David Byrd & Sam Rudin

Originally from Chicago, saxophonist David Byrd grew up listening to all the greats like Lou Rawls, Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and BB King, to name a few, who played at the nearby Regal Theater, where his uncle, Red Saunders, was the drummer and bandleader.

He discovered reggae music through a Bob Marley performance in Chicago in 1979, and was inspired by the great messages of Marley and Steel Pulse. He formed a horn section that worked with many of the major reggae artists playing in Chicago, like Dennis Brown, Ken Booth and Yellowman, to name a few, and was then inspired to write original music that would blend his two great loves, jazz and reggae, with master musicians like Hamid Drake and Daryl A. Thompson, Pete Cosey, and other accomplished musicians who were on the same page.

Specializing in a jazz vocal tradition called "vocalese," which originated with Eddie Jefferson, he started with straight-ahead jazz, and then carved out a unique musical niche with the combination of jazz and reggae, forming his group, Byrds of a Feather, and spreading his JazzReggae message of love.

With the rhythmic intensity of an entire band, Sam Rudin attacks and caresses the keyboard, romping through the whole range of 20th century American music. He can evoke the spirit of Fats Waller, Oscar Peterson, Mose Allison, and Jerry Lee Lewis…sometimes all at the same time. He is also a compelling vocalist whose rough-hewn voice conveys both drama and humor.

Sam has worked with all types of musicians, playing rock ‘n’ roll with Chubby Checker, western swing with Back in the Saddle, classic blues with Frankie Lee, and slick pop-soul with Sister Sledge. He has even worked with bluegrass great Frank Wakefield, who has proclaimed Sam to be the only bluegrass pianist in the world.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door general admission; $15 for students/low-income individuals. 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 30 minutes 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.

To join our mailing list, please click here.

Thank you for your support!

Please refrain from using your phone during performances, and if you use your camera or video, please disable the flash.

Although masks are no longer required, we strongly encourage their use to keep everyone safe in our intimate space.