Russian Telegraph ‘Turnips’ & Khachapuri Trio Concerts this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by at my renewed site! I’ve three concerts this weekend that I hope to see you at: Russian Telegraph Release Concerts: Fri., Dec. 12th, 8:30-10pm Bird & Beckett Jazz Series, SF, Sat., Dec. 13th, 8-10pm, Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium, ticket sales end soon!

Sun., Dec. 14th, 3-5pm, Khachapuri Trio at Maybeck Studio, Berkeley, here’s tickets!

Happy holidays everyone and I hope to see you out there~be well, stay in touch!


William Farley, thank you!

I have had the greatest time working with director William Farley on his films. He believes in the music I create for his images and his films keep on getting more and more noticed: recently The Academy inducted his entire oeuvre, that means two films I worked on are there now! Don’t miss a chance to see PLASTIC MAN: The Artful Life of Jerry Ross Barrish on the big screen at the Pacific Film Archive, Saturday December 6th, 7pm. Hope to see you there!


November: Trance Mission Duo

Stephen Kent & Beth Custer

Trance Mission Duo

We formed Trance Mission in 1991 and began recording in ’93, toured a bit here and there and are still fast friends and music partners. Above photo is from a couple years ago when we played with drummer Peter Valsamis at the SF International Arts Festival. Come hear us at the glorious Wu Wei Temple in the even more glorious Fairfax, CA, November 22nd, 8-10pm.

Trance Mission Duo
Photo: Maurice Tierney 2025 Garden of Memory concert, Oakland Columbarium

Trance Mission tour during fires of 2018, Mt. Shasta Lake

During our 2018 NW tour in the fires…thanks to Federico for driving us!

Thanks for reading, see you out there.


Fall into Winter

Hello good people, Thanks for stopping by. I’ve a few screenings and performances this fall into winter. I hope you’re well and getting out to witness art in all it’s forms

Will Bernard and I became collaborators and friends in the early 1980’s and we’ve played together ever since. Will appears as a guest artist on many of my releases including Dona Luz 30 Besos, Inclement Weather, Shirt I Slept In, and Trance Mission. We released SKY to great reviews the world over. October 17th we’ll be performing on the incredible Bird and Beckett Jazz Series, 8:30-10pm. Joining us will be cellist Jess Ivry. Stop by for gorgeousness~not to be missed!

Week of November 10th brings Cathy Lee Crane screenings in NYC and I’m tempted to go…

Screenshot

Saturday, November 22nd, Stephen Kent and I join forces to blow the roof of off one of our fav places to play, Wu Wei Temple in Fairfax CA! We’ll be blowing something like 8-10pm, get their early to enjoy a some sustenance and wander Fairfax! Lovely photo taken at Chapel of Chimes: Maurice Tierney

Saturday December 6th the PFA will be screening PLASTIC MAN: The Artful Life of Jerry Ross Barrish. They are doing a few days of Jerry’s films. The links aren’t up yet but will post as they become available.

Russian Telegraph will be performing Turnips Friday, December 12th, 8:30-10pm at Bird & Beckett Jazz Series, and Saturday, December 13th, 7-10pm at Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium, an Earthwise Production, tickets here!

December 14th, 3pm, Khachapuri Trio performs at the luscious Maybeck Performing Arts Studio in Berkeley, get your tickets in advance, these 45 seats will sell out quickly!

As always your donations are gratefully accepted, none to small.

Be well, carry on, hope to see you out there~


Amsterdam Radio Interviews!

Amsterdam’s writer/reviewer/music lover Ton Maas has conducted a career overview with me in two, one hour segments that you’ll find once they occur: Fridays, August 15th & August 29th, Thank you to Hans Meerman and of course Sir Ton Maas. What a surprise!

Part 1:

Part 2 (available after broadcast on August 29):

Tuesday, August 26th, noon-1pm, People in Plazas presents Russian Telegraph members in downtown San Francisco, 303 2nd St. Bring your bag lunch and throw tomatoes at me please! You’ll be serenaded funky-time-style by none other than the brilliant David James, detective/bassist Keith McArthur, highly sought after drummer John Hanes, and me. We’ll be playing cuts from our new release and other tunes. Come say hi!

Friday August 29th, 5-9pm The New Farm Friday Film Series presents William Farley‘s work with the director on hand. Four short films of Farley’s will be screened in the New Farm’s Green Room on pairs of headsets (5-9pm), the feature film will be screened indoors at the New Farm’s NoBar. $20 suggested donation benefits the New Farm. Cash/Venmo/NOTAFLOF. nooneturnedawayforlackoffunds. Amen.

Robley D Variety Show goes into Hyde Street Studio this week again where I’ll be singing some backups and laying down my rock n’ roll clarinets…Thanks to Robley D for fulfilling my lifelong dream of recording with rockers! If you haven’t put Garden Party in your cue I suggest you do~an SF rock n’ roll delight!

Thanks for reading and hope to see you out there!