Hello,

Lots of music in SF this month. Been in constant communication with the Cuban people (preparing to release a changui album at the national changui festival in Guantanamo in late June), just got word that Pedrito Martinez will be a featured guest on the album, on one of the two tracks I was invited to play on (this is huge news since Pedrito is considered one of the top Cuban artists of his generation – thanks to Damian Busqueta, grammy winning engineer based in Santiago, Cuba for making the connection). Anyways, a few last-minute public performances came in, see below:

In chronological order,

Wed May 27 6-8:30 El Cerrito Annex with Javier Navarrette, Cy Thompson and “El Sinsonte” throwing down extremely traditional changui repertoire and his original compositions, many of which appeared on the Latin Grammy nominated album from a few years back called “Esto es nuestro changui”. Free and all ages. This always pops off. Don’t miss this, East Bay folks.

Fri May 29 11:55pm-1:30am late night Dawn Club with Max Erhardst young lion of the jazz trumpet.

Sat May 30
Porchfest @ Community Music Center on Capp Street. 2pm (one short set). Duo with Jose Andres. And then…
Double bill at Tipples (again): 6pm with Dan White, saxophonist of the Huntertones (he recently relocated from Brooklyn, really burning and funky tenor player).
3pm

And then, 9pm also at Tipples with Sami Stevens, also recently relocated from Brooklyn, she is one of two back-up vocalists for *the* Norah Jones. Sami writes great music that is most quickly described as a cross between Joni Mitchell and Donny Hathaway.

Sun May 31 5pm – 6pm (apprx) Changui Quintet ft. Jose Andres and Tito. Gala Reception open to *everyone*. This will feature the full changui ensemble and we’ll be sharing the bill with Agua Pura and La Doña. https://sfcmc.org/events/field-day/

May/June 2026 SF Bay Area Performance Schedule

MAY
WED 27 – EL CERRITO GROCERY ANNEX – 6PM-8:30 – With Kai Lyons, Javier Navarrette, Einar Leliebre, and Cy Thompson
SAT 30 – CMC Porchfest – 2PM-2:40PM – Duo with Kai Lyons
SUN 31 – CMC Field Day Celebration – 5-6PM – With Kai Lyons, Cy Thompson, Tobiah Gaster, and Einar Leliebre (Changuisonico)

JUNE
TUE 9 – CLUB DELUXE (Tentative)
THU 11 – DODGE PLACE (Turk & Larkin, TL, SF) – 5-8PM – w/ Kai, Tito, and Ernesto
FRI 12 – KEYS JAZZ BISTRO – 9pm w/ Einar Leliebre, Kai Lyons and Ernesto Mazar (Ritmo y Voz)

BIO: José Andrés Rodríguez Ramírez, better known as “El Sinsonte” (The Mockingbird), is a master Cuban reginero (freestyle improviser of wordplay) and the lead vocalist and guayo (scraper) player for Grupo Changüí de Guantánamo. A virtuoso of the traditional, rural Cuban genre of changüí, El Sinsonte is renowned for his ability to improvise lyrics on the spot for long durations without ever repeating himself. Changüí, which originated in the eastern mountainous region of Guantánamo in the early 1800s, is an upbeat, syncopated precursor to modern salsa. El Sinsonte’s group is one of the few authentic ensembles of its kind to have successfully toured and performed internationally, bringing the rich, historical rhythms of eastern Cuba to global audiences.

Hope to see you, and stay safe,

Kai