Sunday, February 28, 2016

Always a brunch to remember, The Oakland Jazz Brunch has closed out the series of activities at The sf|noir Wine & Food Festival since 2010.

Shrimp & grits and a snare drum. Melt-in-your-mouth buttermilk cornbread and a cascade down the piano. Fresh blackberry scones sweet like that bassline. Delight your senses with a leisurely indulgent Sunday brunch at one of Oakland’s premier new establishments, The Cook and Her Farmer. Described as "a simple space devoted to simple food: gumbo, fresh fish, black-eyed peas," the restaurant is located in Old Oakland’s semi-communal Swan’s Marketplace created by cookbook author Romney Nani Steele and partner Steve Day. Steele has a California cuisine pedigree: her family owns Big Sur's Nepenthe, and she's written two books, My Nepenthe and Plum Gorgeous. Now, she's opened her own place, along with Day, a former Oakland public school teacher turned urban farmer and oyster farmer in Tomales Bay.

Much has been afoot with Oakland’s burgeoning culinary renaissance and The Cook and Her Farmer is one restaurant helping to deliver on Oakland’s growing culinary reputation. Listen to the sounds of live jazz while you enjoy the great flavors of this favored homey, Southern-inflected offering.

"One of the most overlooked jazz drummers of his generation." —The New York Times

The Art Lewis Trio creates the soundtrack for this wonderful afternoon of jazz, good food and great vibes. He'll be joined by the talented musicians of Oakland's own, FatheR BrotheR Sun later in the day, so it's sure to be an exciting afternoon of live performance! Read more about FatheR BrotheR Sun here.

Born in New Orleans, Art Lewis began his career in San Francisco, where he studied under Philly Joe Jones. He played at many local clubs, including Jimbo’s Famous Bop City, which was the major club at the time. He moved to New York in 1968 and played with many of the more prominent modern jazz players at clubs like the Village Vanguard, Slug’s, Ali’s Alley, The Tin Palace, The Public Theater, Jazz Workshop, and more.

While Philly Joe counts as a major influence on Art’s style, Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, Tony Williams, and Jack De Johnette are drummers who he respects and is closest to in style and feeling. Additionally, extensive study of African sources has given him a sense of how melodic line can be created with drums, and his later style has developed with this as its goal. Art has worked and recorded with Dewey Redman, Dexter Gordon, Clifford Jordan, Jon Hendricks, Sam Rivers, Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, John Handy, and others.

No tickets are necessary for entrance—this is a free event, just pay for what you order to eat/drink.

Sunday, February 28, 2016
11:00-3:00PM
The Cook and Her Farmer, Oakland