Sam Reider and Jazz Singer Brianna Thomas in Concert

Latin GRAMMY Award-nominated pianist and accordionist Sam Reider has been featured on NPR Tiny Desk and is known for his group the Human Hands, as well as collaborations with jazz, folk and Americana artists including Laurie Lewis, Jim Campilongo, and Jorge Glem. Vocalist Brianna Thomas, hailing originally from Peoria, Illinois, has made a name for herself performing with a long list of jazz luminaries including Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling, the Count Basie Orchestra, and Dianne Reeves. Brianna and Sam first met over a decade ago in New York City co-leading concerts in public schools on behalf of Jazz at Lincoln Center. This led to a 2014 U.S. State Department tour in China, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, where they performed with Americana group Silver City Bound.

This concert will be a special reunion for Brianna and Sam. The program will include some of their favorite jazz and American roots music songs, with a special tribute to Etta James and Big Mama Thornton, two musical giants with deep ties to the Fillmore and the Bay Area's musical history.