John Carroll Kirby brings his genre-defying keyboard artistry to Mill Valley’s Sweetwater Music Hall on Friday, May 23, 2025.
The Los Angeles-based producer and composer blends jazz foundations with electronic, exotica, and fusion elements. That mix creates a musical experience that’s pretty hard to pin down—definitely not your average show.
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He’s worked with Solange, Frank Ocean, and Harry Styles, but lately, Kirby’s been focusing on his solo career. He’s put out five acclaimed albums on Stones Throw Records, each one showing off a different side of his musical vision.
Event Details
Sweetwater Music Hall is hosting this intimate performance at its historic Mill Valley spot. It’s a rare North Bay chance to catch Kirby’s distinctive sound up close.
Schedule and Tickets
Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the music kicks off at 8:00 PM. General admission tickets run $37.60 and you can grab them through the Sweetwater Music Hall website.
This place tends to sell out quickly for artists like Kirby, so getting tickets early is probably a good idea.
About John Carroll Kirby
Kirby’s built a reputation as both a go-to collaborator and a compelling solo artist. His Grammy-nominated work on Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit” shows he’s got commercial chops, but his solo records dig a lot deeper.
Musical Style
Kirby’s sound just doesn’t fit in a box. Some of his recordings lean into a jazz-exotica vibe, like My Garden (2020).
Others, like Conflict (2020), are all about meditative piano. Then there’s the jazz-fusion ensemble on Septet (2021), and the electronic textures of Dance Ancestral (2022).
He’s even scored films, like the animated feature Cryptozoo. Live, Kirby loves to improvise, and his technical skills have made him a favorite among musicians from all sorts of genres.
The Sweetwater Experience
Sweetwater Music Hall sits right in downtown Mill Valley. The venue’s acoustics are excellent, and the cozy setting makes for a pretty special listening experience.
Local Appeal
People in Marin County really value Sweetwater for bringing in sophisticated artists who might otherwise just play San Francisco or Oakland. The layout gives you a good view from almost anywhere, and the bar serves up solid drinks and simple food—nothing fancy, but it does the trick.
Getting There
Sweetwater Music Hall sits at 19 Corte Madera Avenue, right in downtown Mill Valley. Street parking goes fast for popular shows, so you’ll want to get there early if you can.
You can also reach the venue by taking Golden Gate Transit buses from San Francisco or other spots in Marin. It’s honestly a pretty convenient location, especially if you’re coming from the city.
Logan Hone will open the evening. That means it’s a full night of forward-thinking music in one of Marin’s most respected venues.
If you’re into contemporary jazz or electronic fusion, this show feels like a big deal for the North Bay music scene. I wouldn’t want to miss it.
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