Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead Bring Thunder to JHL
Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead delivered a deeply unified, emotionally grounded performance at SFJAZZ’s Joe Henderson Lab, blending long-standing ensemble chemistry with new music from In Motion, including the forthcoming single “Dove” and the reflective ballad “When Love Calls.”
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.
Radical Remix: How Braxton Cook and SMARTBOMB Turned SFJAZZ into an Oakland Block Party
If you typically associate the SFJAZZ Center with polite applause and established traditions, the scene on Franklin Street this past Sunday offered a radical remix of those expectations. Read our review of the Braxton Cook and SMARTBOMB takeover.
Taylor Eigsti and Melissa Aldana at UpSwing, Filling the Space Differently
At SFJAZZ’s UpSwing series, Taylor Eigsti and Melissa Aldana approached Miner Auditorium from opposite directions, revealing how structure and restraint give contemporary jazz its shape in a large room.
Hamilton de Holanda Trio Debut Ignites Miner Auditorium
Hamilton de Holanda made a striking SFJAZZ debut at Miner Auditorium, reframing choro through modern jazz language with a virtuosic trio performance that bridged Brazilian, African, and post-bop traditions.
Edward Simon’s “Latin Heart” Beats with the Pulse of the Present
Edward Simon expanded his trio with Chris Potter and Del Sol Quartet at Presidio Theatre, shaping Venezuelan song, new commissions, and chamber-jazz textures into a single, living narrative.
Botti Kicks Off 2026 SFJAZZ Residency with West Coast Warmth
Joined by jazz heavyweights Chris Potter and Mark Whitfield, the trumpeter’s annual residency bridges the gap between atmospheric pop and hard-bop virtuosity, solidifying Miner Auditorium as his West Coast home.
Dirty Dozen Brass Band Ushers In 2026
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band turned the pristine Miner Auditorium into a New Orleans Second Line, proving that their 50-year-old "codified revolution" still has the power to move bodies and minds as they rang in the New Year.
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 Ghost in the Machine: Mayo and Berliner Re-Embody Jazz at Miner
At SFJAZZ, Michael Mayo and Sasha Berliner didn’t just play the standards—they refracted them through a new, post-digital architecture. Read our review of the UpSwing series finale, where vocal loops and percussive vibes reshaped the jazz tradition.
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.
Three Visitors Craft Sanctuary At SFJAZZ
Three Visitors turned SFJAZZ’s Joe Henderson Lab into a sanctuary of deep listening, blending Steel House favorites and Three Visitors material in a telepathic acoustic set.