4/27/2005: If there is one thing that's definitely NOT on my mind...

I love San Francisco.

In fact I love it so much I'm not even thinking about New Orleans at all right now. I'm definitely not thinking about Jazz Fest and all-night-jam-till-you-drop shows. And looking through music listings here in SF definitely doesn't turn up tons of ridiculous New Orleans late night lineups that make me want to jump on an airplane Friday morning. I'm not thinking of the all night bars or the warm weather...

Nope, not me. I'm not thinking about Jazz Fest at all...

I AM thinking about how awesome Zap Mama is going to be on Thursday night. Come and check it out if you're not in New Orleans. If you are I'm sure you've not having that much fun anyway... You're probably in some coffee shop all night checking your email... Booooring...

|||||| WEDNESDAY 4/27 ||||||

Jazz Mafia Unit Happy Hour @ Bruno’s $FREE

Some of SF’s funkiest players have known ties to the Jazz Mafia. It’s a good bet this happy hour is worth every penny.

http://www.cannonball.ws

Chick Corea Elektric Band @ Yoshi’s $20-28 (sold out)

Wednesday through Sunday show, all sold out at this point. It’s no mystery why, Chick is one of the greatest improvisational jazz pianists ever. Hunt on the ol’ Craigslist and maybe you’ll get lucky…

http://www.chickcorea.com/

Nine Inch Nails @ Warfield $35.50 (sold out)

Wednesday and Thursday shows, check for tickets on Craigslist. Just ‘cause I’m an old fan… If you’re in the mood for it, they’re absolutely amazing. Dark, but amazing.

http://www.nin.com/

|||||| THURSDAY 4/28 ||||||

Mobile Holmes Happy Hour @ Bruno’s $FREE

Another Jazz Mafia production, this time it’s downtempo new school jazz from our local Mission champs.

http://www.cannonball.ws

Zap Mama @ Fillmore $28.50

I’m catching it, c’mon down! A rare stop brings us the afro-european soul grooves of Zap Mama from Brussels. Word on the street is that they redefine the term ‘world music’ with an amazing depth of influences blending together in a completely unique, powerful, and soulful sound. Amp Fiddler opens.

http://www.zapmama.be/

Chick Corea Elektric Band @ Yoshi’s $20-28 (sold out)

See above.

http://www.chickcorea.com/

Nine Inch Nails @ Warfield $35.50 (sold out)

See above.

http://www.nin.com/

|||||| FRIDAY 4/29 ||||||

Cyclomatic Trio Happy Hour @ House of Shields $FREE

Mister Willis is slamming skins again from 6 to 9 with bassist Greg and special guest keyboard wizard Greg Garvey. Expect some hot jazz and some whacky covers (starting with Led Zeppelin)…

Aphrodesia @ Independent $12

Thinkin’ I might hit this one too. Easily my favorite local afrobeat band, Aphrodesia comes out swingin’ with dance-crazy African percussion rhythms and big funky funky horns. They’re just an awesome experience. Wisdom opens up.

http://www.aphrodesia.org/

Stymie & the Pimp Jones Luv Orchestra @ Red Devil Lounge $10

This big 12-piece band plays authentic original old school funk and they completely kick ass at it. Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, Parliament, you can hear all the good funky stuff in their music, and it sounds sweeeeet.

http://www.stymieluv.com/

Chick Corea Elektric Band @ Yoshi’s $20-28 (sold out)

See above.

http://www.chickcorea.com/

|||||| SATURDAY 4/30 ||||||

Sinister Dexter @ Lost & Found Saloon $5

Get down with the big funky jazz from Sinister Dexter. With 12 pieces they’ll hit you with some funk, latin jazz, a little old school R & B, and a lot more in the tasty grooves department. And five damn dollars? How are ya gonna beat that?

http://sinisterdexter.net/index.php

Chick Corea Elektric Band @ Yoshi’s $20-28 (sold out)

See above.

http://www.chickcorea.com/

|||||| SUNDAY 5/1 ||||||

Chick Corea Elektric Band @ Yoshi’s $20-28 (sold out)

See above.

http://www.chickcorea.com/

|||||| MONDAY 5/2 ||||||

Plays Monk @ Bacar $FREE

Local badass drummer Scott Amendola joins up with a Clarinet and Contrabass to attack some of Thelonius Monk’s best tunes. Have a glass of wine, relax, it’s Monday.

http://www.scottamendola.com/

|||||| TUESDAY 5/3 ||||||

Realistic Orchestra @ Bruno’s $8

It’s Jazz Mafia Tuesday bringin’ you the biggest damn break beat jazz band you ever did see. With 20 all star musicians in the cast and $2 Stella Artois you just can’t go wrong.

http://www.realisticorchestra.com/

The Vowel Movement @ Studio Z $5-15 Sliding

All beatbox, all the time. This unreal event is put together by the best mouth musicians in the area and they’ll blow your mind with live looping and virtuoso-like skills.

http://www.thevowelmovement.com/\

|||||| WEDNESDAY 5/4 ||||||

Jazz Mafia Unit Happy Hour @ Bruno’s $FREE

See above.

http://www.cannonball.ws

So as you can see this week many of our beloved players have skipped town for some silly event in New Orleans. I can't imagine why, but would they listen to me? Noooo way. Anyhoo dig the UPCOMING list again. It just gets crazier and crazier and crazier...