Surrounded by hills flush with Oaks on three sides, Point San Pablo Harbor is located at the tip of the Point Molate peninsula and is accessible by water and the road to the peninsula, Stenmark Dr. PSPH houses a marina, recreational boating, a small live-aboard community, Nobilis Restaurant and the Point San Pablo Harbor Club.
$: The events are free, though a $5 donation for the musicians would be appreciated.
CLUB JAZZ SERIES: DECEMBER’S LINEUP
Sun, Dec 2nd, 3-7pm, Club Jazz Series: Craig & MacGregor Band
About Nobilis Restaurant Nobilis Restaurant is open for lunch and brunch on weekends.
Wed-Fri, 11am to 5pm; Sat/Sun 10am-5pm
Their creative, sustainable and locally sourced American menu includes breakfast specialties such as Blackstone Benedict and Chicken ‘n Pancakes. Lunch crispy fried oysters, the Har-burger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Caesar Salad and North Coast Clam Chowder. Featuring some of best of Richmond beverages, Nobilis offers up East Brother and Benoit Casper beers as well as Catahoula coffee and a curated wine selection from all over the world.
Arriving by water?
If arriving by boat, please contact the marina office at 510-233-3224 for information regarding guest slip availability or email [email protected].
Photo courtesy of pspyh.com
Arriving by land?
For GPS, their address is 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond CA. 94801 or try their previous address of 1900 Western Drive.
From the East Bay:
From Interstate 80 (either direction), take the San Rafael exit to Interstate 580 West towards the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Just before the toll plaza, take the Point Molate/Stenmark Drive exit (right). Follow signs to Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor.
From Marin:
Cross the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, east-bound. There is no Point Molate exit from this direction, so you’ll need to take the Richmond Pkwy / PT Richmond exit instead. Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp, merge onto Castro St., go under the freeway, then take the right hand on-ramp for I-580 West, heading back towards the bridge. Just before the toll plaza, take the Point Molate/Stenmark Drive exit (right). Follow signs to Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor.
Point San Pablo Harbor,1900 Stenmark Drive, Richmond, CA 94801 510-233-3224
In search of the best clubs for Blues & Jazz along the east shore of the San Francisco Bay, we asked
Jeff Tauber on sax
Saxophonist Jeff Tauber for his advice and got the whole story. Some clubs are listening rooms and others are bars and lounges. Easy links to their websites will get you to their music calendars.
Ashkenaz – is still happening at 1317 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley. African, Blues, Hip Hop, Reggae, World Beat and other genres. Ashkenaz is dedicated to providing dance and music from traditional cultures all around the world, featuring local and international bands.
the backroom – 1984 Bonita Ave in Downtown Berkeley – books all acoustically-based genres, including Jazz, Blues, Folk, Bluegrass, Americana and more. It’s an intimate, comfortable venue with no food or drink other than water or soft drinks. Adults can BYOB. Local musician Sam Rudin wants to keep the music venue small and comfy with a Steinway grand piano on stage and thrift shop overstuffed chairs below.
Britt Maries’ – 1369 Solano Ave in Albany – The owner is turning Britt Marie’s Wine Bar & Restaurant into a community music venue so local musicians have an opportunity to play and customers can enjoy a Jazz supper club type of venue, much like in the 1940s. Dancing also. Tauber on sax and Craig Browning on keys played there recently. They are two latter day jazz men committed to playing the songs the way they were written – soft, melodic and lyrical.
The Cheese Board Collective & Pizzeria (2 doors down) – 1504 and 1512 Shattuck Ave in Berkeley – Offers up Blues and Jazz and even during lunch! The Pizzeria backs up, but the line moves quickly. “Kickin’ the Mules Blues Band” plays there.
Chris’ Club – at 656 Benicia Road in Vallejo is dubbed the world’s best eclectic dive bar. Call (707) 552-2916 to find out when they will have a Blues Jam. They have live Music every Thursday, Sometimes on Friday and Saturday (Check their Facebook). Thursdays include Live Blues 7-11pm, with World Famous Do It Yourself NY Steak BBQ and BBQ Oyster Bar on the Back Patio.
Everett & Jones Barbecue, located at the entrance to Jack London Square at 126 Broadway in Oakland, hosts Saturday Night Blues from 9pm – 1am. On Fridays there are two venues: Q’s Lounge – 8pm-12midnight – a relaxed environment with the latest in live Soul and Jazz, up close and personal. Dotha’s Juke Joint – 9pm-12midnight – brings you down home live Blues in a funky-chic setting with a plate of the best BBQ in town. Check who’s been playing!
– A true neighborhood bar dating back to the 1940s. 860 San Pablo Ave in Albany – Blues & Funk. Open Mon – Sun 3pm –
The Ivy Room – A true neighborhood bar dating back to the 1940s, presents a variety of entertainment and a meeting place for the entire East Bay community. 860 San Pablo Ave in Albany – Blues & Funk. Open Mon – Sun 3pm – 2am.
Jupiter – a European-inspired beer house and premiere alternative Jazz venue at 2181 Shattuck Ave in Downtown Berkeley. A two-story lounge with a two-story beer garden, fire pits and heaters, Jupiter offers up handcrafted beers & ales along with wood-fired pizza, Jazz, Blues & Latin music. On Fridays they serve food until midnight!
The Sound Room – home of Bay Area Jazz & Arts at 2147 Broadway in Oakland. According to Tauber, some of best Bay Area musicians play here. Proceeds from their food and drink sales pay the rent and utilities and proceeds from ticket sales pay for the band and sound equipment. Of note – all of their wines are on some level, associated with Jazz.
Starry Plow – 3101 Shattuck Ave in Berkeley – is still going strong since the 70s with Grunge, Rock, Irish and Blues. Thursday nights are filled with Funk Soul, Hip Hop, Jazz and Latin music. Check out who has played there! Always the Revolutionary Irish watering hole, Starry Plow serves locally sourced pub-comfort food and lots of different beers, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.
Yoshi’s – 510 Embarcadero West in Oakland’s Jack London Square – is at the top of Tauber’s list , having built a reputation for being one of the most respected Jazz Clubs in the Bay Area with great Japanese cuisine. It now can seat 310 people, yet still maintains its intimate vibe. They have expanded to include broader genres now to appeal to a variety of musical tastes, though you can always find Jazz and Blues on their calendar.
Editorial Note – one more: The 7th St. Cafe (the old Rev Cafe) is bringing BLUES back to the neighborhood at 1612 7th St in West Oakland. Karaoke Nights on Saturday at 8pm and Comedy on Sundays at 8pm. 7th St. Cafe features the 7th St. Blues Band and has Blues Jams often on Fridays and other nights. Call and find out what’s going on – (510) 444-7746.
Unfortunately Birdland Jazz has closed – Birdland Jazz (Birdland Jazzista Social Club) – 4318 Martin Luther King Jr Way in Oakland is open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays starting at 8pm (like the old Blues Clubs in West Oakland), featuring Jazz, Blues, Latin Jazz or Jazz Jams. They depend on volunteers and donations. Volunteer and become a Jazzista! Jeff Tauber, our club guide, plays at Birdland now and again. Another group that started in a garage in Berkeley, now has moved to Oakland. You have to read the history.
Local legend, songwriter, singer and guitarist Boz Scaggs dropped in to hear Faye Carol last Sunday. Who will it be this weekend?
Fri., Mar. 3 – Maivish. Grounded in traditional folk music, Maivish reveals the migration of traditional folk music, from the Old Country to the New World. Their performances are infused with distinct vocal harmonies and a captivating spirit, featuring Jaige Trudel on fiddle, Adam Broome on guitar and Matthew Olwell on percussion, flutes and percussive dance! According to the Back Room owner Sam Rudin, “It’s British and American folk music in three dimensions!”
Sat., Mar. 4 – Kyle Alden, singer/songwriter, is joined by a trio of mandolin, pedal steel and bass, and will express his multi-instrumental virtuosity on poetic, award-winning songs with rich vocal harmonies.
Maya Dorn
Sun., Mar. 5 – 1:30pm Singer/guitarist Maya Dorn opens up, playing international songs and rhythms followed by Blackbird and the Storm – a birdsong-inspired project, in collaboration with the Audubon Society, which incorporates the elements of nature, using field recordings along with music and vocals.
5:00pm – the Dynamic Miss Faye Carol will be starting her 9th week in residence at The Back Room. Boz Scaggs attended last Sunday joining all the fans who think Faye Carol is the greatest entertaining, jazz and blues singer performing today. Joe Warner accompanying her on piano.
Tickets are are available in advance online, or at the door the day of the show. Doors open one half hour before show time. We accept cash only at the door (ATMs are nearby). The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own adult beverage with no additional corkage fee. More info.: 510-654-3808.
the back room is located at 1984 Bonita Ave. in Berkeley
Grammy-nominated songwriter/pianist John R Burr and renowned singer songwriter Jenna Mammina will be joined by John Shifflett on bass, Jason Lewis on drums and Scott Sorkin on guitar to present a tribute to the music of beloved singer-songwriter James Taylor at the Musically Minded Academy in Oakland’s Rockridge District on Sat., Jan. 21.
This special concert celebrates the enduring and vast musical legacy of James Taylor, as well as the music of other artists who have been a part of his career such as Carol King, Joni Mitchell, Don Grolnick and the Beatles. Jenna and John R’s new arrangements of many of Taylor’s classics, are true to the essence of James Taylor’s wonderful writing, yet provide plenty of room for improvisation and spontaneity.
This Tribute to James Taylor, as well as other KCSM’s In The Moment concerts, are curated by art director Jim Bennett, continuing the legacy of Jazz as a living art form.
About the musicians:
John R Burrwas first drawn to the piano at the age of 10 when he heard Vince Guaraldi’s playing on the Peanut’s animated TV specials. He started out as a child prodigy drummer; he was the only child out of 5 siblings not forced to study the piano. It wasn’t until he was in high school that his focus turned to the keyboard. He then discovered that there were too many drummers to compete with and the piano became his instrument of choice.
John has performed with Robben Ford, Sherie Friedlander, Suzanna Smith, Jackie Ryan, Maria Muldaur, The Alison Brown Quartet, Paul McCandless, Michael Manring and Kathy Kallick, among many others. John on piano – Blackbird variation.
“Pianist extraordinaire John R. Burr has the most sparkling style since former Allman Brother- turned-Rolling Stone hired hand Chuck Leavell,” according to The Philadelphia Weekly.
Jenna Mammina is recognized as one of the leading women of jazz/pop crossover for three years in a row by Jazziz Magazine, she has shared the cover alongside Diana Krall and Norah Jones. Jenna has been awarded Jazz Performer of the Year for the SF Weekly, a nomination for Best Jazz Album for her Meant to Be cd, by the California Music Awards, and the Goldy Award for her tireless work with children through her Scat for Cats program.
Jenna has performed with a vast array of legendary talent, such as Bobby McFerrin, June Millington, Rickie Lee Jones, Al Jarreau, Phish, David Sanborn, Ray Obiedo, Wil Ackerman, Liz Story, Tuck Andress, and Rosemary Clooney. Jenna has performed at esteemed venues like Yoshi’s in Oakland, California, Town Hall in New York, The Green Mill in Chicago, and festivals such as Jazz Aspen, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage, Monterey, San Francisco, Big Sur and Mount Hood.
Details:
John R Burr and Jenna Mammina:
“James Taylor: 6 Degrees of Separation”
Sat., Jan. 21, 8-10pm
Tickets at the door. Mention KCSM In the Moment for a $5 discount.
Musically Minded Academy, 5776 Broadway in Oakland
Situated on the water’s edge in Richmond on the Bay, Riggers Loft Wine Co. is a wine and music destination in Richmond with views you cannot beat! And dreams that paint the city with optimism in hues of orange and magenta. What was once an empty shipyard building is now transformed into a venue for jazz and learning about wine and cider, as Richmond becomes part of the urban wine movement in the East Bay. In days gone by, Richmond was home to Wine Haven, the largest winery in the world. The winery existed during the bulk wine-making era with huge warehouses on the shore of San Francisco, which closed down due to the 1906 earthquake damage and eventually prohibition.
Sitting down with today’s wine makers and main players in the transformation, we unveiled their history and vision for 1325 Canal Blvd. in Richmond’s Portrero Point.
Barbara & Kevin Brown, R&B Cellars
“What you see here is mostly the product of R&B Cellars’ owners Kevin and Barbara Brown’s vision of what can happen here,” asserts Margaret Dollbaum, resident owner of Carica Wines with her husband and winemaker Charlie. “They deserve credit for how beautiful this place is.“
The two couples had been making their own wine originally in the facilities of Rock Wall Wine Co. on Alameda Point. “We had worked in the same facility in Alameda,” continues
Margaret & Charlie Dollbaum, Carica Wines
Margaret, “making our wines and both of us at that time belonged to the East Bay Vintners Alliance and Alameda Vintners Club.” Rock Wall expanded their operations and the Browns eventually found this space in the Port of Richmond. They had looked at the old Del Monte building in Alameda, which would have been a fun twist – from tomatoes to grapes – but that building did not work out. Eventually Richmond’s Port Director showed them a space with possibilities, now called home – Riggers Loft Wine Co.
The Riggers Loft building had originally been a support mechanism for the naval shipyards’
Photo/Courtesy of Rosie the Riveter Trust
companies during World War II. They did prefab inside this building, fitting out the top part of the vessels – including the rigging, which was picked up by the whirley cranes. These workers could get their ships out in 28 days. Today there is a museum dedicated to Rosie the Riveter, an icon representing the American women who worked in the shipyards during World War II. A 10-story high Whirley Crane monument exists in Kaiser Shipyard #3 to tell their impressive tale of women working in the Riggers Loft building. “Interesting thing,” continues Margaret, “Women were working on the cranes in this space back then and in our two wineries now, women are involved in wine making in this same space.” No whirley cranes now, just women driving forklifts!
There had been talk about razing the building, but then, “The mayor decided to bring it back,” said Kevin. “The City restored it, recognizing its potential.”
According to Barbara, “They were waiting for the right business to come along and we were it. The fit was good and it still accommodates moving forklifts around – it really was and still is a functional space.”
Riggers Loft was looking for a tenant at the same time when Andy Chinciolo, co-owner of Far West Cider Co., was searching for space to produce cider from his fourth generation family farm in San Joaquin County. He had looked in San Francisco and Oakland for a long time, but the rent was prohibitive, not to mention the additional costs of improvements that needed to be made. His regulatory compliance consultant was also helping out Riggers Loft at the time and the owners showed him the space in the Port of Richmond and talked about their model.
As soon as Adam saw the space and the view, he was in. “The Tasting Room was really fantastic for us,” said Adam, “as cider is a unique beverage and a lot of people have preconceived impressions of what cider is. I get to teach them what cider really is and can be. I connect it to the earth and it then has a real sense of space.” He sells Far West cider much like wine in the tasting room and has his own flights of cider, with also one of his ciders included in the Tasting Room’s suggested wine flights each week.
Though the space at 1325 Canal has had a rebirth, this East Bay urban wine movement, Riggers Loft Wine Co., is continuing the Old World wine making philosophy where you can walk in and taste wine among the winemakers, their families and barrels. You are not glassed off from the production process, as is so common today on the various wine country tours. Kevin compares it to an artist colony. “People can come here and perfect their art, their craft. There’s lots of diversity here. And a lot of fun. We have several wineries and a cidery. It has become a destination.”
“Much like breweries,” continues Adam, “I am always experimenting to craft different ciders and always have three or four ‘on tap’. One other great thing Riggers Loft brings to the table is that we get to share equipment and advice – which is extremely helpful.”
When Kevin and Barbara first looked at the space, the SS Red Oak Victory (which had been built here) was tied up on the water in front of the building, blocking the view of the water and San Francisco – it filled up the window space. The Port moved the ship out to another berth, as they knew they would need to if a tenant came along, and the view opened up into something more beautiful than anyone had imagined. This view is the beginning of immersion into the magical beauty of 31 miles of shoreline that surround the City of Richmond.
The vision:
Richmond is now honoring its roots of being driven by music, innovation and community. As part of this movement, Riggers Loft Wine Co. sees access from the water being easy. Ferries and water taxi services are coming to Richmond and everyone has high hopes for guest berths being built in the Port to access Canal Blvd.
Outdoor patio plans include a 3,000 sq ft space with a base of stamped concrete, wind breaks, picnic tables, umbrellas and a dog watering fountain – did I mention they are dog-friendly? Perhaps fire pits. lots of half wine barrels filled with herbs and flowers and of course, wine and food. They envision also a new entrance to the winery. Being passionate jazz musicians themselves, the Browns are pursuing more music groups, open mic nights and jam sessions.
Fridays 5:30-8:30pm – Music (usually mellow Jazz) with Street Eats Food Truck
Saturdays 2:30-5:30pm –Music (a little more vibey) with Street Eats Food Truck
Thursdays 6:45pm – Juice Up Your Brain with Quiz Night!!! Teams form at 6:45pm. The pursuit of pulling trivial facts out of your brain begins at 7:00pm. Their wines definitely help make it a fun evening. “We are also looking forward to Open Mic night on Thursdays. And maybe jam sessions with the house band,” says Kevin.
Oyster Sundays once a month from 1-3pm; $10 = 2 oysters & a glass of wine; hosted by Riggers, starring Michel Rehayem, a local oyster aficionado (need a reservation for this)
The Hours
Riggers Loft Wine Company Tasting Room Hours:
Thursdays & Fridays: 4-9pm
Saturdays: 12-9pm
Sundays: 12-6pm
510-233-2065
Directions:
Riggers Loft Wine Co.| 1325 Canal Blvd., Richmond, CA 94804.
By car from the East Bay or from Marin, take Highway I-580 towards Point Richmond, and take Exit 8 at Canal Blvd/Garrard Blvd. Head west on Canal Blvd (towards the Bay), following marker signs to Shipyard #3 and the SS Red Oak Victory, a restored WWII ship. The 2.5 mile drive on Canal Blvd takes you under the “Point Potrero” sign, alongside some dry docks at the water’s edge, and finally up to the historic red “Whirley Crane”. Parking is abundant alongside the building. The adjacent Bay Trail beckons you to ride your bike or walk along the Bay. (Directions courtesy of caricawines.com)
About The Winemakers:
R&B Cellars: Barbara & Kevin Brown
Kevin Brown is a 30+ year veteran of the wine industry, and has handled all aspects of the business including, winemaking, sales, marketing, distribution strategies and brand-building/promotion. In keeping with the R&B Cellars philosophy, Kevin believes that drinking wine should be fun, and like music, is a creative pursuit. He is the winemaker for R&B Cellars, and is a frequent educator and lecturer on winemaking and brand strategies in the industry. His passion and respect for winemaking as an art are but one of the many drivers that feed his consistent success in the industry.
Carica Wines: Margaret & Charlie Dollbaum
Charlie Dollbaum started Carica Wines in 2005, building on a decade of private winemaking and a career in scientific research in biotech and medicine. His passion is making small lots of premium wine in a style that is true to the grape, with finesse and restraint. Choosing to concentrate on Rhône varietals grown in Northern California, Dollbaum has produced critically acclaimed Syrahs that are noted for balance and intensity.
Dollbaum’s academic training includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis, a Ph.D. in microbiology from U.C. Berkeley, and an M.D. from UCLA.
Far West Cider Co.: Adam Cinchiolo
Far West Cider. Co – Californian Ciders from a 4th generation family farm. After harvest and pressing on Chinchiolo Family Farms in San Joaquin County, every batch of Far West Cider is fermented, aged, and packaged in our working cidery within the Riggers Loft building in the historic Port of Richmond. Adam Cinchiolo is the cider maker and his father and brother run the family farm off River Road between Escalon and Ripon. Cider tastings and flights, growlers are available now and bottle sales coming soon. Tours available.
Irish Monkey Wine: Bob Lynch
Most everyone asks, “Why Irish Monkey?” Wine maker Bob Lynch began monkeying around with the fruit of the vine in 1996, having successfully made dozens of competition-winning beers with friends. And so it was. Irish Monkey specializes in both the “Princes” of reds – classic Cabernet Sauvignon, barrel-aged Merlot, rich/dark Syrah and pasta-friendly Sangiovese and the “Upstarts” – those zesty Zinfandels, assertive Primitivo, deep Tannat and spirited Sauvignon Blanc. Grapes plus yeasts, manual labor plus long barrel ageing.
the 
are curated by art director Jim Bennett, continuing the legacy of Jazz as a living art form.
According to Barbara, “They were waiting for the right business to come along and we were it. The fit was good and it still accommodates moving forklifts around – it really was and still is a functional space.”
for us,” said Adam, “as cider is a unique beverage and a lot of people have preconceived impressions of what cider is. I get to teach them what cider really is and can be. I connect it to the earth and it then has a real sense of space.” He sells Far West cider much like wine in the tasting room and has his own flights of cider, with also one of his ciders included in the Tasting Room’s suggested wine flights each week.
When Kevin and Barbara first looked at the space, the SS Red Oak Victory (which had been built here) was tied up on the water in front of the building, blocking the view of the water and San Francisco – it filled up the window space. The Port moved the ship out to another berth, as they knew they would need to if a tenant came along, and the view opened up into something more beautiful than anyone had imagined. This view is the beginning of immersion into the magical beauty of 31 miles of shoreline that surround the City of Richmond.
