“The Annex Sessions” will continue our music series held at El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex (The Annex) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 6-8:30pm with

 

Mbira dzaSoko

Featuring:

Salani Wamkanganise

Kelly Takunda Orphan

Kanukai Chigamba

Michell Marufu

Moeketsi Gibe

Augustine Basa

 

Join us for an unforgettable concert of traditional Zimbabwean mbira music. Mbira is the sacred instrument from Zimbabwe which is over 1,000 years old. Don’t miss this spectacular night of joy and celebration. Come out, participate, and immerse yourself in the vibrant music of Zimbabwe!

Mbira dzaSoko performs celebratory and spiritual mbira music from Zimbabwe, led by Zimbabwean mbira maker, teacher and performer Salani Wamkanganise, alongside his partner Kelly Takunda Orphan (The KTO Project*), as well Zimbabwean artists Kanukai Chigamba and Michelle Marufu (Chinyakare Ensemble*), plus special guests TBA.

 

www.mbiradzasoko.com

 

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 our music series held at El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex (The Annex) on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 6-8:30pm with

 

JSoul

Featuring:

Jerry Kennedy – Bass/Voice

Dave Shul – Guitar

Kevin Wong – Keys

Ron Smith – Drums

Christian Pepin – Percussion

 

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.

 

Kevin Wong (Keys)

Kevin Wong is widely regarded as one of the best keyboard bass players this side of the Mississippi, pulling off mind bending solos with his right hand while seamlessly holding it down with his left.  With an ear as sharp as a hawk, Kevin brings an unprecedented level of energy & musicality to the bandstand that speaks well beyond his youthful appearance & soft spoken demeanor.  With a soulful yet highly calibrated approach, Kevin takes audiences on a ride every time he plays with his unique playing style that is heavily steeped in funk but with a jazz & gospel mentality. Kevin headlined the Drumeo festival in Vancouver with drummer Tommy Igoe, as well as at the Nakasu Jazz Festival in Japan with Kenji “Jino” Hino (son of Terumasa Hino) in 2019.  Currently Kevin is the keyboardist, bandleader & composer for his newest project, the Huney Knuckles, as well as the keyboardist for Tommy Igoe & the WIM Trio, Lyrics Born, Jazz Mafia, Tony Lindsay & Collectivity.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 our music series held at El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex (The Annex) on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 6-8:30pm with

 

El Tren Trio:

Julio Pérez – percussion
Saul Sierra – bass
Marco Diaz – piano

Special Guest: Laura Bravo on Vocals

El Tren Trio has been performing music from Latin America for over 20 years.

 

Julio Perez, Marco Diaz and Saul Sierra bring together their musical backgrounds to create an eclectic approach to Latin Jazz.

 

Laura Bravo: Vocals

Born and raised in Lima, Perú, Laura Bravo is an accomplished singer and vocal coach rooted in the Bay Area’s diverse musical community. A 2021 NAAM Show performer, Laura’s passion for music began early in her native Peru, cultivated through formal training in Vocal Performance at El Museo de Arte from ages 12 through 17.

Since arriving in San Francisco in 2009, Laura has graced numerous stages, lending her versatile voice to a wide range of musical genres, from traditional Peruvian music to the infectious sounds of salsa and cumbia. Her performance highlights include the prestigious opportunity to open for the legendary Charlie Aponte of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. She has also brought her vibrant energy to the iconic San Francisco Giants Stadium, performing with the cumbia band, La Explosiva Sonora MX.

Currently, Bravo leads her very own acoustic duo: Laura & Ray, and collaborates with prominent Bay Area musicians, such as Saul Sierra, Marco Díaz, Julio Pérez, Braulio Barrera, Coco Linares, amongst others. Laura’s dedication to music extends beyond performance, encompassing a deep commitment to education through her vocal coaching practice.

With a rich performance history, coupled with a genuine love for music and teaching, Laura Bravo remains an influential figure in the Bay Area’s artistic landscape, captivating audiences and inspiring the next generation of vocalists.

 

Julio Perez: Conga

Born in Puerto Rico, Julio Perez shares a long history with other band members Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra, and Carlos Caro making music in the San Francisco Bay Area and also when he visits home in Puerto Rico. Julio plays all the percussion instruments with precision and feeling, and from memory as well, since he lost his sight as a young boy. Julio brings great musicianship and great friendship to VibraSON and co-stars in a number of other productions around the area including concerts by Bobi Cespedes, John Santos, Marco Diaz and other local bands.

 

Saùl Sierra-Alonso: Bass

Saùl Sierra-Alonso has played with many of the Latin bands in the Bay Area and studied at the famous Berklee School of Music in Boston. Saùl has worked extensively in the Salsa and Latin music scene and offers great expertise and musical experience.

Saúl Sierra Born and raised in Mexico City, where he started playing professionally in 1990. He moved to Boston Mass. in 1995 and attended the Berklee College of Music where he graduated in the summer of 1999, with a major in Performance. Some of his teachers included Oscar Stagnaro, Rich Appleman, Daniel Morris, and Jim Stinnet. He received the US Scholarship tour award and the Outstanding Performer award at Berklee.

As a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area since the fall of 1999, Saúl has performed, toured or recorded with Nestor Torres, Jimmy Bosh, Eddie Montalvo, Johny Rodríguez, Orestes Vilató, Bobi Céspedes, Antonio Sánchez, Miles Peña, John Santos, Jesús Díaz, Rebeca Mauleón, Mark Levine, Greg Landau, Mike Spiro, Jackeline Rago, Chuchito Valdez, Alexander Livinali, Wayne Wallace, Aquiles Baez, Marco Granados, Anthony Blea, Doug Beavers, and María Márquez, among others.

For the past 10 years Saúl has been a member of some of the leading bands in the Bay Area, including The John Santos Quintet/Sextet, Bobi Cespedes’ band, Dr. Loco’s Rocking Jalapeño Band, El Tren Trío, Anthony Blea y su Charanga, The Snake Trío, Jesús Díaz y su QBA, The Bay Area Afro-Cuban All Stars, The Venezuelan Music Project, Corazón Sur, and Sababa band.

A founding member of Vission Latina, the band that he co-leads with Carlos Caro, percussionist extraordinaire, and Marco Díaz, virtuoso multi-instrumentalist (piano/trumpet ), Saúl keeps himself busy performing, composing, arranging and teaching in the world class musical community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

Marco Diaz: Piano

Marco Diaz was born and raised in San Francisco and was introduced to the trumpet in the fourth grade at E.R. Taylor Elementary School. His formal training in both piano and trumpet began at the age of 14. He earned a scholarship from the Community Music Center in San Francisco, and began playing professionally at the age of 17 throughout the Bay Area with various Latin Jazz, Salsa, Reggae, and R&B bands. Upon graduating from high school, he continued his studies at San Francisco State University pursing a Bachelors of Arts in Popular Music and a minor in Economics.

In addition to his studies Marco has been influenced by Afro-Cuban music through world renowned musicians, such as, Jesus Diaz, who he played and recorded with for eight years, John Santos, Orestes Vilato, Edgardo Cambon, and Carlos Caro.

Today, Marco is part of the faculty at the Community Music Center in San Francisco and has been a part of the SFJAZZ teaching artist program since 2017. He is an accomplished recording musician who has shared the stage with Grammy Award winning artist, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Nelson Gonzales, Jimmy Bosch, Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez, Ska Cubano (Europe), Tito Rojas, Nino Segarra, Anthony Cruz, Anthony Blea, Jovino Santos Neto, Joe Santiago, and is an integral member of the John Santos sextet, and the musical director for Bobi Cespedes.  Marco has participated in the San Francisco Symphony AIM program since 2000 and currently produces records and performs music throughout the country while also co-leading Vission Latina, an Afro-Caribbean dance band, and director of his own quartet, The Marco Diaz Quartet.

In 2011, Marco Diaz was part of the faculty at Jazz Camp West. He toured the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State with Bobi Cespedes, teaching children and adults the roots of Afro-Cuban music. Marco also performed at the San Francisco, Tanglewood, and Monterey Jazz Festivals, and the Smithsonian Museum with world renowned ethno-musicologist, John Santos and his Sextet. In the Fall, Marco began his ninth season with the San Francisco Symphony’s AIM (adventures in music) program.

 

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.