On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” music series will continue at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

 

String, Skin & Breath

Aaron Kierbel: Drums/percussion

Arslen Metoui: quanun

Daniel Riera: flute/vocals, EWI

Misha Khalikulov: cello

 

with special guest

Adrienne Shamszad: vocals/setar

 

“Weaving global traditions with contemporary expression.”

String, Skin & Breath is a global ensemble weaving ancient traditions with contemporary expression. Their music unfolds as spontaneous journeys – guided by deep listening, collective intuition, and a shared pulse.

 

Drawing from Persian and North African modes, chamber music, global folk traditions, and jazz improvisation, the group moves fluidly between original compositions, reimagined covers, and in-the-moment creation. Their sound can settle into meditative stillness one moment, then ignite into intricate, rhythm-driven interplay the next.

 

Rooted in the belief that music transcends borders, String, Skin & Breath creates immersive sonic spaces where melody and rhythm evolve in real time. Each performance is a living conversation—unrepeatable, unpredictable, and deeply human.

 ~~~~~

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, June 3, 2026, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” music series will continue at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

 

The Key System

Al Marshall – drums

Dave Shul – guitar

Troy Lamkins – bass

Bob Crawford – keyboard

 

Come take a journey with the Key System as they return to a buzzy time in the 1990’s when one could hear live bands play a mix of jazz, funk, hip hop, latin music and beyond from SF’s South of Market to various locals in the East Bay.

These four Bay Area veteran music travelers were there, and they’re excited to share their tales!

 

Musician Bios

 

Drums: Al Marshall aka Alcide has enjoyed a rewarding career as a drummer, band leader and booking agent in the SF Bay area.  He has performed and recorded with local and nationally known artists including El DeBarge, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Mary Wilson (of the Supremes), Rich Little, Sly Stone, Bobby McFerrin, NDea Davenport (Brand New Heavies) just to name a few.

 

Guitar: Dave Shul  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.

San Francisco based guitarist whose earliest work can be found in the works and remixes of the Hardkiss brothers, including their remixes of Elton John, The Sandals, Mother and of course their own recordings. Soon after he formed his own Conga Club project as well as joined Spearhead with Micheal Franti.

He remains in the Bay Area and more recent projects include working with Cornell C.C. Carter, Jay Lane (Primus), Luis Enrique , Jason Becker, Latin Killers among others.

 

Bass: Troy Lamkins Well rounded, gifted bassist Troy Lampkins expands the definition of bass. The son and godson of prominent Bay Area jazz musicians. Troy began playing bass at 4 years old. By 9 years old, Troy had already played his first gig and by age 15, he was already sharing the stage with jazz great Pharaoh Sanders, Eddie Marshall, Ray Obiedo and his Godfather, the late Ed Kelly. Influenced by great bassist like Jaco Pastorius, John Patitucci, Anthony Jackson, Marcus Miller and others help fashion his own signature sound and style, Troy is a virtuoso performer on the bass.

Since his musical career began, Troy has preformed with some of the recording industries most prominent artist like George Duke, Earl Klugh, Santana, Dionne Warwick, Sting, Regina Belle, Angela Bofill, Ledisi, Michael Franti, Shanice Wilson, Tevin Campbell, Shanice Wilson, Gerald Austin, The Temptations, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Marlena Shaw, Frank McComb, Latoya London, Melba Moore, Jeanie Tracy, Ray Obiedo, Willis Hickerson, Tramaine Hawkins, Byron Cage, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, James Henry & Hands On Fire and many others.

Troy has appeared on a number of recordings by Grammy Award Winning Producer Narada Michael Walden and still active with the Narada Michael Walden Band today. In 1998, Troy also appeared on Motown Records legendary group, The Temptations platinum selling album “Phoenix Rising”. Troy is also, a gifted songwriter and producer in his own right and has two solo releases to his credit and a host of recording as a producer. An accomplished professional and highly sought after session player and touring musician, powerful things are sure to come from this innovative bassist and performer.

 

Keyboard: Bob Crawford was born in Long Beach California, and raised in the Bay Area with his 12 brothers and sisters. He started playing in bands with his playing twin brother during their college years.  After graduating, Bob gained experience in various Bay Area ensembles, playing jazz, funk, Latin and Brazilian music. In 2001 he was offered the keyboard chair in Michael Franti’s band Spearhead.  Bob logged multiple tours throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe and Japan.  Bob also recorded on several of Spearhead’s albums and appeared on a number of international TV programs with the band.

Bob took a break from extensive touring to spend time with his family, and to pursue his own musical vision.  Now residing in the East Bay, Bob has continued to perform with a variety of artists, including  Fito Reinoso y su Ritmo y Armonia, John Santos, Pete Escovedo, Mic Gillette (Tower of Power), Pedrito Calvo and Yeni Valdes (of Los Van Van) Richard Bean (Malo), Sam Andrew (of Big Brother and the Holding Company), and more.   Bob served as the musical director for the Latin Kings Allstars band, which featured members from Tower of Power, Tierra, Malo, and The Whispers.  He has worked with the Alayo Dance Company and the Stagebridge Theatre Group.  He has also worked for two years with the San Francisco Symphony’s “Adventures in Music” program, bringing music to every public elementary school in San Francisco.

Recently, Bob has appeared on recordings by Pete Escovedo, Ray Obiedo, Taj Mahal and Los Mocosos.  Bob teaches at Marin Country Day School, East Palo Alto Center for the Arts, as well as teaching children and adults at his home.  Bob also leads his own piano trio, and is a founding member of the latin jazz-funk band Machina Sol.

~~~~~

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, May 27, 2026, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” music series will continue at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito

 

“Changui” with special guest from Guantanamo, Cuba

Jose Andres “El Sinsonte”

Jose Andres – lead vocals + percussion
Einar Leliebre – bongo de monte + backup vocals
Cy Thompson – Marimbula + backup vocals
Kai Lyons – Cuban tres guitar + backup vocals

Jose Andres returns for his second or third appearance at the Annex. Thanks to Gabriel Garcia, founder of Changui Majadero, SF-based jazz guitarist Kai Lyons was able to connect with Andres in his native city of Guantanamo, Cuba and subsequently foster a relationship of deep mentorship by means of the genre known as “changüi”, a rural, proto-son, 19th century Afro-Cuban rhythm and dance style. For this rare performance, they will be joined by SF-native and UCLA ethnomusicology graduate Cy Thompson on the “marimbula” (metal bass box) and “Santiaguero de Pura Sepa” Einar Leliebre on “bongo de monte” (bongo of the forest/mountain), plus special guests.

~~~~~

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.