Adam's Bob Weir Tour Report #3 /  by Adam Theis

Hello from New York City - This 3 week tour I've been on with Bob Weir and his monster 10 piece band just wrapped up with 2 nights at Radio City Music Hall. Ron Carter and John Mayer played with us as well as up and coming Nashville artists Brittney Spencer and Tyler Childers. Sidenote: Congrats to Ron Carter for also winning a Grammy this weekend for best Jazz Instrumental Album. Even though it's been non-stop with rehearsals and shows since we got to NYC, Shaina, myself and the "Wolfpack" have been getting out to see music and experience the city in all it's glory. There's more Bob Weir gigs coming up in the fall (plus one Bay Area show in May) but I'm really excited to be focusing full-time on Jazz Mafia once again starting...NOW ; )

Once again, I’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in the tour - The crew, the band and of course my partners in the Wolfpack: Brian Switzer, Sheldon Brown, Mads Tolling and Alex Kelly.

Excerpt from the livestream…Adam takes a slidey horn plunger solo on “Fever” (8:55) and “Jack Straw” (18:10)

New FUNK from Jazz Mafia/Headnodic ft. Crystal Monee Hall /  by Adam Theis

This is a cover from the classic 1975 Funk-Jazz album from The Headhunters - "Survival of the Fittest" executive produced by Herbie Hancock and featuring his legendary Bay Area-based band from that time. Jazz Mafia had played this song on it's annual Herbie Hancock birthday tribute where Crystal Monee Hall literally lit the stage up with her powerful interpretation, so it was a no brainer to record this on a session with Headnodic where we were focusing on an all Herbie theme.

Produced, Mixed, Mastered by Headnodic, Crystal Monee Hall - vocals, Adam Theis - trombone, trumpet, bass, Colin Hogan - rhodes, Wil Blades - clavinet, Otis McDonald - drums, background vocals

Listen to God Made Me Funky on Spotify

Adam's Bob Weir Tour Report #2 /  by Adam Theis

Columbus Ohio, Asheville North Carolina, Chattanooga Tennessee and Durham North Carolina! Having so much fun on these shows and getting to spend some days off in places like Asheville where I saw some incredible street performances, went to a vinyl record pressing plant and hiked in a torrential downpour/thunderstorm! The shows keep getting better each night and last night my family from Richmond, VA attended the show which ended up being my fave so far! We have 4 shows left and are gearing up for 2 big nights at Radio City Music Hall!

Photos by Brian Switzer, Andy Martin, Christian Stewart & Matt Busch

Adam's Bob Weir Tour Report #1 /  by Adam Theis

Hi everyone - Been having an amazing time out here on this Northeastern tour with Bob Weir (founding member of The Grateful Dead and all around amazing human being). I wanted to give y’all a little bit of life from the road to help stay connected while I’m gone.

In the first few weeks of the tour we’ve already performed at many iconic venues that I’ve always wanted to rock at, including the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and the Chicago Theater. We’ve also performed in Memphis, Wichita, Milwaukee, Kansas City and don’t forget Nashville (Indiana) !

As far as tours go, this is by far the most awesomest one I’ve ever experienced. We actually have quite a few days off and even on show days I’m usually able to take a long walk and really checkout the feel of each city we’re in. I’d like to say I miss the days of being crammed in a 15 passenger van with 6 guys and all our gear, sleeping on floors and eating taco bell every night but I don’t at all : )

All Photos By Chloe Weir ©2022

The Wolfpack: Sheldon Brown, Brian Switzer, Adam Theis, Mads Tolling and Alex Kelly

2nd Annual Brass Convergence at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival /  by Adam Theis

On May 20th we’ll be putting on the 2nd Annual Brass Convergence at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. This year, we’re going even bigger, hoping to assemble a 100 piece Brass/Percussion band for our theme of “Protest Brass”, bringing awareness to social change. If you or anyone you know would be interested in joining this ensemble for our epic finale, please contact me adam@jazzmafia.com ! Students, weekend warriors, hobbyists and pros all welcome!

Unite and Disrupt!

From the Archives /  by Adam Theis

From the Archives: Realistic Orchestra/Shotgun Wedding Quintet live at Jazz Mafia Tuesdays Going back 13 years to our Tuesday night residency, our good friend Mark Rosenberg recorded hundreds of these one of a kind performances and every once in a while he posts some. The quality is good, the playing is inspired and it's fun to time travel to when the Mission District was still dangerous!

Shaina Evoniuk's Prince Tribute /  by Adam Theis

Well, its been almost a week since his highness became a star in the sky, and Im still having the most difficult time making sense of it. I swear Ive never before mourned the loss of somebody I never even met so heavily. I think I have cried - surprising even myself - every day since last Thursday. Partly out of shock; I was lucky enough to have seen Prince perform in Oakland twice in one week just over a month ago (it looks like those were his 4th and 5th last performances ever). The man was so full of life it was unbelievable. I was moved and inspired beyond imagine. I could barely sleep for a few days I was just vibrating from the experience. I couldn't believe he was in his 50's, as his vocal & instrumental performances were top top notch; how he's squealed and screamed like that for 30+ years Ill never know! Oh yeah, and both shows that week were just him and his piano and were totally different. Unbelievable. Man, HE STILL HAD IT AND IT DIDNT SEEM LIKE IT WAS GOING ANYWHERE.

Prince was truly a revolutionary, in every sense of the word. I've always known his contributions to the world were huge, but it wasn't until his passing that I found out how many friends of mine continued playing, or were inspired to play because of him. My musical community probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. I wish I wish I wish he was still here but his legacy lives forever. That man must have lived 400 years in his mere 57. We have 40+ albums of his music to enjoy forever... maybe more if any of the massive amount of his guarded unreleased music escapes Paisley Park(!).

 

After having my favorite Prince song "Sometimes It Snows In April" running through my dreams all night long (literally), and all day long (I'd wake up with it stuck in my head, and go to sleep with it still there) for the 3 nights following his passing.... Well, I knew what I had to do. Please enjoy my own personal tribute to one of my all time Heros and a man who changed music and the world forever. He will live on through his music, no doubt. What a mark he left. Thank you Prince. Sometimes there are no words. Thank god for music.

Jazz Mafia Plays with Train /  by Adam Theis

Well because Im a total dork, the best part for me personally was when Sammy Hagar (Van Halen) busted into our green room, shook my hand introducing himself, and said "man you sound awesome on the violin" (right before he jumped up on stage and absolutely SLAYED "with a little help from my friends" with Pat). Anyway I DIDN'T faint! But Im never washing my hand again. 

The rest of the night was quite magical as well. Train put on this show last minute as a benefit. Amazon live streamed the whole thing, and we really just had a great party! Thanks SF! Thanks TRAIN for having us!