Vibe: Sophisticated Listening Room | Historic Elegance | The Heartbeat of Broadway
Keys Jazz Bistro is a premier 4,000-square-foot jazz destination located on the historic Broadway strip in North Beach. Founded by Dr. Simon Rowe—a distinguished pianist and former Executive Director of the Brubeck Institute—the venue occupies a space with a deep musical lineage, once home to the legendary 1950s club El Matador. Designed as a “listening room,” Keys prioritizes the connection between artist and audience, offering a refined environment where world-class jazz, seasonal dining, and community culture converge.
The venue is thoughtfully divided into two distinct areas. Upon entering, guests are welcomed into a front bar and lounge (80 capacity), which sits on the site of the original El Matador. Beyond this lies the “Listening Room” (125 capacity)—an intimate, state-of-the-art performance space where no seat is more than 25 feet from the stage. The room features a Yamaha concert grand piano and a resident Hammond B3 organ, bathed in warm lighting and optimized for acoustic perfection.
Marquee Residencies: The programming features a mix of Bay Area legends and international touring artists. Regular favorites include vocalists like Clairdee and Lavay Smith, along with the house Simon Rowe Organ Trio.
Dinner and a Show: Keys offers a casual but seasonal menu and full dinner service in the listening room, allowing guests to dine without interrupting the nuances of the performance. Signature cocktails and a curated wine list are designed to complement the sophisticated, mid-century atmosphere.
Legacy & Community: The bistro is home to Jazz in the Neighborhood, an organization advocating for fair wages for musicians. This commitment to the craft is palpable, making every show feel like a contribution to the thriving future of the art form.
The Ritual of the Set
Performance schedules typically run Wednesday through Saturday with sets at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM (plus a late-night 10:30 PM Hammond B3 set on Saturdays), and Sunday shows at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The “Will-Call” style check-in and first-come, first-served seating policy encourage a relaxed, communal experience where fans are invited to arrive early, grab a drink at the historic bar, and prepare for a night of deep musical immersion.
Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area’s newest and hottest jazz and swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. Enjoy an evening of swing, hard bop, and even some classic pop favorites performed only the way they can! This...
Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing Fog City Swing! The bay area’s newest and hottest jazz and swing band featuring an electrifying three horn front line, stellar crooning vocals, and a swing till you drop rhythm section. Enjoy an evening of swing, hard bop, and even some classic pop favorites performed only the way they can! This...
Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Kai Lyons- guitar,...
Marcus Shelby and his Sextet is honored to return back to Keys Jazz Bistro in the heart of San Francisco, where they will present “Conversation: The Language of Charles Mingus”. The program will include rarely performed Mingus compositions, excerpts from “Beneath the Underdog”, film clips, and oratory by bandleader and bassist Marcus Shelby. Charles Mingus...
Marcus Shelby and his Sextet is honored to return back to Keys Jazz Bistro in the heart of San Francisco, where they will present “Conversation: The Language of Charles Mingus”. The program will include rarely performed Mingus compositions, excerpts from “Beneath the Underdog”, film clips, and oratory by bandleader and bassist Marcus Shelby. Charles Mingus...
Alice Coltrane blended African American spirituality with East Indian devotional traditions, creating music that is soaring, grounded, and profoundly moving. This evening we honor her musical genius with a program inspired by her transcendent sound and spiritual vision. Tammy L. Hall Piano & Vocals Sundra Manning Hammond B3 Kevin Goldberg Contra Bass Elé Howell Drums...
Alice Coltrane blended African American spirituality with East Indian devotional traditions, creating music that is soaring, grounded, and profoundly moving. This evening we honor her musical genius with a program inspired by her transcendent sound and spiritual vision. Tammy L. Hall Piano & Vocals Sundra Manning Hammond B3 Kevin Goldberg Contra Bass Elé Howell Drums...
The Bay Area’s Queen Songstress will groove you through the holiday season and propel you into the New Year. Never before have the sounds of the season been so funky, fun, and fresh. Featuring all original arrangements of seasonal classics, this unique ensemble delivers a soul-steeped holiday celebration with their own flair. Join this legendary...
The Bay Area’s Queen Songstress will groove you through the holiday season and propel you into the New Year. Never before have the sounds of the season been so funky, fun, and fresh. Featuring all original arrangements of seasonal classics, this unique ensemble delivers a soul-steeped holiday celebration with their own flair. Join this legendary...
Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Kai Lyons- guitar,...
In a career that has spanned over 65 years, international jazz vocal legend Mary Stallings has earned a unique place in modern jazz. After decades of performing around the globe alongside a who’s who of talented collaborators, while quietly accumulating a series of thoughtful and well respected recordings, she still continues to challenge her boundaries...
After 25 years as the lead vocalist for Santana, Tony Lindsay has garnered 11 Grammy awards, traveled on numerous world tours and recorded on seven Santana CDs: Milagro (1992), Supernatural (1999), Shaman (2002), Ceremony (2003), Food for Thought (2004), Ultimate Santana (2007), Multi-Dimensional Warrior (2008). In addition to many Grammy Show performances, Tony’s time with...
