Frog Face Band
San Rafael, CA
Americana
5
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Mandolin, Dobro, Upright Bass
Frog Face is a five-piece band based in San Rafael, California that plays bluegrass and American roots music. The band’s repertoire consists mainly of original compositions with a sprinkling of traditional tunes and reimaginings of obscure gems. Each member brings years of musical experience from bands and songwriting: Joe Ridout on lead guitar and vocals, Aaron Balano on dobro, Nate Alavi on mandolin and vocals, Greg Dunn on bass, and Kat Quigley on rhythm guitar and vocals.
Frog Face strives for a full textured sound with sets that balance heartfelt ballads and high-energy numbers. Their style of playing and originals are influenced by bluegrass, old-time, country, rock, folk and singer-songwriter music. They alternate between three lead singers and two and three part harmony stacks. They aim to bring each song to life - allowing the song to be what it wants to be - while bringing their own unique take. Between Joe’s fiery flatpicking, Aaron’s delightful dobro, Nate’s melodic mandolin, Greg’s booming bass, and Kat’s righteous rhythm, Frog Face keeps each set dynamic, unorthodox and full of rustic color. They channel the vibes of a Saturday night jam while serving up soulful sets that keep the energy flowing!
Groove Alchemy
Berkeley CA
Rock
4
Bass/Vocals, Sax/Vocals,Guitar/Vocals, Drums/Percussion
Groove Alchemy plays what we call Rock/Ska/Funk with a side of Jazz. We try to be accurate but like a lot of bands, we love styles from around the world so describing us would be a paragraph of its own. We also improvise together as well as solo, so what do you call new music that you invent which changes every night? (Groove Alchemy)
Musicians in the band have deep experience playing in local tribute bands - the bassist played in Who Too (The Who) and our sax player still plays in Slinky Thing( Steely Dan). We have also all played in original and cover bands from a wide range of styles from New Orleans Funk to Blues to Jazz and what people call Latin but we all have Rock in common. At times we develop a huge sound for just four players, other times dropping it down to more subtle, nuanced playing but we always keep the focus on dance music. The bassist got a book published: The Bassist's Bible: How to Play Every Bass Style from Afro-Cuban to Zydeco which took the better part of a decade to complete. Before writing this book he could probably play 4 styles well and fake perhaps another 4. After completing the book he realized that he could incorporate his knowledge and love of many styles into his compositions accurately or hybridize them a bit to make them fit within the compositions. Playing such varied music in a primarily dance oriented format helps us create our own sound.
Groovy Judy
Rio Vista
Rock
4
Guitar, bass, drums, keys
Fun, rocking and funky! Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Groovy Judy has become one of the Bay Area’s most recognizable musicians. Inspired by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, & Sly &The Family Stone, Groovy Judy’s classic riffs and warm personality have endeared her to fans everywhere.
Huney Knuckles
Oakland
Jazz
5
Guitar x2, Keys (keybass), Drums
Featuring the left hand keyboard bass wizardry of Kevin Wong along with the indomitable pocket of Darian Gray (touring drummer for Booker T Jones for the past 14 years), the Huney Knuckles are undisputedly known as "the best band in the bay right now", elevated to electifying heights by the lighting fast solos of virtuoso guitarist Brian Sheu along with the world class musicianship of grammy award winning saxophonist Tony Peebles. Fusing watertight grooves with high energy shreds that will make you want to jump out of your seat, this 4-piece instrumental powerhouse has made a huge noise in the local scene, serving up soulful compositions, mind bending solos, & insanely funky jams at the highest level possible.
In 2023, they released their 1st album "Huney Knuckle Scuffle", recorded at the legendary Hyde Street Studios with famed producer Otis McDonald after touring in Tokyo, Japan in April 2023 with bassist Kenji "Jino" Hino (son of Terumasa Hino), saxophonist Patrick Bartley & drummer Fuyu Murata. Since then, they have been busy in the studio recording with legendary saxophonist Eddie M (Prince, Sheila E) & renown vocalist Tony Lindsay (Santana, Maze) releasing singles monthly from their new live video series "Loft Sessions" recorded live at the home of keyboardist Kevin Wong. You can find their latest music, video, and live video releases on Spotify, Youtube & Instagram respectively, as well as hear them at their residency at Madrone Art Bar in San Francisco every 4th Thursday (now bi-monthly).
Iko YaYa
El Cerrito
Zydeco
6
Accordion, fiddle, saxophone, washboard/percussion, drums, bass, guitar, vocals
Iko YaYa plays a gumbo of Louisiana-flavored dance tunes — New Orleans blues and boogie, & Cajun/Zydeco - even a little country.
Think of us as a year-round Mardi Gras band! We performed for y'all in 2023 and had an absolute blast - would love to do it all over again!
We’ve been developing a Bay Area following since 2013 - playing music halls like:
Berkeley’s Ashkenaz, Rancho Nicasio, Santa Rosa’s Monroe Hall, Alameda Eagles Hall, Sausalito Cruising Club, Pt. Richmond’s Baltic Kiss, Pt. San Pablo Harbor, Petaluma’s Brewsters Beer Garden, Angel Island Cantina, Sacramento VFW, Rohnert Park's Waterhawk, Presidio Yacht Club, and many others!
Festivals & other community events:
Napa’s Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival (2 years), Isleton Crawfish Festival, Pt. Richmond Music Series, Cotati Accordion Festival, San Diego’s Gator By The Bay, A Taste of Sausalito, Niles Plaza Concerts, Sacramento’s Crawdad Festival, Belvedere Concerts in the Park, Mill Valley Plaza Concerts, Corte Madera Summer Concerts, Mission College Summer Music Series, as well as many private & corporate events.
InnovacionAB
Richmond ca
Latin
5
Guitar,bass,drums,acordion
The band was formed 4 years that consist
Of 5 member. Four of them Family related
The Two patents decided to get together and Start music. Thanks to hard work and dedication we’ve played been playing in clubs and prívate partys.
Ira Marlowe and the Slow Reveal
Berkeley
Rock
4
Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Lead vocals, harmony vocals. (We may also have a female vocalist/viola player joining us!)
Ira Marlowe has taught songwriting at UC Berkeley, penned the songs for four San Francisco Mime Troupe Shows, and survived a series of comically botched major label record deals. In 2023 he formed The Slow Reveal, assembled from musicians he met at The Monkey House, the 50-seat University Ave. venue he opened in 2012. Marlowe is known for the breadth of his songwriting (he's currently creating a workshop production of an original musical inspired by Kafka's "The Metamorphosis") but for Point Richmond Music the band will focus on their fun, upbeat material--smart, lyrically-drive songs rooted in rock, funk, blues and soul. Through the Monkey House, they have an email list of over 3,000 and are confident they can bring a chunk of their fan base out to this lively event. IMPORTANT NOTE: While we have many great upbeat songs, for some reason all we have on Youtube is a short clip from one of them. I'm including a second (slow) song as an indication of the quality of what we do, NOT what we will play at the Pt. Richmond festival. We have a Jan 24 show where we intend to videotape extensively and will post more upbeat samples soon after that. My apologies for this.
JAM and the Buttered Biscuits
Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay
Rock
5
5
Hailing from the vibrant Monterey Bay Area music scene, JAM and the Buttered Biscuits have been serving up a delicious blend of bluesy funk rock music since the Fall of 2024. Formed to bring frontman Jeffrey A. Meyer's (JAM) two solo albums to the stage, the recipe has been evolving ever since. While Meyer's "Wilder Times" and "Colors of the Mind" albums served as the basis of the repertoire, the group has added a new flavor to the work and new songs along the way.
Leo MacDonald was among the first to join—bringing smooth buttery bass lines—with drummer, Cliff Nichols, and his driving rhythmic grooves on the pots and pans following closely behind. Meyer’s guitar and vocals are complemented by Fernando Giraldo’s fiery lead guitar work and the indispensable blues and country seasoning provided by Brad Kava on harmonica.
With their Monterey Bay roots, JAM and the Buttered Biscuits are a must see act on California's Central Coast. You can catch them up and down the coast including Santa Cruz, Monterey, the San Francisco Bay Area, Morro Bay and beyond.
Jason Movrich & Friends
San Francisco
Soul
5
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Sax, Keyboards
Jason Movrich & Friends is a dynamic ensemble that masterfully weaves together the rich traditions of soul, funk, jazz, and rhythm & blues into a captivating musical experience. At the heart of this collective is Jason Movrich, a visionary musician and bandleader whose deep-rooted passion for groove and improvisation has set the tone for a truly unique sound. The ensemble features a rotating cast of talented musicians who join Movrich in bringing his vision to life. This collaborative approach infuses each performance with a fresh energy and spontaneity, ensuring that no two shows are ever the same. From the smooth, sultry grooves of soul to the syncopated beats of funk, the intricate harmonies of jazz, and the raw, emotive power of blues, Jason Movrich & Friends deliver a genre-blending experience that resonates with audiences of all tastes.
Jean Fineberg Quintet
East Bay, Pinole
Funk
5
Saxophone/flute, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums
The Jean Fineberg Quintet is a professional band led by saxophonist/flutist Jean Fineberg. Featuring super funky, danceable modern sax playing, swinging flute solos and a hot rhythm section, their diverse all-original repertoire ranges from New Orleans R&B, blues and Latin, to uptempo swing and reggae. In addition to her quintet, whe performs with her recording, octet JAZZphoria.
Saxophonist and composer Jean Fineberg is a longtime fixture on the Bay Area original music scene, who has toured and/or recorded with David Bowie, Chic ("Freak Out"), Sister Sledge ("We Are Family"), Laura Nyro, Melba Liston, Cornell Dupree, The Larry Elgart Band and the Montclair Women’s Big Band.
Her compositions are included in Terri Lyne Carrington's “New Standards” and "The Bay Area Composers Fake Book," and have been performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center and the Grammys. Jean is profiled in numerous books and articles, including "Feminists Who Changed America” and “Saxophone Journal” and "KQED Arts & Leisure." She has served as composer-in-residence at nine U.S. art centers, and has received grants from Chamber Music America, the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music, Intermusic SF, the NEA, ASCAP and Meet the Composer.
Jeff Cotton's Gin Joint
San Francisco & Oakland
American Roots
4
Bass, Drums, Electric guitars, acoustic guitar, vocals
Jeff Cotton’s Gin Joint is a rhythmically tight four to five piece band that is a San Francisco/Oakland-based roots rock band known for their obscure covers and rootsy originals that draw from the deep well of classic rock, soul, country, and psychedelic groove. Now on their third year of residency playing every 2nd Wednesday of month at the Boom Boom Room in San Francesco's Fillmore District. The band has been playing energetic upbeat originals with original takes on a cover or to as well.
Jeff Jolly Band (duo) as well
San Francisco
Americana
2
Acoustic /electric guitar 2 vocals male /female
Jeff's expert guitar work and original compositions form the backbone of their music, while Desiree's evocative voice and lyrical insight elevate each performance into something unforgettable. Together, they've toured stages across the globe, earning loyal fans and critical acclaim for their heartfelt performances and magnetic on-stage chemistry.
From intimate venues to international festivals, Jeff and Desiree have never stopped evolving. In 2025, they're set to bring their unique American roots sound to Japan, continuing a lifelong journey of music exploration and cultural connection.
Whether you hear them live or on record, Jeff and Desiree Jolly invite you into a soundscape that's as timeless as it is fresh-a true artistry, experience, and enduring passion for music.
Jeffrey Halford and the Healers
Marin, The Peninsula, Santa Cruz
American Roots
3
Jeffrey Halford: Guitar, Vocals Adam Rossi: Drums, Keys, Producer, Recording Eng. Myron Dove: Bass (formerly of Santana)
Americana singer/songwriter Jeffrey Halford has been perfecting his craft for three decades. Born in Dallas, a then four-year-old Halford nestled into the back seat of his family’s ‘59 El Dorado en route to Los Angeles. Halford found solace in surfing, “shooting the tube” became one of the few constants in Halford’s life, providing him an escape from both his parents’ fluctuating income and sobriety.
Thanks to Wolfman Jack and AM radio, Halford found a burgeoning passion for music as a teenager. He began to immerse himself deep into songwriting, receiving a nylon string for his 14th birthday, Halford never looked back. And while his lack of formal music education would suggest he’s self-taught, Halford would certainly beg to differ.
Moving to San Francisco in 1977, Halford wandered the streets in search of live music. Persistence earned him a regular spot alongside Harry Spider and Jimmy Ventilator, two of the city’s finest street musicians. These frequent sidewalk appearances earned him gigs with Oakland blues legends Sonny Lane, Mississippi Johnny Waters and J.J. Malone.
Over the last 30 years, Halford has been touring the country with his band, the Healers. Eight European tours under his belt as well, his most recent album reaching number one on the Euro-Americana charts, it’s evident Halford’s influence has spread far beyond his California stomping grounds. They have played shows with some of music’s most acclaimed artists and songwriters — as well as Halford’s influences — such as Taj Mahal, Los Lobos, George Thorogood, Gregg Allman, Etta James, John Hammond, and Texas Greats Augie Meyers, Guy Clark and Robert Earl Keen. Like those who came before him, Halford is attempting to write songs that withstand the test of time.
Jenny Kerr Band
San Rafael, CA
Americana
6
Bass, Drums, Keys, Fiddle. Jenny sings and plays guitar, Banjo, Dobro and Harmonica.
Jenny Kerr is one of few active contemporary artists who fully embody the breadth of the Americana idiom, mining the roots of folk, blues, country, bluegrass and rock to produce a catalog of original work that is respectfully steeped in tradition while still fresh, modern and immediately identifiable as her own.
An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Kerr deftly traverses guitar, dobro, banjo, piano and harmonica over the course of a show,
but it’s her deeply soulful, powerhouse vocals that define her sound and connect with audiences worldwide.
—Joshua Zucker, SF Chronicle
Jimbo Scott & Yesterday’s Biscuits
Castro Valley
Americana
6
Acoustic guitar, upright bass, keys, electric guitar/peddle steel, violin, drums
Jimbo Scott & Yesterday's Biscuits are a genre sprawling band that attempts to fill all of the space available in Americana Music. With songs that jump from Country, to Rock, to Folk and Bluegrass to Soul, the band offers a lush demonstration of instrumental prowess dripping in premier vocal performances. The pairing of Jimbo’s earthy charisma and storytelling with the virtuosic musicality of the Biscuits makes this band a delightful force to be reckoned with.
Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area and described by Tahoe Weekly as “Honest Honey-Eyed Americana”, Jimbo Scott casts reflections around the room, flashing from honest self-deprecation to cinematic retrospectives. He has entertained audiences far and wide including the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, the Kate Wolf Music Festival, The Ten Mile Creek Revival, Whalerock, Strawberry Music Festival, and Salmonfest.
Whether solo or with his progressive Americana band, Jimbo Scott and Yesterday’s Biscuits, Jimbo is a rising force in the West Coast Americana Scene, not to be missed and best to be consumed with reckless abandon.
Jinx Jones & the KingTones
Oakland, CA
Blues
3
Guitar, string bass, drums
Jinx Jones has been twice nominated for Male Rockabilly Artist of the Year by the Ameripolitan Music Awards, has received gold and platinum record awards for his work with R&B divas, En Vogue, has won songwriting awards and has been recognized as one of the hottest acts on the San Francisco music scene.
In Jinx Jones’ impressive musical career he has visited nearly every conceivable style and genre of the electric guitar. From his work Chuck Berry, Solomon Burke, and Roy Buchanan to his own acclaimed rockabilly albums, “License to Twang,” “Rumble & Twang,” “Rip and Run,” Live Twang in Finland.” And “Twang-Tastic!,” Jones has always strived to expand the possibilities of the instrument. He accepts every musical challenge head on, always making an impressive statement with his music. The one thing that remains consistent throughout Jones’ multi-stylistic journey is the grace and finesse of his virtuoso playing.
“Jinx Jones is out there. Four or five nights a week, the great guitar player with the immaculate pompadour can be found at various Bay Area venues, working the stage, doing his thing. The Colorado native came up serving as a sideman to rock ’n’ roll royalty, playing with the likes of Chuck Berry and Solomon Burke.”
Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle
"Jinx is a guitar virtuoso who seamlessly moves from rockabilly to jazz to twang and back again, sometimes in the same song. Those with a liner note obsession will remember Jinx’s playing on En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind.”
(San Francisco Chronicle)
Joe Rut & The Sunshine Shovelers
Oakland
Americana
4
drums, bass/vocals, guitar, guitar/vocals
The winners of “Best Local Band” in the 2024 East Bay Express Readers Poll, Joe Rut & The Sunshine Shovelers live shows have been garnering the group praise for their upbeat sound that harkens back to 60s/70’s Country Rock with occasional forays into a jammier psychedelic landscape. The driving rhythm section of drummer Tim Rowe (Crying Time, Trip Shakespeare) and bassist Russell Kiel (Ruby Lee Hill, Crying Time) careen like a an 18-wheeler searching for a runaway truck ramp on a windy 6% grade, while guitarist Jamie Duncan (The Dogweeds, Aaron Burnham & The Brushfires) drops jaws with his rapid-fire, jazz-infused Telecaster twanglin’.
Bay Area veteran songwriter Rut’s new batch of tales, tall and otherwise, are inhabited by human-scale superheroes and the broken and bent yet open-hearted strangers you meet on the road. There is a vague sense that there is something beautiful waiting just over the next hill, and even if there isn’t, you can always find Jesus after eating a bad gas station tunafish sandwich.
Their January 2026 album release party at The Ivy Room , a sold-out affair serving up hearty chili-con-carned of Cosmic Americana songs informed by Rut’s semi-vagabond lifestyle, set the bar high for good-time up-tempo Bay Area country rock.
Need someone to ride shotgun while you drive cross-country after a bad breakup? Joe Rut & The Sunshine Shovelers might just be your band.
Johnny J. Blair "Singer at Large"
Pinole CA
Rock
4
vocals, bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion
Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. As a singer-songwriter and recording in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + he has performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others.
"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight.
Jokes for Feelings
Oakland
Reggae
6
Guitar,bass, keys, drums, 2 trombones
Spirited, crowd-pleasing Ska-Punk rockers with roots in Oakland’s famous punk club 924 Gilman St. have been longtime fixtures of thriving SF Bay Area scene
The San Francisco Bay Area Punk and Ska scenes are now the things of legend and modern music history. And, it’s a phenomenon that Ska-Punk standouts Jokes For Feelings have long been heavily involved in – and helped form. The movement – particularly the latest “4th Wave” Ska scene – is one that has experienced a notable resurgence in recent years and continues to evolve and grow as veterans increasingly interact and meld with new generations of ever-pogoing, maniacally-moshing music enthusiasts. Jokes For Feelings have continually strived to find great local bands to play with to fully-entertain their enthusiastic, dedicated (and growing) fan base.
Jonny Come Lately
Oakland & LA
Rhythm & Blues
4
Two electric guitars, one upright bass, and one drummer; guitarist also plays harmonica, flute, and didjeridoo
Formed by childhood friends nearly 20 years ago, Jonny Come Lately has a passion for fusing multiple genres of music into their live performances. The band’s early influences were Rockabilly, Punk, and Rhythm & Blues. Over the years, their original music has expanded to incorporate Latin rhythms, Soul, Funk, and Reggae, shaping a danceable, high-energy sound that still stays true to its roots.
Jonny Come Lately has been seen on TV and the live stage. They were a Top 20 finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” as teenagers and have performed everywhere from Downtown Disney to university campuses, bars, county fairs, and summer concert series.
With the original lineup still intact, their focus is the same no matter the setting: taking listeners on a sonic journey through different eras and styles, pushing high-energy rhythms and occasional unexpected textures and instruments.
Jonny Come Lately is comprised of Izzy Loya on guitar and lead vocals, Julian Johnson on upright bass, Adrian Johnson on guitar/harmonica/didgeridoo, and Ángel Ross on drums.
Kate Burkart Band
East Bay
Americana
4
Bass, drums, acoustic guitar, lead/electric guitar, 3 vocals
The Kate Burkart Band plays an original Americana blend of rock, twang, and some quiet introspection. They present powerful stories, clever arrangements, and soaring harmonies, stacked with songs that are always fresh, always surprising. Most often compared with Lucinda Williams, Kate was recently called “Neil Young with a dash of Karen Carpenter”
Keldamuzik
Pinole
Pop
2
Mic
Keldamuzik is a high-energy hip-hop/pop artist known for delivering electrifying performances packed with dance-driven hits, bold confidence, and nonstop crowd engagement. Blending catchy hooks, fierce stage presence, and a signature Bay Area vibe, she brings the party wherever she performs. From festivals to showcases, Keldamuzik turns every set into a full experience—music, movement, and pure Diva energy.
Key Elements Latin Jazz
San Francisco Bay Area
Latin
6
Keyboard, Set Drum, Congas, Bass Guitar, Sax and Flute, Vocal
Key Elements is an all-female Latin jazz ensemble based in the San Francisco Bay Area, led by pianist and composer Patricia Thumas. Their music blends original compositions with classic Latin jazz pieces by legends such as Cal Tjader, Tito Puente, and Mongo Santamaria. Representing the rich cultural heritage of the African diaspora, their repertoire spans a variety of styles, including Mambo, Cha-Cha, Bolero, Bossa Nova, Samba, and Calypso. With a lineup featuring saxophone, flute, congas, percussion, bass, and piano, Key Elements delivers hypnotic rhythms and exotic melodies that captivate audiences and get them moving.
Since 2017, the ensemble has been a fixture in the Bay Area jazz scene, performing at venues like The Back Room in Berkeley, Riggers Loft Winery, and the People in Plazas concert series in San Francisco’s Financial District. The band’s musicians are seasoned performers and music educators, bringing both technical mastery and vibrant energy to the stage. Their discography includes the 2020 album Arrival and the 2024 single Maestra, further showcasing their dynamic sound and artistic evolution. With a reputation for delivering soulful, danceable performances, Key Elements continues to enchant audiences of all ages with their passionate and skillful approach to Latin jazz.
King Tide Band
Sausalito
Rock
6
Bass, Drums, Keys/vocals, 2 guitars /vocals,percussion vocals
ing Tide is an original focused 5 piece band that plays great original tunes in the Rock and Southern Rock Genre. Featuring great guitar , 3 part harmony, and an energetic performance that always get the audience engaged. King Tide has been playing venues in the North Bay for the last 6 years .
Typically we play a mix of original and cover material over 3-4 hours .. About a 40/60% mix. We have lots of original material that harkens back to the 70’s type rock/southern rock vibe. Some of it pretty and a lot of it Rockin! Would love to come out to Richmond and rock out!
Our second video is a tribute to my cat friend of 12 years , Mr Jinn.. I overlayed pics of him on the live video. He’s in kitty heaven but I stilll play his song every gig
We also run a four camera setup and record audio at almost every gig. So you could get some good promo video from us
KOI
Marin County
Blues
6
Keys (vocals), Acoustic Guitar & Electric (Lead Vocals), Electric Guitar (vocals), Bass, Drums, Saxophone
College students playing familiar music older folks love, with a young and mischievous twist. The music we play live is something everyone can get down to and is built to bring everyone together.
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