SFJAZZ Unveils 2026 Summer Sessions
The upcoming season offers a high-octane exploration of jazz history and its future frontiers.
The SFJAZZ Center prepares for a summer defined by rhythmic density and cultural fusion. The 2026 Summer Sessions lineup highlights the evolution of the art form through a global lens, featuring a roster that spans from legendary icons to contemporary trailblazers.
2026 Summer Sessions Highlights
Kokoroko (June 16–17)
Venue: Miner Auditorium | Showtime: 7:30 PM
Vibe: London-based masters of African fusion who bridge the divide between contemporary sounds and traditional highlife with driving percussion and bright brass melodies.
Tickets: sfjazz.org
Wynton Marsalis Septet (July 14–15)
Venue: Miner Auditorium | Showtime: 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM
Vibe: A masterclass in the evolution of the art form from a towering figure in jazz history who commands the stage with percussive precision and structural elegance.
Tickets: sfjazz.org
Lettuce (July 16–19)
Venue: Miner Auditorium | Showtime: 7:30 PM (Thu-Sat), 7:00 PM (Sun)
Vibe: A heavy celebration of psychedelic funk and soulful groove that anchors the room with thick, mechanical bass lines.
Tickets: sfjazz.org
Steven Bernstein's Sexmob (July 16–19)
Venue: Joe Henderson Lab | Showtime: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM (Thu-Sat), 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM (Sun)
Vibe: A sonic immersion into classic Latin Soul and the explosive, distorted rock textures of the 1960s.
Tickets: sfjazz.org
Daniel Villarreal (July 23–24)
Venue: Joe Henderson Lab | Showtime: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM
Vibe: A drummer of rare power delivering versatile trio performances that capture the grit and spontaneity of the Chicago scene.
Tickets: sfjazz.org
Logan Richardson: Blues People (July 25)
Venue: Joe Henderson Lab | Showtime: 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Vibe: A spiritual exploration of blues-steeped grooves and masterful, fluid improvisation on the alto saxophone.
Tickets: sfjazz.org
Monsieur Periné (July 30 – August 2)
Venue: Miner Auditorium | Showtime: 7:30 PM (Thu-Sat), 7:00 PM (Sun)
Vibe: A singular hybrid of French jazz manouche and Latin American dance styles that creates a buoyant, kinetic atmosphere.
Tickets: sfjazz.org
Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber (July 30 – August 1)
Venue: Joe Henderson Lab | Showtime: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM
Vibe: A New York juggernaut that freestyles with telekinetic precision, blending funk, soul, and avant-garde experimentation.
Tickets: sfjazz.org
Take 6 (August 13–16)
Venue: Miner Auditorium | Showtime: 7:30 PM (Thu-Sat), 7:00 PM (Sun)
Vibe: Intricate, layered vocal harmonies that celebrate over four decades of influence and melodic mastery.
Tickets: sfjazz.org
What To Expect
Audiences encounter a season that balances physical immersion with intellectual curiosity. From the deep, machine-like pulse of the funk sets to the spiritual resonance of the avant-garde residencies, the series provides a comprehensive look at the modern jazz landscape. Every performance emphasizes the "physics of sound" through the SFJAZZ Center’s world-class acoustics.
If You Go
SFJAZZ Summer Sessions 2026
DATE: June 16 – August 16, 2026
SHOWTIME(S): Multiple (see schedule above)
LOCATION: SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA
