I have had the greatest time working with director William Farley on his films. He believes in the music I create for his images and his films keep on getting more and more noticed: recently The Academy inducted his entire oeuvre, that means two films I worked on are there now! Don’t miss a chance to see PLASTIC MAN: The Artful Life of Jerry Ross Barrish on the big screen at the Pacific Film Archive, Saturday December 6th, 7pm. Hope to see you there!
Stephen Kent & Beth Custer
We formed Trance Mission in 1991 and began recording in ’93, toured a bit here and there and are still fast friends and music partners. Above photo is from a couple years ago when we played with drummer Peter Valsamis at the SF International Arts Festival. Come hear us at the glorious Wu Wei Temple in the even more glorious Fairfax, CA, November 22nd, 8-10pm.
Trance Mission tour during fires of 2018, Mt. Shasta Lake
During our 2018 NW tour in the fires…thanks to Federico for driving us!
Thanks for reading, see you out there.
Hello good people, Thanks for stopping by. I’ve a few screenings and performances this fall into winter. I hope you’re well and getting out to witness art in all it’s forms
Will Bernard and I became collaborators and friends in the early 1980’s and we’ve played together ever since. Will appears as a guest artist on many of my releases including Dona Luz 30 Besos, Inclement Weather, Shirt I Slept In, and Trance Mission. We released SKY to great reviews the world over. October 17th we’ll be performing on the incredible Bird and Beckett Jazz Series, 8:30-10pm. Joining us will be cellist Jess Ivry. Stop by for gorgeousness~not to be missed!
Week of November 10th brings Cathy Lee Crane screenings in NYC and I’m tempted to go…
Saturday, November 22nd, Stephen Kent and I join forces to blow the roof of off one of our fav places to play, Wu Wei Temple in Fairfax CA! We’ll be blowing something like 8-10pm, get their early to enjoy a some sustenance and wander Fairfax! Lovely photo taken at Chapel of Chimes: Maurice Tierney
Saturday December 6th the PFA will be screening PLASTIC MAN: The Artful Life of Jerry Ross Barrish. They are doing a few days of Jerry’s films. The links aren’t up yet but will post as they become available.
Russian Telegraph will be performing Turnips Friday, December 12th, 8:30-10pm at Bird & Beckett Jazz Series, and Saturday, December 13th, 7-10pm at Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium, an Earthwise Production, tickets here!
December 14th, 3pm, Khachapuri Trio performs at the luscious Maybeck Performing Arts Studio in Berkeley, get your tickets in advance, these 45 seats will sell out quickly!
As always your donations are gratefully accepted, none to small.
Be well, carry on, hope to see you out there~
Amsterdam’s writer/reviewer/music lover Ton Maas has conducted a career overview with me in two, one hour segments that you’ll find once they occur: Fridays, August 15th & August 29th, Thank you to Hans Meerman and of course Sir Ton Maas. What a surprise!
Tuesday, August 26th, noon-1pm, People in Plazas presents Russian Telegraph members in downtown San Francisco, 303 2nd St. Bring your bag lunch and throw tomatoes at me please! You’ll be serenaded funky-time-style by none other than the brilliant David James, detective/bassist Keith McArthur, highly sought after drummer John Hanes, and me. We’ll be playing cuts from our new release and other tunes. Come say hi!
Friday August 29th, 5-9pm The New Farm Friday Film Series presents William Farley‘s work with the director on hand. Four short films of Farley’s will be screened in the New Farm’s Green Room on pairs of headsets (5-9pm), the feature film will be screened indoors at the New Farm’s NoBar. $20 suggested donation benefits the New Farm. Cash/Venmo/NOTAFLOF. nooneturnedawayforlackoffunds. Amen.
Robley D Variety Show goes into Hyde Street Studio this week again where I’ll be singing some backups and laying down my rock n’ roll clarinets…Thanks to Robley D for fulfilling my lifelong dream of recording with rockers! If you haven’t put Garden Party in your cue I suggest you do~an SF rock n’ roll delight!
Thanks for reading and hope to see you out there!
A photo from Fred Lyon covers our Turnips release!
On all platforms including Spotify, Apple Music , Bandcamp, Quobuz~ Russian Telegraph’s aural document! Check it, Check out & Spread! Your patronage is glowingly appreciated, carry on good people.
Crane’s gorgeous…film poems made me realize anew the beauty of…deep-focus photography.”
— V.Vale, RE/Search
Hi there, heads up! Premiere of Cathy Lee Crane’s film installation trilogy Drawing the Line with indoor installations (5-10pm) and an outdoor screening of Crossing Columbus at 8pm, Friday, June 13th, 2025 at The New Farm, 10 Cargo Way, San Francisco, CA 94121. There will be a Q&A with director Cathy Lee Crane, sound designer Jeremiah Moore, and composer Beth Custer, 8pm, with the feature length Crossing Columbus outdoor screening 8:30pm. Doors @ 5pm for indoor viewing of Drawing the Line installation. Save the date, bring a picnic, stay for the outdoor screening, suggested donation $20. Proceeds go to the New Farm.
May 10th I’ll be performing with Robley D Variety Show in Walnut Creek at Up the Creek Records, 5pm or so. Super fun singing and playing flute with these stellar rock n’ roll musicians.
June 21st I’ll be at my annual favorite gig, Bay Area Music presents Garden of Memory, in Oakland’s gorgeous Columbarium with master musician Stephen Kent. Not to be missed, get your tickets early, it will sell out.
Thanks for reading and be well.