Jazz season, Monterey to Russian River festivals

Sunset, Sept, 1988

Kings of swing, bebop, and cutting-edge jazz start showing up en masse in jazz festivals and clubs around the San Franciso Bay Area this time of year.

Four music festivals and a film festival are tuning up currently. Not all performers were announced by our press time; we give telephone numbers you can call for updates and details. BASS sells tickets a month before each show; call (415) 7622277, and expect a service charge of $3.00 per ticket. Or write or call individual box offices; unless otherwise indicated, all area codes are 415.

Minors and children are welcome at most of the festivals listed here. Except at the film festival, food is available. At some events, you can bring a cooler with picnic fare, but no cans or bottles are allowed at any. Some places do not allow audio or video equipment. None allows pets. We also list restaurants and clubs where people of all ages can hear jazz regularly.

Live jazz festivals in Guerneville, Monterey, Palo Alto, San Francisco

12th Annual Russian River Jazz Festival, September 10 and 11. At Midway Beach in Guerneville, performers appear on two stages-one for headliners, the other for community talent and emerging musicians. Performers include Angela Bofill, Sonny Rollins, Richie Cole, Freddie Hubbard, David Benoit, and Wynton Marsalis. Saturday evening shows at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa feature Sarah Vaughan at 7 and 9:45. .

A ticket admitting you to all events costs $61 to $65, depending on seating. For both days at the river site only, it's $46; either day alone costs $25. Kids under 10 come free at the river site with a paying adult. Separately, the Sarah Vaughan tickets run $15 or $19. Write to Box 763, Guerneville 95446; or call (707) 576-0827 or 526-0436. Luther Burbank Center's box office number is (707) 546-3600.

31st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival,

Monterey County Fairgrounds, September 16, 17, and 18. Scheduled performers are Diane Schuur, Joe Williams, Benny Carter, and Dianne Reeves. Tickets for all five shows cost $83.50. Grounds admission is $15 Friday and Sunday, $20 Saturday. Write to Box JAZZ, Monterey 93942, or call (408) 373-3366.

Third Annual Palo Alto Jazz Festival,

Baylands Athletic Center, September 25. Featured performers are Carmen McRae, Stanley Jordan, Pete Escovedo. Tickets cost $18.50, $10 for ages under 14. Write or call the Chamber of Commerce, 325 Forest Ave., Palo Alto 94301; (415) 324-3121 or the Community Box Office, 1305

Middlefield Road, Palo Alto (329-2623).

Sixth Annual Jazz in the City Festival, October 6 to 15. Held at Hornblower Yachts' City of San Francisco, Grace Cathedral, and other San Francisco locations. Performers include Pharoah Sanders, Tuck and Patti, Richie Cole, and the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. Tickets cost $9 to $20. At some locations, you must be 21 or older. Write to 141 Tenth St., San Francisco 94103, or call 864-5449.

Film festival, August 26 to 28 4th Annual Jazz in the City Film Festival, August 26 to 28. Locations are San Francisco's Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street (621-6120); and Berkeley's UC Theater, 2036 University Avenue (8436267). You'll see documentaries and rare clips of giants of the past Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Billie Holiday as well as a compilation of great 1930s and '40s animation with jazz. At both theaters, organists play before each showing. Tickets are $6. Write to the festival at 141 Tenth St., San Francisco 94103, or call 864-5449.

Jazz at restaurants and clubs Pier 23 Cafe, The Embarcadero, San Francisco; 362-5125. This small, newly renovated waterfront restaurant has free jazz performances in the evening Wednesdays through Saturdays ($5 on Fridays and Saturdays after 9:30 am.) and on Sunday afternoons.

The Ramp, 855 China Basin, San Francisco; 621-2378. Saturday and Sunday afternoons, this restaurant in a small boatyard has free performances on its patio.

Washington Square Bar and Gril1, 1707 Powell Street, San Francisco; 982-8123. Popular restaurant has free jazz nightly

Yoshi's, 6030 Claremont Avenue, Oakland; 652-9200. Alcohol-free club is attached to Japanese restaurant. Prices vary from $3 to $6 for local acts, up to $18 for national ones. Open Mondays through Saturdays. Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, on the oceanfront, Miramar Beach, 2 1/2 miles north of Half Moon Bay, 726-4143. This nonprofit music organization at the Douglas Beach House has been producing headline jazz and classical chamber music for over 23 years. The jazz concerts are every Sunday at 4:30 Pm. Cover charge: $12 ($10 under 21). You can bring your own food and drink.

Koncepts Cultural Gallery, 480 Third Street, Oakland; 763-0682. New performance center two blocks from Jack London Square has jazz performances on varying nights of the week; $5 to $15.