Smooth Jazz Alley (tue, 6/2/26) at Yoshi's Oakland

Smooth Jazz Alley, the acclaimed contemporary jazz collective from the San Francisco Bay Area, continues to captivate audiences with their signature blend of jazz, R&B, soul, and funk. Founded by keyboardist/producer Marco Montoya and guitarist Stan Evans, the group has evolved into a powerhouse trio featuring Montoya, drummer/producer Kevin Lewis, and saxophonist Otoe Mori.
With multiple Billboard-charting singles and collaborations alongside some of the genre’s most respected artists, Smooth Jazz Alley has established themselves as one of the West Coast’s premier jazz ensembles of the New Jazz Era. Their performances are celebrated for infectious grooves, rich harmonies, and improvisational brilliance, offering both seasoned jazz fans and new listeners an unforgettable experience....

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Smooth Jazz Alley, the acclaimed contemporary jazz collective from the San Francisco Bay Area, continues to captivate audiences with their signature blend of jazz, R&B, soul, and funk. Founded by keyboardist/producer Marco Montoya and guitarist Stan Evans, the group has evolved into a powerhouse trio featuring Montoya, drummer/producer Kevin Lewis, and saxophonist Otoe Mori.
With multiple Billboard-charting singles and collaborations alongside some of the genre’s most respected artists, Smooth Jazz Alley has established themselves as one of the West Coast’s premier jazz ensembles of the New Jazz Era. Their performances are celebrated for infectious grooves, rich harmonies, and improvisational brilliance, offering both seasoned jazz fans and new listeners an unforgettable experience.
“Smooth Jazz Alley is more than a band—it’s a creative community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz,” says Montoya. “We want our music to inspire, uplift, and connect people everywhere.”
The New Jazz Era series is presented by Kim Pruitt of KP Entertainment Connections and Mark Elliott of the A-List Musiq Circle. Hosted by Ebony Bloom of Queen Vantage Podcast.
About Smooth Jazz Alley
Smooth Jazz Alley is a San Francisco-based contemporary jazz group known for blending modern jazz with elements of R&B, soul, and funk. Their Billboard-charting releases and collaborations have earned them recognition across the U.S. and internationally.
With a growing presence in the contemporary jazz scene, SJA is back in the studio working on their next album, “Reflections,” & continuing to push the boundaries of modern smooth jazz.  Their new single “Come On!” dropped on June 13, 2025, and is the first release under Innervisions Records.   
The group is currently preparing for upcoming performances across California and working on new studio projects that promise to expand their already diverse sound. Fans can expect fresh compositions, dynamic live shows, and collaborations with top-tier jazz talent in the months ahead.

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