Redshift Trio + Gurkestra Dead Dictator Quartet

Josh Deutsch - trumpet/keys
Nico Soffiato - guitar
Ken Mastrogiovanni - drums

Trumpeter Josh Deutsch and guitarist Nico Soffiato have been playing together as a duo since 2006, when they met in Boston. Over the years, the musical relationship born through this collaboration has resulted in a set of music composed specifically for this ensemble, including many co-written originals and reinvented arrangements of music from jazz, classical and popular worlds. The music ranges from electronic loops to entirely acoustic pieces, balancing carefully crafted compositions with space for exciting improvisations and interaction.

Their third album, Redshift, was released in 2020 on the label nusica.org and features two great drummers of the New York scene: Allison Miller and Dan Weiss. The upcoming album, scheduled for an early 2025 release, will feature drummers Dave King, Rudy Royston and Bram Kincheloe. Deutsch and Soffiato perform regularly in the New York City area and have toured extensively in the US and Italy. The have also given master classes and workshops in music schools and universities in the US and Italy.

Gurkestra Dead Dictator Quartet

Charlie Gurke - sax
Marcus Stephens - tenor
Josh Jones - drums
Ernesto Mazar Kindelán - bass

Charlie Gurke is a Bay Area based saxophonist, composer, and educator. In addition to leading various incarnations of his Gurkestra, Charlie is a member of the John Santos Sextet, The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, Edgardo Cambon’s groups Candela and Latido. An active freelancer, Charlie regularly performs and records with collaborators in a variety of genres. Recent performances of note include the 2018 and 2019 Monterey Jazz Festivals (with John Santos and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, respectively), and the 2019 Montreux Jazz Festival (with the Grammy winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra).

Tickets are $20 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