~ Jason Kleinberg of Diego’s Umbrella

"City Sessions' monthly showcase connects musicians to their audience in a way that is rare nowadays - not as performer to spectator, but as people to people.  Club Waziema's back room turns into your living room, the band and audience alike is made up of your friends, and for a few hours, everyone is wholely engaged in music the way it supposed to be heard; with profound and mutual appreciation.  It is the best kept secret in my neighborhood, but one I'm glad to let out."

~ Drew Renault of The Molloy Family Album 

 
City Sessions is a rare mixtures of up-and-coming musicians playing along side seasoned artists that actually works!  City Sessions has always managed to avoid the pitfalls of traditional "open mic nights" by remembering there's an audience to entertain and inspire.  City Sessions is a place to hear raw & honest new music played by both up-and-comers as well as some of San Francisco's most talented artists.  

~ M. Zelaya of The Harbours

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“Who would think that the back room of an Ethiopian restaurant can be transformed by the power of sound into some liminal space of old roads, flickering streetlights, foggy distances, and lonely heartbreak, but so it is at CitySessions.  There's magic in that back room, and it comes from the careful construction of shows and the attentive and adventurous audience.  It's a contract.”

--Christian Kiefer

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“It was a pleasure to play CitySessions. The audience was attentive and the sound excellent. We appreciated the gig and the history of the venue.”

--Alexei Wajchman of Blind Willies

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“I love CitySessions because it's not the typical club environment, and it's obvious that each show is a labor of love. For performers, it's a refreshing change of pace. For music lovers, it's a great opportunity to see some fantastic performances in an intimate setting. And the food is delicious!”

            --Joel Murach of Joel Murach & the Low Rollers

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 I love the closeness of CitySessions. Everyone is all up in each other’s face, but not in an uncomfortable way. It’s very intimate. As performers, we feel very connected to the audience, and for the most part, everybody smells pretty good. I do wish they would redesign the bathroom."

-- Luther Monday of “Luther Monday & The Magic Hammer”

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"People come to City Sessions to listen. This is the primary reason I

enjoy playing these shows so much. When the Pine Box Boys play in bars we

have to bring the noise. When I play City Sessions I get the opportunity

to play material that simply doesn't work in a - how shall I put it? -

more booze-soaked venues." 

--Lester T. Raww of The Pine Box Boys