The history of San Francisco’s Fillmore District can be identified with constant flux and controversy, but the neighborhood has a legendary draw thanks to its musical roots. The neighborhood’s vibrant jazz era that existed in the 1940′s and 1950′s links the new Fillmore Heritage Center to a musical past remembered as Harlem of the West.
Yoshi’s San Francisco brings 28,000 square feet of club to the Fillmore Heritage Center. The space will be thematically intertwined with the new Jazz Heritage Center in the same building.
The Jazz Heritage Center is a non-profit organization that’s goal is to promote the history of jazz. The genre was first introduced in the 1700′s when slaves began singing songs while working.
In the 1800′s the African American composer Scott Joplin combined the newly introduced European compositional styles with the rhythmic and melodic music of the black community. This became known as “ragtime,” a subcategory of the jazz style.
The city of New Orleans played a defining role in the evolution of the jazz genre. The musical sounds then made their way to Chicago, New York, and eventually San Francisco.
Yoshi’s San Francisco Jazz Club has an elegant interior with diffused lighting with both dark and blond wood tones infuse warmth into a large space that could otherwise be cavernous. Seating is on the first floor level as well as a balcony/mezzanine level overlooking the stage and the venue below.
The first floor is where the intimate stage is located, with seating is organized in tiers. The tables are placed directly beside and below the stage, as well as main level tables behind that first row.
The club seats 420 people, meaning that the tables on the main level are clustered close together. Many of the cocktail tables share four seats with little wiggle room for personal space.
The mezzanine upstairs, although farther from the performance, offers a bit more in terms of physical space. The entire stage is still easily visible from upstairs, and still provides an intimate setting with the performing artists.
If you book close to the stage, you will be looking upward for most of the show, but you will also be right in the performance. The custom sound system provides the audience a clear and not overly processed sound.
Though the setting has close quarters, the acoustics of the stage and venue ensure that the sound is not overwhelming; even when seated against the stage. The new Steinway grand piano is a beautiful asset to the stage and acoustic experience.
There is a one-drink minimum in the club and a menu with items ranging from sushi to dessert. The drink service is speedy; the waiters and waitresses do their best to be quick and as inconspicuous as possible so as to not detract from the performance.
The spacious, two-level restaurant next door has a comfortable lounge and row of bar seating. This offers a place to warm up for the show or chill with a cocktail after the early performance.
Yoshi’s Executive Chef Shotaro “Sho” Kamio designed the kitchen at the San Francisco venue with a Japanese menu that includes grilled items as well as sashimi, sushi, and dessert. Yoshi’s is also offering parents a chance to bring a little jazz into their kids’ lives.
The Sunday matinees feature a five-dollar admission ticket and a musical realm that includes the Yellowjackets, Jacqui Naylor, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and many more. Both Yoshi’s San Francisco and Yoshi’s Oakland launch their matinee series on August 10.
Musical acts are booked months in advance, unless a special artist is available to perform last minute while in town. Many jazz, blues, Latin, ragtime, and Dixieland artists have graced the stage at Yoshi’s.
The tickets are relatively inexpensive for the intimate experience with the artists. Most acts also choose to hold a meet and greet after the show in the lobby.
All performances are posted on the clubs website, as well as a full menu from the restaurant. To visit the club, tickets should be purchased in advance to ensure a seat for the show.
