Daniel Riera Ensemble: Future Flutist with Electric Ensemble

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Drawing inspiration from ’70s jazz, funk, and the rhythmic tug of post-Dilla hip-hop, Daniel Riera presents new music for flute, wind controller, and electric ensemble. The multi-instrumentalist is well known for his impressive performances on the wind controller, a digital woodwind delivering earth-shaking bass, acidic melodies, and even chords. Featuring: Daniel Riera - flute, wind controller Kev Choice - keyboards Dame Drummer - drums Kai Lyons - guitar Camille Mai - vocals San Fra...
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The Musical Art Quintet: Chamber con Alma

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This celebration of the Musical Art Quintet’s latest album, Chamber con Alma—“chamber with soul”—promises to be an evening of contemporary string quintet music with spirited improvisations and cross-cultural influences. The program includes original compositions by bandleader/bassist Sascha Jacobsen, important works by icons such as Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and Tito Puente, and the world premiere of “The Cool, Grey City of Love,” commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission and inspir...
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The Brian Hingerty Group: Emerging Bay Area Jazz Talent

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Under the guidance of guitarist Brian Hingerty, some of the Bay Area’s finest young jazz musicians join forces to perform a contemporary take on jazz standards. The group, comprised mostly of musicians under 17 and augmented by Northern California bass giant Chris Amberger, combines elements of electronica, funk, and blues as they perform both jazz/rock classics and original compositions. Featuring: Brian Hingerty - guitar Chris Amberger - bass Matthew Stoloff - drums Joshua Tazman - voc...
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October 1st MAPP: Calling Divine Spirits / Joining Opposing Forces

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Byb Kongo Bibene presents Nkisi Nkondi: A Divine Sculpture from Central Africa, a public talk which reveals the not so told functions of the nkisi nkondi, the sacred statues found in the great kingdom of Kongo in the 19th century. The Nkisis were power figures used by individuals, families, or whole communities to destroy or weaken evil spirits, prevent or cure illnesses, repel bad deeds, solemnize contracts or oath taking, and resolve disputes. A diviner or holy person would activate the statue...
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Miguelito Martinez: Cuba le canta a México

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The music of flautist Miguelito Martinez bridges the Afro-Caribbean rhythms of Cuba, the powerful melodies of Mexico, and the sounds of traditional jazz. His latest album, Cuba le canta a México, honors the musicians and composers who have contributed to these musical traditions. Born in Chiapas, Mexico, Miguelito Martinez studied music education and transversal flute at the University of Science and Art in Chiapas and La Universidad Veracruzana, with training in Kodály and Orff. He is the fo...
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Karina Deniké: Noirish Torch Songs and ’60s Soul

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Karina Deniké presents an original set of reflective songs filled with tales of female aviators, love, memory, as well as personal and regional history. Drawing from Eastern European lullabies and sea shanties, as well as pop music from the 1930s-1960s, Deniké’s vocally driven pieces feature a distinctive ensemble that includes bass clarinet, chord organ, piano, and baritone guitar. Bay Area pianist and vocalist Christianna Valentina opens the evening with her raw, minimalist take on Argentine t...
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12th Annual Lit Crawl SF: Naughty, Good Magic

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Six literary burlesque readers tease you with each story, taking it all off, one word at a time. About Lit Crawl: The 12th annual Lit Crawl will span over three hours in San Francisco's Mission District, featuring 99 events and over 400 performers. From fiction to nonfiction and poetry to comedy, these events will take place in bookstores, bars, galleries, restaurants, stores, cafés, and community spaces. One of the most anticipated literary nights of the year, San Francisco’s Lit Crawl a...
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Ghost + Spirit: Improvisations by Ben Goldberg, Hamir Atwal & Ila Cantor

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Clarinetist Ben Goldberg, guitarist Ila Cantor, and drummer/percussionist Hamir Atwal present an evening of improvisations at the Red Poppy. Ben Goldberg established himself as one of the most inventive and vibrant clarinetists in jazz and improvised music in 1992 with his group New Klezmer Trio. Through his many bands and compositional projects, Goldberg has been noted for his exploration into polyphony and collective improvising. He was named #1 Rising Star Clarinetist in the Downbeat Criti...
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Danny Green Trio: Jazz, Classical & Brazilian Convergence

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Pianist/composer Danny Green and his trio return to the Red Poppy to showcase their melodically charged blend of jazz, Brazilian, Latin, and classical sounds. As a rising force on the national jazz scene, Green distinguishes himself with a beautifully articulated touch and deep affinity for Brazilian music. Featuring: Danny Green - piano Justin Grinnell - bass Julien Cantelm - drums Southern California native Danny Green has garnered a reputation in the jazz community as an emerging ar...
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Opaluna: Contemporary Jazz with Latin Rhythms

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On their debut, self-titled album, Opaluna, Colombian vocalist Susana Pineda and Bay Area guitarist Luis Salcedo present a fresh approach to contemporary jazz and Latin music, exploring every facet of their instruments while incorporating electronic techniques to create new textures and effects. The duo, joined at the Red Poppy by bassist Jeff Denson and drummer Zach Mondlick, melds their disparate backgrounds through a soulful intermingling of cultures, rhythms, and traditions. Featuring: ...
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Fémina: Argentinian Urban Folk

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Patagonian singer/songwriters Fémina make a stop at the Red Poppy as a part of their first-ever tour of the United States. Commingling rap and funk with Latin genres such as cumbia, candombe, rumba, and bolero, the popular trio boasts a theatrical and potent sound that unites melodic harmonies with poetic hip-hop. Featuring: Sofia “Toti” Trucco - vocals, guitar, ronroco Clara "Wewi" Trucco - vocals, percussion Clara Miglioli - vocals, guitar Hailing from the small mountain town of San M...
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Trio Caminos: Latin Jazz Meets Spanish Beats

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Synthesizing elements of jazz, flamenco, tango, and Latin American music, Trio Caminos is a new acoustic ensemble led by Venezuelan guitarist Carlos Caminos. After moving to the Bay Area, Caminos connected with bassist Sascha Jacobsen and percussionist Sage Baggott to create original compositions and play music by composers such as Astor Piazzolla and Michel Camilo. Together, Trio Caminos boasts a rich, diverse repertoire that marries Latin American music to Afro-Caribbean, Spanish, and joropo b...
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The pickPocket Ensemble: Lounge Music for Spies

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The six-piece pickPocket Ensemble returns to the Red Poppy to celebrate the release of the new album, Pepper Greenwald Presents Lounge Music for Spies. The pickPockets will play selections from the album, transporting listeners into the world of international espionage via European café music. The evening will also include remixes from the record and a set of original pickPocket tunes. Featuring: Rick Corrigan - accordion Yates Brown - guitar Chloe Allen - violin Matthew Souther - trumpet...
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CHIVES: A Bicoastal Contemporary Jazz Collective

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With a deep musical connection they’ve nurtured since middle school, the bicoastal trio known as CHIVES specializes in a contemporary jazz sound. Sometimes playing inside themes and sometimes soaring far beyond, saxophonist/clarinetist Steven Lugerner accompanies bassist Matthew Wohl and drummer Max Jaffe in a performance that is both elastic and buoyant. Come see this trio of native San Franciscans play a special hometown show at the Red Poppy to celebrate the release of their latest album, Yea...
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Red Poppy Art House Presents: Crossover Collaborative Residencies

Crossover Collaborative Residencies provides a framework to support the exploration of collaborative processes between artists in dance and music disciplines. Pairing six choreographer/dancers and six composer/musicians, the program follows a four-stage development from preliminary artists gatherings and orientation workshops, to early-stage “raw” presentations of works-in-progress, a middle-stage free community-engaged presentation, and a final performance/presentation. With support from the...
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Pagodinhos SF: Monthly Rio-Style Pagode de Mesa

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The Red Poppy Art House presents a monthly Rio-style pagode de mesa featuring a revolving cast of the finest players in the Bay Area. Pagode, meaning “party,” is the small group subgenre of samba that is played in samba schools, bars, cafes and backyards of Rio de Janeiro. From cavaquinho and guitar, to vocals and percussion, the musical style includes a lively mixture of songs with active audience participation. Admission: Free, donations accepted for musicians ($5-10). Event at 1:00pm. ...
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Gautam Tejas Ganeshan: New Carnatic Music

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Gautam Tejas Ganeshan’s performances reflect his love and deep knowledge of Carnatic music. His elaborate structures, extensive improvisations, and utmost sincerity distinguish him as one of the great practitioners of the form. Performed with chamber ensembles, Ganeshan’s music prioritizes authenticity over ethnicity and immediacy over nostalgia. His concerts offer listeners a rare peek into the complex song forms of a rich oral tradition. Founder and director of the Sangati Center, a non-pro...
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Rob Reich Quintet: New Music for Jazz Accordion

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Fresh off the release of his debut album, Shadowbox, accordionist, pianist, and composer Rob Reich and his quintet return to the Red Poppy. Mixing improvisational romps with refined and melodic ensemble arrangements, Rob’s idiosyncratic accordion style mixes doses of wry humor and elements of spontaneous revelation that help propel the instrument’s modern renaissance. Rob Reich (photo by Eddy Joaquim) grew up in Long Island, New York, and began studying piano at the age of three. After gradua...
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Wahid: Improvisations of Greece and the Levant

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Using a modern and fluid approach to improvisation, oud player Dimitris Mahlis and frame drummer Chris Wabich explore Greek, Persian, and Indian sounds that date back to antiquity. Described by Digital Jazz News as “eclectic, organic, and unplugged in the truest sense of the word,” Wahid’s newest release, Inside Silence, synthesizes their cross-cultural music into a distinctive jazz idiom. Featuring: Dimitris Mahlis - oud Chris Wabich - tuned frame drums   Admission: $10-20. ...
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Ricardo Peixoto and Duo Violão Brasil: Brazilian Guitar

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Bay Area-based Brazilian guitarist Ricardo Peixoto returns to the Red Poppy alongside Rio de Janeiro-based guitarists Rogério Souza and Edinho Gerber (Duo Violão Brasil). Performing original compositions, as well as a traditional repertoire from composers like Pixinguinha, Baden Powell, and Tom Jobim, the trio will spend the evening exploring the many styles of 20th-century Brazilian music. Featuring: Ricardo Peixoto, Rogerio Souza, Edinho Gerber - guitar   Guitarist/composer Ricardo ...
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Broun Fellinis: Afro-Futurist Jazz

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Broun Fellinis present an evening of postmodern Afro-futurist jazz featuring improvisations and compositions that span their 25-year existence. Their sound, informed by the legacy of black American music, pays homage to the creative women and men who gave us this vast library of music. From field hollers to blues, jazz, funk, hip-hop, and the experimental, Broun Fellinis are part of an ongoing aesthetic cosmic continuum that the Art Ensemble of Chicago coined “Great Black Music from the Ancient ...
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Richard Sears Quintet ft. Hard-Bop Legend Tootie Heath: CD Release

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Taking its name from the Southern California foothills, jazz pianist Richard Sears’ Altadena is a five-part suite that features drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath in a mostly free-form musical context, blurring the line between soloist and accompanist. Featuring: Steven Lugerner - alto saxophone, bass clarinet Patrick Wolff - tenor saxophone Richard Sears - piano, compositions Garret Lang - bass Tootie Heath - drums Brooklyn-based pianist Richard Sears has performed with some of the grea...
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Beyond the Blues: Ending the Prison Industrial Complex, Series 4, Discussion 6 w/ Marcus Shelby

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Marcus Shelby presents Discussion 6 of Beyond the Blues: Ending the Prison Industrial Complex on Wednesday, September 21, 2016. Composer Marcus Shelby and special guests continue these interactive discussions at the Red Poppy Art House on issues about mass incarceration and combating the prison industrial complex. With a focus on dealing with police violence in our communities, this meeting will feature executive director of AFRO SOLO, poet, and activist Thomas Simpson and his presentation, "Gui...
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Steph Johnson Trio: Soul, Jazz, Funk & Blues from San Diego

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Steph Johnson brings her trio to the Red Poppy to celebrate the release of her new album, Music is Art, produced by Grammy Award-winner Kamau Kenyatta. Steph’s rich, fervent vocals and soothing guitar will be accompanied by double bassist Rob Thorsen and drummer Fernando Gomez for an evening of compassionate soul jazz. Featuring: Steph Johnson - vocals, guitar Rob Thorsen - bass Fernando Gomez - drums San Diego-based Steph Johnson is a self-taught musician whose distinctive style of voc...
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Ridgeway Arts Presents: Brooklyn Jazz Vocalist Tammy Scheffer

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Ridgeway Arts presents vocalist and composer Tammy Scheffer as a featured artist in their National/International program, which brings high-profile artists from around the globe to the Bay Area. The Brooklyn-based Scheffer joins double bassist and vocalist Jeff Denson and special guests for a night of contemporary jazz at the Red Poppy. Featuring: Tammy Scheffer - vocals Jeff Denson - double bass, vocals Special guests TBA Tammy Scheffer has been a creative voice in NYC’s jazz circle fo...
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Ya Layl: Explorations of the Middle East

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Ya Layl presents “Mostly Middle Eastern,” a program of Arabic, Turkish, Armenian, and other music performed by Sarah Michael, Peter Maund, and Suellen Primost. Special guest Niko Bakulich joins the trio for an eclectic evening of lively dance numbers, modal improvisations, American standards, and medieval pilgrim songs. Featuring: Sarah Michael - kanun (Arabic zither) Suellen Primost - cello Peter Maund - percussion Niko Bakulich - bass   Kanun player Sarah Michael has been studyin...
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Ampersan: Mexican Electro-Folk Rock

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Join Ampersan in a sonic journey through the landscapes of Mexico and Latin America. Their music brings together the feelings of peasant songs, son, and psychedelica with rock, rap, and electronica. Featuring: Zindu Cano - jarana, acoustic guitar, vocals Kevin García - punteador, electric guitar, vocals Since its inception in 2007, Ampersan has rooted their sound in the traditional acoustic music of Mexico, with forays into contemporary classical music and experimentation. The duo’s comp...
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Mamadou and Vanessa: Mali Blues

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Mamadou and Vanessa perform original, poignant music from Mali. Their sound, influenced by West African rhythms and southern American blues, features the traditional 14-stringed kamele ngoni (hunter's harp) and the karinye, a traditional percussion instrument. Master kamele ngoni player Mamadou Sidibe is from the Wassoulou region of Mali, West Africa. He has toured with Malian greats Oumou Sangaré and Coumba Sidibé throughout Europe and Africa. Vanessa Sidibe, from New York, is an accomplish...
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Lavay Smith: The Songs and Sounds of Duke Ellington

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Internationally recognized chanteuse Lavay Smith and her world-class band come to the Red Poppy to pay tribute to the great Duke Ellington. Performing popular favorites, as well as obscure gems, Lavay and her band evoke an authentic feeling of classic blues and jazz. Featuring: Lavay Smith - vocals Jules Broussard - alto and tenor sax Danny Armstrong - trombone, vocals Chris Siebert - piano Ron Belcher - bass Lavay Smith is the vocalist and bandleader of the San Francisco-based Red ...
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Gari Hegedus and Faisal Zedan: Music of Turkish, Arab & Greek Traditions

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Master percussionist Faisal Zedan returns to the Red Poppy Art House alongside multi-instrumentalist Gari Hegedus for an evening of music rooted in Turkish, Arab, and Greek traditions. Displaying a dynamic approach to rhythm and melody, the duo enthusiastically rejuvenates classic styles of Middle Eastern drumming. Featuring: Gari Hegedus - Turkish and Arabic ouds, saz Faisal Zedan - derbakki, riqq, and frame drums Born in Lebanon and raised in Syria, Faisal Zedan grew up impassioned wit...
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