Kamasi Washington Delivers Personal Homily of Cosmic Jazz at Golden Gate Theatre
It was part big-band spiritual jazz and part family affair. Visionary saxophonist Kamasi Washington’s sold-out two-hour concert at the Golden Gate Theatre offered an evening of transcendent fusion, mixing funk, hip-hop, and masterful improvisation with surprise guest appearances.
Skonberg’s Debut Delivers Stellar SFJAZZ Show
Bria Skonberg took the stage at SFJAZZ’s Miner Auditorium with the confidence of an artist who knows that joy is compelling. The 90-minute set was a lively, good-humored, rhythm-driven performance that blended New Orleans roots, swing, blues, and pop as parts of a shared, generous language. The audience responded right away.
SFJAZZ Collective’s Live Tribute To Wayne Shorter
San Francisco experienced a heartfelt, generous homage to Wayne Shorter on Sunday afternoon when the SFJAZZ Collective presented its second of three shows, the Native Dancer project, at Miner Auditorium.
Stanley Jordan: The Two-Handed Tapper Returns
Last June, guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan brought his Jimi Hendrix tribute show to the Hilo Palace Theater, complete with full-throttle fretwork, ear-piercing notes, and wild attire to match the ‘60s icon's striking look. However, at Friday’s Honokaa People’s Theatre (HPT) concert, we experienced a completely different side of Jordan – the graceful solo artist.
Swingin’ to the Jumpin’ Jive of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Around 1996, a full-bore swing revival on modern rock radio quickly spread to American concert halls. Leading the pack were horn-tooting bands like Squirrel Nut Zippers, Royal Crown Revue, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, which emerged from Ventura, California, in ‘93.
Julia Keefe Expands The Jazz Spectrum
Growing up on a reservation in Kamiah, Idaho, Julia Keefe’s journey into jazz began in her formative years. At four, she was captivated by Billie Holiday’s signature vocal style, especially the song “No More,” from her mother’s CD collection. Later, when Keefe began singing in the choir and at high school events, her family encouraged her to broaden her musical horizons.