Corky Siegel & Ernie Watts

Songs and instrumentals of blues piano, blues harmonica, and jazz saxophone.

Do you remember and his frequent performances at San Francisco's Avalon and Fillmore auditoriums?

"Siegel-Schwall knocks everybody flat." - Rolling Stone

Or maybe you remember his many different trailblazing guest soloist appearances with the San Francisco Symphony, which led to two different iconic million selling Symphonic Blues recordings. If not, read on, because he's back here from Chicago with Jazz saxophone legend Ernie Watts.I'm sure you remember , two-time Grammy winner, 20 years on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, in the band led by Doc Severinsen.

"He is one of the greatest living tenor saxophonists, at the top of his game." - Ian Patterson, All About Jazz.

You certainly have heard his recognizable ecstatic playing on some of his 1,500 classic recordings with Marvin Gaye to Dizzy Gillespie to Paul McCartney to Thelonious Monk to Aretha Franklin and Steely Dan, Pat Metheny, Cannonball Adderley, not to mention his presence as The Grand Wazoo with Frank Zappa. He toured with the Rolling Stones, Charlie Haden, Buddy Rich, and on and on. He's still performing and putting out those recordings and always exhibiting his unforgettable gift for passionate, exciting and wild improvisations that lift audiences to the stratosphere.

Blues legend Corky Siegel is dubbed a "national treasure" by Downbeat Magazine, and is known internationally as "a piano and harmonica virtuoso of remarkable invention and wit,” - Billboard Magazine, and as "a superior entertainer and writer of unusual songs.” – Chicago Magazine. He celebrates 60 years of performance, is a Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee and Lifetime Achievement awardee, with a catalogue of recordings on RCA, Vanguard, Alligator, and the Deutsche Grammophon label. His close associations with the blues masters in the earlier days of Chicago blues, his essential part in the blues rock revolution, and his surprising success in bringing together blues and classical audiences make him a pivotal (though unassuming) figure in modern music history.The evening promises to be a fireworks display of virtuosity, clever lyrics, and good humor one might expect from two good friends with a lifetime of experiences shared across a musical divide of jazz and blues.

Tickets are $40 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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Please note: Although masks are no longer required, we strongly encourage their use to keep everyone safe in our intimate space.

Host or Publisher Sam Rudin