River Sun's Upcoming Shows

Alyssa Bernal is a San Antonio–born singer-songwriter who first exploded online with over 657k YouTube subscribers, leading to her discovery and signing by Pharrell Williams under Star Trak/Interscope Records. She went on a nationwide tour with Lifehouse and Kris Allen, landed exclusive features in Teen Vogue and Elle, became a Top 10 finalist for Macy’s iHeart Radio Rising Star, and performed live on the AMAs red carpet pre-show with Jason Derulo. After more than a decade in California building her career — including major brand partnerships and continuous musical growth — Alyssa has rebranded and evolved her sound multiple times, ultimately landing in a confident, self-defined lane of R&B/pop/soul. Now back home in Texas, she writes and records all her music independently, performing regularly and releasing new singles like “In Your Hands” and “In the Dark.” Fresh off the birth of her baby girl, Alyssa is officially in her comeback era — back on stage, back in the studio, and available for full-band or acoustic performances covering everything from 90s classics to modern hits.

Theresa Chen's Fearless Quintet Keyboardist Theresa Chen is a well-rounded musician with many dualistic characteristics—being a Taiwanese and American, playing classical and jazz, and being a Gemini. Currently active in Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and the Rio Grande Valley area, she is a performing educator (or the other way around) filled with a flaming passion for music. She hopes to strengthen the tie between the jazz scenes in South Texas by cultivating musicians for the next generations. Theresa serves as an assistant professor of jazz studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK). She has given clinics, lectures, and masterclasses in Taiwan and the United States. She released her first jazz album, Whispering to God, in July 2022. She has shared the stage with famous jazz artists such as Gary Smulyan, Diego Rivera, Ingrid Jensen, Dave Liebman, Bria Skonberg, Boris Kozlov, Allison Miller, Chien-Chien Lu, Nathan Graybeal (Saxologic), Gerry Gibbs, and Scott Wendholt. Personnel: Chris Cermak, trumpet Jerry Espinoza, tenor saxophone Ryan Hagler, bass Josh Alderete, drums

Join us for an incredible evening with Rich Oppenheim, an accomplished alto saxophonist with over 50 years of professional experience performing in Chicago, New York, and beyond. Throughout his remarkable career, Rich has shared the stage with legendary artists across genres, including soul icon Marvin Gaye, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, pianist Jaki Byard, saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, and drummers Buddy Rich and Bernard “Pretty” Purdie. Rich’s versatility has also led him to perform with rock and blues greats such as Mike Bloomfield, Mick Ronson, and Foghat. His extensive discography features both his own projects and countless recordings as a sought-after sideman. Don’t miss the chance to experience this masterful saxophonist whose rich history and expressive playing bring every performance to life.

Exclusive to River Sun Jazz Club, The Rio Soul Latin Jazz Orchestra is the inspired creation of Anthony Thomas Martinez in collaboration with pianist, composer, and arranger Travis Davis. This vibrant ensemble, featuring an all-star lineup of top-tier musicians, delivers a performance bursting with color, culture, and rhythm. The Rio Soul LJO invites you on a captivating musical journey, through a latin lens transporting you through various parts of the world.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as Diego Martinez & the Fermata Jazz Quartet make their return to the The River Sun Jazz Club stage ! The Fermata Jazz Quartet is led by Diego Martinez, Dylan Knowles, and Chris Vu - all San Antonio natives with a deep passion for bringing Jazz to life in their hometown and beyond. The trio unites their diverse experiences to create a sound rooted in tradition yet alive with fresh energy.

Sasha Ripley, born in Houston, Texas, is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator. He began playing saxophone at 13 and attended Houston’s Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, graduating with honors in 2019. Sasha earned a Berklee College of Music Full Scholarship and joined the prestigious Global Jazz Institute under Grammy-winner Danilo Perez. Ripley studied under the hand of legendary George Garzone. He holds a Master’s from the Herbie Hancock Institute at UCLA, performing alongside top jazz artists like Herbie Hancock , Marcus Miller, John McLaughlin, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Dianne Reeves among others. Sasha has performed internationally at venues including Birdland NYC, Blue Note Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, International Jazz Day in Abu Dhabi and Morocco , National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai, and the Louvre in Abu Dhabi. An award-winning musician and educator, Sasha teaches students worldwide and contributes to various recording projects, blending jazz tradition with contemporary innovation. Ripley’s upcoming debut album, ''Music From the People'', is a heartfelt reflection of his musical journey and diverse heritage, serving as an homage to the people and spaces that have shaped and continue to inspire his artistry.

Jamail Chachere is a multi instrumentalist and composer specializing in Jazz fusion and video game music. With expertise in piano, bass guitar, and trumpet, Jamail combines technical skill with innovative artistry to create compositions that blend Jazz, Pop, and contemporary styles. As the leader of a dynamic Jazz fusion band, Jamail delivers electrifying performances while also crafting immersive soundtracks for video games. With years of experience playing alongside Pop and Jazz artists, their music reflects a deep understanding of diverse genres, always rooted in creative expression and storytelling through sound.

Featuring : The Luis Gonzalez Jazz Manouche Project Luis Gonzalez brings a new project to Riversun dedicated to the music of Django Reinhardt. Along with fellow guitar player Randy Grothues, bassist John Bordini, and saxophonist Peter Burkholder, this group of musicians will be sure to electrify the room with the sounds of traditional Manouche Jazz and modern Standards.

An Evening with Michael Alanis : Step into one of San Antonio’s premier live music rooms for an unforgettable night of soul-driven performance and late-night energy. Featuring hometown favorite Michael Alanis, this experience brings together a powerhouse band of all-star musicians for a deeply expressive set. Blending the richness of Neo-Soul, the grit of Blues, and the timeless feel of Classic R&B, every moment is delivered live, up close, and with undeniable emotion. Designed for true music lovers, this is a seated listening-room experience where every note breathes, every groove connects, and the atmosphere remains smooth, intimate, and elevated. Perfect for date nights, music enthusiasts, and lovers of soulful sound looking to enjoy an evening of style, connection, and pure musicality.

Drew Simpson is a guitarist and composer known for his expressive sound and dynamic blend of bossa nova, bebop, and modern jazz. He first made his mark in California, performing with jazz luminaries such as Wilton Felder, Ronnie Laws, Wayne Henderson, Ricky Lawson, The Banda Brothers, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Marshall, Will Donato, Phillip Ingram and more, while appearing at renowned venues and festivals across the U.S. Since relocating to Texas, Simpson has become an active voice in the state's vibrant jazz community, performing at The Elephant Room, River Sun, Continental Club, Monks, appearing on Austin PBS's Women in Jazz, and bringing his music to festivals throughout the region.

Dan Thomas is a saxophonist and composer based out of Austin, Texas. He began playing bassoon at age 11 before eventually switching to saxophone full time heading into college. A graduate of UT, Thomas has begun making his mark on the Austin music scene, performing regularly with artists like Gerry Gibbs, Mike Sailors, Andy Langham, Paul Deemer, Ross Margitza and Daniel Dufour. He is known for his fiery and unpredictable style of improvisation, drawing inspiration from legendary saxophonists like John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Michael Brecker, Chris Potter and Joe Henderson. Thomas is slated to record his first album in 2026.