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.
Eddie Henderson Carries Miles Davis Forward
Veteran trumpeter Eddie Henderson reflects on hearing Miles Davis live as a teenager, the lessons Miles passed on directly, and how those experiences shape his role in SFJAZZ’s sold-out March 21 tribute to Miles’s acoustic years.
Javon Jackson: From Dylan’s Poetry to Miles’ Precision
Veteran tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson discusses his new Bob Dylan tribute album, Jackson Plays Dylan, and reflects on the musical discipline, lineage, and economy that also shape his upcoming Miles Davis tribute at SFJAZZ.
Omar Sosa: "SFJAZZ is the Best Place on the Planet to Play Jazz"
Pianist Omar Sosa brings his "SUBA" project and global alliances to the "Temple of Jazz" for an enlightening week as Resident Artistic Director.
Lisa Mezzacappa and the Art of "Tight Looseness"
Step into the intimate confines of the Joe Henderson Lab this Sunday, where the boundary between artist and audience dissolves into a shared sonic journey. Bassist and composer Lisa Mezzacappa brings her "Otherworldly" suite to life, promising an evening where experimental rigor meets the playful unpredictability of live improvisation.
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.
Tyreek McDole at SFJAZZ: Collective Dreaming in the Joe Henderson Lab
Tyreek McDole brings his quintet to the Joe Henderson Lab at SFJAZZ on Feb. 12–13, 2026, exploring themes of healing, listening, and “collective dreaming” in an intimate residency setting.
Cleo Reed Reimagines the American Folk Tradition at SFJAZZ
The line between artist and audience dissolves as Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Cleo Reed brings a raucous reworking of American tradition to the Joe Henderson Lab.
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.
Trio Grande Makes a Big Sound at SFJAZZ
Trio Grande—Will Vinson, Gilad Hekselman, and Nate Wood—brings its high-level interplay and larger-than-life trio sound to SFJAZZ’s Joe Henderson Lab for two shows on February 11.
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.
At SJAZZ Smartbomb, Braxton Cook Enters A New Era
Braxton Cook arrives at SFJAZZ’s SMARTBOMB with music shaped by collaboration, clarity, and life reorientation—bridging improvisation and songcraft in a new creative era.
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.
Chico Pinheiro and Vinicius Cantuária Bring Brazilian Guitar Dialogues to SFJAZZ
Brazilian guitarists Chico Pinheiro and Vinicius Cantuária bring an intimate duo performance to SFJAZZ’s Joe Henderson Lab, blending Brazilian song, jazz improvisation, and shared musical history in a close-range concert setting.
Taylor Eigsti Comes Home, Carrying the Fire Forward
Fresh off a Grammy win, pianist Taylor Eigsti returns to SFJAZZ with deeply personal music shaped by Bay Area mentorship, collective memory and creative resilience.
Echoes & Inspirations: Melissa Aldana’s Jazz Journey
History-making saxophonist Melissa Aldana joins us to discuss her introspective new album Echoes of the Inner Prophet, her deep connection to Sonny Rollins and Wayne Shorter, and her upcoming double bill with Taylor Eigsti at SFJAZZ.
Sasha Berliner at SFJAZZ: A Homecoming That Charts the Future of the Vibraphone
"I grew up with rock, alternative, and hip-hop... jazz isn't supposed to sound like one specific thing." Sasha Berliner discusses her homecoming show at SFJAZZ and her new "electric" sound