September 2, 2025 – Katie Cavera & the Lost Boys, featuring Ali Affleck

Katie and the Lost Boys is a vibrant jazz band celebrating the golden age of traditional 20s and 30s jazz, led by renowned banjoist and guitarist Katie Cavera. With credits including a residency at Paris’s Opera Comique and ongoing performances at Disney California Adventure with the Five and Dime Swing Band, Katie brings rich musical history and infectious energy to the stage. For this special event, the band features award-winning Scottish jazz and blues vocalist Ali Affleck and multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Clint Baker.

Check out Katie Cavera & the Lost Boys here:

And then dance to them live at the Woodchopper’s Ball!

September 9, 2025 – Johnny Bones & The Palace of Jazz

Johnny Bones, the regular sax player for the California Honeydrops, has put together his own all-star group to keep you dancing all night!  Strongly influenced by the early hot jazz bands, Johnny Bones and The Palace of Jazz combines the intimacy of smaller groups with the energy of powerful musicianship.  Whether playing standards or original material, this band will get the joint jumpin’!

September 16, 2025 – Clint Baker with Ray Skjelbred

Clint Baker is a versatile jazz musician, bandleader, and educator from the San Francisco Bay Area, acclaimed for his mastery of trumpet, trombone, clarinet, bass, drums, and tuba.  Deeply rooted in the New Orleans and Chicago jazz traditions, he has performed with leading ensembles, led his own groups, and inspired new generations through his teaching and mentorship.

Ray Skjelbred is a renowned jazz pianist known for his swinging, lyrical style rooted in the traditions of Jelly Roll Morton, Earl Hines, and Joe Sullivan.  A fixture of the West Coast jazz scene for decades, he has led acclaimed bands, recorded widely, and earned recognition as a master interpreter of classic jazz piano.

Clint Baker and Ray Skjelbred are excited to combine forces for this special show at the Woodchopper’s Ball!

September 23, 2025 – Mike Rinta & The Swing Therapists

Mike Rinta & The Swing Therapists work together regularly, 3 to 4 days a week, playing jazz from 1945 and earlier for seniors under the name The Jazz Therapists. All the musicians are full time and can boast playing with greats like Ray Charles, Taj Mahal, Bobby Huchenson, and many others. Mike Rinta is a featured bandleader at The Saloon, and he works as an arranger and featured trombonist for many swing bands. This is his debut as a bandleader at the Woodchopper’s Ball!

September 30, 2025
– Vic Wong & the Little Croquettes: 9:00-11:30pm
– After-Hours Jam: 11:30pm-1:30am

Vic Wong & the Little Croquettes are an instrumental guitar-driven swing quintet inspired by the jazz greats of the 1930s, especially Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian.  It’s hard to nail one style to Vic, who is equally at home performing straight-ahead, bossa nova, country, gypsy jazz, hapa-haole swing, and reggae with countless local bands, but he’s a sucker for anything that has a good melody and makes you move.  In addition to their energetic live performances, the band is also known for their long-running weekly jam sessions, where a rotating community of bay area musicians and swing dancers meet, hang, and play.

The After-Hours Jam Session is now a regular monthly feature at the Woodchopper’s Ball, happening on the last Tuesday of the month, 11:30pm-1:30am, immediately following our regular Live Music Dance Party.  Spread the word!

• • Held in the lounge, with the bar staying open extra late, until 1:30am, and with space for dancing!  Take a nap Tuesday, and plan to work from home on Wednesday–this jam party will swing until late!
  • Included with admission to the Live Music Dance Party,  $20 ($5 after 11:00pm)!  Must arrive before doors close at 12:00am midnight.
  • Musicians of all levels welcome!  If you play an instrument or sing, here’s your chance to jam with other musicians.