Honoring Miles and Coltrane on Their Own Terms
Trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane closed SFJAZZ's 2025–26 season with a centennial celebration of Miles Davis and John Coltrane that played entirely by its own rules—electric, unruly, and occasionally at odds with its own billing.
Fortner and Owens Set Divergent Courses at Miner
Endea Owens’ performance centered groove as a social language, with Sullivan Fortner’s pianism sharpening the ensemble’s focus. The set balanced compositional clarity with fluid interaction, revealing a band attuned to both lineage and forward motion.
Keb' Mo' Opens Four-Night SFJAZZ Run
Keb’ Mo’ opened his sold-out four-night SFJAZZ run with an intimate, story-rich set at Miner Auditorium, joined by his son K. Roosevelt on drums and percussion. The evening balanced warmth, humor, political resonance, and the lived authority of a musician fully at home in his own sound.
Monty Alexander’s Musical Journey Live
At SFJAZZ, Monty Alexander turned a Sunday-night set into a vivid memoir in sound, folding swing, reggae, humor, and hard-earned feeling into a performance shaped by a lifetime of stories.
Marcus Machado Fills the Lab With Voltage
Marcus Machado and his Traces of Purple trio transform the Joe Henderson Lab into a study of density, sustain, and funk. From Hendrix-inspired soundscapes to pandemic-era anthems, Machado looms as a "guitar god" in this sold-out headline debut.
The Architect of Swinging Joy: Benny Green’s Living History at Miner Auditorium
In the steep, intimate amphitheater of the Robert N. Miner Auditorium, pianist Benny Green operated as a "Curator-Virtuoso." His Sunday evening solo recital was a pedagogical and emotional exhibition, synthesizing the distinct dialects of mentors Art Blakey, Ray Brown, and Oscar Peterson into a singular, exuberant voice.
The Klezmatics at SFJAZZ: Improvisation, Memory, and the Politics of Joy
Approaching their 40th anniversary, Grammy-winning sextet The Klezmatics delivered a powerful sonic argument at SFJAZZ that joy, in the face of modern darkness, is a radical act of resistance. Read the full review of their "Happier Joyous Hanukkah" show.
Ben Folds Brings Holiday Mirth and Melancholy to SFJAZZ
Ben Folds brought his 'Sleigher' tour to San Francisco's Miner Auditorium, mixing holiday originals like "Me and Maurice" with pop hits and a choir-ready crowd.