Simon Rowe Organ Trio

Simon Rowe brings his organ trio to Keys Jazz Bistro for another edition of his late-night Saturday series, featuring what he calls his "Transcendent Trio" — a group that coalesced during pandemic-era "Jazz on the Patio" performances. The trio serves up a balanced menu of blues, bebop, ballads, and banter, anchored by Rowe's Hammond B3 organ, guitarist Dave Macnab, and the "ebullient" Brian Fishler on drums.

Rowe, who directs the Brubeck Institute at University of the Pacific, brings both academic depth and street-level groove to the Hammond. His trio format follows the classic organ-guitar-drums template that defined jazz lounges and supper clubs, but with contemporary sensibilities. The group's repertoire spans jazz standards like "Sweet and Lovely" and "Yesterdays" alongside bebop classics such as "Confirmation" and Stevie Wonder's "If I Were A Bell."

As venue owner, Rowe has made these late Saturday sets a regular showcase for Bay Area organ trios — "keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat," as the venue notes. The intimate 125-seat room at Keys features both a Yamaha grand piano and a Hammond B3 organ, creating an authentic supper club atmosphere where the warm, natural sound benefits from the room's cozy dimensions.

Macnab's guitar work provides melodic counterpoint to Rowe's organ, while Fishler's drumming adds the rhythmic foundation that makes organ trio music so compelling. The "banter" element suggests an informal, conversational approach to the music — the kind of interplay between musicians that makes live jazz special.

These late sets have become a consistent part of Keys' programming, offering a more relaxed, after-hours vibe compared to the venue's earlier dinner shows.