Marcus Shelby’s Orchestral Memory: Blues, Structure, and Community at SFJAZZ
On December 21, 2025, the Marcus Shelby New Orchestra brought Duke Ellington’s The Nutcracker Suite to Miner Auditorium, blending big band rigor with a deep meditation on Bay Area history and global resilience.
Arturo Sandoval at SFJAZZ: Bebop Lessons, Cuban Fire, and the Joy of Staying Alive
At 76, Arturo Sandoval transformed SFJAZZ’s Miner Auditorium into a masterclass of Afro-Cuban rhythm and bebop history. Far from a standard holiday recital, his "Swinging Holiday" show blended virtuosity with intimate storytelling—from his black sequined sneakers to a moving tribute to Charlie Chaplin. Read the full review of a night defined by "Cuban fire" and the joy of staying alive.
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.
Anat Cohen Builds a Living Jazz Ensemble for Her 50th Birthday at SFJAZZ
Anat Cohen celebrated her 50th birthday at SFJAZZ not with nostalgia, but with a masterclass in ensemble architecture, moving from intimate duos to the roar of her full Tentet.
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.
Lisa Fischer and Orrin Evans Trio: Reimagining Soul at SFJAZZ
In her 2025 residency at SFJAZZ, vocalist Lisa Fischer and the Orrin Evans Trio deconstructed soul classics to build a sanctuary of sound. Read the full concert review.
The Alchemist of Sound: Lisa Fischer on Healing, The Stones, and Discovering Her "Barefoot" Voice
In a candid conversation ahead of her SFJAZZ residency, vocalist Lisa Fischer reflects on her decades with The Rolling Stones, the liberation of her solo voice, and her new focus on the medicinal properties of sound.
Legacy Meets the Mothership: Harris and Croker Ignite the UpSwing Series
A review of the SFJAZZ UpSwing double bill featuring Stefon Harris & Blackout and Theo Croker. An electrifying night of jazz tradition and genre-bending innovation.
John Santos Celebrates 70 Years of Groove and Community at SFJAZZ
Bay Area percussionist John Santos celebrated his 70th birthday at SFJAZZ with a 'Roots and Branches' spectacular, featuring Orestes Vilató, Skylar Tang, and a setlist bridging the Fort Apache Band with local folklore.
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.
Dr. Lonnie Smith and his In The Beginning Octet at SFJAZZ
Dr. Lonnie Smith is familiar with the SFJazz stage, having performed over the years with musicians like alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson and at the Soul Jazz Summit in 2008.
Dan Hicks Pays Tribute To Fats Waller At SFJAZZ
Wednesday, May 21, marked what would have been Fats Waller's 110th birthday, an African American pianist, singer, and songwriter known as The Clown Prince of Jazz. Everyone from The Beatles (yes, The Beatles) to Louis Armstrong has covered Waller, and the Bay Area’s own legendary Dan Hicks served as the host for the Waller birthday celebration at the SF Jazz Center.