Mardi Gras Git Down at The Guild Theatre

words by Patty Riek
photos by Jon Bauer

Jazz Mafia’s “Mardi Gras Git Down” at The Guild Theatre on Friday, February 28, 2025, was a musical extravaganza!

Opening with “Brass Band Medley” the stage was packed with talent. With Adam Theis founder of Jazz Mafia on trombone and at the helm, Mike Olmos, Ross Eustis, Richard Benitez III, the trumpets, Jonathan Seiberlich on tuba, Tommy Occhiuto on tenor sax, and Mario Ramirez on baritone sax illustrated why this collective works so well: each talented musician shines individually, but also gets the collective spirit and contributes their part to create a rich layered sound.

As Friday’s focus was Mardi Gras, Theis noted the cross pollination of the Jazz Mafia musicians taking New Orleans standards such as “Nola Second Line,” “Bourbon Street,” and “Go the Mardi Gras” and adding their own musical special sauce for the Bay Area.

Vocalists Yvette Pylant, Erin Honeywell, and Solas B Lalgee added their own fiery flare to the festivities. Each enhanced, punctuated, and added another element to the multifaceted sonic experience.

Expanding beyond strictly NOLA sounds, Jazz Mafia OG member Otis McDonald joined the fun for hand-clapping, toe-tapping renditions of “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” “Right Place Wrong Time,” and “Spanish Castle Magic.”

As the singers took a vocal break, Theis joked that they take requests, but don’t usually play them. Except tonight when Jazz Mafia played them all in the “2021 Horn Medley” which had a little Digable Planets’ “I’m Cool like Dat,” “This or That,” Lou Reed, The Bee Gees, and Michael Jackson – all adding up to a fun sonic romp through musical genres and times!

The vocalists returned for a classic from the Talking Heads “This Must Be the Place” ending with a great “conversation” between Theis on trombone at McDonald’s scatting. The two hour set closed with an epic version of “Superstition” offering all on stage the chance to showcase their individual and collective musical super-powers.

Huney Knuckles started the evening with Kelyn Crapp alone on stage for the beginning of “It’s Good to Be Here” with some smooth jazz vibes. Joined by Kevin Wong, Tony Peebles, Darian Grey and Brian Sheu, they worked through a range of Jazz styles. With some help from Mike Olmos on trumpet for Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop,” more audience members joined the dancing party. The “Huney Knuckles Shuffle” was jazzy-synthy melange. “Funkin” added a psychedelic rock under layer to the jazz overtones. Closing out their set with “On the E,” Adam Theis joined Huney Knuckles for a preview of the Jazz Mafia set. Wong, Grey, and Sheu also performed most of the evening with Jazz Mafia.

The uber talented musicians of Jazz Mafia and Huney Knuckles playfully engaged the audience for nearly three hours of music which equals a great Friday night in the Bay Area. Jazz Mafia never disappoints! Check out an upcoming show. Huney Knuckles are around and about as well: upcoming shows!

Jazz Mafia:

Huney Knuckles:

Jon Bauer Jon is a San Francisco based photographer who has regularly contributed to publications such as 48 Hills, SF Sonic, SF Station, The Denver Post, Goldenvoice, and numerous others. He’s aimed his camera at people, places, and things all around the world, and he’s always on the look-out for dark places, yummy foods, and curious events.