Paul Tiernan and I are once again on tour in Europe and are celebrating 20 years of playing music together. After meeting at the Rocheforte en Accords Festival in Rocheforte, France in 2005, we returned to that festival every August. In 2008 we did our first double-bill tour and have been touring every year or two since. Last night we played a packed house concert in Duiburg, Germany and are now on our way to Amsterdam for the 2nd of 11 shows in Germany, The Netherlands, and Switzerland. So great to be riding the trains to new and familiar venues and house concerts and to be playing with Paul once again!
March 1st Show - Sold Out
Reservations are now full for my solo show at the Alpaca Ranch Studio and Soundstage in Montara, CA. I’m looking forward to playing to a packed house. Thanks to those who reserved.
March 1st - Solo House Concert at Alpaca-By-The-Sea Live Stage in Montara, CA
I’ll be playing a solo show at the Alpaca-By-The-Sea House Concert series on Saturday March 1st. This event will be a fundraiser for Coastside Hope and Coast Pride and their is a suggested $20 donation. The recently remodeled barn at the Alpaca Ranch barn has a full light and sound system and can hold around 40 people. It is a really lovely space and I look forward to playing two full sets of original music starting at 7pm and going until about 9:30pm. To get more info and to reserve a space at the show please RSVP to: rsvp@livecoastmusic.com, or to me at info@johnlestermusic.com
I'll be guest bassist with "Pilgrims of Stoke" February 8th at Applejack's in La Honda
After doing some session work for Nick Peters and Rob Morris for their upcoming Pilgrims Of Stoke album “Madmen, Saints, and Fools”, I’ve been invited to play the album launch gig at Applejacks in La Honda. The February 8th show will also feature Larry Luthi on drums and my long-time friend Tony Khalife on guitar and tabla. This is sure to be a great evening. Applejacks is on Highway 84 in La Honda, CA. Show starts at 7pm.
Lost Church San Francisco Show Nov 8th
I’m looking forward to playing the Lost Church in San Francisco on Friday November 8th. If you don’t know this room, it is a lovely cellar club with a speakeasy feel in North Beach, and is home to singer-songwriters, comedy, cabaret, and more. I’ll be playing solo and will have Brendan Gellert playing an opening set. Doors are at 7:30 and tickets are $18 (book before November 3rd and use earlybird4 for $3 off).
SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT: Support for Willy Porter 12/5/24
I’m excited to announce that I will be opening for singer-songwriter-guitarist Willy Porter on December 5th at the Hopmonk Session Room in Novato, California. Both my wife and I have long been fans of Willy and have seen him a number of times. A great singer, songwriter, and phenomenal guitarist, Willy is an act not to be missed. Thanks so much to Bay Area music promoter KC Turner for inviting me on this show. Tickets are already selling and reserved seats are limited to pick up yours asap.
Duo show on Thursday April 4th in Half Moon Bay
I’m returning to JettyWave on Thursday April 4th from 4pm to 7pm for their monthly “locals night”. I’ll have drummer/percussionist Gary Kehoe with me. We’ll play three sets of original music and choice covers. There are discounted drinks and food at this “first Thursdays” monthly event by JettyWave. No cover charge. JettyWave is at 155 Broadway Street (near the Harbor) in Half Moon Bay.
"Jazz?" Quartet at Jupiter in Berkeley on July 15
I’m looking forward to another quartet gig in the outdoor beer garden of Jupiter in Berkeley. I’ll have Steve Steinberg on sax, Edward Evans on trumpet, and Steve Rossi on drums. We hit at 7pm and play three sets (until 10pm). Jupiter is at 2181 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA
MEETING OF ACOUSTIC MINDS FUNDRAISER IN REDWOOD CITY
Join us for an evening of vibrant music featuring world renowned and award-winning musicians Mark Lemaire, John Lester and Mark Kostrezewa where they combine genres of folk, rock, jazz and acoustic. All proceeds of the evening will go towards Street Life Ministries, a Redwood City based non-profit that serves the homeless and at-risk populations across the Peninsula.
SATURDAY, JUNE 24TH
7PM Show/6PM Doors
ODD FELLOWS LODGE, 839 MAIN ST, REDWOOD CITY
"Jazz?" Quartet at Jupiter in Berkeley on April 29th
I'm returning to Jupiter with a new quartet! I've long been a fan of Chet Baker and the sound of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, which featured Chet and Gerry on trumpet and sax, with only bass and drums (no piano or guitar player). I'll be modernizing this configuration playing a healthy dose of songs from my "Jazz?" album, which is all rock covers played as jazz.
I have a stellar band including Tod Dickow on sax, Edward Evans on trumpet, and Steve Rossi on drums. As well as tunes by the likes of Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, and Tom Petty, we'll be playing some Miles and Wayne Shorter, as well as a number of my jazz originals. We play from 7pm to 9pm. No cover charge.
Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
Special Fundraiser Show for ALAS and Coastside Hope
I have been asked to be part of a very special show on Saturday, February 11th in Half Moon Bay. Mark Kostrzewa is hosting another of his wonderful "Meeting of Acoustic Minds" events at the Odd Fellows Hall on Main Street with master finger picking guitarists Teja Gerkin and Doug Young, Mark with his acoustic slide guitar compositions, and myself on bass and vocals playing some of my original songs . The show will be a benefit for ALAS and Coastside Hope after the terrible mass shooting that recently happened in our small town. Though the occasion is somber we are looking forward to doing a small part to lift spirits and give back to our community.
The Odd Fellows Hall is not know by all, but is a little gem of a place right on Main Street above Café Society, that holds about 100 people and has great acoustics. Mark, Teja & Doug, and I will all play a set of music followed by an in-the-round set that will give us the opportunity to collaborate with one another. The show starts at 7pm (doors at 6:30pm) and tickets are available at the link to the Odd Fellows Hall below. Tickets are $40, and more can be donated if you wish, with all funds going to the above mentioned organizations to help our farm workers well-being and living conditions, an issue that was at the root of this tragedy.
New Single "Just One Heart [Acoustic Mix]" out now on Bandcamp
I am starting out 2023 with a new single release! "Just One Heart [Acoustic Mix]" is now available to stream and download at Bandcamp. This is a song that I wrote for my wife Lisa, originally as a love song for a recent birthday of hers. As I was writing the song became much more of a wedding anthem as I recalled our wedding back on January 1, 2003 on a beach in St. Thomas. Today I am releasing "Just One Heart" as a renewed vow on our 20th anniversary.This acoustic version features me on vocals and playing all parts on my custom Rick Turner half fretted, half fretless 6 string bass. It is available as a high resolution download for one dollar (or more if you wish to further support my recordings). Happy New Year!
New Pics
It was a real pleasure working with photographer Steve Rapport on some new promo photos. Steve has worked with David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Freddie Mercury, and one of my personal favorite bands, Tears For Fears, to name but a few. We did two sessions focusing a lot on my new Rick Turner 6 string half fretted/half fretless bass being in the shot. Steve is a martial arts master, who taught my oldest kid at his San Francisco dojo, and also a like minded political activist. He just left the Bay Area (days after our shoot) and is now residing in New Orleans. So glad I got to work with him before he left.
PrideMonth feature on "Finch Files" podcast
For Pride Month "The Beautiful Princess of Never Come True" is being featured on the podcast "Finch Files" by Bay Area radio personality Peter Finch. Peter recently interviewed me and wanted to share the song's story that I always offer as an intro when performing it live. We talked about the song, the story, and raising a non-binary child. You can check it out by searching "Finch Files" wherever you receive your podcasts or with this link: http://www.finchfiles.net/podcasts
Coastside Show at Jettywave in Half Moon Bay - May 22, 2022
I’ll be joined by drummer/percussionist Phil Hawkins for a duo show at Jettywave’s “Swell Lounge” on Sunday May 22nd from 2pm-5pm. I’m bringing acoustic and electric bass guitars, acoustic guitar, and of course “Sarah”, my 100 year old upright bass for three sets of original music. Jettywave has become our favorite hang here in our home town! It’s an outdoor show. No cover charge. Jettywave is at 155 Broadway, Half Moon Bay in the harbor area.
COASTSIDE SHOW AT SAN GREGORIO GENERAL STORE on September 10th
I’ll be playing my first public live show since the quarantine started at the eclectic San Gregorio General Store in San Gregorio, CA (just 15 minutes south of Half Moon Bay). It’s a solo set from 5-7pm, outdoors in front of the store. Looking forward to being “live” again!
Official Video Release for "The Beautiful Princess of Never Come True"
I am excited to announce the release of the official video for "The Beautiful Princess of Never Come True". The video was produced in The Netherlands by Cloudfactory and was directed by Sandrine Le Goff. Sandrine is a good friend and first heard the song on one of my European tours. She knows my family well, including my son Aaron who inspired the song. A few years ago, she spoke to me about her vision for a fully produced video for the song. And that vision has now been realized.
We are thrilled to be release the official video on this Father's Day, the 3rd anniversary of the "Fathers and Sons" album launch. I am so very thankful to Sandrine, the entire crew at Cloudfactory, and all of the actors.
We all hope this story will inspire greater acceptance for people to show up as themselves, fully and unapologetically.
Coastside Show at Cypress Meadows, Moss Beach, CA
I'll be playing an all acoustic show at Cypress Meadows this Friday, May 17. This photo was taken after a recent rehearsal with my guitarist David Schibner. I'll be playing Sarah (my upright bass) as well as my Martin acoustic bass guitar, nylon string guitar, new Rick Turner custom 6 string bass, and my grandfathers 1930's Martin ukulele. David will be adding one more acoustic guitar to this mix (he travels light) and my star bass student, Kylie Pfeiffer, will also be bringing her upright bass to play with me on a few tunes when I play guitar and uke. 343 Cypress Avenue, Moss Beach, CA. Doors at 7pm, music at 7:30pm
Coastside show at San Gregorio General Store
I'll be down at the San Gregorio General store playing a solo show this Friday, July 20th from 5pm to 7pm. It's my first local show in a while and I look forward to returning to this casual venue on the coast just 15 minutes south of Half Moon Bay. There's no cover charge and it's an all ages, family friendly venue.
The San Gregorio General Store is located at the corner of Highway 84 and Stage Road, one mile east of the intersection of Highway 84 and Highway 1.
FATHER'S DAY AT THE FREIGHT
I'll be back at The Freight and Salvage with Steve Seskin for another special Father's Day matinee show, this time with Keith Greeninger on the bill as well! Steve, Keith, and I will play two sets "in-the-round" starting at 1pm (doors open at noon).
Steve Seskin has penned 7 number one country songs and Keith Greeninger is the winner of top songwriting awards from The Telluride Bluegrass Festival, The Kerrville Folk Festival, and The Napa Valley Folk Festival. Set in one of the countries premier acoustic music listening rooms, this is an event not to be missed. Last year's show was great! This is a family friend show with under 21 admitted for only $6 ($20 adults). A great Father's day event!
The Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA phone: (510) 644-2020 Tickets $20 advance / $18 senior / $6 youth (under 21) reserve now