San Ramon, California – When I attended the final performance of City Center Bishop Ranch’s Summer 2025 Smooth Jazz Series, I expected to have good seats. But I didn’t expect that a jazz legend would leap into my lap at the start of the performance!
That’s essentially what happened, though, when I attended the packed and extremely popular concert at City Center in late July.
The final performance of 2025 saved one of the best for last, featuring jazz veteran Rick Braun, who has played around the country at jazz clubs, music festivals, and other events for decades.
At the start of the concert, Braun ran out in front of the massive crowd at City Center. Seeing the seat in front of me was unoccupied, he leapt onto it, standing a few inches in front of me as he energetically played his horn.
That’s about as close as I’ve ever come to an artist during a concert! I could look up and see Braun’s instrument literally floating above my head! That energy and knack for performance set the tone for the rest of the concert.
City Center Bishop Ranch holds its annual Smooth Jazz Series each summer, featuring jazz talent from around the world.
When I first heard about a smooth jazz event, I was picturing perhaps a person walking around with a saxophone playing some light music while people dined at Delarosa or Slanted Door.
The Smooth Jazz Series is far more than I expected. When I arrived at City Center—which I visit at least two to three times per week with my kids—I found that the entire space had been transformed into a full-on concert venue.
There was a large stage set up opposite Alexander Square, with a sound booth, massive speakers, and a full band’s worth of instruments.
In front of that were rows of seats, and then hundreds of people gathering on the lawn area, toting their Tommy Bahama chairs and overall looking set to have an amazing time.
People filled the top level of City Center, clustering around the glass wall balconies to get a view of the performance.
In short, this was a much bigger production than I was expecting. It was basically a full outdoor jazz concert—professionally produced—and available for free.
For the Jazz Series, you can come and set up early and grab a spot on the lawn. There’s also the option to get premium seating in the front if you first do a prix fixe meal at a participating restaurant.
I ate at LB Steak before the show (full review here). City Center hosted me for the meal and concert—thanks, guys! The meals are perfectly timed to get you into the concert right as it starts, and having the premium seats in the front was great.
Even if the performer doesn’t leap into the chair in front of you, being in the front means you get a great view of everything happening. I’d also recommend the front area if you might otherwise have trouble seeing the show over the crowds in front of you, or if you want to guarantee a comfortable chair to sit in.
Throughout the evening, Braun and his band performed a wide range of jazz music—from original songs written throughout his long career (several of which were number-one hits on the jazz charts), to old standards, songs done in tribute to artists he had worked with, and even some pop music tie-ins.
Braun’s band was fantastic, complementing him with bass, saxophone, drums, keyboards, and vocals. He was joined by Anthony Pulizzi, Nathaniel Phillips, Alex Bailey, Marqueal Jordan, and Collin Clauson.
Jordan, in particular, was a powerful, moving singer as well as a talented saxophonist, and Braun sang several tunes in his Sinatra-length crooner style.
A particularly touching moment was the song “My Funny Valentine,” which Braun dedicated to his late mother, who he told the audience was instrumental in encouraging him to practice the horn every day (even when he wanted to go out with his friends instead) and encouraged him to pursue a life as a jazz musician.
That life seems to have worked out beautifully for Braun. At 70 years old, he still plays venues throughout the country and had a wide range of stories to share with the audience.
I’m the first to admit that while I enjoy jazz music, I’m not extremely knowledgeable about it. Braun’s audience was clearly different, though. If he stopped singing for a moment and held out the microphone, the audience would immediately pick up the lyrics and continue with the chorus.
People had clearly come from far and wide to see Braun perform and to enjoy jazz music at City Center in general.
Even Braun seemed surprised and thrilled at times that the crowd was so engaged and excited about the performance. At one point, he stopped and shouted “This has to be the best mall ever!”
The audience’s enthusiasm, positivity and joy were the distinguishing experience of the evening for me. Braun is an electric and incredibly good performer, and everyone in the audience seemed determined to have an incredibly good time.
At one point, my wife and I spotted a man on the second level of City Center–behind the stage and far from the music–dancing with total joy and presence for song after song as Braun played.
If everyone could have as much fun as this man was having in that moment, the world would be a far better place!
After over 90 minutes of music and an encore, the sun was setting and Braun and his band said their final goodbyes and took their final bows, and the buzzing crowd packed up their chairs and headed home.
Overall, it was a terrific experience–from the meal at LB Steak, to Braun’s performance, to seeing hundreds of people dancing and singing to his music.
City Center’s Smooth Jazz series is done for this year, but it’s coming back in 2026. We got our hands on the dates before nearly anyone else–they’re July 11, 18 and 25.
Save them on your calendar–and make sure to save a seat in front of you if you can. You might just end up with a jazz legend playing inches above your head, too!
More info on the City Center website. Braun’s future concern dates are at https://rickbraun.com
