Instant Alter Brings Future Fusion to SFJAZZ
Ahead of Instant Alter’s April 19 shows at SFJAZZ’s Joe Henderson Lab, vocalist Natasha Agrama talks about the band’s roots, its stripped-down but harmonically rich sound, and the values driving music built for the present moment.
Ben Wendel on Improvisation and Yoshi’s
Ben Wendel discusses his musical beginnings, the openness of jazz, the thinking behind “On The Trail” and “Wanderers,” and the deep band chemistry behind his upcoming quartet appearance at Yoshi’s.
T.K. Blue Brings Randy Weston’s African Rhythms to SFJAZZ
Ahead of SFJAZZ’s three-night centennial tribute to Randy Weston in the Joe Henderson Lab, T.K. Blue reflects on Weston’s influence, the African Rhythms lineage, and the spirit behind these upcoming performances.
August Lee Stevens Brings Her Bay Area Voice to SFJAZZ
Ahead of four Joe Henderson Lab shows at SFJAZZ, East Bay singer-songwriter August Lee Stevens talks about the Bay Area roots that shaped her, songs drawn from public feeling and family memory, and a live set built for the room.
Monty Alexander Hears One Word: Music
Ahead of his SFJAZZ appearance, Monty Alexander reflects on growing up in Kingston, absorbing every sound around him, and shaping a musical language where jazz, blues, calypso, and Jamaican rhythm all belong to the same joyful conversation.
Lakecia Benjamin Keeps the Flame Burnin’
Ahead of her SFJAZZ UpSwing appearance, Lakecia Benjamin talks about her upcoming album We Dream, the spirit behind “Flamekeeper,” and the communal energy she wants her music to carry into the room.
Lenny White on Miles Davis’s Lessons
Drummer Lenny White reflects on what Miles Davis taught musicians about space, instinct, and personal voice. Ahead of SFJAZZ’s March 21 tribute, White speaks about Davis’s unusual guidance, his approach to teaching, and why this music still challenges players to think more deeply.
Sarah McKenzie: A Love Letter to San Francisco
Australian jazz star Sarah McKenzie brings her "breezy technical style" and "lyrical sense of swing" to Northern California, exploring the "soul" of San Francisco through her latest music.
Oscar Peñas Revisits the Joe Henderson Lab
Barcelona-born guitarist Oscar Peñas returns to SFJAZZ for his third performance at the Joe Henderson Lab, leading a trio whose sensitive and minimalist sound turns the intimate venue into a space for spontaneous musical storytelling.
Delfeayo Marsalis Orchestrates a Crescent City Celebration at SFJAZZ
The trombonist and "merchant of joy" discusses family legacy, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and the high-voltage celebration of Mardi Gras coming to Miner Auditorium.
Greg Osby Brings Minimalism to the Joe Henderson Lab
Greg Osby brings his Minimalism project to the Joe Henderson Lab at SFJAZZ for an intimate engagement shaped by focus, mentorship, and deep listening. The influential saxophonist discusses artistic evolution, accessibility, and honoring lineage ahead of his February 1 performances.
Michael League: A Prism of Sound at SFJAZZ
Michael League brings a multi-night, multi-project residency to SFJAZZ that reveals the full scope of his musical world—from intimate duos to rhythm-driven collaborations—reframing the Snarky Puppy founder as curator, collaborator, and sonic architect.
Marcus Machado Brings Electric Lineage to SFJAZZ
At SFJAZZ’s Joe Henderson Lab, Brooklyn-born guitarist Marcus Machado brings a lineage-rich, groove-driven language into one of the Bay Area’s most intimate rooms—where funk, jazz, rock, and soul meet at close range.
Ten Strings, One Voice: Hamilton de Holanda’s Modern Vision for the Bandolim
Grammy- and Latin Grammy–winning bandolim virtuoso Hamilton de Holanda brings his trio to SFJAZZ for a performance rooted in choro tradition and shaped by jazz improvisation. In this feature, de Holanda reflects on melody, lineage, and the creative freedom driving his current work.