35 good years of noncommercial, neighborly shows

Considering the ups and downs of running a noncommercial music venue, Larry Kassin has had a pretty good ride during the last 35 years, putting on shows of roots music, folk and jazz of all kinds.

Kassin, a Chicago-raised improvising flutist who once studied with Chicago Symphony flutist Richard Graef, started the Noe Valley Music Series in February 1981 at Noe Valley Ministry on Sanchez Street with a show by saxophonist Bishop Norman Williams.

Williams was just one of many fine artists Kassin brought to the intimate space — among them Bobby McFerrin, who lived nearby and did his first solo and Voicestra shows there, Warren Zevon, Joan Baez and Turtle Island String Quartet — before the ministry closed for a major renovation that stretched well beyond the planned two years.

There he has weathered the recession, which led to a drop in funding and the number of shows (he now does 20 a year, about half as many as he once did), and continues to present a wide range of artists at SF Live Arts @ Cyprian’s.

The celebration continues Feb. 13 with Kassin’s longtime trio with bassist Michael Manring and pianist John R. Burr, playing original music from his new album, “Travels With Dad”; the return of Box Set Trio on March 12; and the venerable 82-year-old folk singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott on March 19.

The sessions are hosted by jazz-loving Pastor Steve Harms, who at some point offers a few words for thought — it could be about gun violence or the life of Thomas Merton — and invites people in the pews to chime in, too.

“It’s more of a spiritual experience than a worship service,” says Klitsch, a onetime drummer who was inspired by the “Jazz Vespers” that the Rev. John Gensel and his flock of New York musicians celebrated at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church starting in ’62.

“Really good jazz players are kind of spiritually connected, whether they believe in anything or not,” says Klitsch, whose lineup in the coming month includes groups led by Leon Joyce Jr., Marcus Shelby and Dmitri Matheny.

The San Francisco Arts Commission opens its expanded gallery in the Veterans Building on Jan. 22 with a public reception and three exhibitions.