Music & Features

Night 1: Omar Sosa and the Vitality of the Next Generation

Opening his four-night SFJAZZ residency, Latin jazz pianist Omar Sosa swapped decades of experience for the "fresh energy" of 21 student musicians in a sweeping wall of sound.

Over the course of four nights at SFJAZZ, Omar Sosa presented a different musical vision each evening, ranging from large-ensemble collaborations to more intimate settings that showcased the full scope of his Afro-Cuban jazz language. Backstage Bay Area followed the residency night by night, offering a behind-the-scenes chronicle of rehearsals, soundchecks, and performances inside Miner Auditorium. This first installment captures the opening collaboration with the Stanford Jazz Orchestra and the energy of a new generation stepping onto one of San Francisco’s most revered stages.

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The veteran vocalist established a poignant, socially conscious presence at the SFJAZZ Center, transforming the Miner Auditorium into a global neighborhood.