CAFE STRITCH PRESENTS: “A Rahsaan Roland Kirk Tribute Week” Friday August 2--Sunday August 11, 2013

Cafe Stritch is about to host their largest Jazz event yet with a five-day tribute to Rahsaan Roland Kirk. If you ever wondered where Eulipia got it's name from (Cafe Stritch's predecessor), it came from Kirk's "Theme for the Eulipions." What about Cafe Stritch? Named after Kirk's iconic saxophone. For all those that enjoy live Jazz, you won't want to miss this! All of the relevant information is below and can also be found at the Cafe Stritch website over here.



Cafe Stritch, formerly Eulipia Restaurant in San Jose, continues its heritage of presenting first-rate jazz by presenting a five-day tribute to the great Rahsaan Roland Kirk.  In addition to three nights of performances by trombonist Steve Turre, one of the world’s pre-eminent jazz innovators, the week’s activities include a number of diverse activities revolving around Rahsaan’s life and work.  Betty Neals will be performing her legendary ‘Theme for the Eulipions” poem with Steve Turre’s group.

Kirk’s “Theme for the Eulipions” gave Eulipia its name in 1977, and the restaurant’s owners, and now their children, who own Cafe Stritch, carry on the tradition of reverence for the jazz of Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

Trombonist Steve Turre, who played for many years with Kirk, will be playing as part of a septet at Cafe Stritch on August 8, 9, and 10 and Kirk’s widow Dorthaan will attend all of the activities during the five day tribute in honor of her late husband.  Many friends of the late great jazzman will participate in the festivities.  The first-rate band includes Matt Clark on piano, Howard Wiley on tenor sax, Charles McNeal on alto sax, Marcus Shelby on bass, Darrell Green on drums, and vocalist Terrie Odabi.

No Walls Between Us, an exhibit of Kathy Sloane’s powerful, atmospheric portraits of jazz greats will be presented throughout the cafe with an artist’s reception being held on Saturday August 10 from 3:00PM to 6:00PM.  Drawn in part from her acclaimed book Keystone Korner: Portrait of a Jazz Club, the exhibit also includes jazz photos from her 30-year career.

The schedule of activities appears below:

Friday August 2 – Sunday September 29:  No Walls Between Us: an exhibit of jazz photographs by Kathy Sloane. (No admission charge)

Wednesday August 7 at 6pm: Birthday Party for Rahsaan featuring live jazz, a panel discussion with Dorthaan Kirk, Steve Turre, Betty Neals, and others, along with a screening of Adam Kahan’s Rahsaan documentary “The Case of the Three Sided Dream”. (No admission will be charged for any activities on August 7)

Thursday August 8, Friday August 9, and Saturday August 10 at 8pm: Rahsaan Tribute Septet Featuring Steve Turre performing two sets each night with special guest Betty Neals performing her iconic “Theme for the Eulipions”.  Tickets available for $15 at www.brownpapertickets.com/venue/169573

Saturday August 10 from 3pm to 6pm: Artist’s reception for No Walls Between Us: an exhibit of jazz photographs by Kathy Sloane.   (No admission charge)

Sunday August 11 at 6pm:  The Eulipions, Cafe Stritch’s house jazz collective pays tribute to Rahsaan. (No admission charge)

About Café Stritch:
Opened in March, 2013, Cafe Stritch was named for an iconic saxophone used by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, the jazz great whose “Theme for the Eulipions,” gave rise to the name Eulipia, the white tablecloth restaurant and jazz club that preceded Cafe Stritch in the same location: 374 South First Street, San Jose, CA. (408) 280-6161.  Cafe Stritch features affordable food offerings such as fried chicken and waffles, hamburger sliders, jambalaya, salads, sandwiches and a variety of house-made soups. It offers a full bar including craft beers, Chromatic coffee and live music.