Free and Low Cost Music in the San Francisco Bay Area

Check out Jazz Police Calendar to find out what's happening THIS WEEK on the Bay Area Jazz Scene.

Jazz Clubs with Low Cover and Minimums

Savannah Jazz Club "... presents the best in Jazz, Brazilian and Latin Jazz music six nights a week, with national and international artists on a regular basis. We are closed on Mondays. Music begins at 8 PM on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and 8:30 PM on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays....Savanna Jazz is owned and operated by educators who are committed to the revitalization of this art form through, lectures, seminars, music competitions and clinics for the purpose of engaging the young and the community at large..." Savanna Jazz Sundays" Latin Jazz Explosion" with Gary Flores & Descarga Caliente. $5 Cover Also see the Community Music Center, San Francisco Calendar for CMC jam sessions and concerts that are free with a one drink minimum.

The Jazz House "...Dayna Stephens House Jam... Every Tuesday Doors @ 7:30 PM
Event @ 8 -11PM $5 Donation... This weekly jazz jam is open to musicians of all ages and all levels.  Jazz fans are encouraged to join us to hear an awesome mixture of different musicians each week!... For music fans, this is a terrific way to see a rotating mix of some of the Bay Areas greatest jazz musicians.  For students, it's a wonderful opportunity to see music being created in a very organic manner, experiencing the fun of creating jazz.   For musicians, it's an amazing opportunity to network with other musicians in the Bay Area. If you're a musician (all ages welcome!), bring your instrument.  If you're a music fan, bring your ears!... located at 3192 Adeline Street in Berkeley, a half block southwest of the Ashby BART.  (Please note there is an incorrect Adeline Street in Oakland.)"

Yoshi's Jazz House and Japanese Restaurant. One drink minimum requested in Jazz House. "It's the best club that I've played. They run a club the way a jazz club should be run. They have a respect for the artists that you don't always find in many of the other jazz clubs. They try to present the artists in the best possible light - and I have to respect that." - Oscar Peterson "Yoshi's at Jack London Square is located at 510 Embarcadero West between Washington and Clay Streets around the corner from the Jack London Square Cinema Complex on Washington. Yoshi's is on the ground floor on the front side of the seven-story parking structure."

Historic Music Venues

Great American Music Hall "...San Francisco's oldest and grandest nightclub, the Great American Music Hall carries guests back to an earlier, more elegant era, with its ornate balconies, soaring marble columns and elaborate ceiling frescoes. Long-time customers and newcomers alike feel at home in the 5,000-square-foot concert hall that symbolized renewal and optimism when it opened in 1907. Today, a professional sound and lighting system, two full bars, a modern kitchen and a spacious oak dance floor help to blend contemporary quality with turn-of-the-century graciousness...." Dinner, sandwiches and appetizers are available at all shows. Show tickets and dinner+show prices are very reasonable.

Coffee and Jazz

Farley's Cafe "Community in a Cup" Offers Saturday afternoon jazz concerts at 3. Also music some Wednesdays at 7. "...Farley’s goal is to create a focal point for the community where everyone is comfortable and feels welcome. By creating a personable place, a human place, Farley’s provides an arena for people to interact with one another. The character of Farley’s mirrors the uniqueness of the people and allows for a genuine and distinctive experience for everyone...." SF Potrero Hill location.

Free Concerts in the San Francisco Bay Are

Art 21 (Palo Alto) "All That and Jazz and Poetry" During Palo Alto's First Fridays Art Walk. "Come celebrate Art Spaces
while listening to live jazz " 6:30 to 10:30. Door at 6:00. Live Music most Friday nights 8-10pm.

Caffe Pergolesi (Santa Cruz) "... Live music is a major scene in Santa Cruz. Caffe Pergolesi features live local musicians from an array of styles from Acoustic to Rock to Ska to Electric and more. All musicians are local, bringing a unique sound to the cafe not usually heard anywhere else...."

Community Music Center, San Francisco Calendar lists a number of free concerts, both at the center... and at other venues.

Grace Cathedral Recitals and Concerts Has a considerable calendar of free concerts.

Honda Civic Live: Free Concerts Check with this site for occasional free concerts like the Black Eyed Peas free concert

Noontime Concerts "... is part of an international network of churches, museums and other venues offering a welcome midday respite amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. San Francisco's musical lunch break offers classical music in two locations: Old Saint Mary's Cathedral, 660 California St., first and third Tuesdays; St. Patrick's Church, 756 Mission Street, Wednesdays. All concerts begin at 12:30 pm. "

San Francisco Blues Festival "... There will be a free waterfront blues concert on Friday..." The free Friday concert takes place 3rd Friday in September at the waterfront. The Festival then moves to the Great Meadow, Fort Mason where there is a charge for the Saturday and Sunday performances.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music Many free concerts, recitals and master classes. Moving to a brand new civic center location in fall of 2006.

San Francisco Symphony "...the SFS annually offers three free concerts for the community, attracting audiences who might not otherwise attend a concert in Davies Symphony Hall. A summer concert at the Stern Grove Festival draws a diverse audience of more than 17,000 people from throughout the Greater Bay Area. Other performances take place in venues such as San Francisco's Dolores Park, Financial District, Golden Gate Park, Presidio National Park, and Yerba Buena Gardens, each attracting an estimated 5,000 - 10,000 listeners."

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has Free Friday Night Concerts at the Beach Bandstand during the Summer Months (June - September).

Sunnyvale Music & Market Music, fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, crafts. Wednesdays 5 to 8:30 in July and August on Murphy Avenue.

Sweetwater Music Club Every Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. Dan Hicks and Bayside Jazz perform and sing jazz standards for free.

Free San Francisco Bay Area Music Events in Bookstores and Record Stores

Amoeba Music Live Shows Amoeba Music bills itself as "The Largest Indie Record Store in the Country". In addition to new merchandise, Amoeba buys, sells and trades good condition records, tapes, CD's and DVDs. It's Live Stage is frequent host to live musical shows. "... Keep up to date with Amoeba and our Free Live Shows by joining the Amoeba Music Newsletter!" 1855 Haight Street in San Francisco Check their calendar for upcoming events.

Bird & Beckett Books Has live jazz concerts at their bookstore every Friday from 5:30 to 8... and again on the 1st Sunday of every month at 4:30. There are frequently solo jazz players (piano, bass, etc) in the store on weekends as well. 2788 Diamond (at Chenery) San Francisco.

Tower Records Often hosts major musicians for free instore concert. Check their site often for news of upcoming events. 2525 Jones Street.

Free San Francisco Bay Area Music Events

California Homegrown Music Series. Every 4th Wednesday @ Mezzanine. No Cover. Free. Co-Sponsored by Live 105, SF Weekly and Virgin Megastore, the California Homegrown Music Series (CAHMS) is a free monthly concert series that features the best up-and-coming California bands. The shows provide a stage for emerging local acts to showcase their talents and gain exposure in the city's premier performance space. As an additional benefit, Mezzanine is introducing the California Homegrown Music Series Green Card. CAHMS Green Card holders will receive:

• Discount drinks
• Discount admission to select shows
• Opportunities to win VIP access to select shows
• Special discounts at Virgin Megastore
• Eligibility for special offers, promotions and prize draws
• Green Card "member only" concerts
• And more!

Get Involved and Hear Great Music for Free as One of Your Perks by Volunteering for One or More of the Many San Francisco Bay Area Music Organizations

Getting Involved in San Francisco's music scene by freely giving of your time and energy gives back by giving you the opportunity to hear great music for free and putting you in a mileau where you can meet fellow music lovers and make new friends.

Here are a few of the many opportunties to get involved in the San Francisco Bay area.

Cal Performances - University of California, Berkeley Music, Dance and Theatre. "...Currently, Cal Performances utilizes over 300 ushers at performances... they stuff programs with announcements, tear tickets at doors, show patrons to their seats, pass out programs, and answer questions. In exchange for approximately two hours of their time before and during a show, they're are permitted to stay and watch the show for free...."

Herbst Theatre "... has an open volunteer ushering policy. You do not need to call or sign up in advance. You may volunteer to usher for any Herbst Theatre performance if you arrive one and one-half hours prior to curtain time, are appropriately attired (see below), and are carrying a flashlight. Appropriate volunteer usher clothing, for both men and women, is black business attire. Men must also wear a white business-dress shirt and necktie. Arrive at the door to the left of the box office in the Veterans Building lobby, one and one-half hours (90 minutes) prior to the curtain time (for example, for an 8:00 p.m. performance you must arrive by 6:30 p.m.). Please note that if you are not on time, wearing proper clothing and carrying a flashlight, you may not be allowed to usher...." Located at San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, Herbst is the venue for such performers and musical groups as : Earplay New Chamber Music; Singer-songwriter Cris Williamson; Ellis Marsalis Quartet; Italian Jazzmen Enrico Rava; Stefano Bollani and Enrico Pieranunzi; jazz artists John Pizzarelli; Taylor Eigsti and Julian Lage Duo; Stephen KIng National Guitar Champion; ... and many, many others. So just for helping out and ushering, you have the opportunity to see and hear some wonderful performances... and never go hungry for great live music again. Check their calendar for upcoming events.

San Francisco Jazz Festival and SF Jazz Concerts "Persons who help out in a variety of capacities including ushers, front of house assistance, security, special events, office assistance, etc., are "... honored and rewarded in a number of ways, including free SFJAZZ merchandise and the annual volunteer party.... Those contribute 15 hours or more of service receive a gift of an SFJAZZ Individual level membership...." There are also paid jobs available from time to time.

San Francisco Opera "... Have fun and help San Francisco Opera and Opera Guild at the same time. Opportunities include the chance to assist at spectacular fundraising social events, watch an opera while helping out in our Opera Shop, guide or assist with Opera House tours, or serve coffee backstage to costumed artists. You can bring the joy of opera to young students as you assist with the Guild’s award winning education programs, work in the Internationally acclaimed Merola Opera Program or join the Opera Center's volunteer corps. You can do office tasks, mailings and hand-addressing projects or help us with any number of odd jobs. Whatever your skills and availability, we can match your schedule to our needs. Perks include being honored annually with a reception and invitation to a dress rehearsal performance and discounts in the Opera Shop...".

San Francisco Symphony Many many ways to help out... ranging from staffing their Repeat Performance Shop to Ushering.

Discounted "Rush" Tickets for Students, Seniors, and Military

San Francisco Opera "...If available, rush tickets go on sale at 11 am the morning of the performance at the Opera Box Office. Limit two tickets per ID. Call the Box Office on the day before the performance you want to see to check for ticket availability..."

Inexpensive Music Venues

Luggage Store Gallery "$6-10, sliding scale, no one refused for lack of funds" Venue for improvisational music such as Guillermo Galindo,

The Attic (Santa Cruz) This cafe/teahouse/gallery is frequent host to music... with tickets or cover in the $5 to $10 range. The Attic describes itself as "the epicenter of the heart of Santa Cruz.... .a community atmosphere where art, performance, and an elegant yet casual dining experience come together under one roof..."

ZookBeat.com "World Music Mecca" "...strives to increase awareness of and participation in the arts. Working with artists, schools, and community organizations, Zook Beat brings internationally acclaimed artists to Santa Cruz audiences of all ages - in concert setting and in the classroom...."

Listen to Music From San Francisco Online... for Free.

Gamelon Bamboo Bali Hear and see streaming audio and video.

More Ways to Live Large for Less:

Free VOIP  Talk for FREE over your broadband Internet connection using your regular phone.

Free Payday Loans  Get paid tomorrow instead of Friday. Your 1st loan is FREE.

Free Credit Report  Buying a new car or a home? Then you MUST check your credit report.

Free Laptop Computer  No kidding... there IS a way that folks are getting a laptop for FREE!

Free Satellite TV Installation  Get TV in 4 rooms for less than you're paying for cable.

Free Car  Learn how some folks are driving a car for free. Fascinating!

More Ways to Enjoy San Francisco for Less:

San Francisco Art Gallery Walks and Receptions, Artists Open Studio Tours

See San Francisco Museums for Free

See San Francisco Theatre for Free

See and Experience Dance for Free in San Francisco

Bay Area Festivals and How To Get Free Admission to Some

Bay Area Film Festivals and How to Get Free Admission to Some.

San Francisco Internships

Best San Francisco Happy Hours

San Francisco Area Free Wine Tastings

San Francisco Open Mic Nights and Poetry Slams

Meeting People, Making Friends in San Francisco

Budget San Francisco Accommodations

Budget Dining in San Francisco

Where to Get the Best Shopping Deals in San Francisco

How to Get Free Swag as a Member of a San Francisco Street Team

San Francisco Locally Grown Food

Where to Find Free Wi-Fi Hotspots in San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Area Sights and Tours