Jules Leyhe and the Family Jules plays The Sound Room in Oakland.
Jules Leyhe and the Family Jules has a real "friends band" feel about them. All humble, all grateful to be playing music. Jules Leyhe is a guitarist that attended the Berklee School of Music. He has even taken a class on the music of Jeff Beck! And tonights show was all about Jeff Beck. Honouring the guitar master himself with a 'twist of Leyhe'.
Leyhe's' music is a mix of Blues, Fusion, and Rock. He has played with Buddy Guy, Fantastic Negrito, and Taj Mahal amongst other greats. He's been featured in Guitar Player magazine, Premier Guitar and Vintage Guitar. Although he's 'been around' I'd never heard of him. Then a friend invited me to one of his recent gigs in Oakland at an intimate 100 capacity listening room called The Sound Room. My friend had seen Jules play a few times before and whilst describing this guitarist to me from the times he's seen him perform in the past he was highly complimentary about Leyhe's talent. As my friend usually 'knows good music' and we always have a nice time, I gladly went. And am happy I did as Leyhe and the Beck tribute show was indeed a good one.
The Sound Room was a cool venue I had never been to prior to this evening. And the band felt like simply a group of friends that invited 100 people into their living room to enjoy one and a quarter hours of good live music. This evening was dedicated to Leyhes' inspiration into the world of music by none other than Jeff Beck. He told a story of his first introduction to Beck when he was about ten years old his family drove past The Warfield in San Francisco and his dad shouted "stop the car" when he saw Jeff Becks' name on the billboard outside. The family piled into the venue, and it was Lehyes first introduction, as he says, "to good music". With so many people in the venue he asked his dad if he needs to wear a helmut! (I thought that was funny)! And that night, seeing Jeff Beck play, inspired Jules to know what his lifes' direction would be.
The evening at The Sound Room was fun and easy. I spoke to the owner, Karen and she told me the story of its birth 30+ years ago. Karen and her husband started this passion of theirs with house concerts three decades ago. They'd pull out the BBQ and invite people. Soon they got to be well known in the area for this and beyond, and then, eleven years ago opened The Sound Room. A non profit venue in Oakland. Offering food, wine and beer and inventive non-alcoholic drinks. Having no servers makes this venue work. Its a warm, welcoming place with art on the walls painted by Pete Escovedo. The Sound Room is an all-ages listening room. Mostly jazz plays there, but they showcase all genres. The ticket proceeds pay for the bands and the sound equipment. And the food and drink pay the rent and utilities. The Sound Room is located at 3022 Broadway in Oakland.
Jules Leyhe and The Family Jules band consist of - Isaac Schwartz on drums, Ian Mcardle on keyboards, Matt Roads bass, Jimmy Leslie acoustic guitar on fist song Beck’s Bolero.
