Loving Life Blog

What would life be without music? And more importantly, with live music. It’s like talking with someone you really like over Facebook, Email, Text, Phone – verses in person… SO much better.

I dropped by Sheba Lounge, in the jazz district on Fillmore Street last week. I wanted to catch the last set of Jesse Foster Trio with Jesse Foster on vocals, Grant Levin on piano and Pierre Archain on bass.

Jesse Foster is a singer, songwriter and percussionist extraordinaire, with an original composition and arranging style which conveys deep and personal messages through songs crossing a wide range of musical genres.

Although Jesse has worked with and been influenced by many renowned artists, he credits the body of works by master artists like Wes Montgomery, Marvin Gaye, John Coltrane, Smokey Robinson, David Ruffin, Nat “King” Cole and Miles Davis for having a profound impact on his concepts, musical direction and career.

Talking with Grant afterwards, he said: “I love playing with Jesse. He is the real deal. I love his artistry.” Grant himself is a humble great talent who in this case (below) manages to play perfectly on a piano that is out of tune – yes – you just gotta avoid certain keys… And Pierre, is a cheerful solid bass player.

I’d like to call them my guys. Jesse was my vocal coach for a period of time when I first moved to San Francisco. When hearing his students with whom I did the performance workshop at the time, today, I wish I had continued… Grant is my pianist. It’s so new, so it is even a little unreal to write it – but I have a pianist! 🙂 And he is awesome! And Pierre – he played bass in the quartet that I performed with at what is now called… Tipsy Pigg!  Yes, it was a music bar/restaurant at the time on Chestnut in the Marina. Today, it is mostly tipsy…

Anyway. Here is cheers for the real deal, and for Jesse Foster and musicians, bringing the live jazz back to Lower Haight in San Francisco! (See below!) What a…. LOVELY DAY!

Enjoy,

Johanna

And yes – the recording is very dark. You gotta come and visit live!
Bi-monthly Jazz sessions at Two Jacks Niks Place – 401 Haight and Webster.
7pm – 9.30pm: Jesse Foster trio with Grant Levin on keys Adam Gay on bass and Mark Lee on drums – and guest artists of accomplished musicians from the Bay Area.