Upcoming Shows
Special note: In San Francisco, playing gigs, teaching and recording.
July 2025 Performance Calendar
FRI 7/25/2025:
5PM onward
Adam Klipple Quintet
640 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
https://www.meyhousejazz.com/
SAT 7/26/2025:
7:30-9:30PM
Kazemde George Quartet
50 Blue Heron Lake Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lakehouse-jazz-tickets-74499918261
10:30-11:30PM
Simon Rowe Organ Trio
498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
https://keysjazzbistro.com/
SUN 7/27/2025 (Bossa Nova mini-tour):
1-3PM
Clube da Bossa
3500 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94114
https://www.doloresdeluxe.com/events/corner-session-jazz-concert
6-9PM
Clube da Bossa
1609 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94133
https://www.waystonesf.com/calendar
MON 7/282025:
6-9PM
Kai Lyons Solo Jazz Guitar
63 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102
https://www.johnsgrill.com/menus/
TUE 7/29/2025:
7-10PM
Loretta Gooden Vocal Jazz Trio
476 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114
https://blushwinebar.com/
Please note: it’s good to call the venue ahead of time to double check this one.
WED 7/30/2025:
9PM-1AM
Kai Lyons and Changuisonico
1601 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
https://boomboomroom.com/event/kai-lyons-cuban-changuisonico-no-cover-4/client-club-demo/san-francisco-california/
THU 7/31/2025:
9-11:30PM
Orange Sunshine (ft. Adam Klipple)
2512 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
https://www.arcanasf.com/
You can keep tabs on gigs and travel pics below.
About
Kai Lyons is from the Excelsior District of San Francisco and was surrounded by music and community from an early age. He completed his studies at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts in 2012 as the first to graduate from the acclaimed Classical Guitar Program, directed by Scott Cmiel. From 2012-2014, on full scholarship, Kai attended the prestigious jazz program at William Paterson University of New Jersey, directed by Mulgrew Miller. He studied with Vincent Herring, Gene Bertoncini, Harold Mabern, Rich Perry, and Hal Galper. Kai received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from San Francisco State University where he studied with Andrew Speight, Michael Zisman and Hafez Modirzadeh.
Ever since returning to the Bay Area in 2015, he has freelanced extensively and also traveled frequently to New York City, New Orleans, Brazil, Cuba and the Caribbean on music trips. In 2018 he participated in Master Class: Orff-Afrique 2018 in Ghana, Africa.
Besides working with his own trio, Kai has performed with Mike Clark and Donald Harrison of Herbie Hancock’s Original Headhunters, The San Francisco Ballet and the 2024 production of Carmen composed by Arturo O’Farrill, Karl Perazzo, John Santos, award-winning organist Wil Blades and Larry Vuckovich.
Discography
Sentimiento y Manana – 2021
Sentimiento y Manana is a Bay Area band, founded in 2009, inspired by the music, culture, & life of “La Isabel” Guantanamo, Cuba.
Genre: Afro-Cuban Rhythm Changui, Rumba, Bembe & Traditional Cuban Music.
https://www.sentimientoymanana.com/
ILLY BOGART – 2019 Studio Session
“Awhereness” by illy bogart
Tony Peebles, Tenor Saxophone
Lyle Link, Tenor Saxophone
Ian McArdle, Keys
Kai Lyons, Guitar
Isaac Schwartz, Drums + percussion
Buy the album “The Big Picture” here: https://illybogart.bandcamp.com/releases
Stay up to date with illy bogart here: https://www.illybogart.com/about
Sueños (Jazz) EP – 2019
Sueños – Shots Fired – 2018
Soltron – 2016
Butterfly Jazz Trio – First Time Around – 2013
Butterfly Jazz Trio
FIRST TIME AROUND
Now available on CD Baby & iTunes
Kai Lyons – Guitar
Erik Von Buchau – Drums
Dillan Riter – Bass
Erik Von Buchau – Drums
Dillan Riter – Bass
TRACKS
01 Cold Duck Time
(Eddie Harris) 5:29
02 Autumn Leaves
(Joseph Kosma, Johnny Mercer, Jacques Prévert) 8:39
03 Gingerbread Boy
(Jimmy Heath) 6:00
04 Polka Dots And Moonbeams
(Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) 8:29
05 Adam’s Apple
(Wayne Shorter) 8:13
06 Beatrice
(Sam Rivers) 7:48
07 Oleo
(Sonny Rollins) 4:50