Oak City Bar and Grill, 1029 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 321-6882 
Musicians, Singers, Bands
Marq Presents at the Oak City Bar and Grill is a program of rich, local talent brought to you by Mark Adams. Marq Presents continues a tradition of an eclectic variety of great local talent from the San Francisco Bay Area, especially from our own Peninsula -- as started by Mark at Marqs In Menlo. If you would like to be considered to play at Oak City, please visit our Would You Like Play at Oak City page. Please come out to listen to this wonderful talent and support the American Supper Club tradition. You're sure to find a musical mix that will delight your senses along with great food, terrific cocktails and a warm, social environment.Current Artist List
If you ask Claes Cem what kind of music he plays, he will smile and say “Modern Folk-Pop.” Listening to his guitar-driven songs, it does not take long to realize that his songs have been shaped by a life on the road. His work is heavily inspired by the lyrical world of singersongwriters such as Paul Simon, John Martyn and Darrell Scott. It contains no frills - just pure music.
Pianist Denny Berthiaume has performed with Bobby McFerrin, Diane Schuur, Helen Forrest, Mundell Lowe, Gary Foster, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Bob Crosby, the Mills Brothers, the Ink Spots and Ed Thigpen. He recorded 4 albums as co-leader of the successful fusion group Solar Plexus. He has appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Russian River Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, and San Miguel de Allende International Jazz Festival. He is emeritus professor in literature and music at Foothill College in Los Altos, California. www.dennyberthiaume.com
The Trio features Denny Berthiame on piano, Curt Moore on drums and Chuck Bennett on bass. In 2004, three San Francisco Bay Area musicians decided to create a rhythm section devoted to their own compositions and individualized arrangements of standards.
Born in Fresno, California, Freddy studied classical guitar at San Francisco State University with Rani Cochran and privately with Narcisso Yepes,Rey De La Torre and Leo Brower. He studied composition with Gus Gustavson,Roger Nixon and Peter Sacco with an emphasis on form and technique. Igor Stravinski and John Cage are two influences who have helped shape his vision. Stravinski for his creative approach to unusual instrumental combinations and sonorities and John Cage for his fascination with random events superseding preconceived notions allowing freedom of expression through improvisation. No composition is ever "finished".
"Connection is what it's all about," says Jennifer. "Connection with my band and connection with the listener. That's what creates the magic. The deeper the connection, the more magical the experience for everyone involved." And connect she does, with sincerity and a perpetual sense of wonder.
Rooted in the straight-ahead jazz tradition, this San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist/pianist/guitarist has developed a style all her own. With her warm, lovely voice, extraordinary musicality and hip sense of time, Jennifer brings each song uniquely to life.
"Life Long Friends" has Jo singing some of her favorite standards plus some choice originals by herself, Flip Nuñez, Gabe Baltazar & Ray Canion along a very special version of a Pat Metheny tune for which she wrote lyrics, "Love Always & Forever".
Julie Vaughn performs an eclectic, but delightful combination of only the best pop tunes and jazz standards with a liberal sprinkling of her own songs which range from tender and soulful ballads to witty, indeed laugh inducing, originals such as "The Big Butt Blues" & "I Love My Ukulele". Videos of Julie Vaughn can be found on her YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/user/JulieVaughn. Julie is a joy to listen to; her beautifully haunting singing voice works wonders with some of the timeless standards, and her sense of humor and infectious laughter makes for a bright, happy evening for people with every kind of musical taste.
In 1985, after many years away, Kelly decided to return to the San Francisco Bay Area and began establishing himself as a local musician. He worked in almost every major and minor venue in the San Francisco Bay Area for the next twenty-four years until the present day. His list of San Francisco venues include: the Fillmore, the Great American Music Hall, the Herbst Theater, the Castro Theater, the Luther Burbank Center, the Lesher Theater, and the Moscone Center.
Since moving to the bay area in 1984, Larry Chinn has had the good fortune to have extended tenures working with Margie Baker, Jules Broussard, Al Molina & Frank Passantino. He has shared the stage with Frank Wess, John Handy, Pharoah Saunders, Mark Murphy, Harvie S, Richie Cole, Hal Stein, Nate Pruitt, Sylvia Cuenca & Vince Lateano. He's also appeared at so the bay area's premier jazz venues like Yoshi's, Pearl's, Stanford Jazz Workshop and the Monterey Jazz Festival. Larry studied briefly at the Berklee College of Music, with Bobby Bradford at Pomona College, and with Mark Levine as well as taking extensive lessons with Don Haas, Dick Hindman, Peter Horvath and Charlie Shoemake.
The acoustic / eclectic band Levitate is led by guitarist/composer Jorge Faustmann. Jorge is a self-taught guitarist who has produced 6 albums and has composed over 70 original songs. His music is influenced by his Spanish heritage as well as his exposure in his youth to great artists such as Michael Hedges, Alex de Grassi and many talented musicians. Also on guitar is Fred Malouf, who is a Berklee College of Music graduate and has been playing guitar for over 30 years. He has performed in diverse musical settings with improvisation being the central component.
Marc Koltun's love affair with music spans 56 years. Starting at the age of four his heart was captivated and nurtured by the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Robert Goulet, Matt Monro, Joe Williams, Johnny Hartman, Barbra Streisand and countless others whose legendary voices and singing styles left an indelible imprint on his soul. His passion for the timeless love songs from “The Great American Songbook” has never left him.
Mark Richard, on piano or guitar, has been a local mainstay in the bay area for 35 years. Supported by the excellent musicianship of Paul Collins (Bass) and Alex Muchnik (Drums), Mark’s unique vocal interpretations of Jazz Standards, R&B, or the occasional Oldie but Goodie, are delivered with an intense love for the lyric and an air of playfulness. Alex and Paul bring their own creativity to the mix and the result is great music!
Bay area bassist Joey Fabian (Bartron Tyler Group, Alana Davis) has assembled a stellar cast of musicians to tackle a diverse set of music. Starting with the powerful vocals of Menlo Idol Rachel Lililan, add versatile Pianist/Organist Van Kouzoujian (The Hummerz, The Truth). Santa Cruz guitar whiz Ron Work (Wasabi) brings heaps of taste and tone to the party. And driving the band all the way home is the amazing drumming of "Bad" Ronny Crawford (Lisa Loeb, Anna Nallick). The M.A.D.O. will flow from instrumentals by The Meters, Wayne Shorter and Ernest Ranglin, Soul and R&B by Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder, and Rock from The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix to Sara Barielles.
Marty Honda is a jazz violinist and bassist and for the past several years he has been an active organizer of jazz jams in the south bay area. He has organized monthly jazz jams at the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) in Mountain View since March 2006, which attracts over 20 jazz musicians at each jam. From May 2010 to March 2011, Marty ran a very successful weekly jam series at the Milan Restaurant in Mountain View. The jams featured superb players for the house band each week, such as Larry Chinn, Frank Passantino, Buddy Barnhill, Don Albetrs, Clifford Lamb, Ken Okada, and Ken Plourde.
Bay Area jazz pianist and vocalist, Marty Williams, was called "The Catalyst" by San Francisco Chronicle critic Phil Elwood. Anna DeLeon of Anna's Jazz Island recently had this to say about Marty. "Marty Williams is one of the Bay Area's hidden treasures. His piano playing and singing are passionate, humorous, and unique. Think Oscar Brown Jr. plus Mose Allison plus Monk with just a dash of Redd Foxx! Yes, unique!"
Guitarist/song stylist and songwriter Michael Foley and his trio offer a unique opportunity to see and hear three master musicians perform at the peak of their artistry. They cover a multitude of music genres embracing the music of Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Elvis, Roy Orbison, and Willie Nelson equally. They personalize each song with a beautiful, simple musical style that harmonizes a whole night of music. You can find out more about Michael and the trio at www.michaelfoleymusic.com and you can hear them on youtube.com, search MICHAEL FOLEY TRIO. Better yet, come hear the best Classic American music performed at its finest.
In 1958, I just finished my third appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, and done a stint with Frank Sinatra in Vegas, a time which was most prolific for me. And a boon for Frank's career. During that time, I penned for Frank one of his biggest hits. Mind you, I'm only six years old at the time. I then traveled by boat to England to play a Royal Command performance for the Queen. She loved the show so much, she invited The Budster to perform at a high tea for her, Winston Churchill, and Charles DeGaulle.
San Francisco-based saxophonist Nancy Wright operates in the big-toned tenor tradition of Gene Ammons and Houston Person on this earthy organ date with the Tony Monaco Trio. Along with urgent soul-jazz originals like "Jo-Jo," the shuffling "Rutabagas" and the grooving "Bugalu," the group turns in faithful renditions of Bobby Timmons' "Moanin'" and the Gigi Gryce swinger "Minority." Wright is the real deal while Ohio-based Monaco remains one of the baddest B3 burners on the scene today."
Paula grew up in Clemson South Carolina in a very musical home. Her father, an avid music fan, worked as a “roadie” for several well known bands when Paula was a baby. In fact her first “appearance” on stage was when she toddled out onto the stage during one of the shows dancing. Her Dad may have been embarrassed- but the band and the crowd loved it! So did Paula.
My journey in music began in New York where I was born. I attended Manhattan School of Music. I left New York and moved to Southern California at first where I was performing Top 40, R&B and some jazz. I fell in love with Jazz at an early age and knew that was my destiny and desire in my music endeavors. When I came to the Bay Area in 1980, clubs such as Rolands, Pearls, Pasands, Capurros, Pier 47, Bajones, Caspian, Regina’s, Rasella’s and Seven Hills were all home to me. Jazz Vocals were then welcomed in all Jazz clubs. It was a tremendous time with incredible musicians to accompany me. Throughout I have done private parties and events for all occasions.
A man with the genius and vivacity of Ricardo Scales was born to be noticed. It wasn't long after he began playing piano at San Francisco's famed Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel that Ricardo attracted the attention of critics, musicians, and concert-goers alike. Artists such as Billy Joel, Harry Connick Jr., Liza Minelli, and Joe Cocker are among the few who visited Ricardo at the Redwood Room to join him on a number or two.
Breathing new life into the standards of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Darrell Batchelder not so much attempts to imitate the ‘Chairman of the Board’ as to re-create in tempo and keys, those songs that belonged to the prior generation. Enjoy such classics as 'My Way,' 'Witchcraft,' 'One for the Road,' 'The Summer Winds,' 'New York, New York,' 'My Kind of Town,' 'Young at Heart,' 'You Make Me Feel so Young,' 'I Get a Kick Out of You,' 'S’Wonderful' and many, many more.
Vocalist Sandra Aran is no stranger to music and the stage. She made her musical debut at age 5 in her native Mexico City. Since then, she has made music and performing her life. Studying the art of jazz and scat singing by transcribing the music of Al Jarreau, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Bobby McFerrin, Ms. Aran kept an active performance schedule as an adolescent. In her teens, she formed her first band while studying classical piano and composition at the National University of Mexico. In 1995, she founded her first working jazz quartet "Art Deco", with whom she performed extensively in Mexico.
Shane Turner is a 10 year-old singer/songwriter/arranger who plays piano and steel drums. He has performed at numerous events including the Stars on Staff benefit for Music in Schools Today, the Salvation Army Celebrity Bell Ringing event on Union Square, and he is also a member of the Panhandlers Steel Drum band. Shane took to the piano at the age of 4 and began lessons in jazz theory at the age of 7. You can hear him perform everything from jazz standards to 80s pop to contemporary hits from artists including Usher, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. He's also on the ski team at Sugar Bowl, and you can sometimes find him on Saturday afternoons after skiing, sitting in the Lodge at Sugar Bowl, entertaining the guests.
Whether you're cooking in the kitchen or on the bandstand, soul sauce is that spicy addition that makes your efforts "come alive." Soul Sauce draws on the rich body of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian-influenced jazz, as well as incorporating original works and unique arrangements of contemporary, standard, and obscure jazz tunes.
Bay area bassist Joey Fabian is best known for his association with instrumental band The Bartron Tyler Group, but this Atlanta, GA native has lended his skills to a diverse collection of musical situations. His study of the bass with Kai Eckhardt introduced him to Indian rhythms and subdivisions while later study with Dean Peer focused on advanced use of harmonics. He has performed and/or recorded with Hellecasters guitarist Will Ray, pop singer/songwriter Alana Davis and blues artist James Armstrong, Mumblefinger, Michael Zanabili, Hot Trivet, HUGE., Bridgette DeMeyer and Taylor P. Collins.
Terry Disley is an internationally acclaimed pianist, keyboardist, composer, arranger, 2 time Grammy Award nominee and winner of Londons' best young jazz musicians award. He has been featured on hundreds of recordings with innumerable artists including Sir Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Van Morrison, Sir Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, George Harrison, Billy Bragg, Terry Hall, Madness, Acoustic Alchemy, and the movie soundtracks Beautiful Girls, Showgirls, Crime Time, The Ref and Monument Avenue. He also opened shows for pianists McCoy Tyner, Monty Alexander and Cedar Walton, John McLaughlin, the Yellowjackets, Grover Washington, and Bob Dylan, and has been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio interviews and television shows around the world.
Oak City Bar and Grill
A warm, contemporary fusion of brilliant bartenders, an open kitchen showcasing great American cuisine, infectious live music inviting you to break out in some dancing ... all blending together to create an ideal environment for relaxation, building relationships, and getting your business done. Whether you're doing deals with a business partner ... flirting with a social partner ... luxuriating in the food and drink ... or in a trip around the dance floor ... Oak City is the place where memories are made!
We can accommodate large parties and special occasion events. Please contact us for more information. We have a private dining room as well. Please call for reservations. We can also help with parties or special events hosted at your location. We provide catering and music bookings by "Marq Presents."
A tradition at the Oak City Bar and Grill is the College of San Mateo Big Band -- an 18-piece group of top-notch musicians playing standards and jazz.