ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY GABRIEL DAVID BARKIN | PUBLISHED ON June 24, 2024

Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, better known by his stage name Fantastic Negrito, learned his craft in part by sneaking into music classrooms at the University of California Berkeley as a young man – despite not being a registered student.

In contrast, the Grammy winning, Oakland-based blues, R&B, and rock musician took the role of honored instructor at the Blue Bear School of Music’s “Fantastic Jam” on Saturday, June 24. This benefit for the oldest rock music school in the United States took place on the waterfront at San Francisco’s Fort Mason on a warm and breezy afternoon.

Backed by a four-piece band, Fantastic Negrito played two sets. The first set provided an opportunity for several Blue Bear students to strut their stuff as gust members of the band. The set culminated with an all-student (nearly) jam.

“Fearless is the word.” Dphrepaulezz told the students. He offered additional words of inspiration throughout the performance, such as, “You have to show up on time and be consistent and be kind.” He asked his bass player to speak too: “My message is we need more bass players in the world.”

The students included future stars Spencer and Elon on guitars, and Baxter and Connor on drums. Blue Bear instructor Ray Wilcox also jumped on stage to play bass and sing.

Fantastic Negrito returned for a second set with just his band. They played the song list they’ve been rehearsing for their upcoming tour of Europe. Shades of Led Zeppelin, Sly and the Family Stone, and Prince echoed off the walls of Fort Mason and entertained students, parents, music lovers, and seagulls.

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Review and photos by Gabriel Barkin | www.gdbarkin.com | IG: @gabrieldavidbarkin