Local musicians pivot to being ‘artists in residence’ — literally
Musicians around the East Bay are turning the calamity of a global pandemic-induced lockdown into an opportunity for creative exploration.
Andrew Gilbert
Andrew Gilbert writes a weekly music column for Berkeleyside. Andy, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, covers a wide range of musical cultures, from Brazil and Mali to India and Ireland. A Berkeley-based freelancer, he contributes features on jazz and international music to numerous publications, including the San Jose Mercury News, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times and Los Angeles Times. His column covering the Bay Area dance scene, Dance Card, runs monthly in the Contra Costa Times. And his CD reviews air regularly on KQED’s “California Report.”
Articles by Andrew
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A day of their own at Berkeley High
Sarah Cline, director of Berkeley High’s storied jazz program, launched JazzGirls Day in 2012. The event, which takes place Saturday at BHS, has spread around the country. Plus: Other recommended gigs.
In Berkeley: Multi-instrumentalist Rumen ‘Sali’ Shopov and Ethio-jazz patriarch Mulatu Astatke
Catch the undisputed patriarch of Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke, at UC Theatre, and Bulgarian-born, West Berkeley-based multi-instrumentalist Ruman “Sali” Shopov at Timbre Folk & Baroque on Wednesday.
The Afro-Brazilian side of Kenya Moses
A classically trained vocalist and former dancer who spent some time with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Moses is now exploring her Brazilian roots in a show at the Back Room on Feb. 20
Berkeley Law puts Shylock in the docks
Everyone needs a good lawyer. But Shylock, one of Shakespeare’s most historically fraught villains, is a special case. On Sunday, Berkeley Law takes over the Freight to give the old usurer another shot at justice.
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The many fashion-forward hats of Myra Melford
From the stage to the classroom to the Cal Performances offices, the composer, bandleader and educator brings a bracing shot of improvisational energy to Berkeley.
Berkeley’s soundtrack for Black History Month: Our 10 picks
With Black History Month upon us, some venues go all out to celebrate the country’s foundational music styles. Here are 10 acts we’re particularly eager to catch (a list that could have easily doubled).
Nora Stanley steps out in Berkeley and the bay
Nora Stanley, Berkeley High class of 2014, is one of the most exciting young saxophonists on the Bay Area jazz scene. Catch her in action in the coming weeks, including Tuesday at the California Jazz Conservancy.
In Berkeley: Django Reinhardt unchained and Charles Amirkhanian’s music inspired by nature
Open Minds founder Charles Amirkhanian’s 75th birthday is celebrated Sunday at the Brower Center. While next Friday the Freight will mark Django Reinhardt’s 110th birthday with a three-day festival.
Berkeley’s Marcelo Pérez is home and bringing us jazz in the key of ‘no’
After a number of his friends were assaulted, the drummer/composer’s new show, No Means No, is designed to raise consciousness about sexual assault, as well as funds for San Francisco Women Against Rape.
In Berkeley: Owen Chen’s cognitive jazz and Maqueque’s Cuban women
Guitarist and Cal grad Owen Chen plays Jupiter Friday. And get ready to dance at a Cuban new year’s eve party at the Freight, also in downtown Berkeley.
Three cheers for Rev. Julie’s musical legacy in Albany
The basement of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church is a thriving community resource and a vital cultural hub that presents concerts series, art exhibitions and literary events, no small thanks to the Rev. Julie Wakelee-Lynch.
Mahsa Vahdat, finding her place in Berkeley
The Iranian vocalist carries thousands of years of culture in her throat and, whenever she sings, she reconstructs a world from which she’s been exiled. Catch her Saturday at the Freight.
Grateful Sounds in Berkeley
The sheer abundance of music from around the world in Berkeley this month is extraordinary.
Passing time with Laurie Antonioli, who plays Berkeley Saturday
The founding director of the jazz vocal program at Berkeley’s California Jazz Conservatory is in the midst of a brilliant second act as a bandleader and recording artist. And she has a new album out.
Kai Eckhardt’s all-star Resilience plays Berkeley
One of the world’s leading voices on the electric bass over the past three decades, the longtime Berkeley resident introduces a new ensemble Friday at the California Jazz Conservatory.
