Nicolas Bearde

Bay Area vocal treasure Nicolas Bearde returns to Keys Jazz Bistro with his signature velvet voice that critics have likened to Lou Rawls, Nat King Cole, and Bill Withers. Born in Nashville and a Bay Area resident since the 1980s, Bearde brings a rich baritone that seamlessly blends jazz standards with soul and R&B influences.

Bearde is perhaps best known as a founding member of Bobby McFerrin's innovative a cappella ensemble Voicestra, where he spent over a decade touring and recording. Since launching his solo career in 1997 through his Right Groove Records label, he has released six acclaimed albums that showcase his "supple phrasing and tender delivery," turning every song into what critics call "personal expressions of love, hope, and soul."

Expect to hear Bearde's sophisticated interpretations of jazz standards and contemporary classics, delivered with the warmth and wit that have made him a favorite at prestigious venues worldwide. His performances blend technical mastery with emotional depth — JazzTimes describes him as "a richly impressive amalgam of Bill Withers and Billy Eckstine," while All About Jazz notes his "buttery baritone" and "acute harmonic sense."

Bearde's stage presence is both intimate and engaging. Reviews consistently highlight his easy-going, thoughtful approach and his ability to connect with audiences through both musical excellence and natural charisma. He's also the vocalist and narrator for Vincent Herring's "Story of Jazz Orchestra," bringing his storytelling abilities to chronicle 100 years of recorded jazz.

Joining Bearde will be some of the Bay Area's finest musicians, creating the kind of musical chemistry that has made his collaborations with jazz legends like Nat Adderley Jr., Vincent Herring, James Carter, and Steve Turre so memorable. This is an opportunity to experience one of the region's most distinctive voices in an intimate setting.