Kimball's East

JazzTimes once wrote that Kimball's East was "arguably the San Francisco Bay Area's biggest and most comfortable jazz venue." It first opened in Emeryville in 1989 and almost immediately became the benchmark for music presentations, from jazz and blues to R&B and soul.

Appearing on stage here were such exceptional, big-name stars as Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Nancy Wilson, Eartha Kitt, and more. Most of the headliners were booked for two to four nights, with some occasional one-night stands and weeklong gigs, depending on the talent level. The acoustics were superb, as was the lighting.

As a supper club, Kimball's East was large but also intimate. Its multi-tiered main chamber featured comfortable booths as well as tables and chairs and could host groups of up to 385 guests. It also had a dance floor that could be arranged for cabaret-style configurations, and every seat had a clear, unimpeded view of the stage.

Also on the premises were a large lobby and bar area, plus a full-service kitchen. All of the facilities were available for rental to accommodate special events and gala functions. Kimball's East was located at 6005 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, California 94608. It is currently shuttered and there is no indication of when or if it will reopen.