“A Bay Area jazz mainstay for the past decade, guitarist Mason Razavi has honed a personal take on the blues-tinged straight-ahead sound pioneered by Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell. With his clean attack and beautifully crafted lines he’s earned recognition as a fluid and resourceful improviser in a variety of settings. This performance in the Joe Henderson Lab celebrates the release of his new album Even Keel with this superb quartet including saxophone great Charles McNeal, organist Brian Ho, and drummer Jason Lewis”.  - SF Jazz

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Join the VRV Trio - Rick Vandivier, Mason Razavi, and Hristo Vitchev - as they perform their favorites from the jazz canon alongside familiar holiday tunes.

These longtime friends met about two decades ago when Vitchev and Razavi both studied with Rick Vandivier, both privately and at San Jose State University. Each of them have become prolific artists and bandleaders in their own right, having forged their own distinctive sounds and having played concert and festival stages nationally and abroad. 

The three friends enjoy this collaborative effort as an opportunity to celebrate the guitar and to relish the unique trio format that calls for a high level of listening and interplay.

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With Brian Ho, organ and Jason Lewis, drums

Join Rick Vandivier, Hristo Vitchev, and Mason Razavi for a jazz guitar extravaganza at Coterie Winery! Each prolific artists and bandleaders in their own right, the trio comes together to celebrate Father’s Day weekend with the fun and exploratory 3-guitar format. 

Each ticket includes a glass of wine. Coterie makes every wine berry to bottle by hand with exceptional care in the vineyard and non-interventional practices at the winery. The winery is nestled in a cozy neighborhood near downtown San Jose, where it transformed an old warehouse into a beautiful place for wine.

Shows at 6:30pm and 9pm. Seating is limited at this intimate venue, so get tickets now.

About The Artists

Rick Vandivier has been performing and recording in the San Francisco Bay Area for the last 40+ years - “a steady force as a player and teacher” as stated by the San Jose Mercury News. He is composer and leader of his own dynamic group, Vandivier, a contemporary eclectic trio. In addition, he is co-leader of Primary Colors, along with vocalist extraordinaire, Nate Pruitt. Mr. Vandivier is an instructor at San Jose State University and Stanford University. 

Hristo Vitchev has been referred to by the media as one of the newest and most innovative voices in modern jazz guitar and voted "Rising Star on Guitar" by DownBeat Magazine. He has performed at some of the most prestigious jazz clubs and festivals in the world and continues to amaze both critics and audiences alike with his imaginative, lyrical and illustrious writing. “Vitchev’s sophisticated and adventurous work is imbued with shimmering harmonies and lyrical improvisations.” - JazzTimes

Mason Razavi  has been praised for his ". . . sensitivity, soulfulness, and swing" (All About Jazz), while his compositions offer “an introspective experience of deeper meaning” (Jazz Times).  He’s been recognized in his hometown as a “melodically inventive composer” (San Jose Mercury News) and a “terrific and consistent presence in the Bay Area jazz scene” (Metro Online) who has “carefully crafted his own voice” (SanJose.com). He was a recipient of the the 2021 Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award, named after the longtime Silicon Valley arts journalist. Razavi is an adjunct professor at West Valley College. 

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Guitarist Mason Razavi celebrates his soon-to-be-released album Even Keel at the SJZ Break Room, alongside Brian Ho on organ, Jason Lewis on drums, and special guest Charles McNeal on saxophone. He will be playing originals written specifically for this configuration—modern straight ahead and hard bop with a sprinkling of standards.

A recipient of the 2021 Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award, he has been praised for his “top-tier guitarmanship” (Vintage Guitar Magazine), while his compositions offer “an introspective experience of deeper meaning” (JazzTimes). He’s been recognized in his hometown as a “melodically inventive composer” (Mercury News) and a “terrific and consistent presence in the Bay Area jazz scene” (Metro) who has “carefully crafted his own voice” (SanJose.com).

Widely regarded as a masterful saxophonist, special guest Charles McNeal has performed nationally and internationally with the likes of McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Roberta Flack, Lyle Lovett, James Carter, Steve Turre, Bruce Forman, Boz Scaggs and countless others.

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Guitarist Mason Razavi celebrates his new album, Even Keel, alongside Brian Ho on organ, Jason Lewis on drums, and special guest Charles McNeal on saxophone. The group will be performing originals written specifically for this configuration—modern straight ahead and hard bop with a sprinkling of standards.

A recipient of the 2021 Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award, Mason has been praised for his “top-tier guitarmanship” (Vintage Guitar Magazine), while his compositions offer “an introspective experience of deeper meaning” (JazzTimes). He’s been recognized in his hometown as a “melodically inventive composer” (Mercury News) and a “terrific and consistent presence in the Bay Area jazz scene” (Metro) who has “carefully crafted his own voice” (SanJose.com).

Widely regarded as a masterful saxophonist, special guest Charles McNeal has performed nationally and internationally with the likes of McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Roberta Flack, Lyle Lovett, James Carter, Steve Turre, Bruce Forman, Boz Scaggs and countless others.

Tickets are $20 general admission. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available here, or if the show is not sold out, you may purchase your tickets at the door before the show.

Doors open one half hour before show time. We accept cash or Venmo only at the door.

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 food and beverages. The venue is ADA accessible. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-381-1997.

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Personell TBA

Sets at 6pm and 8pm

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Stephanie Austin Letson is celebrating the release of her first solo album, Telling Stories. The album features a sextet with Stephanie Austin Letson on vocals, Fred Randolph on bass, Mason Rasavi on guitar, as well as horns, drums, and percussion.

Influenced by artists from Miles Davis and Bill Evans to Tierney Sutton and Sting, the album marries eclectic influences with complex and soulful jazz arranging.

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“Stephanie Austin Letson is releasing her first solo album, Telling Stories. The album features a sextet with Stephanie Austin Letson on vocals, Fred Randolph on bass, and Mason Rasavi on guitar. Joining them for this concert are Jason Lewis on drums, Sheldon Brown on saxophone and clarinet, and Joel Behrman on trombone.

Influenced by artists from Miles Davis and Bill Evans to Maria Schneider and Sting, the album marries eclectic influences with complex and soulful jazz arranging.”

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Join us for an in person concert with Jazz Guitarist, Composer and Educator Mason Razavi. A mainstay on the SF Bay Area jazz scene, Guitarist Mason Razavi, has been recognized for his solo guitar work with the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist award. His solo album Six-String Standards was released in February 2023 on the Origin/OA2 label. Razavi is an adjunct professor at West Valley College, and holds degrees from San Jose State University and the Berklee College of Music.

Performing together with Rick Vandivier “...a steady force as a player and a teacher, and he’s never sounded better than on his new album “Under One Roof” [Avatar Production] - Andrew Gilbert, San Jose Mercury News  Visit www.rickvandivier.com

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The Mason Razavi Quartet (with piano) makes a first appearance in a very long time! They’ll be playing a couple selections from Razavi’s “Quartet Plus” albums and standards.

The concert is in Livermore, CA and seating is limited. Please email info@livermorejazzsociety.org for ticket info.

Mason Razavi, guitar

Bennett Roth-Newell, piano

Aaron Germain, bass

Jason Lewis, drums

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Stream on YouTube

Joining the SJZ Collective for their festival performance! Program TBA.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest Info

Jazz guitarist Mason Razavi has been praised for his ". . . sensitivity, soulfulness, and swing" (All About Jazz), while his compositions offer “an introspective experience of deeper meaning” (Jazz Times).  He’s been recognized in his hometown as a “melodically inventive composer” (San Jose Mercury News) and a “terrific and consistent presence in the Bay Area jazz scene” (Metro Online) who has “carefully crafted his own voice” (SanJose.com).

His trio features the top Bay Area rhythm section of Dan Robbins on bass and Jason Lewis on drums.  They'll be joined by special guest artist Mimi Fox. 

Internationally renowned guitarist/composer/recording artist Mimi Fox has been named a winner in 6 consecutive Downbeat Magazine international critic's polls and has been recognized by writers and colleagues alike as one of the most eloquent guitarists on today's scene. In one of many feature stories, Guitar Player Magazine hailed Mimi as "a prodigious talent who has not only mastered the traditional forms but has managed to reinvigorate them." Mimi has performed/recorded with some of the music world's most commanding players, including fellow guitarists Charlie Byrd, Stanley Jordan, and Charlie Hunter, Grammy-nominated saxophonists Branford Marsalis, David Sanchez, Houston Person, and the late Don Lanphere, vocalists Abbey Lincoln, Diana Krall, Kevin Mahogany, and Janis Siegel (Manhattan Transfer), B3 organ masters Joey DeFrancesco, Barbara Denerlein and Dr. Lonnie Smith, and powerhouse drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. She has also performed with legends Stevie Wonder and John Sebastian and with Patty Larkin's Vanguard Records-produced La Guitara project. Her YouTube videos have received hundreds of thousands of views.

In-Person & Livestreamed on Jul 13 and

On Demand Jul 14 - Aug 14, 2023

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Solo guitar

San Jose Jazz presents “Solo Jazz on Sundays” at Lamella Tavern in Willow Glen.

Brian Ho, organ

Mason Razavi, guitar

Mike Quigg, drums

San Jose guitarist Mason Razavi kicks off the release of his solo guitar album Six-String Standards with a two-set celebration of jazz guitar in the South Bay. 

The first set will feature music from the new album. In the second set, Mason will be joined by several special guest guitarists: the internationally acclaimed Hristo Vitchev, Bay Area stalwart and revered educator Rick Vandivier and award-winning 17-year old guitarist Ryota Sato, who has been studying with Razavi and is a member of the San Jose Jazz High School All Stars. 

Mason Razavi has been praised for his "sensitivity, soulfulness, and swing" (All About Jazz), while his compositions offer “an introspective experience of deeper meaning” (Jazz Times).  He’s been recognized in his hometown as a “melodically inventive composer” (Mercury News) and a “terrific and consistent presence in the Bay Area jazz scene” (Metro) who has “carefully crafted his own voice” (SanJose.com). He was a recipient of the 2021 Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award, named after the longtime Silicon Valley arts journalist.

On Six String Standards, Mason was inspired by the great solo guitar tradition epitomized by Joe Pass and Lenny Breau to offer his own look at the Great American Songbook. With several compositions from famed Sinatra collaborator Jimmy Van Heusen alongside familiar favorites from Henry Mancini and Johnny Green, he interprets these songs with his archtop and acoustic guitars, alternating between pick playing and intricate fingerstyle arrangements to deliver a varied set bound to delight lovers of solo guitar.

Through November 2023, $5 from every Six-String Standards CD sold through Bandcamp or in person will be donated to San Jose Jazz’s Progressions program. Progressions provides instruments, music education, and more to low-income youth in Title 1 schools in San Jose. 

masonrazavi.com
hristovitchev.com
rickvandivier.com
Ryota Sato website

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Also livestreaming on San Jose Jazz’s YouTube Channel

A noontime concert with some of the Bay Area’s finest players.

Mason Razavi, guitar

John Worley, trumpet/flugelhorn

Dan Robbins, bass

Jason Lewis, drums

Jazz guitarist Mason Razavi, praised for his "sensitivity, soulfulness and swing" (All About Jazz), is joined by bassist Ryan Trujillo and Issac Schwartz on drums to make up a contemporary guitar trio that is steeped in the tradition. The trio plays standards, blues, and bebop alongside Razavi’s originals.

Tickets are $20 for Cloverdale Arts Alliance members and $25 for non-members. Doors open at 7:00 pm; music begins at 7:30 pm. To receive reserved seating privileges, purchase advance tickets online at www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org. Tickets are also at the door, if available.

THE Jazz Club is a program of the Cloverdale Arts Alliance, a non-profit arts organization bringing cultural arts to northern Sonoma County.

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Details TBA