The Resurgence of Live Local Music in The East Bay

There was a time during the big band era of the 1930s when folks packed small theaters and cabarets in downtown Oakland. There was a time during the 1940s when 7th St. in West Oakland was rocking with west coast blues every weekend. There was a time in the 60s and 70s when the Old Oakland Auditorium played host to huge rock bands like the Grateful Dead. And there was a time in the late 80s and early 90s when Berkeley's punk scene was churning out fierce talents like Green Day. And then, by and large, live local music in the East Bay evaporated.

Surely exceptions existed, but for those of us coming up in the late 90s and 2000s, live music wasn't exactly in great supply. Yes, there was Summer Jam and BFD way out at Shoreline, and the big tours made their requisite pit stops at Bay Area arenas, but small venues that highlighted local talent were in short supply. Even the "hyphy" era became more defined by the sideshow culture it was spawned from then the music itself. And it was this brand of local love that ended with the demise of several night spots, such as Sweet Jimmie's, On Broadway, 17, etc.

But recently, Oakland and the East Bay have been witnessing a renaissance of sorts. Last week 38thnotes caught a show headlining the electro-hyphy-soul stylings of Wallpaper. The hip-pop Oakland duo put on a quality show full of infectious, fun, auto-tuned energy that had both indie rock kids and hip-hop heads bobbing to the beat.

Then this past Friday we caught a great show at The New Parish featuring the dynamic singer/song-writer/producer 1-o.a.k and the always luminescent Goapele. Goapele is arguably the most prominent R&Bay vocalist (Keyshia Cole's carpetbagging self aside), and presided over a capacity crowd with both grace and passion as she shared old favorites and future classics. And, for the record, I can assure you that on her forthcoming Milk & Honey album she goes bigger, deeper and doper.

Fast forward to Sunday where DNastee and DJ Aebl Dee's of Streets Is Talking Radio hosted their bimonthly showcase Fresh Steps at Luka's Taproom. There, patrons were introduced to the hip-hop band Product of Environment, trip-soul singer Amy Serrata and underground Oakland emcee Clif Soulo. And then last night at Jareem and JE's weekly Monday Soul event, recently relocated to The New Parish, those in attendance witnessed a parade of Bay Area all-stars on yet another memorable night.

Photo Credit: Frederick Shavies, 3680 Photography

Erk Tha Jerk, Netta Brielle, R.O.D., London, Jimmie Reign, J. Myers, Tony Vic and Samm were just a few of the dope artists to grace the stage. The night was non-stop fun and dancing, and was devoid of egos as the laundry list of notable artists passed the mic and collaborated at every turn. This might seem minor, but in a small market desperate for national attention, it's been far too easy for artists with a shot to push themselves to the front of a non-existent scene. What we've been witnessing lately however, is a community of artists focusing on the scene more than themselves. They greet each other with hugs, perform together, record together and even have Sunday brunch together. And it is this love of place, music and people that is helping bring a local music community back to the East Bay.

Photo Credit: Frederick Shavies, 3680 Photography

And though they might often go unheralded, this Oakland renaissance would be nothing without the musicians that back these stars in the making.

The Kev Choice Ensemble has been holding it down for some time now with amazing live shows that careen from raw hip-hop to meticulous classical, and improvised jazz back to powerful soul. It is The Park however that have owned the scene of late, backing damn near every up-and-coming artist in the Bay from Netta B and R.O.D. to Los Rakas and Isis Genisis. Their musicianship is incredible and their ability to play behind anyone is mind boggling. They can be seen this Thursday at Club Anton's as Do D.A.T. unveils Oakland In Blue, his dope Duke Ellington inspired hip-hop opus.

It cannot be ignored of course that local venues that are open to live music are also emerging to meet the need. There is surely a hesitancy on the part of venues given the fate of other night spots that have been shuttered in the not so distant past, but even in the same building where Sweet Jimmie's once stood, The New Parish is establishing itself as a center of a new Oakland. "There is something special happening in Oakland," co-owner Namani Mohlabane said Monday night. And he couldn't be more right.

Oakland's reemergence could be more diverse; It would be nice to see the Art Murmur hipsters gallivant with the R&B community, and vice-versa, but I suppose we should be thankful that we are blessed with multiple scenes to choose from. For now, please enjoi the music being produced in Oakland by frequenting establishments that are supporting the local arts. And even when you're chilling at the house, please support virally by voting for Erk Tha Jerk's "Right Here" video on MTV and London's "Back to The Way" video (below) on BET.

I hope to see you out and about, but until then I'd like to leave you with an anonymous quote that I found in an old Oakland coffee table book.

Oakland now is like a great old blues singer. She knows how to moan and cry, but the bad times behind her make her know how to savor the good times. Maybe she's got some scars, but when she gets cooking she can still shake things up, and she can sing the pants off the young ones coming up that don't know her savvy -- there's no soul in Walnut Creek! The old time Oaklanders, and the port, and the big corporations building new skyscrapers downtown, are like instruments in the band, and all together now we're blowing some pretty good jazz.