“Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Sasha Berliner

"Tuesday Happenings" is a weekly series on Tuesday nights, curated by iconic pianist and friend of Sam First, Gerald Clayton. The house band performs one set at 7:30pm which is immediately followed by a jam session from 9:00-11:00pm. Gerald Clayton will not be here for this performance but has arranged for vibraphonist Sasha Berliner to lead the happenings in his place!

Sasha Berliner, a San Francisco-born vibraphonist, composer, and bandleader, is celebrating the release of her third studio album, Fantome, on Outside In Music. A former rock drummer turned jazz innovator, Sasha rose to prominence after debuting at NYC Winter Jazz Fest in 2018 and receiving the LetterOne “Rising Stars” Jazz Award the following year. Her critically acclaimed previous albums, Azalea (2019) and Onyx (2022), established her as a bold voice in modern jazz, known for blending genres, political themes, and experimental textures. A DownBeat Critics’ Poll “Rising Star” winner and the first woman to earn that title on vibraphone, she’s headlined major festivals including Newport, Montreal, and Monterey. Sasha also performs and records with leading jazz artists like Tyshawn Sorey and Christian McBride, while teaching at UC Irvine.

Shows at Sam First are open to anyone ages 14 and older.