Jesse Rimler / Jameson Swanagon

Join us for a double bill featuring intimate performances by two solo performers: singer-songwriter Jesse Rimler and guitarist Jameson Swanagon.

Jesse Rimler is a singer-songwriter and pianist based in Oakland. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the band Kapowski. He now performs solo under his own name. Rimler's songwriting is influenced by early Tin Pan Alley songwriters, plus later greats such as Van Dyke Parks, Randy Newman and Judee Sill. Secret Password / My Elevator Story, the first in a series of singles, was released in March of 2014. Rimler also plays in the bands Religious Phase and Mappy.

Jameson Swanagon is a guitarist, autoharpist, and improviser living in the Bay Area. He has recorded for New World and Brushfire Records and performed with Anthony Coleman, Release the Sunbird, and Grand Lake. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, his music has been described by the Bay Bridged as "A lesson in intricate, elegant guitar work."

Jesse Rimler and Jameson Swanagon at the Maybeck Studio
Sunday, July 27, 2014, 3:00pm
Suggested Donation: $15 at the door
Seating is limited. Get your required online reservation here.

Image credits: Danae Swanagon/Jesse Rimler

Jesse Olsen Bay: "Makings"

Composer/multi-instrumentalist Jesse Olsen Bay celebrates the album release of Makings, a song cycle based on unpublished writings by his grandmother, acclaimed author/activist Tillie Olsen. Jesse is known as part of the eclectic folk duo Ramon & Jessica, as well as for his frequent collaborations with dance and theater. In Makings, Jesse accompanies himself on guitar, percussion, piano, toy instruments and found objects, weaving Tillie's words into a tapestry of vivid emotion and imagery.

Read more about Makings on Jesse's site.

Jesse Olsen Bay at the Maybeck Studio
Sunday, July 13, 2014, 3:00pm
Donations will be requested.
Seating is limited. Get your required online reservation here.

Mr. Joy

Mr. Joy is a quartet of like-minded improvisers and composers who have come together to pay tribute to the great pianist Paul Bley as well as the often overlooked composers Carla Bley and Annette Peacock. The music presents the unique challenge of navigating tricky and often counter-intuitive melodies and harmonies while using the song forms as spring boards for improvisation.  in addition to the Bley and Peacock songs, each member of the band will be presenting an original composition.

Mr. Joy is:

Ben Goldberg-clarinet
Michael Coleman-piano
Rob Adkins-bass
Smith Dobson-drums

Mr. Joy at the Maybeck Studio
Sunday, July 6, 2014, 3:00pm
Suggested Donation: $15 at the door
Seating is limited. Get your required online reservation here.