Monday Jazz
By Paul Lyons
If you are in San Francisco on a Monday night and want to hear the local jazz scene at it’s finest, head to North Beach. The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra plays every Monday at Pearls - 256 Columbus Ave (at Broadway). The band is full of outstanding players – all working musicians. The solos are always creative and almost always adventurous.
If a large group and a $15 cover is not your thing, then one can head over to the nearby Grant and Green Saloon - 1371 Grant Ave, where the Mike Olmos Quartet plays. The band plays in a very hard driving, modern, angular style that can sometimes lead you to wonder where the melody is, but the virtuosity cannot be denied. Olmos has a beautiful sound with many shades and an impressive range.
Last Monday, I was able to check out both of these groups. It made me conclude that Jazz, as an art form, is alive and well in San Francisco. The veteran trombonist/bassist Chuck Bennett concurred that the level of playing on ALL instruments in San Francisco, is presently at a very high level. Monday nights in SF. Good music to be had.
Gallery:
Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
Chuck Bennett
Mike Rinta
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