Yoshi’s dishes out an El of a good time

Posted on September 17, 2008 
Filed Under Food & Drink, Music, Nightlife, Oakland

Yoshi’s Japanese
& Jazz Club
510 Embarcadero West
Oakland, CA 94607
510.238.9200

To long-term denizens of the Bay Area, the name Yoshi’s is synonymous with jazz. Though, locally, a given when it comes to Japanese eats and soulful sounds, many may recognize that their joint business offering may not exactly be the most intuitive combination. Uh, sushi and saxophones? Yeah, and it actually works. Yoshi’s has been serving up jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis, and Harry Connick Jr. for over 30 years now and the sake’s still flowing strong.

DeBarge, coiffed as they were then in 1983. And, bringin' down the house, now in 2008.

DeBarge, coiffed as they were then in 1983. And, bringin' down the house, now in 2008.

I was lucky enough to catch original Motown artist El DeBarge on the Yoshi’s club stage recently. An ardent fan of classic R&B and feathered man perms, I was determined to see if El and his brothers still had what it takes to bring some rhythm to the night. Thankfully, they did. Hit singles “I Like It” and “All This Love” reminded me of what these 1980s chart toppers are known for. The hair of old may have been retired but, that night, falsetto song stylings reigned supreme.

—Michael

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