By Andrew Gilbert, Oakland Side Charnett Moffett was still a toddler when his family relocated from New York to Oakland in 1970, and he hadn’t graduated from elementary school yet when the musical clan returned to the East Coast. But even at that tender age his extraordinary trajectory was fueled by his experiences in the … Read More
Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Classical Voice Ian Faquini and Natalie Cressman | April 6 Brasilia-born Berkeley guitarist/vocalist Ian Faquini is a composer of inordinately sad and beautiful melodies, building on the supremely sophisticated sound of his mentor, legendary Brazilian songwriter Guinga. In San Francisco-reared trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman he’s found an ideal muse and musical partner who can … Read More
Natalie Cressman and Guitarist Ian Faquini Team Up for a Brazilian Outing Jeff Kaliss, San Francisco Classical Voice The sounds of Brazil prevail in the Bay Area in the first week of April. On Tuesday, April 2, Danilo Brito, a mandolin virtuoso of choro, a balladic genre dating back to the 19th century, plays Yoshi’s, … Read More
Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News Pianist Oscar Hernandez earned his salsa stripes recording with conga master Ray Barretto in the early 1980s. But he became a major player as music director for the popular Grammy Award-winning band Seis Del Solar, which served as a vehicle for some of Ruben Blades most innovative and literary songs. … Read More
