Damn Skippy

Four very special musicians, all long-time friends and collaborators, all band leader and composers in their own right, come together as a collective quartet. Three reunited members of the seminal acid-Jazz group T. J. Kirk are joined by renowned bassist Todd Sickafoose (Hadestown, Ani DiFranco) to create an ensemble of limitless possibilities. Cinematic soundscapes, earthy grooves, lyrical melodies in counterpoint, guitars being ravished, electronic treatments, and colorful percussion make this group an overwhelmingly talented and original live act.

Scott Amendola’s discography is vast, and includes many records of his compelling original music, with artists such as Jeff Parker, Nels Cline, Jenny Scheinman and Trevor Dunn. Longtime bands include the Charlie Hunter/Scott Amendola Duo, The Nels Cline Singers, The Sticklerphonics, and Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane. He can also be heard on records with Madeleine Peyroux, Henry Kaiser, Dave Liebman, Chris Williamson and John Zorn.

Guitarist Will Bernard has been described by his collaborator Stanton Moore as “Probably the most versatile guitar player I’ve ever worked with…he’s just killing.” Bernard’s discography includes releases on Antilles/Polygram, Palmetto Records and Posi-tone. His record Party Hats was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008 for best contemporary jazz album. Bernard’s extensive list of credits include the Stanton Moore Trio, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Groundation, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Tom Waits, Ben Sidran, Dr John, Booker T. Jones, George Porter Jr., and Zigaboo Modeliste.

John Schott, guitarist and composer, is a member of The Paul Dresher Ensemble, with whom he premiered contemporary classical works by Steve Mackey, Sebastian Currier and Fred Frith; the pioneering acid-jazz band T.J. Kirk, nominated for a Grammy for their second Warner Bros release If Four Was One; and has extensive collaborations with clarinetist Ben Goldberg as well as the author Jonathan Lethem. Schott’s discography as a composer/bandleader includes CDs on the Knitting Factory, Songlines, Tzadik, Nuscope, and New World Records labels, and sideman appearances with Tom Waits and John Zorn.

Todd Sickafoose won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for Hadestown, and a 2020 Grammy Award for his work on the Hadestown Original Broadway Cast Recording, which won Best Musical Theater Album. He has recorded and toured with Ani DiFranco for two decades, and also worked with Andrew Bird, Trey Anastasio, and Nels Cline. A Bay Area native, Sickafoose spent some years in Los Angeles studying with bass legend Charlie Haden and composition with Mel Powell.

Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door. 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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Thank you for your support!

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