Music and community are pillars of My Stable Life.

The Alley, Oakland’s last piano bar, has them both.

Singing with legendary musician Jef Labes, at The Alley Friday, Sunday & Monday. Listen to him with Van Morrison on his timeless album Moondance. He’s a rock star! Literally.

Photograph by Beth Huizenga

Dreams really do come true.

The Alley

Years ago a friend told me about Rod Dibble at The Alley, "He plays the piano while you sing!”
My jaw dropped — no way really? Shy me soon walked in and found the only song I knew in The Alley Songbook of American classics. “Yesterday” became many tomorrows.
Regulars sing at The Alley as if in our living rooms. It’s the place “where everybody knows your name”, your kids’ names, what you drink and where you like to sit.
Jef Labes says of the piano bar, “we pass songs around like a peace pipe.” It sure feels like Somewhere Over the Rainbow most nights. There is no place like it.
Jazz Camp West

When Bryan Seet (pianist at The Alley Thursdays and Saturdays) told me about Jazz Camp, he paused. “Sepee… you would LOVE Jazz Camp.”
He was so right about that. Jazz Camp West is a big musical family brought together each summer by a wonderful organization, Living Jazz.
My deep dive into music and also the Santa Cruz mountains brought me into another decades-old community of beautiful humans coming together to learn how to make music and sing!
Ladyanda

Recently I found the courage to take things to the next level and gig at local venues. My wish was to grow from a place of authenticity and intention. Who am I as an artist? What do I want to put out into the world with my voice and music?
Sepeedeh is Ladyanda is Lady and a Jazz Trio… Big Band, Pianist, Guitarist, Blues Band, Upright Bassist… More often it was just me and a Bluetooth speaker singing in your backyard or living room. Folks seemed to love that best of all.
Ladyanda was born! Sharing joy through song. Is there any better way?