Articles by Walter Atkins
Miles Davis Centennial Celebration At SFJAZZ 2026
by Walter Atkins
The 2026 Miles Davis Centennial Celebration at SFJAZZ marked the first hundred years of the innovator, musician and painter Miles Dewey Davis III. Davis' nephew, producer and Miles Electric Band leader Vince Wilburn Jr has maintained and directed the influential legacy of Davis for decades. This year, Wilburn introduced several fresh elements to his annual visit to honor his uncle's 100th anniversary. These included a panel discussion of Davis' posthumously released 1992 album doo-bop (Warner Bros.), featuring collaborator and hip-hop ...
Continue ReadingAlison Shearer In Her Own Words
by Walter Atkins
Bandleader Alison Shearer brought her talented Quartet to San Francisco's Black Cat for an expansive four-day residency. Her quartet consisted of keyboardist Kevin Bernstein, bassist Marty Kenny, drummer Diego Joaquin Ramirez and Shearer, saxophone and flute. The set included her compositions “Celestial," “Liberty Market" and “Cycles." After a productive week, she spent an extra day in town to provide her personal insight on touring the west coast, her early instrument choices and musical motivations. Shearer talked effusively about ...
Continue ReadingLavay Smith & Her Red Hot skillet Lickers At Keys Jazz Bistro
by Walter Atkins
A collection of photos from the Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Licker concert at Keys Jazz Bistro in San Francisco CA on December 6 2025 featuring Lavay Smith, Chris Siebert and Danny Armstrong. ...
Continue ReadingSan Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2025
by Walter Atkins
A collection of photos from the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, in San Jose CA August 8 to10 2025, featuring The Headhunters, Mavis Staples Lalah Hathaway, and Common. ...
Continue ReadingTower Of Power Home For Christmas 2024
by Walter Atkins
A collection of photos from the Tower Of Power Home for Christmas concert at Fox Theater Oakland in Oakland CA December 21, 2024 featuring Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, Tom Politzer and the rest of the TOP band. ...
Continue ReadingTony Lindsay At Keys Jazz Bistro 2024
by Walter Atkins
Tony LindsayKeys Jazz Bistro San Francisco, California November 27, 2024 Prolific San Francisco Bay Area vocalist Tony Lindsay (Santana, The Soul Soldiers, MAZE) and his powerhouse group provided a last-minute holiday treat at Keys Jazz Bistro with a relaxed evening of cool sounds the day before the hectic Thanksgiving weekend. Located on Broadway in jny: San Francisco's famous North Beach neighborhood, it is one of the relatively new music clubs in the City. The ...
Continue ReadingStephanie Chou Quintet at SF Jazz 2024
by Walter Atkins
SF Jazz's intimate Joe Henderson Lab hosted the multi-talented Stephanie Chou Quintet on their first visit to San Francisco and the storied West Coast music venue on November 8, 2024. New York composer, alto saxophonist and vocalist Chou presented an authentic jazz flavored blend of original compositions and traditional Chinese folk tales, performed with modern and Chinese traditional instrumentation. Her competent group consisted of: band leader Chou on saxophone, Lin on erhu and viola, pianist Park, bassist Copeland and drummer ...
Continue ReadingMarcus Miller At The Meritage 2024
by Walter Atkins
The magnificent composer/bassist/producer Marcus Miller performed in front of a jubilant and full house at the luxurious Meritage Hotel & Spa in pleasantly pastoral Napa, California.The August 30, 2024 date was part of a fantastic musical weekend. His torrid set opened with an arrangement of the Dazz Band's 1982 Grammy-winning track “Let It Whip" and closed with the 1988 go-go party pleaser “Da' Butt" written by Miller, and originally performed by Experience Unlimited (E.U.). The song was part of the ...
Continue ReadingChaka Khan And Steel Pulse At Stern Grove 2024
by Walter Atkins
The effervescent vocalist Chaka Khan closed out the 2024 iteration of the well-established Stern Grove Festival Series in grand form at San Francisco's bucolic Stern Grove. This ten-time Grammy winner and 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee showed no signs of slowing down during her soulfully incendiary set. British-based reggae band Steel Pulse, a 1986 Grammy recipient, opened for the former Rufus lead singer with a torridly funky session. Ms. Khan, celebrating her 50-year career in ...
Continue ReadingLucinda Williams At Stern Grove 2024
by Walter Atkins
On Sunday August 18, 2024, the 87th San Francisco Stern Grove Festival continued its summer Series with the popular Lucinda Williams. Williams and her crack band dazzled the Stern Grove crowd on an uncharacteristically warm Sunday afternoon. Her country, bluesy storytelling songs along with accompanying anecdotes made for an entertaining close to the weekend. Singer / guitarist Jobi Riccio opened the energetic show. ...
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