Jazz Pianists on the World's Stage Discover Jazz—
a 5-class series Thursdays, Sept. 17-Oct. 15, 7-9PM Jewish Community Center of SF Deepen your appreciation for America’s indigenous music during our Discover Jazz series. This fall’s course will create a vivid picture of the diaspora of jazz, using the compelling musical histories of the great jazz pianists. In addition, each class will feature live performance, unique video and classic audio clips. event page

Members-only event Eric Harland Listening Party Wednesday, September 30, 7PM War Memorial Green Room A fun, enlightening evening just for our SFJAZZ Members with Eric Harland,the world renowned drummer for the SFJAZZ Collective, Charles Lloyd, Dave Holland and many others. event page

celebrating 10/10 — monk's birthday Eric Reed Saturday, October 10, 8PM War Memorial Green Room One of the most persuasively swinging pianists in jazz, Eric Reed delves into the ingenious and infinitely challenging music of Thelonious Monk to celebrate the master’s 92nd birthday. "Sharp sophistication is a hallmark of Eric Reed’s piano playing, whatever the parameters." the new york times event page

Buena Vista Revisited Omara Portuondo Tuesday, October 20, 8PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre A living legend for decades in her native Cuba, Omara Portuondo gained global fame as part of Buena Vista Social Club. For her first U.S. tour since 2004, she revisits the romantic Afro-Cuban boleros and Brazilian-influenced jazz that made her a star in the ‘50s. “Her voice… is rich, shapely, dynamic and still sultry.” The New York Times event page

The Ukulele—Reimagined Jake Shimabukuro Wednesday, October 21, 7:30PM Davies Symphony Hall Hawaiian-born Jake Shimabukuro has transformed the ukulele into a supremely pliable musical vehicle, capable of generating everything from crunching, effects-laden rock to sensuously swinging jazz. "His chords are as inventive as his solos are blazing, and he moves effortlessly between the two." Vintage Guitar Magazine event page

Benny Goodman Centennial Salute Eddie Daniels Quartet & Jim Rothermel Swingtet Wednesday, October 21, 7:30PM Herbst Theatre No reed player is better equipped to celebrate Goodman’s centennial than Eddie Daniels, a sensational clarinet virtuoso (and top-shelf tenor saxophonist) who may be the greatest living interpreter of the Goodman repertoire. "One of the most beautiful clarinet sounds anywhere..." DownBeat event page

Afro-Cuban Keystones Omar Sosa Quartet featuring Tim Eriksen John Santos Sextet Thursday, October 22, 7:30PM Herbst Theatre A double dose of Afro-Caribbean soul pairs two of the most high profile bandleaders in Latin American music. event page

Cuban Keyboard Maestro Gonzalo Rubalcaba Quintet Friday, October 23, 8PM Herbst Theatre Piano virtuoso Gonzalo Rubalcaba delivers dazzling peformances that seem to span the entire history of Cuban music with an amazing young quintet featuring Cuban saxophonist Yosvanny Terry. "One of the greatest musicians in jazz" the new york times event page

Music and Magnetism Melody Gardot Friday, October 23, 8PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre With a world-weary sensibility that seems out of step with her 24 years, vocalist and songwriter Melody Gardot has confirmed her status as a prodigiously gifted artist with a future on a grand scale. "You owe it to your ears to discover this gem for yourself." The BBC event page

Crescent City Classic Henry Butler Saturday, October 24, 8PM San Francisco Conservatory of Music New Orleans native Henry Butler is heir to the extroverted keyboard tradition that runs from Jelly Roll Morton through Professor Longhair, James Booker and Allen Toussaint. "All that’s right with classic N’awlins piano" chicago Sun-Times event page

Chief Conguero Poncho Sanchez Saturday, October 24, 8PM Herbst Theatre Poncho Sanchez is a Latin jazz icon, a crowd-pleasing bandleader whose formidable combo alternates between dance-inducing mambo beats, scorching salsa soul and tightly arranged jazz numbers. "As Elvis is to rock...Poncho is to salsa." los angeles times event page

Tropicalismo Titan Gal Costa with Oscar Castro-Neves Sunday, October 25, 7PM Herbst Theatre Singer Gal Costa stands out as one of Brazil’s most luminous stars. In her first Bay Area appearance since 2001, she explores both beloved treasures and little known gems from the Brazilian songbook. "“Gal Costa’s sensual voice has been a Brazilian pop archetype..." the new york times event page

A Timeless Hipster Mark Murphy with Vinny Valentino Sunday, October 25, 2PM Florence Gould Theatre, Legion of Honor One of the most original and gifted male jazz vocalists to emerge in the 1950s, six-time Grammy® Award-nominee Mark Murphy transforms everything he touches into a vehicle for daring improvisation. event page

Debut From Cuba Alfredo Rodríguez Sunday, October 25, 7PM San Francisco Conservatory of Music The latest piano sensation from Cuba, Alfredo Rodríguez tops off an auspicious year—including a recording session produced by Quincy Jones and riveting performances at SXSW and the Playboy Jazz Festival—with his Bay Area debut. "This is what music is about." quincy jones event page

Meeting of the Minds Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer POSTPONED TO MAY 25, 2010 Wednesday, October 28, 7:30PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre A harmonic convergence of virtuosity, this singular event is a meeting of musical minds that rivals any “supergroup” in jazz history. event page sold out!

Tony Williams Tribute Cindy Blackman's
Another Lifetime Wednesday, October 28, 8PM Great American Music Hall Powerhouse drummer Cindy Blackman is a commanding jazz musician, ideally equipped to pay tribute to the rhythmic genius Tony Williams. event page

Inspiration from India Ravi Shankar Anoushka Shankar Thursday, October 29, 7:30PM Davies Symphony Hall Sitar legend Ravi Shankar’s every performance is a transcendent experience. He shares the stage with one of the most promising sitar stars, his 28-year-old daughter, Anoushka. "Ravi Shankar is the Godfather of world music." George Harrison event page

Sephardic Spirit Yasmin Levy Thursday, October 29, 7:30PM Herbst Theatre Luminous Israeli singer and songwriter Yasmin Levy is hailed for her bold, cross-cultural musical vision, melding traditional Ladino melodies with vibrant cadences of flamenco, a style with shared roots in Spain’s Moorish past. "Here surely is the next world music superstar." The Guardian event page

sacred space Nicholas Payton
and Don Byron Friday, October 30, 8PM Grace Cathedral Solo sets by two of this era’s more impressive jazz instrumentalists inspired by the soaring sanctuary of Grace Cathedral. event page

To Billie with Love Dee Dee Bridgewater A Celebration of Lady Day Friday, October 30, 8PM Herbst Theatre A heartfelt tribute to Billie Holiday from Tony and Grammy Award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, who commands the stage with astounding vocal technique and the sheer force of her ebullient personality. "The most charismatic jazz singer of her generation." JazzTimes event page

The Real Deal James Cotton
Superharp Band with Herbert Sumlin Saturday, October 31, 8PM Herbst Theatre The rarified combo of harmonica legend James “Superharp” Cotton and guitarist Hubert Sumlin makes for a blues-lover’s event of the highest order. event page

Halloween Dance Party Marco Benevento Saturday, October 31, 9PM YBCA Forum An exhilarating glimpse into the future of jazz keyboards with Marco Benevento, a melodically inventive musical adventurer who has forged a fascinating repertoire of songs by the likes of Neil Young, Led Zeppelin and Beck. "Seemingly incapable of resisting an unexplored musical direction, Benevento can, essentially, do just about anything." los angeles times event page

Family Matinee — Duke Ellington and the Sounds of the Harlem Renaissance SFJAZZ High School
All-Stars Sunday, November 1, 3PM YBCA Forum For their annual SFJAZZ appearance, the All-Stars swing back to the classic Duke Ellington songbook, digging into some of Duke’s most famous and adventurous compositions. event page

SFJAZZ Beacon Award John Handy Sunday, November 1, 7PM Herbst Theatre One of the most innovative and visionary altoists in the post-bop era, John Handy is honored for his vital role in preserving jazz traditions and fostering the growth of jazz in the Bay Area. "John Handy is living jazz history." san francisco chronicle event page

Return to Roots Marc Cary Focus Trio Sunday, November 1, 2PM Koret Auditorium, de Young Museum New York pianist Marc Cary is a fearless musical explorer with a gift for leading adventurous ensembles. His Focus Trio features the exceptional Bay Area rhythm section of bassist David Ewell and Sameer Gupta on drums and tabla. "As a pianist, Mr. Cary…is onto something important" the new york times event page

Piano Italiano Giovanni Allevi Patrizia Scascitelli Sunday, November 1, 7PM YBCA Forum Giovanni Allevi’s solo recitals flow with an effervescent energy familiar to any jazz fan. His latest release, the double album Allevilive, was recorded during his Joy Tour 2007, which sold out all 120 dates. He’s joined by Patrizia Scascitelli, another Italian pianist known for her work with Don Cherry and others. event page

Form & Freedom Trio 3 Lake, Workman, & Cyrille Wednesday, November 4, 7:30PM Swedish American Hall A pyrotechnic project that brings together masters who have each forged a singular path on the edgier side of jazz, Trio 3 features World Saxophone Quartet altoist Oliver Lake, bassist Reggie Workman (John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter) and drummer Andrew Cyrille (David Murray, Cecil Taylor) event page

Percussion & Propulsion Backyard Alchemy Jesús, Scott & Jaz Wednesday, November 4, 8PM Great American Music Hall Our Backyard Alchemy Series highlights formidable talent residing right here in the Bay Area and this edition is focused on three rhythmatists, each with their own explosive ensemble: Jesus Diaz, Scott Amendola and Jaz Sawyer. event page

The New Sensation Esperanza Spalding Thursday, November 5, 7:30PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre With a beguiling blend of Brazilian melodies, Afro-Caribbean grooves, post-bop harmonies and lilting vocals, 24-year-old bassist Esperanza Spalding combines the imaginative flights of a serious improviser with the musical accessibility of a pop star. "The coolest person we’ve ever had on the show. Beautiful!" David Letterman event page sold out!

Sunshine Soul Sara Tavares Friday, November 6, 8PM Herbst Theatre Born in Portugal to Cape Verdean parents, Sara Tavares has absorbed sounds from around the world, creating an infectiously grooving body of songs often described as “sunshine soul.” "Tavares’ voice is filled with sunshine and light." los angeles times event page

Hammond B-3 organ summit Pat Martino Quartet featuring Tony Monaco Larry Goldings Trio Friday, November 6, 8PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre Get deep in the groove with legendary guitarist Pat Martino and his quartet featuring B-3 firebrand Tony Monaco, and the burning licks of organ master Larry Goldings. event page

Jazz down to His Toes Savion Glover Saturday, November 7, 7PM & 9:30PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre A cultural phenomenon for his starring role in the musical Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, tap dancer extraordinaire Savion Glover takes another major step in turning tap dance into a frontline jazz instrument with his band The Otherz. "To see Mr. Glover dance is to see a virtuosic and authentic artist at work." the new york times event page

Brilliance from Brazil Milton Nascimento Saturday, November 7, 8PM Nob Hill Masonic Center Brazilian singer and songwriter Nascimento occupies a very special place among world-jazz icons. An international array of artists has covered his songs, but with a gorgeous multi-octave voice and sumptuous melodic imagination the Brazilian superstar is the most effective interpreter of his own music. event page

Traditions in Transition Carolina Chocolate Drops Sunday, November 8, 3PM & 7PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre Proudly reclaiming the African-American string band tradition, the Carolina Chocolate Drops bring brash, youthful energy to music rooted in the red soil of the southern Piedmont. "Rarely has anything this culturally significant been this much foot-stomping, rib-tickling, laugh-out-loud fun." boston globe event page

Guitar God John Abercrombie with Mark Feldman, Drew Gress & Anthony Pinciotti Sunday, November 8, 2PM Florence Gould Theatre, Legion of Honor One of the world’s most admired guitarists, John Abercrombie leads a lyrical, all-star group combining a chamber ensemble’s dynamic control with post-bop’s improvisational imperative. event page

The Essence of Expression Ornette Coleman Sunday, November 8, 8PM Davies Symphony Hall Free jazz revolutionary Ornette Coleman has lost none of his power as a transformational figure. The alto sax iconoclast couples one of the most searingly beautiful sounds in jazz with a singing melodic sensibility expressed in long, careening lines. "One of the principal icons of post-bebop jazz" los angeles times event page

Double-Barreled Blues Bash Keb' Mo' Solomon Burke Saturday, November 21, 8PM Paramount Theatre Multiple Grammy® Award-winner Keb’ Mo’ is a living link to the seminal Delta blues, continuing in the footsteps of giants like Albert Collins and Taj Mahal. He’s joined by Solomon Burke, the King of Rock n’ Soul, whose songs have been immortalized by Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones and others. event page