We’ve hit pause on The Annex Sessions for November 26 because of a little thing called Thanksgiving. Live music will return on Wednesday, December 3, 2024 with Ian Dogole & Music Beyond Borders.

We are THANKFUL for your support of this music series and fundraising campaign to provide music education in our schools! Just because we don’t have a show this week doesn’t mean you can’t make a donation to Music at Sunjams .

They have been offered a $25,000 fundraising match! If we can raise up to $25,000 in November, every dollar will be matched. That means we can continue programming with the high quality musicians you love, donations to music programs in local schools, and introduce new programming in 2026.

The Annex Sessions has been an important contribution to our community offering a new musical performance by legendary Bay Area musicians every Weds night for 4 years! We are building community at The Annex and with your donations, we are supporting the musical education of children in low-income schools.

Please help SunJams reach their goal of $25,000 by contributing to SunJamsMusic (in partnership with Javier Navarrette Music Productions and The El Cerrito Annex).

“The Annex Sessions” Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 6-8:30pm will continue our music series held at El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex (The Annex) 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

 

Ian Dogole & Music Beyond Borders

 

Ian Dogole – cajon, udu, doumbek, African talking drum, kalimba

Fred Randolph – double bass

Sheldon Brown – saxophones, bass clarinet, suona, ney, flute

Richard Howell – saxophones, vocals

 

Ian Dogole and his stellar collaborators will present adventurous, panoramic, cross-cultural music that aims to uplift spirits and celebrate community. They will perform compositions by legendary innovators, including Ornette Coleman, Elvin Jones, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk, plus original pieces from the band and free improvisations. Attendees will experience a sonic feast of global instruments in rarely heard combinations, creating music that is both expansive and inclusive.

For over 40 years, Ian Dogole has articulated his vision of Music Beyond Borders as a multipercussionist, bandleader, educator, recording artist, composer and producer. He has released eight recordings and a DVD as a leader and is soon to release his latest project, “The Last Trane to Africa,” an Afro-infused tribute to John Coltrane. Ian has recorded and performed with artists such as Hamza el Din, Richie Cole, Paul McCandless, Tito La Rosa and Alex de Grassi. Ian plays a diverse array of percussion instruments from Africa, the Middle East, South America and Europe. He has received numerous grants from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, InterMusic SF and the Marin Arts Council. Ian is an active music educator in the Marin County schools and facilities supporting people with disabilities.

For more information on Ian, visit www.iandogle.com

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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 register.

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” will continue our music series held at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

Los Alegres Callejeros

Gabriel Lautaro – Accordion, Vocals, Guira

Brax Wannam – Electric Guitar, Guira

Ricardo Jasso – Bass, Vocals

Giovanni Ramirez – Congas

Ruben Arriaga – Vocals, Cowbell

 

Los Alegres Callejeros formed in 2017 performing at Agave Uptown Restaurant as part of Oakland First Fridays. They have been featured on stage at numerous Bay Area street fairs, breweries, Linkedin HQ, and both SF and Oakland Carnaval. Their sound is heavy in the traditional Colombian styles of Cumbia, Vallenato, Peruvian Chicha, and Cuban Son, The band members have roots from Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico and Argentina. Alegre means cheerful, Callejeros has many meanings including street performers. They draw from rich musical traditions to bring forth a unique musical experience. Whether upbeat Tropical Latin dance music or slow hypnotic minor key vamps, their melodies are infectious, and their rhythms are guaranteed to make you move and groove!

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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.

On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” will continue our music series held at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with the
 

CABANIJAZZ PROJECT

Javier Cabanillas – Congas, Composer & Band Leader

Eduardo Herrera – Vocalist

Jamie Dubberly – Trombone

Jesse Levit – Tenor Sax

Aaron Lington – Baritone Sax

Erick Peralta – Keys

Steve Herrera – Bass

Freddie Miranda Jr. – Timbales

 

The dynamic Mexican conga player Javier Cabanillas has journeyed from performing in pop-up flea markets on the vibrant streets of Tijuana, Mexico, to walking the red carpet in Los Angeles, where he earned a Grammy Award for Best Latin Tropical Album with the acclaimed Pacific Mambo Orchestra. Now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Cabanillas has carved his own musical identity as the visionary leader and composer behind the Cabanijazz Project.

Blending Latin jazz, funk, and Afro-Cuban rhythms, Cabanijazz Project has developed a distinct sound that has earned 4-star acclaim in DownBeat Magazine, international vinyl releases in Japan, and a feature placement on Showtime’s “Let The Right One In.” The ensemble is composed of world-class Bay Area musicians — including Grammy winners and university professors — who are dedicated not only to performing at the highest level but also to mentoring the next generation of jazz artists.

Cabanillas and his ensemble are currently at work on their fourth studio album, Tropisonic, set for release in 2026, with singles rolling out ahead of the full debut. With infectious grooves, cinematic arrangements, and a global spirit, Javier Cabanillas continues to redefine the sound of contemporary Latin jazz.

https://cabanijazzproject.com/

Spotify

Youtube

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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.

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 6-8:30pm “The Annex Sessions” will continue our music series held at El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex (The Annex) with

Son de Fandango

Members: Claudio Vega & Lolis García

Guest Member: Saúl Sierra

 

Son de Fandango

Grupo de música tradicional del sur de Veracruz, México.  Este grupo se formó en Richmond, California con Claudio Vega y Lolis García.  El Son Jarocho que interpretan es una mezcla del campo y la ciudad.  Su principal idea del proyecto es con nuestras bases invitar a músicos renombrados tradicionales del Son Jarocho y músicos de otros géneros con la finalidad de enriquecer esta música de fandango.

 

Son de Fandango

Traditional Music Group from Southern Veracruz, Mexico. This group was formed in Richmond, California by Claudio Vega and Lolis García. The Son Jarocho they perform is a blend of rural and urban music. Their main objective is to invite renowned traditional Son Jarocho musicians and musicians from other genres with the goal of enriching this fandango music.

https://actaonline.org/artist_roster_item/son-de-fandango/

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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.

“The Annex Sessions” Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 6-8:30pm will continue our music series held at El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex (The Annex), 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, with

 

The Sampaguitas

Jenevieve Francisco — vocals

Cristina Ibarra —  vocals, ukelele

Aireene Espiritu — vocals, guitar

 

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, The Sampaguitas sing Filipino folk songs and inspired originals in three-part harmony. Drawing influences from folk, blues, doo-wop girl groups, and the Filipinx-American diaspora, Jenevieve Francisco, Cristina Ibarra, and Aireene Espiritu share music from their roots and explore what it means to be in a “third culture” between worlds. The sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines and only fitting to describe the sweet sounds coming from their melded vocal textures, tones, and tight harmonies.

 

East Bay Express, Cover Feature – October 10, 2023
https://eastbayexpress.com/between-worlds/

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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 register.

“The Annex Sessions” Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 6-8:30pm will continue our music series held at El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex (The Annex)

 

Chris Trinidad Collective

 

Chris Trinidad — bass guitar, synth bass

Erika Oba — piano, melodica, flute

Kevin Amos — drum set

Kira Hooks — voice, percussion

Paride Pignotti — guitars

 

 

Filipino-Canadian and San Francisco Bay Area-based musician, teacher, and learner Chris Trinidad has fallen into the place where everything is music. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, his relationship with music grew through exploring various instruments beginning with the voice, then the piano, followed by the bass guitar, and finally the drum set with little detours in the world of percussion and forays with the guitar.  Chris’s formal education includes undergraduate training in Jazz Studies and Secondary Education, graduate study in the fields of Philosophy and Sociology of Music Education and Theological and Liturgical Studies, and doctoral work in Educational and Interdisciplinary Leadership.  His compositions take inspiration from jazz musicians such as Ralph Towner, Pat Metheny, Bill Evans, Jack DeJohnette, Brad Turner, Chris Gestrin, and Chris Tarry as well as disparate genres including Cuban Timba, Original Filipino Music, British Progressive Rock, and Gregorian Chant.  All of these seemingly disparate disciplines, inspirations, and interests help to inform the music that he makes. He has discerned that the core purpose of his music is to explore the intersections of his identity and upbringing, while combining these into musical conversations with his current experiences and curiosities.  He currently divides his time between creating music, developing high school students into compassionate human beings, and working on defeating his addiction to improvising excessively in the saddest of all keys … D minor.

 

https://linktr.ee/christrinidad

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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 register.