Joyce Todd McBride Album Release Concert

Berkeley native Joyce Todd McBride is thrilled to present her original compositions with a stellar band featuring Erik Jekabson, trumpet; Kasey Knudsen, alto saxophone; Joyce Todd McBride, piano; Carla Kaufman, bass; and Deszon Claiborne, drums.

The Night-time Violets Bloom is a collection of tunes written over the past few years. Playful, eclectic, emotional, tricky, well-crafted, fun-to-play, edgy, gorgeous, up-there-with-the-greats, new, listenable, hip, never-heard-anything-like-it...these are some of the things listeners and musicians have said about this music. McBride's own musical background is indeed eclectic, winding through lots of early music, new music, gamelan, Brahms, Bach, Brazilian, and of course, jazz, (about each of which she says she knows barely a billionth of a billionth!). With the encouragement and guidance over the past several years by many mentors, and with the collaboration of many gifted musicians, this music has come to fruition. Please join us for this joyful performance!

Joyce Todd McBride grew up in Berkeley, California, and has benefited greatly from the Bay Area’s rich musical diversity and the beauty of its natural environment. Pianist, composer, singer, arranger, and teacher, Joyce attended UC Santa Cruz, University of Sussex, University of Pennsylvania and Mills College, where she completed a M.A. in composition.

In 2007 Joyce became the founding director of Conspiracy of Venus Vocal Ensemble, for which she has created over 40 arrangements. Compositions include two musicals, several choral compositions, songs, and instrumental music. Joyce has been blessed to play with Dream Kitchen, Calitropia, McBride Pera Starkweather, Mixus Mundi, Joyce McBride-Stacy Starkweather Duo, medieval ensemble HelioTrope, and Conspiracy of Venus, at many of the best venues in the Bay Area, including Piedmont PIano, Bird and Beckett, Freight and Salvage, Doc's Lab, Red Poppy, Amnesia, Verdi Club, Swedish American Hall, Cafe du Nord, Great American Music Hall, Lost Church, Old First, Noe Valley Ministry, Starry Plough, Stork Club, and many more.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door general admission; $15 for students with ID. 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