While touring the US with his trio, Bokani Dyer goes rogue for a solo ritual—exclusively at Piedmont Piano Company. He resurrects reimagined album works, unleashes unheard material, and twists beloved covers into strange new shapes. Armed with piano and voice alone, he builds sonic universes from silence, then deconstructs them to breathtaking void. Rooted in African rhythmic tradition, expect infectious groove, daring melodic exploration, and virtuosic innovation. No two performances are ever the same—this night belongs entirely to Dyer and the room.

With decades of musical collaboration between them, pianist Alan Broadbent and bassist Harvie S share a rare and intuitive connection that brings their performances to life. They recently finished a recording to be released in January 2027 on Savant Records, with Billy Mintz on drums, featuring four tunes with string quartet arranged by Alan. Don't miss this evening of jazz standards and original compositions, all delivered in their signature style with remarkable interplay.

Swingin' Love Songs features the timeless artistry of jazz vocalist Allan Harris and his swinging trio performing a collection of newly discovered songs by Ike Joseph, an original Brill Building songwriter whose compositions were never released. Harris brings warmth, sophistication, and soulful storytelling to these hidden gems, giving them the spotlight they deserve.

Genre-bending acoustic guitarist, composer and bandleader Jack West creates highly rhythmic, modern acoustic music.  With his innovative percussive approach known as “Acoustic Spank”, West simultaneously plays drums, bass and guitar parts, blending American folk, jazz, funk, and rock into a compelling new style of acoustic music.   Together with tastefully shredding acoustic guitarist James Nash, this Percussive Guitar Duo celebrates the release of West's recent album 'Guitars on Life' (January 2026), praised as "deliciously funky" ( AllAboutJazz), and showcases material from West's upcoming "Spank Grass" album. 

WAA SHOWCASE – The refreshingly old-fashioned Cosmo Alleycats present "Old Sweet Songs", a show celebrating enduring melodies, a bygone style of songwriting, and original songs that contend for placement in the Great American Canon. The group, led by jazz vocalist Emily Day, “one of the major singers in her field” (Scott Yanow), endears audiences with their inviting musicality and playful improvisation, making quick converts of the jazz-curious, while still nodding to the serious aficionados.

Internationally renowned jazz flutist Ali Ryerson celebrate the release of her latest CD, "The Ali Ryerson Quartet", recorded with Ali's east coast quartet and released on ACR Music (2026). For this special event, Ryerson will be joined her longtime colleagues, Steve Rudolph on piano, John Wiitala on bass, and Akira Tana on drums. The quartet comes to Oakland directly following their weeklong residency at Hidden Valley Music Seminars on the Monterey Peninsula, where Ryerson conducts her annual jazz flute masterclass.

A powerful voice in Latin jazz, Bill O'Connell always plays concerts of originals and re-imagined standards filled with energy and high spirits.  O’Connell’s clever and sparkling rearrangements, exuberant chordal comping, and knotty solos, all imbued with lots of fun, transcend categorization and combine rhythmic complexities with glittering single note runs in a sort of Bud Powell-meets-Chick-Corea sound. He will be joined by Lincoln Goines (bass) and Jon Krosnick (drums).

A masterful jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut balances his lithe technical skill with a robust, soulful style that speaks to his deep gospel roots and love of swinging hard bop. Raised in the church, he learned how to infuse his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound. Every set he plays is unique, as he reads the audience and the space to create a singular musical experience.

Virtuosic pianist and 5x-Grammy nominated composer and arranger Shelly Berg presents an exciting and highly informative 'History of Jazz Piano' concert that showcases and explains iconic styles such as stride, block-chord, and bebop by legendary pianists…

Pianist Michael Wolff returns to the piano store to present a solo set of his own compositions that hold deep meaning to him, offering insight into their history and how he came to compose them. He will also play some standards and Beatles songs, as well as share stories from his memoir, On That Note, recalling his days of growing up in Berkeley in the 60's, his experiences in the Bay Area music scene, and how they influenced him.

Dick Whittington celebrates his 90th birthday with his piano trio, featuring Robb Fisher on bass and Akira Tana on drums. Joining them will be Peck Allmond (trumpet, tenor sax, flute) and Jeff Cressman (trombone), both of whom were members of Berkeley School District’s Elementary School Jazz Band Program. The ensemble will play songs from the Great American Song Book, as well as bebop standards by Dizzy, Bird, Benny Golsen, and others.

Jazz pianist Luther S. Allison brings his trio for a debut performance at the piano store, featuring all new original works by Luther, exemplifying his compositional prowess and seamless blending of soul, swing, gospel, and the blues. 

The Long Way Home is pianist Charles Chen's upcoming album, recorded in New York with nonagenarians, bassist Bill Crow (98) and drummer Steve Little (91), along with guitarist Félix Lemerle. On the album, the band plays standards, and Charles interviews Bill and Steve about their legendary careers in jazz. Félix will be joining Charles this evening, as well as bassist Nico Martinez and drummer Brian Fishler.

Longtime musical associates Scott Amendola and Wil Blades have been playing as a duo for over 20 years as "Amendola Vs. Blades." They play a genre bending blend of Funk, Bebop, Afro Beat, Avant Garde and more. Their shows have been lauded for their ability to sound like a huge band, even though they are only two musicians. For this special one off Bay Area date, they will be joined by special guests Kasey Knudsen on sax and Ryan Schaeffer on guitar.

Jazz vocalist and eight-time Grammy nominee Tierney Sutton returns to the piano store with virtuosic pianist, composer and arranger Tamir Hendelman to celebrate the release of their new duo album, Spring. Recorded live after a run of Spring 2025 tour dates, the album captures the effortless chemistry between two voices as they bloom through moods that feel hopeful, tender, swinging, and quietly electric.

Longtime friends and musical collaborators pianist Hannah Mayer, saxophonist Nathan Nakadegawa-Lee, and vibraphonist Gus Hurteau present an intimate show of original music, as well as songs from their favorite composers spanning across genres. Catch this East Bay born-and-raised trio while they’re in town from New York City! 

Longtime musical associates Peter Apfelbaum (piano, saxophone, flutes, percussion) and Paul Hanson (bassoon, woodwinds) appear in Duo for the first time at the piano store. In their largely improvised performances, the Apfelbaum/Hanson Duo combines Apfelbaum's expansive, polyrhythmic approach to the piano with Hanson's singular, virtuosic, electronics-enhanced bassoon melodies. For this show, they will be premiering new original compositions as well.

Latin GRAMMY winner and 6x GRAMMY nominee, Argentina-born and New York-based pianist, composer, and arranger Emilio Solla teams up for his 15th album with rising star Spanish flamenco-jazz vocalist and saxophonist Antonio Lizana to create a highly original album, El Siempre Mar, where old Argentine folk songs live together with original compositions from both artists. In this new take on the “cantes de ida y vuelta” (roundtrip songs), these two artists have managed to find a unique and contemporary meeting point between the music of Argentina, the south of Spain, and jazz.

Grupo Falso Baiano, with Carlos Oliveira, present an evening of choro, Brazil’s earliest popular music. Like jazz, it reflects the melding of African rhythms with European classical music and other influences. Join us for a lively program that traces the nuances of Brazilian choro music and featuring the phenomenal clarinetist Anat Cohen.

Pianist Jovino Santos Neto's Brazilian Jazz includes near-telepathic musical interactions, modern harmonic journeys, deep lyricism and high energy Brazilian grooves that never fail to excite audiences. “Everything Santos Neto plays, whatever its narrower emotional content or style, feels like an affirmation of life, creativity and love.” (Glyn Purslove, Seen and Heard International) Joining him will be Scott Thompson (bass) and Dave Flores (drums).

Two time GRAMMY winner and drumming icon Peter Erskine brings his trio featuring longtime collaborator Alan Pasqua on piano and Scott Colley on bass. They will perform music from Peter’s new recording “Peregrine,” a project Erskine describes as "the album I've always wanted to make.” Contrasting tempos feel relaxed and buoyant, while subtle dynamic control reveals beautiful interplay between the instrumentalists. Pasqua's keen harmonic imagination matches his clear, articulate touch, while Colley proves himself an outstanding accompanist, quietly generating compelling rhythmic dialogue with Erskine.

Through richly composed works, Leberta Lorál honors their full range and dramatic sweep. With both virtuosity and intimate storytelling, she explores the breadth of a woman’s emotional experience, from desire and romance to maternal love and loss.  Lorál is joined by pianists Tammy L. Hall and Daniel Lockert.

One of the most exciting pianists in contemporary jazz” (The Guardian, UK), pianist-composer Lynne Arriale has performed on international stages for over 30 years. Her 17 critically acclaimed albums have topped the Jazzweek Radio Charts and earned “Best of” honors. Lynne’s performances radiate optimism and passion. Her latest release, Being Human, responds to a troubled world with a deeply felt suite exploring passion, courage, love, and joy, celebrating these qualities of humankind. She is joined by Ethan Philion (bass) and Tanner Guss (drums).

Los Angeles–based jazz pianist and composer Michael Ragonese bring his trio to the piano store, continuing the tour celebrating his newest album Chasing Calm, released on October 2025. The album is a musical reflection on his ongoing personal journey in search of stillness and peace.

In their premier performance as a duo, John Calloway and Larry Vukovich will each draw from their musical experiences and cultural backgrounds to perform a rich and varied program of jazz repertoire that will include music from Latin America and Eastern Europe, both original compositions and jazz and Latin standards. John will play an assortment of flutes with Larry accompanying on piano, as well as performing some solo pieces, creating an intimate dialogue between them.

JAZZ PIANO MASTERS SERIES

Hard bop pianist Benny Green – who has played with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, the Freddie Hubbard Quintet, and the Ray Brown Trio – returns to the piano store for an evening of solo piano that will include standards and originals, including compositions he recorded on the piano store stage last year for an album due to be released in September 2026.

We are pleased to welcome back Luca Fazioli, Fazioli piano Brand and Factory Project Manager, and son of founder Paolo Fazioli.  Join us for a reception at 6pm.  Then at 7pm, see a presentation on the latest from the Fazioli company in Sacile, Italy, followed by a special solo piano performance.

Bassist Ben Allison, guitarist Steve Cardenas, and saxophonist Ted Nash return to the piano store. With over 25 years of creative collaboration, they weave musical conversations that are full of subtlety and surprise, modeled after reedist/composer Jimmy Giuffre’s drummerless trios of the 1950s and 60s. They will be celebrating their upcoming album Triological, to be released on Sunnyside Records in April 2026. It will feature new original compositions written by each of them.

Laurence Hobgood’s well-known motto, “Never the same way once!”, finds delightfully buoyant expression in the interaction with Ernesto Mazar Kindelán (bass) and Josh Jones (drums). Vibrant, spontaneous connection and an ebullient, playful spirit infuse the chemistry, recently discovered, between these three veteran improvisers.  From un-mined facets of “chestnut” standards to fresh takes on Laurence’s original compositions, this evening will be infused with passion and merriment!

At the end of the 1940’s, four women appeared on the scene – Ella, Sarah, Dinah, and Billie – whose distinct styles of delivery and mastery of improvisation changed the direction of jazz, as well as popular music. Internationally recognized jazz vocalist Tammy McCann pays tribute to these Ladies of Jazz, accompanied by pianist, composer, and arranger Tamir Hendelman.