UPCOMING EVENTS
A Grammy-nominated, Bammy award winning composer, pianist, fiddler, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Barbara Higbie has performed on more than 100 albums, including Carlos Santana’s 2007 release. Her journey as an artist has resulted in a lasting legacy of musical excellence and accomplishment. She was the first female instrumentalist to compose and record for Windham Hill Records, 1982’s Tideline, a duet project with violinist, Darol Anger. Tideline’s unique sound became an instant classic, thanks to Higbie’s innovative and moving compositions. The recording of “Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival” with Darol Anger, Mike Marshall and
Andy Narrell was also a stellar musical achievement in 1984 also on the Windham Hills Records label.
Among her performances are collaborations with Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Terry Riley, the Kronos Quartet, Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Will Ackerman, Teresa Trull, Vicki Randle, Amy Ray, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Rosalee Sorrels, Terry Garthwaite, Laurie Lewis, Liz Story, Benny Rietveld and Alex De Grassi, all a testament to the versatility of her style and depth of talent.
Mia Pixley, Ph.D. is a multifaceted artist who integrates cello, voice and performance to explore aspects of our inner worlds. Her music is a grounding, soulful and ethereal blend of classical, experimental, blues, folk and jazz genres.
Mia has opened for artists such as Fantastic Negrito, Valerie June, Hauschka and Holly Near. She performs and records regularly with GRAMMY-nominated multi-instrumentalist Barbara Higbie and Fantastic Negrito.
Mia loves collaboration and interdisciplinary endeavors of all kinds as evidenced by her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from City University of New York, B.A. from Columbia University – Urban Studies and Psychology and Masters in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology from University College, London in addition to her Professional Studies Diploma from San Francisco Conservatory of Music – Cello performance. Mia recently released her second album, Love. Dark. Bloom.—a songwriting and instrumental project that explores the richness of darkness, a veritable tour de force of its own.
Vicki Randle singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist and composer with
a 50-year long career working with too many artists to list. Vicki has toured
and/or recorded with such notables as George Benson, Lionel Richie, Herbie
Hancock, Kenny Loggins, Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples and the MC5. She
has also enjoyed the long-standing legacy as a member of the Tonight Show
with Jay Leno band from 1992-2010. Most recently she has split her time
between Greg Loiacono’s “Stingray” and her black queer rock band “Skip The
Needle,” renown in Oakland for their exuberant and joyful messaging on the
issues of justice and equity.
Nate Lopez delivers a sound that is much more than a typical solo artist. With the ability to play bass and guitar at the same time on one instrument, Nate creates dynamic original music as well as solo arrangements of timeless favorites from many styles of music, including Jazz, Blues, Pop, and Rock.
“To say his fingers are magic is impossible, but nonetheless, it’s a notion worth considering.”
-The Bohemian
Recently voted the Best Solo Male Artist in the North Bay 2 years in a row
-Voted Best Solo Male Artist in the North Bay in 2025 and 2024
-Voted Best Jazz musician or group in the North Bay, 2025, 2023, 2020, and 2019
-Voted Best Acoustic Musician or group in the North Bay, 2017
-Winner of the Arkansas National Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, 2015
Grita Marimba! Ensemble
Based in Sonoma County, Play Marimba’s 501(c)(3) proudly runs Grita Marimba!, junior and senior performing ensembles for our advanced marimba players. Grita! also provides these young players a chance to further grow as musicians, gain performance experience and tour with a professional-caliber ensemble.
As a community-centered organization, we are committed to developing the next generation of musicians and music educators.
Our vision includes expanding the Grita! program to include a national tour for these extraordinary young musicians. https://vimeo.com/1052140049?fl=pl&fe=sh
MAY CONCERTS
FREESTYE & FREEDOM SHOW AT THE LOST CHURCH
LaiddBackZach (LBZ) is a genre-blending recording and performing artist known for fusing hip-hop, funk, soul, and R&B, into a sound that hits both the soul and the dance floor. Whether he’s taking the stage with his full band or occasionally performing with a DJ, LBZ brings a vibrant, groove-heavy experience that keeps crowds moving and locked in. Coming from a background of poetry and a love for the stage, LBZ has a presence that makes the stage feel like home. Originally from LA, he has been in the NorthBay for 10+ years, rocking stages ranging from breweries/wineries, all the way to theatres and large music venues.
COMING SOON
From Iceland to Italy, and all over the U.S., San Francisco based band Dirty Cello brings the world a high energy and unique spin on blues, rock, and Americana. Led by vivacious cross-over cellist, Rebecca Roudman, Dirty Cello is cello like you’ve never heard before. From down home blues and rock with a wailing cello to virtuosic stompin’ Americana, Dirty Cello is a band that gets your heart thumping and your toes tapping!
“Dirty Cello’s music is all over the map: funky, carnival, romantic, sexy, tangled, electric, fiercely rhythmic, and textured, and only occasionally classical.” Oakland Magazine
“The band plays every style imaginable, and does some fantastic covers. (Their rendition of “Purple Haze” is incredible.) But what is most spectacular about them is hearing the depth of soul in Roudman’s playing—it goes beyond what most people would expect from the instrument. She plays it with so much heart, you’ll wonder why more bands don’t have a cellist.” Good Times Santa Cruz
TOM RIGNEY AND FLAMBEAU
Tom Rigney is one of the premier American Roots Music fiddle players on the planet. His band–Tom Rigney and Flambeau–specializes in blazing Cajun and Zydeco two-steps, low-down Blues, funky New Orleans grooves, Boogie-Woogie piano, and Roots Rock and Roll. Much of the repertoire is original music written by Rigney, but they mix in some classics from the Cajun/New Orleans songbook.
Rigney’s band of all stars simmers and cooks with musical intelligence. Their high energy live show features tight ensemble playing, deeply infectious grooves, and rich soloing. Boogie-Woogie piano queen Caroline Dahl, guitarists Anthony Paule and Marc Brinitzer, Sam Rocha on bass and Brent Rampone on drums have carved evocative and powerfully uplifting music, led by that guy in the red boots.
PAST EVENTS PAST EVENTS PAST EVENTS PAST EVENTS
The picturesque symbology of Flamenco embodied in the song (cante), the dance (baile) and guitar playing (toque) originated in the traditional storytelling
of a medley of marginalized communities in the heart of Spain dating back to 18th Century Andalusia.
The original expression was infused with Romani, Moorish, Jewish and Spanish folk traditions bestowing upon Spain the strength and beauty that only a tapestry of ethic wisdoms can bring. By the 19th Century it had evolved into the popular art form of café cantantes, where it developed its characteristic spirited and intensely emotional expression of joy, sorrow and defiance.
Today, its regal is enjoyed world-wide as a revered art form as its performance celebrates Spain’s rich and vibrant heritage and stands testament to the power of unity among diversity.
The electrifying intensity of this performance and its content will capture your heart and soul as we collectively celebrate our distinct cultural identities as a nation of immigrants – so please join us in this exuberant show of our unity of will to prevail as a strong, loving and generous nation.
Featuring Parisian singer Mimi Pirard, SonoMusette transports us to mid 1900s Paris through the evocative songs of Edith Piaf
From her beginnings as a child singing on the streets of Paris to becoming an international star, Edith Piaf is undoubtedly the voice of French music. Much of Piaf’s music resonated with her own personal life as she specialized in Chanson and Torch Songs about love, loss, and sorrow. Belovedly known as “The Little Sparrow” Piaf ascended beyond the skies of Paris to World-Wide fame through timeless classics such as Padam, Milord, L’Accordéoniste, and La Vie En Rose.
SonoMusette, featuring native Parisian singer Mimi Pirard, transports us back to mid-1900s Paris through the evocative songs of Edith Piaf. This is the Paris that still lives for many of us in our memories… and in our imaginations. Mimi Pirard’s powerful and emotional interpretations of these classic songs provide a freshness and excitement that is faithful to the spirit and tradition of the original versions. The formidable musicians of SonoMusette weave musette accordion, piano, guitar, upright bass, and drums to create a musical tapestry for these enchanting songs and melodies. The concert will also feature a set of music made famous by other iconic French performers of the era.
Close you eyes and be transported to the heart of Paris.
Mimi Pirard – vocals
Robert Lunceford – accordion
Jan Martinelli – upright bass & piano
Isaac Vandeveer – guitar & bass
Kendrick Freeman – drums
Momotombo SF is one of Latin Rock’s finest ensembles showcasing the fusion of rock, funk, blues and soul with Latin jazz in a brilliant performance of worldclass musicianship that makes for a truly unforgettable evening. They bring it! Notably, Momotombo SF premieres former members of Santana and Malo, the Latin Legends, who gave Latin Rock a place in the history books of the American music scene and they are our very own Bay Area legacy.
Momotombo SF’s music adds to our stories, enriches our spirit and is the perfect reflection of how diversity makes us better. This is an opportunity not to be missed – this show is sure to sell out, so get your tickets now. Momotombo SF promises to elevate our spirts and inspire us all to action with their rousing talent. Join us for a memorable night!
CLICK HERE TO GO TO GALLERY TO VIEW THE WONDERFUL SUCCESS OF THIS SHOW
The tradition of Flamenco dance and its music has enjoyed centuries of acclaim for its ‘fire and passion.’ Sol Flamenco animates this description with impeccability. Its featured singers and dancers are punctuated by the world-renowned classical Flamenco guitarist Mark Taylor and the preeminent Flamenco dancer Joelle Gonclaves. Sol Flamenco will take us on a tour de force of cultural history in an elevated expression of artist excellence.
Mark Taylor is a performer who truly stands among the giants in his genre having trained extensively in Spain and Brazil as his vibrant and transcending performance will attest. Ms. Gonclaves, also having studied in Spain, is a prominent figure in the world of Flamenco dance artistry. Her acclaim as a dancer is illustrated by her lightening-fast footwork with a precision that is emblematic of her many years of training and dedication to her art. This show will torch your soul with its riveting style and promises to be a celebration you will not soon forget.
From Iceland to Italy and all over the U.S., San Francisco-based band Dirty Cello brings the world a high energy and unique spin on blues, rock and Americana. Led by vivacious cross-over cellist, Rebeca Roudman, Dirty Cello is cello like you’ve never heard before. From down home blues and rock with a wailing cello to virtuosic stompin’ Americana, Dirty Cello is a band that gets your heart thumping and your toes tapping!
“Dirty Cello’s music is all over the map: funky, carnival, romantic, sexy, tangled, electric, fiercely rhythmic, and textured, and only occasionally classical.” Oakland Magazine
“The group seamlessly careens from blues to bluegrass and rock in a way that really shouldn’t make sense but somehow does.” LA Times
“The band plays every style imaginable and does some fantastic covers. (Their rendition of “Purple Haze” is incredible). But what is most spectacular about them is hearing the depth of soul in Roudman’s playing — it goes beyond what most people would expect from the instrument. She plays it with so much heart, you’ll wonder why more bands don’t have a cellist.” Good Times Santa Cruz
Join us at the Barrell Proof Lounge in Santa Rosa and be prepared to be electrified. Come find a new take on old rock.
MILD HEROES is a poetic powerhouse of danceable original music and delivers unforgettable hooks and dynamic live shows creating a community of artists and fans united by a love for music that’s both timeless and forward-thinking. Mild Heroes captivates audiences with its infectious melodies, tight musicianship, and clever, heartfelt lyrics, beckoning fans for a spirited, upbeat voyage. With a growing catalog of original songs available on platforms like YouTube (@Mild.Heroes) Spotify, and their official website (www.mildheroes.com), the band is poised to enter 2026 with new tracks and a string of live dates.
Whether you’re catching them at a local happy hour or listening to their latest release, Mild Heroes promises an unforgettable experience filled with passion and the kind of music that makes you want to dance, sing and live a little louder.