“The Annex Sessions” will continue our music series held at El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex (The Annex) on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 6-8:30pm with

JSoul

Featuring:

Jerry Kennedy – Bass/Vocals

Dave Shul – Guitarist

Marco Casasola – Keys

Christian Pepin – Percussion

Ronnie Smith – Drummer/Vocalist

JSoul plays a mixture of jazz, world, and funk music. Pulling on the sounds of Headhunters to James Brown and mixing in modern sounds with incredible groves and blistering solos. They play instrumentals and vocal tunes sung by Jerry Kennedy. Be prepared to enjoy sitting and listening and having an occasional urge to get up and boogie.  This band is fun and funky.

Jerry Kennedy (Bass/Vocals)

Bassist singer Educator. Widely known for his soaring vocals and funky  bass playing and live energy. Jerry has a wide range of musical influencers. From his youth growing up in the 60s and 70s to his fusion roots of the 80s and his funk leaning circling back. He has toured with Morris Day and the time, James Brown, P Funk and many more. Jerry  attended Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, California in the late 80s. From there he worked with international artist (Gwen Brisco), performing for Nelson Mandela in South  Africa. Jerry worked with many artists in the in Los Angeles, including house band with Blood Sweat and Tears band members. Eventually ending up in Gainesville, Florida he put together the band “What It Is” along with his music  partner Avi Bortnick of John Schofield band.. After a great, run of five plus years, dominating the college scene. Jerry went on to start a family and establish a mentoring program for foster youths, (Fosters Assisting Fosters). He currently works as the band director and general music teacher, at Black Pine Circle School in Berkeley California. He’s also very active in the bay area band scene.

Dave Shul (Guitarist) 

Dave has been involved in the Bay Area music scene for the past 35 years as a songwriter, producer and guitarist. His versatility landed him gigs with Ozomatli, Sly and Robbie, Lenny Williams, Jennifer Holiday, Counting Crows, Pink and Billy Preston to name a few. He was also a member of Michael Franti and Spearhead for 14 years writing over 30 songs over the span of seven albums. In his spare time he works with Bay Area youth musicians in bands and coaches them through his decades of experience.

Marco Casasola (Keys)

Bio not available at the time of publication.

Christian Pepin (Percussion)

A musical multi-linguist, 2x GRAMMY® Award Winner, and 2016 GRAMMY®-Nominated Percussionist, Christian Pepin is a versatile musician who embodies the soul of a percussionist, inherently stirring the human spirit. From his supersonic slaps to his thunderous open tones and heavy-hitting bass notes, Christian Pepin showcases a deep appreciation for Latin, Jazz, Rock, Punk, Screamo, Country, and World Music. His keen musical sense, gifted interpretation of rhythm, and the influence of New York’s vibrant streets allow him to translate his passion effortlessly. Whether on stage or immersed in Avant-garde Jazz, Salsa, Latin Jazz, Fusion, or Heavy Rock, he makes his drums speak fluently to any listener.

Ronnie Smith (Drummer/Vocalist)

Ronnie Smith is a drummer & vocalist from Eastbay/Oakland who has toured, performed and/or recorded w/ Chris Cain, Kim Wilson, Vanessa Collier, Sons of the Soul Revivers, Maria Muldaur, Sugar Pie DiSanto, Henry Gray, Ledisi, Goapele, Joe Louis Walker, Debbie Davies, John Primer, Darrell Nulisch, Sonny Greene, Magic Dick, Tommy Castro, Matt Schofield, Janiva Magness, Bob Corritore, Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, Jubu Experience, Legally Blynd, Mike Meezy Marshall, Gospel Hummingbirds, James J Mitch Mitchell, Lawrence Matthews, Jon Atkinson, Aki Kumar, Alabama Mike, Johnny Talbot, Freddie Hughes, Bobbie Reed, Rusty Zinn, Junior Watson, Sista Monica, Ron Hacker, Stefanie Keys, Leah Tysse, Lloyd Gregory, Paisley Hinton.

The Natural Grocery Company is proud to present this series in partnership with SunJams and Javier Navarrette Music Productions.

SunJams is committed to funding children’s music education in underserved public elementary schools. Your donation will help support this ongoing program.

All of the proceeds will go directly to our network of local musicians, each of whom have been severely impacted by the lack of events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether you donate $10, $100, or $1000 – any amount helps and will allow us to keep bringing music to our community! As always, your donation to SunJams 501(c)3 may qualify as tax exempt.

Javier Navarrette Music Productions continues to bring live music to several venues around the Bay Area. Javier has been a professional musician and music educator in the Oakland Unified School District for the past 20 years. Over the past few years Navarrette has produced outdoors events that have proven instrumental in enabling musicians to deal with some of the fallout of the pandemic and shutdown that followed.

COVID RELATED SAFETY MEASURES

Please be safe. Feel free to wear a mask if you prefer.

TICKETS

Tickets are NOT required for this venue, you can simply come in, order food and beverages at the Annex counter and pay at the registers.

The Annex Sessions will continue Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 6-8:30pm at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex) 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

Marina Crouse Quartet

John R Burr (Piano)

Ruth Davies (Bass)

Deszon Claiborne (Drums)

Marina Crouse (Vocals)

“All the things I love: Jazz, Blues & Bolero”

Marina Crouse is one of the most notable rising talents on the San Francisco/Bay Area music scene. Her early classical training is reflected in her powerful and versatile vocal style that creates genuine excitement in every performance. Blessed with an incredibly expressive voice early in life, Marina Crouse applies her distinctive talents to a wide range of material while delivering an emotional authenticity that consistently cuts deep. Marina will be performing with her spectacular quartet that includes John R Burr (piano), Ruth Davies (bass) and Deszon Claiborne (drums). She has performed with this group at SF Jazz, The Sound Room, and other Bay Area venues.

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The Natural Grocery Company is proud to present this series in partnership with SunJams and Javier Navarrette Music Productions.

The Natural Grocery Company is proud to present this series in partnership with SunJams and Javier Navarrette Music Productions.

SunJams is committed to funding children’s music education in underserved public elementary schools. Your donation will help support this ongoing program.

All of the proceeds will go directly to our network of local musicians, each of whom have been severely impacted by the lack of events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether you donate $10, $100, or $1000 – any amount helps and will allow us to keep bringing music to our community! As always, your donation to SunJams 501(c)3 may qualify as tax exempt.

Javier Navarrette Music Productions continues to bring live music to several venues around the Bay Area. Javier has been a professional musician and music educator in the Oakland Unified School District for the past 20 years. Over the past few years Navarrette has produced outdoors events that have proven instrumental in enabling musicians to deal with some of the fallout of the pandemic and shutdown that followed.

COVID RELATED SAFETY MEASURES

Please be safe. Feel free to wear a mask if you prefer.

TICKETS

Tickets are NOT required for this venue, you can simply come in, order food and beverages at the Annex counter and pay at the registers.

On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” will resume our music series held at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

The Annex Sessions “Modupue Wednesday”

Celebrating David Flores Birthday with “Machina Sol”

David Flores- drums

Tarik Ragab- bass

Bob Crawford- keys

Javier Navarrette- percussion, vocal

Raul Navarrette- Trombone

And Special Guests!

“Machina Sol” is a Latin-funk fusion band of world-class players in Oakland, playing original music that’s raw, energetic & will get you on the dance floor!

Javier Navarrette curates shows with various artists from different cultures in the Bay Area, as well as presenting his own global music projects at “Modupue Wednesdays”

Modupue = Thank you

Javier Navarrette curates shows with various artists from different cultures in the Bay Area, as well as presenting his own global music projects at Modupue Events

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The Natural Grocery Company is proud to present this series in partnership with SunJams and Javier Navarrette Music Productions.

SunJams is committed to funding children’s music education in underserved public elementary schools. Your donation will help support this ongoing program.

All of the proceeds will go directly to our network of local musicians, each of whom have been severely impacted by the lack of events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether you donate $10, $100, or $1000 – any amount helps and will allow us to keep bringing music to our community! As always, your donation to SunJams 501(c)3 may qualify as tax exempt.

Javier Navarrette Music Productions continues to bring live music to several venues around the Bay Area. Javier has been a professional musician and music educator in the Oakland Unified School District for the past 20 years. Over the past few years Navarrette has produced outdoors events that have proven instrumental in enabling musicians to deal with some of the fallout of the pandemic and shutdown that followed.

COVID RELATED SAFETY MEASURES

Please be safe. Feel free to wear a mask if you prefer.

TICKETS

Tickets are NOT required for this venue, you can simply come in, order food and beverages at the Annex counter and pay at the registers.