come to Bird & Beckett via our live stream this Friday evening, 5:30 to 8:00 pm for two sets of gorgeous music, and remember while you’re here to pay the cover charge unless you’re broke. Should musicians play for free? We don’t think so, and we know that our patrons don’t think so either. When 5:30 Friday evening rolls around, click on the links below to attend the show and pay your cover charge! View/Listen                 Donate $20 suggested donation ~~sliding scale $2 to $200~~ no one turned away for lack of funds Read a review of Jeff’s solo album, All By Myself, at this link

John Calloway – flute, piano & percussion Angela Doctor – vocals & percussion Oliver Paddock – piano, guitar, bass & vocals Three great musicians join forces to bring you an eclectic performance reflecting the wide variety of musical styles and tastes that go on under their own shared roof! click on these links: View/Listen                 Donate                  Subscribe $20 suggested donation! But no one should avert their eyes & ears for lack of funds. If you need your dough for the basics, then use it wisely and take in this live stream with our compliments! Feed your soul with art & music We need you to be healthy! But if you can afford to throw in $5 or $10 or $20 or $50 or $100 and you value these wonderful musicians, then don’t stint! This is a…