upcoming events

Band Lineup Matei Predescu on piano, Nick Panoutsos on bass, Gabe Lee on drums

Matei Predescu is a Brooklyn-based pianist and composer with deep ties to the Bay Area. Born in Santa Clara, Matei has been nurtured by the Bay Area music scene from his early studies with jazz piano legend Amonte Jon Parsons. Today, Matei’s music explores diverse styles of improvisation and composition while rooted in traditions of jazz and Black American music, Eastern European folk music, and contemporary creative music. Matei studied at Oberlin Conservatory with luminary mentors such as Dan Wall, Billy Hart, Dana Jessen, and Johnny Coleman. In the Bay Area, he has performed at and worked with the Stanford Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, and the Next Generation Jazz Festival. He currently lives and works in New York City as an educator, performer, and composer.

Band Lineup Christina Galisatus on piano, Joel Kruzic on bass,Joe Kelner on drums

Los Angeles based pianist Christina Galisatus will be joining the Joe Kelner Trio. Music, and more specifically, the composition of music, has been in Christina Galisatus’ blood for as long as she can remember. Her father is a trumpet player and music educator, and starting as a five year old, Galisatus began learning to play the piano, though she explored improvisation and composition at the same time that she was learning to play the instrument. Led by a desire to play in larger groups, Christina later studied French horn and had the opportunity to tour internationally performing in symphony orchestras at a young age. From there, she went on to study jazz piano performance and composition at Stanford University. While her most recent compositions have a sound that draws from a rich folk tradition and singer-songwriters adjacent to that world, they are built upon these foundations she has been exploring since she was a kindergartner who found music to be the best way to express herself

Matei Predescu is a Brooklyn-based pianist and composer with deep ties to the Bay Area. Born in Santa Clara, Matei has been nurtured by the Bay Area music scene from his early studies with jazz piano legend Amonte Jon Parsons.

Los Angeles based Isaiah Harwood is a 20 year old jazz pianist/composer with a desire to spread thought-provoking music throughout his community. Born and raised in Oakland, Isaiah grew up in the Bay Area Jazz scene and played frequently with local legends such as Marcus Shelby, Erik Jekabson, Kalil Wilson, and many others. He frequently performed around the Northern California area, including venues such as The Black Cat, Yoshi’s, The San Jose Jazz Festival, and SFJAZZ. In 2016, at the age of 13, Isaiah was a winner of the Jazz Search West competition, and was awarded a scholarship to the California Jazz Conservatory. Isaiah graduated from the CJC with his bachelor's degree in 2021, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his masters degree at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where he studied with Alan Pasqua, Russ Ferrante, Josh Nelson, and Vince Mendoza. Isaiah graduated from USC Thornton in 2023, and maintains a busy teaching schedule while performing with Los Angeles artists such as Anilee List, Shayhan, Tonina, SOFIE, Takoda, Rae Khalil, Logan Kane, Jon Hatimiya, Benjamin Ring, Dario Bizio, Jermaine Paul, Julien Knowles, Devin Daniels, Nicole McCabe, and many more. 

Band Lineup Nathan Bickart on piano, Eytan Schillinger-Hyman on bass, Nora Stanley on saxophone

New York based saxophonist Nora Stanley will be joined by…

Nora Stanley is an improviser and composer based in Brooklyn, New York. Stanley primarily uses saxophone, flute and synthesizer in her work which spans jazz, rock and experimental music. Stanley’s music emphasizes open collaboration and interaction with a sound that is melody-driven and seeks to explore harmonic, dynamic and textural possibilities beyond the confines of genre. She leads a quartet featuring her original compositions and co-leads a duo with drummer and sensory percussionist Jon Starks. Stanley is also one half of a duo with Los Angeles-based keyboardist and producer Benny Bock exploring sounds both acoustic and electric. Their debut record, Distance of the Moon, was released in 2023 on Colorfield Records to acclaim from the New York Times, Fader and Downbeat Magazine. In addition to her work as a leader Stanley has performed and toured with The New Pornographers, Beth Orton and Dayna Stephens and has appeared on recordings alongside Jeff Parker, Mark Giuliana and Jerry Gonzalez.

Following up his New Year's Eve performance Chuchito will be back for a solo night just as captivating as with his trio.

Chuchito Valdes comes from one of the most distinguished musical families in Cuba. He is the son of Chucho Valdes and his mother, Mercedes Alfaro Cortes, Grandfather Bebo Valdes. He led the world renown band, Irakere for several years, which his father was the founder. He has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world, mainly performing in the United States to large Latin Jazz audiences as well as South America and throughout Europe. Chuchito is recognized as a master at Cuban music including Mambo, Danzon, and Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition. Chuchito has always had a deep passion for American Jazz and his favorite piano players are Oscar Peterson, the great Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, which he has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him. In his latest project which is called Reflections, he shows his versatility of original compositions and arrangements drawing on classical harmonic and structural techniques.

SUGGESTED MINIMUM DONATION $25 per person