SFJAZZ

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06/10/2026

Sullivan Fortner and his trio perform the standard “This Could Be the Start of Something,” featuring Tyrone Allen on bass and Kayvon Gordon on drums presented as part of this past season’s ‘Upswing Series' curated by Terence Blanchard.

Watch the full concert now on SFJAZZ At Home, now with free trials available!

SFJAZZ.org/AtHome

SFJAZZ presents Lettuce, the reigning kings of psychedelic funk July 16th-19th returning to the Miner Auditorium stage f...
06/09/2026

SFJAZZ presents Lettuce, the reigning kings of psychedelic funk July 16th-19th returning to the Miner Auditorium stage for a sublime summertime redux, bringing a power-packed celebration of groove in support of their new Lettuce Records album ‘Cook’.

Over their 24-year history, the sextet evolved from enthusiastic teens at a Berklee summer program known for hitting up Boston venues for gigs with the insistent refrain “Let us play!” (hence the name Lettuce) to a modern funk supergroup, selling out major theaters all over the world and releasing nine acclaimed albums.

The band’s latest release ‘Cook’ is a true sensory experience featuring 16 tracks of rib-sticking funk including the standout track “Keep On” featuring Tower of Power founder Emilio Castillo.

Date(s): July 16th-19th
Venue: Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center

Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/summer-2026/lettuce/

06/05/2026

On our latest episode of ‘Alone Together’, SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director Meshell Ndegeocello is joined by her Berklee College of Music mentee, guitarist Chanelle Ignant.

The two find common ground on Wayne Shorter’s classic “Footprints” and have an enlightening conversation that traces their histories and how their musical connection has branched out from a teacher/student relationship to being on-stage collaborators.

Watch the full episode on the SFJAZZ YouTube Channel.

The June 2026 edition of 'On The Corner–The SFJAZZ Magazine' is available now! This issue features:READSummer at SFJAZZ:...
06/05/2026

The June 2026 edition of 'On The Corner–The SFJAZZ Magazine' is available now! This issue features:

READ
Summer at SFJAZZ: Integrity Suites, High Flyers, and Psychedelic Beats
By Jeff Kaliss

WATCH
Jazz Minute: History of Afro-Cuban Jazz Part 3

LISTEN
Playlist:Playlist: Resistance As Music
Curated by SFJAZZ Vijay Iyer

PLUS
Jazz Minute: Sonny Rollins Legacy

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SFJAZZ.org/OnTheCorner

06/04/2026

SFJAZZ launches its 2026–27 Season: Forward Motion—a bold new chapter where music moves with purpose and possibility.

Across nine months and 350+ shows, the season connects legacy to the now—from centennial celebrations of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Ray Brown to icons like Ron Carter , Dianne Reeves Music, and Branford Marsalis. Rising stars and modern masters alike—from Isaiah Collier, Tyreek McDole, Brandon Woody, and Gabrielle Cavassa Music to Christian McBride, Hiromi, Julian Lage, and Cecile McLorin Salvant—push the music forward.

With new flexible ticket packages and more, this is jazz in motion. Join us!

On Sale Dates:
Leaders Circle Members Pre-Sale: Now On Sale
SFJAZZ Members: Fri, June 12 · 12PM
Public: Fri, June 26 · 12PM

View Full Lineup at SFJAZZ.org

06/03/2026

In this Jazz Minute, we continue tracing the evolution of Afro-Cuban jazz following the Cuban Revolution of 1959. As life on the island changed, jazz was discouraged and musicians were steered toward classical training—but outside influences persisted through radio and recordings. By the late 1960s, artists began blending Cuban rhythms with rock and pop, giving rise to songo. Meanwhile, salsa surged in New York, carried by Cuban-born innovators like Celia Cruz, Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera, and Arturo Sandoval. Their groundbreaking work—especially with Irakere—fused jazz, funk, and Afro-Cuban traditions, drawing inspiration from artists like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. These innovations set the stage for timba in the 1990s, a style that continues to evolve today.

Our 2025–26 Season celebrates many of Cuba’s greatest artists, including the Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet, who will be performing at the SFJAZZ Center on June 11-14.

What a season at the SFJAZZ Center! To the musicians who brought their sounds, everyone who showed up, listened deep, an...
06/03/2026

What a season at the SFJAZZ Center! To the musicians who brought their sounds, everyone who showed up, listened deep, and made this music matter for our 2025-26 concert season—thank you. And to our SFJAZZ Members, your support powers everything we do and keeps this mission alive. We’re carrying that energy forward—into what’s next, into what’s possible.

The new SFJAZZ 2026-27 Season ‘Forward Motion’ announces tomorrow. Stay tuned for more!

06/02/2026

With tributes pouring in from around the world for jazz giant Sonny Rollins, who passed away last week, we’re revisiting the moment SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard shares the story of the first time he played with Sonny.

SONNY LIVES!

06/02/2026

The SFJAZZ Gala 2026 all-star band featuring Isaiah Sharkey, Marcus Miller, Richard Bona, Randy Waldman, Edward Simon, and Kendrick Scott perform Leon Russell’s “This Masquerade” during SFJAZZ Gala 2026: Milestones honoring Lifetime Achievement Award recipient George Benson!

Full video available now on the SFJAZZ YouTube Channel.

SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane brought the music of Miles & Trane to life in a p...
05/29/2026

SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane brought the music of Miles & Trane to life in a powerful opening night at the SFJZZ Center!

Joined by guitarist Charles Altura, drummer Mark Whitfield, pianist Tom Oren, & bassist Alex smith their 4-night run celebrating the centennials of Miles Davis & John Coltrane continues through Sunday—and you can tune in live tonight at 7:30PM-PT from anywhere at SFJAZZ.org/AtHome

Don’t miss this rare meeting of two jazz masters honoring the tradition.

Photo Credit: Rick Swig

05/29/2026

Thee legendary George Benson brought the SFJAZZ Gala 2026 to a thrilling close with his Quincy Jones-produced hit, “Give Me The Night.”!

As the groove settled in, the energy in the room shifted—a surprise ending with an electrifying appearance by Oakland’s own CO-LLAB Choir, adding a powerful and unexpected layer to an already unforgettable finale.

Full video available now on the SFJAZZ YouTube Channel!

“One of the most incredible talents of the new generation of Cuban musicians.” — Chucho Valdés Cuban-born violinist and ...
05/29/2026

“One of the most incredible talents of the new generation of Cuban musicians.” — Chucho Valdés

Cuban-born violinist and vocalist Yilian Cañizares brings her latest project music from her latest album Vitamina Y to SFJAZZ on July 26th—an electrifying blend of jazz, classical music, and Afro-Cuban rhythms, anchored by her expressive voice and virtuosic playing.

Drawing from her roots while shaping a global sound, Cañizares creates a vibrant sonic world where tradition and innovation meet.

“One of the most incredible talents of the new generation of Cuban musicians.” — Chucho Valdés

Date: July 26th
Set Time(s): 6pm & 7:30pm

Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/summer-2026/yilian-canizares/

Coming soon! The SFJAZZ 2026–27 Season goes live on Thursday, June 4 at noon, unveiling more than 350 performances defin...
05/28/2026

Coming soon! The SFJAZZ 2026–27 Season goes live on Thursday, June 4 at noon, unveiling more than 350 performances defined by forward-thinking innovation and boundless creativity—where past meets present, tradition meets possibility, and the momentum of jazz reminds us to keep moving forward—always exploring, always in motion.

05/28/2026

“I grew up listening to my dad listen to John Coltrane…”

At the SFJAZZ Gala 2026, saxophonist Joe Lovano shared a deeply personal story tracing his connection to one of jazz’s towering figures. He recalled how his father, Tony “Big T” Lovano, met John Coltrane at a jam session in Cleveland in the early 1950s—an encounter that would leave a lasting impression and quietly shape the musical environment Lovano grew up in.

That moment, passed down through stories and records spinning at home, became part of Lovano’s own artistic foundation—guiding him toward a lifelong dialogue with Coltrane’s music.

SFJAZZ is honoring Coltrane’s centennial throughout the year, including four performances this week with Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane, with more celebrations to come next season.

“One of the most gifted and transformative alto saxophonists of his generation.” Logan Richardson brings his blues PEOPL...
05/28/2026

“One of the most gifted and transformative alto saxophonists of his generation.”

Logan Richardson brings his blues PEOPLE project to the Joe Henderson Lab—an immersive evening of blues-rooted, spiritual grooves and fearless improvisation.

Drawing on the rich lineage of Kansas City jazz while pushing the music forward, Richardson’s sound is both deeply grounded and boldly exploratory. Expect an intimate, high-energy set that blurs boundaries and highlights his dynamic voice as a composer and bandleader.

Date: July 25th
Set Time(s): 7pm & 8:30pm

Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/summer-2026/logan-richardson/

05/27/2026

The SFJAZZ High School All-Stars dive into Charlie Parker’s iconic and notoriously complex composition “Donna Lee,” brought to life in a dynamic arrangement by Matt Catingub. The performance takes an unexpected turn with a standout soli from the trombone section, featuring Ryan Cunningham, Vidushee Bala, Matthew Vasquez, Hani Khayatei Houssaini, Aidan Peng, and Ryan Luong.

Full video available on the SFJAZZ YouTube Channel!

05/26/2026

Tia Fuller, Lakecia Benjamin, and members of the SFJAZZ Collective perform a mashup of John Coltrane’s “Impressions” and Miles Davis’s “So What” during SFJAZZ Gala 2026 honoring the centennials of Davis and Coltrane — part of the SFJAZZ 2025-26 Season and broadcast on SFJAZZ At Home.

Watch the full video on the SFJAZZ YouTube channel!

International Anthem artist, drummer and member of the eclectic Latin fusion group Dos Santos, Daniel Villarreal brings ...
05/23/2026

International Anthem artist, drummer and member of the eclectic Latin fusion group Dos Santos, Daniel Villarreal brings his dynamic trio to SFJAZZ for two nights this July of boundary-pushing sound.

A standout artist shaped by the Chicago jazz scene, Villarreal fuses traditional Latin rhythms with elements of jazz, psychedelic rock, and contemporary groove. His acclaimed recordings, including ‘Panamá 77’ and ‘Lados B’, have established him as a bold, forward-looking bandleader.

Date(s): July 23–24
Venue: Joe Henderson Lab

Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/summer-2026/daniel-villarreal/

Don’t miss his SFJAZZ debut with an outstanding new trio.

A powerful debut at the SFJAZZ Center with drummer, composer, and beat architect Makaya McCraven presenting his expansiv...
05/22/2026

A powerful debut at the SFJAZZ Center with drummer, composer, and beat architect Makaya McCraven presenting his expansive 'In These Times' project—blending jazz improvisation, hip-hop production, and orchestral texture into a living, breathing suite for his SFJAZZ residency running through Sunday in our Miner Auditorium.

Personnel:
Makaya McCraven drums
Junius Paul bass
Matt Gold guitar
Greg Ward alto saxophone
Marquis Hill trumpet
Ben LaMar Gay cornet
Jeremiah Chiu modular synth
Lia Kohl cello
Marta Sofia Honer viola
Macia Stewart violin
Zara Zaharieva violin

Photo Credit: Rick Swig

05/22/2026

An all-star band including Terence Blanchard, Keyon Harrold, Tia Fuller, and Marcus Miller along with members of the SFJAZZ Collective perform Miller’s composition “Hannibal” from Miles Davis’s 1989 album “Amandla” during SFJAZZ Gala 2026 honoring the centennials of Miles Davis and John Coltrane — part of the SFJAZZ 2025-26 Season and broadcast on SFJAZZ At Home.

Lettuce returns to SFJAZZ for a four-night Summer Sessions run in Miner Auditorium — bringing a power-packed celebration...
05/21/2026

Lettuce returns to SFJAZZ for a four-night Summer Sessions run in Miner Auditorium — bringing a power-packed celebration of groove in support of their new album ‘Cook’.

Over more than two decades, the band has evolved into a modern funk powerhouse, blending psychedelic soul, deep-pocket rhythm, and explosive musicianship into a live experience unlike anything else.

Date(s): July 16–19
Venue: Miner Auditorium

Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/summer-2026/lettuce/

Don’t miss four nights of relentless funk and pure energy.

05/21/2026

“[Miles] was thinking of tomorrow—we’re still thinking about yesterday…”

In his acceptance speech for the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award, George Benson reflects on Miles Davis, musical legacy, and the artists who shaped his journey.

Watch Benson’s full speech from the SFJAZZ Gala 2026 on our YouTube channel.

05/20/2026

No one plays the guitar like John Scofield ... Watch the master perform with his Combo 73 on SFJAZZ At Home, now available with Free Trials! The band includes Gerald Clayton (piano), Vicente Archer (bass) and Bill Stewart (drums). Start your free trial now at https://bit.ly/43iBccz

05/20/2026

Jazz Minute: International Anthem

International Anthem has emerged as one of the defining jazz labels of the 21st century, reshaping the sound and scope of the music since its founding in 2014. Born out of Chicago’s vibrant creative scene, the label has grown into a global platform for boundary-pushing artists like Makaya McCraven, Jeff Parker, SML, and the late jaimie branch, blending jazz with experimental and improvised traditions. With a commitment to artistic freedom and sonic exploration, International Anthem continues to expand what jazz can be — capturing the energy of the present moment while helping shape the music’s future. This spirit is on display as Makaya McCraven returns to SFJAZZ for a residency this May 21-25 celebrating the 10th anniversary of his landmark International Anthem album In the Moment.

Steven Bernstein’s Sexmob returns to SFJAZZ for a four-night run in the Joe Henderson Lab — where avant-garde jazz meets...
05/20/2026

Steven Bernstein’s Sexmob returns to SFJAZZ for a four-night run in the Joe Henderson Lab — where avant-garde jazz meets groove, humor, and total reinvention. Sexmob presents two distinct programs across the week:

• July 16–17 — Psychedelic SF: a tribute to Bay Area rock of the 1960s, with guitarist Liberty Ellman

• July 18–19 — Latin Soul: deep cuts from the ’60s–’70s, with percussion master John Santos

For over two decades, Sexmob has built a cult following with explosive improvisation and wild reinterpretations of everything from Prince to Nino Rota.

Date(s): July 16th-19th
Venue: Joe Henderson Lab

Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/summer-2026/steven-bernsteins-sexmob/

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201 Franklin Street
San Francisco, CA
94102

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