A Celebration | R&B of the 2000's

Drummer Sheldon Alexander revisits the sounds of 2000s R&B through a jazz lens, leading his trio through two sets that blend improvisation, rhythm, and conversation. Rather than note-for-note recreations, these performances explore what happens when musicians who grew up with these songs — Alicia Keys, Usher, Ashanti, Ne-Yo, Beyoncé — reimagine them through fresh arrangements and spontaneous interplay.

Alexander, a Bay Area drummer and California Jazz Conservatory graduate, bridges jazz, soul, gospel, and R&B with equal fluency. His turning point came when he discovered Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters, which he describes as "storytelling music" — a quality he brings to his own work, whether leading his own ensembles or collaborating across the Bay Area scene. His approach keeps the spirit of the original songs intact while opening up space for improvisation and groove.

Joining him are pianist Kevin Person, Jr., who has been captivating audiences with his jazz artistry for over two decades, blending his jazz foundation with deep gospel influences and dynamic, soulful performances; and bassist Dana Roth, a Berklee graduate who has toured internationally and recorded with artists including Ester Rada and Chihiro Yamanaka, bringing over 15 years of experience to the trio's sound.

The result is a night that moves effortlessly between nostalgia and spontaneity — the music you know and love from your burned CDs and iPods, reshaped by musicians who understand both its roots and its possibilities. Whether you spent the 2000s listening to this era of R&B or simply love great live music, this is a chance to hear the soundtrack of an era from a different perspective.