B3B4 is a long-awaited musical conversation between four Bay Area jazz veterans, combining the soulful growl of the Hammond B3 organ, the resonant bite of the tenor saxophone, the bluesy fluidity of the electric guitar and the propulsive groove of the drums. Their performances range from mid-tempo blues to warm, intricate ballads to driving up-tempo barnburners, and they reveal the fluency and experience of the group’s members in a wide range of genres. The quartet is heavily steeped in blues and bop, drawing upon the classic organ combos led by legends such as Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Larry Young, and Jimmy McGriff. The group is also building an extensive repertoire of original compositions.

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Live Remotes, which broadcast live Bands & Artists on air only on Racketeer Radio KFQX. Listen live at www.RacketeerRadio.com or the Racketeer Radio KFQX App, available on both Apple and Android Marketplace.

Alejandro Del Valle is a self-taught master pianist, arranger and composer for bands, orchestras, dance music and music for film.  Born in Cuba, he recently moved to the Bay Area after spending 25 years working inFrance. He has toured over 20 countries, including Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Russia, Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Brazil, Canada and Cuba. Alejandro is also an educator and conducted master classes at the Salon de Provence and the Poitiers Conservatory. In 2004, he was the Music Director of “Les Orientales”, arranging and directing a 2-hour performance of Arabo-Andalusian Music by an orchestra at the National Theater of Algiers, the Francofolies de la Rochelle, at the Theatre Mogador in Paris and the “Fiesta du Sud” in Marcelle. 

His latest project “Picking Up the Pieces” is a retrospective on his work, a musical conversation between his past and present as he navigates the uncertainty of a new life in the US. “Throughout my life as an artist, I have had numerous sources of inspiration. I usually start from the rhythms of Cuban and Afro-Cuban music but use them in a fusion environment rather than traditional music. Living in South of France, I had musical contact with the gypsy music that reigns in Spain, from which I have borrowed many traditional chords to compose pieces like“Vicente’s Song”. There, I also had contact with North African music from Algeria, which inspired me to start working with the 6/8 rhythm as captured in my piece “On the roof.” In particular, I mix all my past and present work to make up the different compositions. A series of compositions called “Elements” were inspired by the way percussionists feel music. In recent years I have incorporated elements of Rag Time to interpret the contemporary Cuban music, written at the beginning of the 20th century. This work in turn inspired me to compose “Contradanzas” with a perfume from the past. In general, I weave cinematic images and scenes throughout my music. I have always felt that my music pieces are like films without images, something like Mendelssohn’s “Songs Without Words”.

Originally aired: June 5 2024

Alejandro Del Valle Trio

Mr. Tipples

Racketeer Radio KFQX

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Live Remotes, which broadcast live Bands & Artists on air only on Racketeer Radio KFQX. Listen live at www.RacketeerRadio.com or the Racketeer Radio KFQX App, available on both Apple and Android Marketplace.

About the Artist: 

Hey Y’all!! My name is Tenia Nelson, and I live, eat, and breathe music! As a LifeForce Jazz Records artist, pianist, percussionist, composer and arranger, and educator, I have 20 years (plus) teaching experience in ALL levels of education (Early Childhood through University). At the present time, I teach privately in my music studio, teach classes at Neighborhood Music at Stanley Marketplace and I also mentor future musicians through GRAMMY U. I received my Bachelors of Music Education Degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2004, and My Masters of Music Degree (Jazz Studies) from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2010. I am a board member of The Gift of Jazz organization, a non-profit based in Denver, which actively supports jazz performance in the Rocky Mountain region, in particular, to ensure that jazz remains a creative force in Colorado. I am also a very proud and active member of the Recording Academy. In addition to teaching, I perform regularly at jazz venues in the Denver metro area, including Dazzle at Baur’s and Nocturne. I am a freelance music artist and play all types of music! I co-lead a well-known Denver-based jazz group, Spherio, which focuses on arranging and playing the music of Thelonious Sphere Monk (Tenia Nelson, keys; Brendan O’ Donoghue, bass; and Andreas Schmid, drums). I also lead a group called Tenia Nelson Trio (Tenia Nelson, keys; Brendan O’ Donoghue, bass; Alex Tripp, drums). In addition, as a freelance music artist, I play all types of music. One example would be playing with Jon Romero and the Taco Cats(Latin Jazz/Funk/Rock). I have played with Dianne Reeves, Ron Miles, Tia Fuller, Hugh Ragin, Kenny Walker, Brad Goode, Rico Jones, Gabe Mervine, Greg Harris, Greg Gisbert and Adam Deitch to name a few. Most recently, Denver’s premiere jazz radio station KUVO (declared one of the best jazz radio stations in the world) featured my music and Spherio! Denver, Colorado, is a city with long-standing, well-supported jazz traditions, from visits by jazz greats in the 30s and 40s in the historic Five Points area, to the current day. As such, this provides me with unique opportunities to perform with an array of awesome local and international musicians, which serves to further my growth as a jazz musician.

Originally aired: May 15 2024

Tenia Nelson

Mr. Tipples

Racketeer Radio KFQX

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Radio Remote Broadcasts Live from Mr. Tipples in San Francisco, Ca featuring Wampa

May 1 2024

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Live Remotes, which broadcast live Bands & Artists on air only on Racketeer Radio KFQX. Listen live at www.RacketeerRadio.com or the Racketeer Radio KFQX App, available on both Apple and Android Marketplace.

Wampa Ft. Adam Shulman at Rhodes Week at Mr. Tipple's. Piano master, Mr Shulman, goes electric. Wampa is an electric and eclectic trio of fender rhodes, electric bass and drums that plays odd time jazz and creative arrangements of popular music. 

Originally aired: May 1 2024

Wampa

Mr. Tipples

Racketeer Radio KFQX

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Radio Remote Broadcasts Live from Mr. Tipples in San Francisco, Ca featuring Kenya Moses

March 6 2024

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Live Remotes, which broadcast live Bands & Artists on air only on Racketeer Radio KFQX. Listen live at www.RacketeerRadio.com or the Racketeer Radio KFQX App, available on both Apple and Android Marketplace.

Kenya Moses is an American vocalist of African American and Afro-Brazilian heritage, sharing music from Brazil, Latin America and around the world. Born in Americus, Georgia, and shortly thereafter moving to Darmstadt, Germany; Kenya was exposed to a wide range of musical experiences, which have influenced her subsequent years of studying and performing.Kenya became obsessed with music – singing, playing and competing in international competitions. She later went on to study classical voice and flute at The University of California, Davis, where she also double majored in Performing Arts with a dance emphasis. After University, Kenya began her professional vocal career in the opera world, while simultaneously studying and performing dance with companies including, Alvin Ailey in New York City, Pamela Trokanski Dance Theatre, Embodiment Project and more. Her opera credits include Berkeley Opera, West Edge Opera and Pocket Opera. Kenya has worked with numerous artists throughout California – most recently with the Afro-Latin band, Guarandinga. Kenya performs Brazilian Bossa Nova, Samba and music from the Americas with her ensemble of highly acclaimed professionals.

Originally aired: March 6 2024

Kenya Moses

Mr. Tipples

Racketeer Radio KFQX

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Radio Remote Broadcasts Live from Mr. Tipples in San Francisco, Ca featuring Pedro Pastrana

January 17 2024

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Live Remotes, which broadcast live Bands & Artists on air only on Racketeer Radio KFQX. Listen live at www.RacketeerRadio.com or the Racketeer Radio KFQX App, available on both Apple and Android Marketplace.

A music creator rethinking the concept of Puerto Rican music, Pedro crosses over invisible frontiers with an (extra)ordinary approach to music. He aims at fusing the earthy quality of folk music with forward looking compositions and live performances, reflecting the mixed identities of his heritage and influences. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Pedro José Pastrana grew up in the jíbaro music tradition and surrounded by the vocabulary of other popular sounds. This upbringing would help him develop a keen instinct for playing in settings outside of his element. In 2009 he got a scholarship at Purdue University to study Science. This experience opened the door to meet other cultures, listen to different types of music and understand them from the perspective of a Puerto Rican cuatro player. He has played the instrument on a variety of musical contexts; from traditional jíbaro, Afro-Cuban music, frequenting bluegrass and jazz jam sessions, touring the southern regions of México, all the way to being an active member of the Bay Area music scene, and playing/recording with the John Santos Sextet, Jerry Medina, Juango Gutierrez, Orestes Vilató, Atabal, Gary Nuñez, Andy Montañez, among others. His debut album, Crónicas de la Pierna Inquieta consists of eight original tracks, serving as snapshots of self-discovery, inspired by the coming of age events of the past 13 years. This work combines incisive, Cuatro generated groove based songwriting with the sounds of Puerto Rico as the color palette.

Originally aired: January 17 2024

Pedro Pastrana

Mr. Tipples

Racketeer Radio KFQX

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Radio Remote Broadcasts Live from The Back Room in Berkeley, Ca featuring Sam Rudin: 6th Annual Merry Christmas from a Jewish Atheist Pianist

December 24 2023

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Live Remotes, which broadcasts live Bands & Artists on air only on Racketeer Radio KFQX. Listen live at www.RacketeerRadio.com or the Racketeer Radio KFQX App, available on both Apple and Android Marketplace.

A Special Christmas Eve remote broadcast Racketeer Radio KFQX style

In Mr Rudin's own words: When I was much younger, I, like many pianists, would get some lucrative gigs during the holidays, playing the seasonal favorites in the background of parties and events. And I used to think, “wouldn't it be great to play this stuff in a concert setting, for actual listeners?"

Clearly, in terms of heritage and beliefs, my connections to the holiday are slim. But as a sentient being in the USA, I am fully acculturated, and as a musician, I couldn't help noticing that, if I chose carefully, and stayed far away from Rudolph and Frosty...hey, a lot of this music is really good - and not just good, but flexibly available to a lot of interpretations. And after all, it is an important part of our ever-diminishing shared culture.

So, in spite of the somewhat flippant headline, this will be an entirely respectful, and musically sincere, evening. So if you can't be with your family tonight, or if your own heritage and belief systems have you heading out for Chinese food - please stop by and and indulge in our shared musical tradition. And no!, the night will NOT include an obligatory chorus of "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel."

Originally aired: December 24 2023

Sam Rudin

The Back Room

Racketeer Radio KFQX

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Radio Remote Broadcasts Live from Mr. Tipples in San Francisco, Ca featuring Cyril Guiraud

December 20 2023

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Live Remotes, which broadcasts live Bands & Artists on air only on Racketeer Radio KFQX. Listen live at www.RacketeerRadio.com or the Racketeer Radio KFQX App, available on both Apple and Android Marketplace.

Cyril Guiraud is a saxophonist, producer, and entrepreneur. After numerous international tours with various bands and artists, french-born Cyril Guiraud relocated to California. He is the founder of doubleOone, an exclusive music start-up based in San Francisco that exists to bring audiences inside recording studios and connect them to artists and their music in a whole new and experiential way. Cyril Guiraud has studied in Paris with Michel Goldberg and in the US with Kenny Garrett.

In addition to leading his own group(s) Cyril performs extensively with Barrio Manouche, Will Weston and various projects while producing Kalil Wilson and Barrio Manouche’s new albums for doubleOone.

Originally aired: December 20 2023

Cyril Guiraud

Mr. Tipples

Racketeer Radio KFQX

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Radio Remote Broadcasts Live from West Coast Ragtime Festival in Rancho Cordova, Ca

November 18 2023

We are proud to say we produce the world's premier annual ragtime festival in the Sacramento area, the ragtime capital of the world! There's lots of great music performed by the finest musicians from inside and outside The United States, spread over three days. For more information, visit: West Coast Ragtime Festival

Every tune in this show is from 1903, when ragtime was the rage in America. Featured performers: Heidi Eveyln Arnott, Clint Baker, Michael Chisholm, Neville Dickie, Richard Dowling, Robyn & Steve Drivon, Marty Eggers, Kevin Gunia, Frederick Hodges, Vincent Johnson, Charlie Judkins & Miss Maybell, Carl Sonny Leyland, TJ Müller, Don Neely, Will Perkins, Sean Sharp, Adam Swanson, Matt Tolentino. Emceed by Sean Sharp.

Originally aired: November 18 2023

West Coast Ragtime Festival

Racketeer Radio KFQX

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Radio Remote Broadcasts Live from Mr. Tipples in San Francisco, Ca featuring Ben Esposito

November 15 2023

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Live Remotes, which broadcasts live Bands & Artists on air only on Racketeer Radio KFQX. Listen live at www.RacketeerRadio.com or the Racketeer Radio KFQX App, available on both Apple and Android Marketplace.

Ben Esposito, a drummer who is emerging through the scene as one of the top call musicians, will also be headed to New York to attend the New School. Esposito is a local musician – born and raised in Alameda. He was a college freshman studying music education and performance at Chicago’s DePaul University when the pandemic hit, and had been playing weekly at a Baptist Church on Chicago’s South side as well as working with the great guitarist Bobby Broom and bassist Dennis Carroll. He came back home to the Bay Area and soon got busy working with great players, both budding talents and seasoned pros. Now he’s headed to New York with Luis to begin their next chapter.

Originally aired: November 15 2023

Ben Esposito

Mr. Tipples

Racketeer Radio KFQX