Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra

Malian superstar Diabate's “effortless and at times unbelievably rapid-fire kora work” (Guardian, UK) is given a thrilling showcase with his high-powered orchestra that combines traditional West African sounds with pop, Afro-Cuban music, and more.   

Travis Sullivan’s Björkestra; Realistic Orchestra

Sullivan’s 18-piece band recasts the soaring melodies and transcendent rhythms of Icelandic pop-muse Björk’s music. SF’s 20-player-strong Realistic Orchestra delivers full-bore tributes to everyone from Prince to Van Halen.

Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin; The Frequency

Swiss pianist Bärtsch’s “Zen-funk” is ”digital-age music performed with analog sensibility” (Guardian, UK), as on his latest ECM release Stoa. L.A.'s The Frequency feature analog moogs, synths, and electronics that range from Brian Eno-inspired minimalism to massive cinematic heights and everything in between

2 Foot Yard; Iron & the Albatross

Tin Hat veteran Kihlstedt, “a monster virtuoso on numerous instruments…and an inventive, singular artist” (Stereophile) fronts her own trio, 2 Foot Yard. Multi-instrumentalist Ara Anderson’s Iron & the Albatross enchants with cinematic, haunting old-world music.

Third World Love; Yaron Herman

Global rhythms from Africa, the Middle East merge with jazz in Third World Love, an American-Israeli quartet that combines astounding musicianship with irresistible grooves. Israeli pianist Herman reinvents the Police, Björk, Jeff Buckley, and more of the pop songbook.

Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, & Jack DeJohnette

“Very simply, this is jazz at its finest” —Los Angeles Times

“The greatest piano trio in contemporary jazz” (BBC) celebrates 25 years of redefining the Great American Songbook. From their Standards albums (soon to be re-released in an ECM box set) to their storied live shows, these three jazz legends deliver matchless, masterful music.

McCoy Tyner Trio with Savion Glover

Piano legend Tyner meets the propulsion of tap-dancer Glover, whose “intricate steps and manic energy pushe[s] the Tyner trio's rhythmic envelope nearly to the breaking point—and pull[s] the willing audience into a frenzied, percussive vortex” (Hartford Courant).

Regina Carter Quintet

“A jazz violinist of uncommon accomplishment” (The New York Times), MacArthur “Genius” award-winner Carter combines Motown soul, world rhythms, unbridled verve, and a “boundless improvisational imagination” (DownBeat).

Denny Zeitlin, solo piano

“World-class jazz musician” (Los Angeles Times) Zeitlin explores the essence of his wide-ranging pianism in this riveting solo performance in one of SF’s most intimate theaters.

Charles Lloyd New Quartet featuring Jason Moran, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland

Saxophone legend Lloyd enters his seventies “playing the most vital music of his career” (All About Jazz). His all-star group features acclaimed piano innovator Moran, bassist and Wynton Marsalis alum Rogers, and thunderous SFJAZZ Collective drummer Harland.

Hiromi

A riveting live performer, pianist Hiromi merges youthful energy with stunning virtuosity. The Village Voice calls her playing “Awe-inspiring. She is in and out like a downhill racer, lost in the music and the moment.”

"The Latin Side of Wayne Shorter" featuring Conrad Herwig, with special guest Eddie Palmieri

Where clave rhythms and classic jazz meet: Herwig’s Grammy-nominated “Latin Side” project, which has already featured the music of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, offers a fresh, Latinized take on the brilliant compositions of Wayne Shorter, joined by Latin jazz piano icon Palmieri.

Joe Sample, solo piano

A pianist since the age of five, Sample shares that early love of music with families at this shorter, discount-priced family matinee. Sample’s solo performance features an abbreviated version of his famed History of Jazz Piano program.

Joe Sample, solo piano

A keyboardist with a deep sense of groove, Crusader’s founder Sample brings jazz history to life with an acclaimed overview of piano styles, “display[ing] his prowess for stride, boogie-woogie, ragtime and dynamic-drenched balladry” (Billboard).

Wayne Shorter Quartet: Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Brian Blade with special guests Imani Winds

Sax legend and NEA Jazz Master Wayne Shorter celebrates his 75th Birthday Year with a very special evening: a singular performance with Shorter’s new classic quartet, and the U.S. Premiere of a unique collaboration with next-wave wind ensemble, Imani Winds.

Sherlock Jr.

In this discount-priced matinee show, silent-movie icon Buster Keaton stars in one of Time Magazine’s “All-Time 100 Best Films”—the hilarious tale of a hapless projectionist who daydreams his ways into the movies.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

In the first of two German Expressionist classics in the film fest, the mad mesmerist of the title and his faithful servant, Cesare, are at the heart of a series of mysterious murders when the carnival comes to town. Or are they? Wait for the famous twist ending…

Nosferatu

The granddaddy of all vampire films, F.W. Murnau’s loose (and unauthorized) adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula stars Max Schreck as the perennially chilling prince of the undead, Count Orlock.

Ana Moura

“The listener will be charmed by this superb young fadista.” —Billboard

With a spellbinding contralto, heart-rending lyrics, and deep respect for tradition, vocalist Ana Moura invigorates the Portuguese fado, taking “her country's traditional songs and polishing them into diamonds” (Time Out New York).

Bobby McFerrin, Chick Corea, & Jack DeJohnette

“McFerrin is a musical phenomenon.” —The New York Times

With an elastic voice evoking an array of instruments, ten-time Grammy award­–winner McFerrin and two Miles Davis veterans—masterful keyboardist Corea and legendary drummer DeJohnette—join together for the first time in this novel take on the piano trio.

Lura

“The most dynamic performer in world music.” —The Times (UK)

Cape Verdean singer Lura captivates with her “lithe, restless, and magnificently unselfconscious” (The Times, UK) performances. Like her mentor Cesaria Evora, she moves easily between heartfelt mornas and uptempo dance music.

James Moody Quartet

SFJAZZ Members enjoy an exclusive evening with quintessential reedman James Moody, whose 60-year career stretches across bebop to hard bop, rock, and beyond.

Mose Allison Trio

Suave, sophisticated, and satirical, vocalist/pianist Allison’s music mixes delta blues, boogie-woogie, and urbane jazz. A master songwriter (“Eyesight to the Blind,” “Young Man Blues”) Allison “brings as much interpretive depth to the popular song as anyone singing today” (Chicago Sun-Times).

Ernestine Anderson

Quincy Jones once compared Anderson’s warm, rich voice to “honey at dusk.” A legendary vocalist who has worked with masters like Lionel Hampton, Anderson is “able to pierce the emotional core of a lyric”
(Washington Post).

Lee Konitz

A pioneer of “cool jazz” in the late ’40s with the likes of Miles Davis and Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz is one of the most influential and individual alto saxmen in jazz history—and, at age 80, continues to inspire both audiences and fellow artists alike.

Chano Dominguez; Pablo Ziegler Trio

“Chano is one of the ten best musicians in this world.” —Wynton Marsalis

Journey across the Atlantic with two peerless pianists: Spain’s Dominguez delivers an electrifying take on the traditional flamenco; Grammy-winner and Astor Piazzolla veteran Ziegler showcases the vitality of Argentina’s New Tango in the post-Piazzolla era. 

Lenine

Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble

With its interactive blend of synchronized movement, hand drumming, innovative body music, and lush vocals, the Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble (founded by Keith Terry) will delight adults and children in this shorter, discount-priced matinee performance.

Cherryholmes

“The hottest new act in bluegrass.” —AP

America’s Grammy-nominated first family of bluegrass combines seamless vocal harmonies, razor-sharp instrumental chops, and classic songwriting to create “music [that] has a drive and energy that would leave even Bill Monroe out of breath” (Vintage Guitar).

The Bad Plus; Doctor 3

Lynn Harrell

Dianne Reeves

“The only jazz singer with a voice big enough to rival Sarah Vaughan’s.”
—The New York Times

With a voice that is “powerful and intimate and full of emotion” (Boston Globe), four-time Grammy winner (most recently for the Good Night and Good Luck soundtrack) Dianne Reeves unveils works from a new CD of original compositions.

Rosa Passos

"Her voice has the clarity of water. It is surely one of unusual splendor.” —All About Jazz

An SFJAZZ Debut! Widely regarded as “a feminine João Gilberto,” singer/guitarist Passos makes a rare US appearance with music that “superbly demonstrate[s] the subtle interplay between the voice and guitar that is the foundation of [Bossa Nova]” (Los Angeles Times).

Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares

“The most beautiful music on the planet” —St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Miles From India Sold Out

SFJAZZ HIgh School All-Stars with Special Guest Miguel Zenón

“The best young jazz talent in the Bay Area.” —Jazz Steps

Brad Mehldau Trio

Mehldau’s group has redefined the modern jazz piano trio. Shifting effortlessly between jazz standards and reinventions of contemporary pop like Björk and Radiohead, Mehldau is “universally admired as one of the most adventurous pianists” (Los Angeles Times).

Edward Simon and the Ensemble Venezuela; Aquiles Baez Ensemble; VNote Ensemble

Experience the vibrant diversity of Venezuelan music, from African drumming to Caribbean calypso, with two international stars—pianist Simon and guitarist Baez—and Bay Area favorite Jackeline Rago’s VNote Ensemble.

David Sanchez Sextet

“A saxophonist who always has stayed far ahead of the pack” (Chicago Tribune), Sanchez performs his new work, La Leyenda del Canavera, a musical exploration of the African Diaspora drawing on jazz and sounds from East Cameroon, Tanzania, and the Caribbean.

Patricia Barber; Jessica Williams

One sly and sophisticated wit salutes another as singer/pianist Barber performs a 21st-century take on the Cole Porter songbook. Williams, called “the finest pianist of our time” (All About Jazz), re-imagines standards in a solo set.

Taj Mahal; Keb' Mo'

Two-time Grammy-winner Mahal celebrates four decades of globe-spanning music, from country blues to world rhythms. Latter-day blues master Keb’ Mo’ draws on rock, folk, pop, and jazz in an up-to-date Delta sound both earthy and urbane.

Gilberto Gil

“One of the world’s great songwriters” —The New York Times

Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi

“The most awe-inspiring electric slide guitar player performing today” (Wall Street Journal), Trucks joins forces with soulful singer, songwriter, and guitarist Tedeschi for a raucous live performance steeped in blues, roadhouse rock and American roots.