“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.

The Annex Sessions will continue Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 6-8:30pm at The Annex (El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Prepared Food Annex) 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito with

 

Melissa Cruz and Kalifeña

Melissa Cruz – dance and percussion

Caro Acuña Olvera – vocals and percussion

Luna Alonso – vocals and cello

Bob San – guitar and bass

Jesse Torre – guitar

Katiana Vilá – vocals and percussion

 

Kalifeña melds original compositions and traditional flamenco styles with flamenco dance as its cornerstone.

Melissa Cruz is a Bay Area-based flamenco professional and has been a full-time flamenco artist and instructor for the past 15 years.  She began training with the Bay Area’s acclaimed flamenco master Rosa Montoya and soon thereafter, joined Ms. Montoya’s professional company. Melissa has performed as a soloist in the San Francisco International Arts Festival and has presented in eight San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festivals, twice as a featured soloist. In 2013, she was commissioned to present a solo representing the genre of flamenco in the San Francisco Isadora Duncan Awards Ceremony.  She teaches a full schedule of classes and mentors her students in their development of flamenco knowledge and interpretation culminating in formal annual recitals, of which she has produced eight consecutively.  Enjoying a concurrent musical career, she is percussionist/drummer/dancer with several active musical projects.  She currently continues as principal dancer and choreographer for the San Francisco Flamenco Dance Company and has collaborated with Flamenco Fever (Dallas) Oleaje Flamenco (Seattle), Quiero Flamenco (Spokane), Arte y Pasion (San Antonio), Ballet Flamenco La Rosa, (Miami), Tuscon Flamenco Festival (Tuscon) St. Louis Flamenco Society (St. Louis MO), Flamenco Pacifico (Portland OR) Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco and Caminos Flamencos (San Francisco).  Recently, she was Artistic Director of “The Flamenco Room” San Francisco’s longest running cabaret flamenco show.  Summer 2021 saw Melissa featured in the one-woman flamenco theater play, “Flamenco on my Own” produced in collaboration with Ballet Flamenco La Rosa in Miami and as a featured performer and instructor at the 2021 Festival Flamenco Albuquerque presented by the National Institute of Flamenco. From 2020 to 2022, she was a Producer for Arts in the Basin, curating the program’s Friday night live performances.  This year 2023, Melissa was a featured performer in the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, the Peninsula International Dance Festival and the World Arts West Dance Festival.

In addition to her accomplished artistic career, Melissa is a Bachelor of the Arts graduate of UC Berkeley and holds a Juris Doctor degree from University of San Francisco.

As described by Rachel Howard of the SF Chronicle: “Any dancer could make pained faces. But Cruz is clearly possessed by the duende — the spirit that drives this deeply introspective art.”

http://locuramusica.org/

http://istanbulconnection.net/

http://artsatthebasin.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, February 11, 2026, 6-8:30pm with

 

Ruben Blanco Hurtado & Friends

 

Ruben Blanco Hurtado – piano and flute
Orestes Vilato – percussion
Steve Senft-Herrera – bass
Sandra Poindexter – violin

And special guests!

 

We’re turning The Annex into Habana Cuba for the evening. It will be as if you were walking through the streets of old Habana. listening to son cubano, a bolero and more.

 

Our music will consist of Cuban standards, dance tunes, boleros, and cha cha chas.

 

The group consists of The Great Orestes Vilato, world renown percussionist, on bass there is Steve Senft – Herrra, who has worked with all the top groups in the bay area, Sandra Poindexter on violin and Ruben Blanco Hurtado on piano and flute plus he promises he will have a special guest.

www.RubenHurtadoLatinMusic.com

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

Rhonda Benin & Her Jazz Trio

featuring:

Rhonda Benin
John R. Burr – keys

Ron Belcher – Bass

Ranzel Merritt – drums

Songs of Peace: Jazz, Blues, Soul, and Pop

www.rhondabenin.com

RHONDA BENIN – Vocalist, Producer, Artist Teacher

“Benin’s got a coolly hip vocal, with a bit of hush and sugar and an undercurrent of big booming power. She can bend notes with a bass, talk serenade with a piano and steam the kettle from the drums”.                                                                     Ran Pacifica Tribune

 

San Francisco Bay Area vocalist, Rhonda Benin has earned a reputation for not just a good voice but showmanship, magnetic stage personality, humor, and of course her great dancing.  Rhonda’s impressive resume includes performances at SF Jazz, Yoshi’s, MOAD, The Healdsburg, Sonoma, Burlingame, Sausalito, Filmore, and Calistoga Jazz Festivals.  In the summer of 2012 Rhonda traveled to Hangzhou, China for a 3 month engagement at the JZ Jazz Club and was 2014 USA headliner for The Kigali Up Music Festival in Kigali, Rwanda.  In addition to singing, Rhonda is producer and founder of the annual Women’s History Month show “Just Like A Woman” a tribute to Bay Area Women In Music. Benin is a 26 year member of The GRAMMY nominated vocal ensemble Linda Tillery and The Cultural Heritage. She appears on the CHC’s 7 Cd’s and has toured 30 countries performing and recording with legendary artists such as Taj Mahal, Wilson Pickett, Richie Havens, Odetta. Al Green, Keb Mo, Santana, Patti Austin, Janis Ian, Jackson Brown, Hugh Masekela & Sweet Honey In The Rock.

 

In 2006 Rhonda produced her first solo CD, A Matter of the Heart a classic mix of jazz, blues, and soul and is currently working on her 2^nd CD.

Rhonda is on the teaching staff of Healdsburg Jazz ‘s Operation Jazz Band, San Francisco Arts Project, LEAP, California Conservatory of Music, Cal Performances and conducts her own school assemblies and workshops, “The Voice, The Hands The Feet”  “Twist and Shout” and “Love Letters Make Me Misty Blue”.

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, January 28, 2026, 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

Platform 4

Ariana LaMark (Vocals)

Patrick Gallagher (Keys)

Jeremy Trindade (Bass)

Joe Campbell (Drums).

 

Jazz, Funk, Soul & Neo-Soul, R&B, and Latin Jazz

 

Platform 4 is based in the San Franciso Bay Area. Its founding members include Ariana LaMark (Vocals), Patrick Gallagher (Keys), Jeremy Trindade (Upright Bass/Electric Bass), and Joe Campbell (Drums). Platform 4 performs an eclectic mix of musical genres, across the greater bay area, including jazz, soul/neo-soul, funk, and r&b; as well as their own original compositions.

 

Check out Platform 4 on Instagram for more information about the band and the musicians:

https://www.instagram.com/platform.4.music?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

~

 

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, January 21, 2026, 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

 

BD Express

Bryan S Dyer – vocals

Eric Swinderman – Guitar

Kevin Scott – Bass

Ranzell Merritt – Saxophone

 

The BD Express gathers some of the Bay Area’s top musicians together to give you the best of New Orleans, Jazz, Blues, R&B, and Soul music. Whether you’re relaxing with your favorite drink or ready to get up and get down, this event will “bring it” to The Annex!

 

Music has taken Bryan around the world to perform in countless countries including Japan, Switzerland, Spain, Indonesia, and Africa, and with and alongside such notable artists as Huey Lewis and The News, Michael McDonald, and Carlos Santana. Some of the groups he currently performs with include SoVoSo, The Funk Revival Orchestra, Chelle! and Friends, Bobby McFerrin & MOTION, Crosspulse w/Keith Terry, and Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. Bryan has also worked on several projects with Santa Cruz based producer and choreographer over the last 20 years including “JOY” and “Mixed Nutz!”.

 

www.bryandyer.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.