On Sunday, February 9, the Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre, San Francisco Heritage, and SFJAZZ will co-present an afternoon concert in honor of Black History Month, featuring two-time Emmy Award winner Tony Saunders, with special guest Infinity Productions.
Composer, producer, and bass player Saunders is distinguished by his soulful smooth jazz and R&B sounds. A graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he attributes much of his current success to his early training under numerous musical legends, including his own father, world-renowned keyboardist Merl Saunders, along with Herbie Hancock and Sly Stone. Over the course of his career, he has performed with such musicians as Dr. John, Les McCann, Esther Phillips, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Randy Crawford, Martha Reeves, Joe Sample, and Chaka Kahn. His most recent album, Appaloosa, debuted on January 21, 2014.
The concert will open with a spoken word performance by Infinity Productions, a community-based group located in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. Known for its theater and spoken word presentations, the group is led by Bayview actress and playwright Mary L. Booker.
The event will be held at the historic Bayview Opera House (4705 Third Street) from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Doors will open at 2:00 p.m., with food and wine service by Nia Soul and Bayview vintner Barbara Gratta. Free on-site parking is available for guests. Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For tickets and more information, please visit
https://www.bvoh.org.
About the Bayview Opera House: Constructed in 1888, the Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre is located at 4705 Third Street in the heart of the Bayview-Hunters Point district. Today, nonprofit Bayview Opera House, Inc. operates the building (San Francisco Landmark No. 8) as a community cultural and arts center with funding from the San Francisco Arts Commission and public and private donations.
About San Francisco Heritage: Founded in 1971, San Francisco Heritage (“Heritage”) is a nonprofit organization charged to preserve and enhance San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity through advocacy and education. Heritage manages a preservation easement program of more than 60 historic properties, including the Bayview Opera House.
About SFJAZZ: Founded in 1983, SFJAZZ is a recognized international leader in jazz creation, presentation, and education. SFJAZZ explores the full spectrum of jazz, from the music's origins in the African American community to its diverse present-day expressions around the world. As a nonprofit organization, SFJAZZ works to develop the audience for jazz in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.