THE BUMP | January 26 – February 1, 2026
Michael League. Photo: Julia Giros
The Weekly SFJAZZ Frequency
🎺 THE RECAP: Guitar Soul and Experimental Echoes
Last week, the Joe Henderson Lab was a hotbed of discovery. Marcus Machado delivered a masterclass in funk-rock-jazz guitar, while B. DeVeaux stunned with their soulful tribute to Jazmine Sullivan’s Fearless. We closed the weekend with the atmospheric modular synthesizer and viola soundscapes of Jeremiah Chiu and Marta Sofia Honer, proving that the Lab continues to be the most forward-thinking room in the city.
🏛️ THE ANCHOR: Michael League’s RAD Takeover
This week marks the highly anticipated arrival of the first 2025-26 Resident Artistic Director, Michael League. The Snarky Puppy mastermind begins a multi-night residency that explores the edges of "future folklore" and collaborative improvisation.
Listening Party (Jan 28): Step into the SFJAZZ "living room" in Miner Auditorium as League spins his favorite recordings and discusses his musical philosophy with SFJAZZ CEO Gabrielle Armand.
Elipsis (Jan 29): League’s all-star "future folklore" project makes its SFJAZZ debut, featuring drum titan Antonio Sánchez, percussionist Pedrito Martinez, and vocalist Glenda del E.
League & Bill Laurance (Jan 30): An intimate duo performance with his longtime Snarky Puppy collaborator, featuring acoustic piano and League on stringed instruments like the oud and Malian ngoni.
Becca Stevens & The Secret Trio (Jan 31): A sublime fusion of Appalachian soul, Balkan chamber music, and jazz improvisation.
The Power Trio Finale (Feb 1): League closes his week at 7:00 PM with a true power trio featuring keyboardist and former Snarky Puppy member Cory Henry and acclaimed drummer Nathaniel Townsley.
Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org
🌊 THE SPOTLIGHT: Saxophone Giant Greg Osby
When: Sunday, February 1, 6:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Where: Joe Henderson Lab
The Vibe: Described as a "stylistic alchemist" and an iconoclast of the alto saxophone, Greg Osby returns for a rare one-night engagement. Known for his fearless experimentation and sharp, intellectual phrasing, Osby remains a trailblazing force in contemporary jazz. This intimate set will likely feature material from his recent project Minimalism, providing a perfect, high-concept counterpoint to the residency finale in the main hall.
Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org
🎷 THE LAB: Rising Stars and Community Vibes
SFJAM with Kasey Knudsen (Jan 26): Our monthly free community jam session returns, providing a space for Bay Area musicians of all levels to perform in an inclusive, multigenerational setting.
Satya (Jan 29-30): Oakland native and rising star Satya brings her distinctive blend of soul, R&B, and folk back to the Bay.
Jharis Yokley & BIGYUKI (Jan 31): An explosive electro-acoustic duo bridging the worlds of hip-hop, jazz, and rock, featuring the "NYC secret weapon" BIGYUKI on keys.
Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org
🎙️ THE PIPELINE: Podcast Updates
For more than fifty years, Simon Phillips has built his career from within the sound. His drumming rarely serves as ornament. It functions as architecture—supporting weight, directing motion, and shaping how music occupies a room. Across decades with Jeff Beck, The Who, and Toto, and in his own long-running Protocol project, Phillips has remained less interested in stylistic labels than in how music feels when it moves air.
Listen to the podcast here: https://www.backstagebayarea.com/interviews/simon-phillips-protocol-v-yoshis-oakland
Get a sneak peek at Michael League’s upcoming SFJAZZ residency here: https://www.backstagebayarea.com/interviews/michael-league-prism-of-sound-sfjazz
🗓️ ON THE HORIZON
The momentum doesn't slow down as we move into February. Mark your calendars for:
Joss Stone (Feb 11–15)
Dianne Reeves (Feb 20–22)
Gregory Porter (Feb 22)
Keeping Jazz Alive in the 415
