Smith Dobson V — widely regarded a key young musician on the San Francisco jazz scene on vibes, drums and sax — leads Bird & Beckett’s first Saturday jazz club dates.

He is heir to several generations of jazz talent — his father, Smith Dobson IV, was one of the very best jazz pianists in the Bay Area and his mother, Gail Dobson, is a wonderful vocalist who will be bringing her own groups into Bird & Beckett in a few months, as her cd “How Fragile We Are”, with Smith on vibes and a wonderful group of musicians, debuts.  Smith’s sister Sasha is a vocalist based in NYC, whom we hope to lure out early in 2015 to share a date.

When Smith was coming up, legendary jazz drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, said of him, “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!”  In his 20 years on the jazz circuit, he has worked with such figures 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.

This week, Smith promises a terrific straight ahead quartet featuring Keith Saunders on piano, Doug Stuart on bass; and Omar Aran on drums.  Keith relocated to San Francisco just a couple of years ago from New York, and immediately became a first call pianist — a skilled bebop player.  Doug and Omar have been plying their trade locally for a number of years and are solid insiders in jazz circles.