at First Unitarian Church of Oakland ~ 685 14th St., Oakland, CA
We hope you enjoy your experience here. We are fortunate to have many great music venues in our area, and we hope to add to that already rich environment with our own blend of music, fellowship, and, of course, snacks.
Utunes draws from the idea of the church basement coffee house popular on the East Coast, but we kick it up a notch.
First Unitarian Church of Oakland is one of the best venues in the area for both performing and listening, and includes a pleasant, cozy atmosphere, the best coffee we know how to make, snacks, and a high quality sound system not typical of small venues. We’re also not sticking to folk music of the U.S., but will include traditional and folk music from around the world, along with some popular forms. We hope you enjoy us as much as we amuse ourselves. Have fun!
Upcoming Events
Friday, January 9, 2009, 8 p.m. -- Slammin’ All Body Band
Slammin’ is a powerhouse sextet from Oakland performing a fresh mix of a cappella singing, beatboxing and body music. Deeply rooted in Jazz, Funk, R&B and World Music grooves, this ferociously talented ensemble creates soulful sounds infused with infectious harmonies and lightening-fast improvisations, percussively punctuated by beatboxing and body music -- the kinetic component that sets SLAMMIN apart and on the cutting edge of a cappella performance. http://www.crosspulse.com/html/slammin.html
"Bringing together some of California's most inventive singers . . . the multigenerational ensemble combines the improvisational imperative of a jazz combo with an expansive repertoire of reggae, funk, bebop and soul. . . inspiring gasps of amazement from the audience . . . known for its impromptu acts and finely honed arrangements of soul-drenched pieces.". - LA TIMES
Ticket purchase information will be added here soon.
Friday, February 13, 2009, 8 p.m. -- The Jazz Professor -- Bill Bell Trio
Bill Bell, jazz pianist, composer, arranger has earned the title "Jazz Professor" for completing over 30 years of successful University and College jazz teaching. Recently retired from teaching, Mr. Bell still holds adjunct professor positions in jazz at both Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Bill Bell's performance career as a pianist is equally distinguished. He has toured as musical director and piano accompanist for legendary jazz singer Carmen McRae. He has also worked with Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Anita Oday, Dianne Reeves, Lou Rawls and the Supremes. His credits also include work with instrumentalists Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell, Louie Bellson, Benny Carter, and Clark Terry. Bill Bell is also the featured pianist on the Art Farmer CD "Live at Stanford".
His current CD entitled "Just Swing Baby" has hit the San Francisco bay area jazz scene with a blast of long awaited freshness. Bill is accompanied by swing masters Eddie Marshall on drums and Jeff Chambers on bass. Guitarist Brad Buethe, bassist John Shifflet, and drummer Jason Lewis perform on the featured composition "Charisma". Stellar tenor Saxophonist David Ellis is special guests on three tracks. "Just Swing Baby " is currently number 15 on jazz radio playing list. www.jazzprofrecords.com
Ticket purchase information will be added here soon.
Friday, March 13, 2009, 8 p.m. -- The Stairwell Sisters
San Francisco’s all-gal old-time teardown plays a deep and rowdy repertoire of timeless tunes plus a solid standing of smart, original material that is winning praise on a national level. The Stairwell Sisters lay down concerts and square dances for counter-culturalists everywhere, infusing the old music with intoxicating energy and soul.
The Stairwell Sisters was chosen “Best String Band” by the East Bay Express in 2008. www.stairwellsisters.com
Ticket purchase information will be added here soon.
Friday, April 10, 2009, 8 p.m. -- Teslim
Teslim (TesLEEM) means both 'commit' and 'surrender' in Turkish and features Bay Area musicians, violinist Kaila Flexer and Gari Hegedus on oud, Turkish saz, Greek lauoto and other (mostly plucked) stringed instruments. This potent duo performs Greek, Turkish and Sephardic music. In addition, both Flexer and Hegedus are composers whose original music is based on these fertile traditions. Both seasoned performers and recording artists, Teslim released its debut (self-titled) CD in March of 2008. www.kailaflexer.com/teslim.htm
Download this excerpt as an MP3 file (right click and select 'Save Target As...')
Ticket purchase information will be added here soon.
All shows begin at 8:00 p.m.
BUY TICKETS
Cost at the door: $18 for adults, $15 for kids under 16; Purchased in advance: $14 for adults, $10 for kids under 16. Advance on-line tickets will be available through Brown Paper Tickets. Look for the link to each event's ticket sales following the description of the performance.
FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE
The first 2 people to volunteer -- and the first 4 people to bring at least 3 dozen brownies, cookies, or other simple finger foods that can be served on a napkin -- will get in free! But you must sign up in advance! And please don’t flake on us, or we’ll have a hungry audience!
To sign up to volunteer or to bring snacks -- or for more information, contact Sharon Dolan at scdolan@sbcglobal.net. Also contact Sharon if you are interested in performing.
HOW TO GET HERE
Utunes Coffee House is located at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th Street in Oakland, CA. Check out our directions page for maps, parking and transportation information.
Past Performers at Utunes
~ First Unitarian Church of Oakland ~
Utunes logo by Kelly Jonick ~ Website by Lisa Fry