Discover Jazz—
a 5-class series Thursdays, Feb. 4-Mar. 4, 7-9PM Jewish Community Center of SF Deepen your appreciation for America’s indigenous music with our Discover Jazz education series. This spring, we spotlight five of the greatest jazz composers, performers and icons: John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver and Duke Ellington. Each class features live performances, plus classic video and audio clips. event page

Members Listening Party
with Sam Stephenson Friday, February 5, 7PM War Memorial, Green Room In a famed New York loft, W. Eugene Smith took nearly 40,000 photographs and made nearly 4,000 hours of recordings of Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, Chick Corea and many others. Join writer Sam Stephenson as he shares stories from his new book The Jazz Loft Project. The event includes wine and dessert reception. SFJAZZ Members receive two FREE tickets per household. event page

Issac Delgado Friday, February 19, 8PM & 10:30PM Bimbo's 365 Club One of Cuba’s most revered stars, Issac Delgado pioneered the timba style, Havana’s tough, funky take on salsa. Restlessly inventive, Delgado keeps rewriting the rules of Caribbean dance music, employing amazing jazz passages, modern rhythms and electronics in his Grammy-nominated recordings and dazzling live performances. event page

Max Raabe
& Palast Orchester Saturday, February 20, 8PM Paramount Theatre, Oakland The elegant and supremely witty vocalist Max Raabe resurrects the glamorous Weimar era, a golden cultural age when German popular songs rubbed shoulders with American big band jazz. Fresh from sold out Carnegie Hall shows, the Orchester performs in the art deco Paramount Theatre, a perfect match for a journey back in time. event page

Tinariwen Sunday, February 21, 7PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre Tinariwen creates otherworldly guitar music combining North African traditions with Western blues and psychedelic rock. Drawing members from the Touareg, a long repressed tribal people from sub-Saharan Africa, Tinariwen’s songs are celebratory even as they pulse with the melancholy ache of exile, redefining the meaning of the blues. event page sold out!

Joshua Redman, solo Friday, February 26, 8PM Grace Cathedral Local hero Joshua Redman defines the modern jazz generation. A fearsomely talented saxophonist, Redman’s post-bop fluency is second to none. Now, ten years after his first solo performance here, Redman returns to Grace Cathedral and revisits music of the masters – Ellington, Monk, Shorter, Coltrane and others. event page

Al Di Meola
World Sinfonia Saturday, February 27, 8PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre A technical virtuoso with uncommon passion, Al Di Meola has been on the shortlist of great guitarists since his emergence with Chick Corea and Return To Forever in the 1970s. World Sinfonia showcases his brilliant acoustic guitar playing, while exploring a gorgeous world-fusion of flamenco, tango, Gypsy and Latin jazz with a multi-cultural band of the highest order. event page sold out!

SFJAZZ Collective Friday, March 5, 8PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre Each Spring Season the all-star SFJAZZ Collective celebrates the work of a jazz legend. This year’s focus is the pioneering hard bop pianist Horace Silver. And don’t miss the debut of new Collective members Mark Turner (tenor saxophone), Avishai Cohen (trumpet) and Edward Simon (piano), plus the triumphant return of Stefon Harris (vibraphone), some of the most exciting young musicians in jazz. event page

Kate McGarry Trio with Keith Ganz & Clarence Penn Sunday, March 7, 7PM Swedish American Hall Kate McGarry is part of a new generation expanding the art of vocal jazz, breathing new life into classic standards and transforming contemporary music by Björk, The Cars and Bob Dylan into jazz. Her latest album, If Less Is More… Nothing Is Everything, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Vocal Jazz Album of the year. event page

Zakir Hussain's
Masters of Percussion Wednesday, March 10, 7:30PM Herbst Theatre Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain is a national treasure in his native land. Since his debut at 12, he has collaborated with many musical icons, including Mickey Hart, Charles Lloyd, George Harrison and Joe Henderson. Masters of Percussion showcases classical ragas, rhythmic drumming and dance...a program fully displaying the great breadth of Indian music. event page sold out!

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Thursday, March 11, 7:30PM Congregation Sherith Israel A South African institution, Ladysmith Black Mambazo sparks a gentle fire to stir passions and lift sunken spirits. The all-male a cappella group began in the early ‘60s and finally broke through in the U.S. on Paul Simon’s Graceland album. They have since become global ambassadors for post-apartheid South Africa, winning three Grammys in the process. event page

Dianne Reeves Friday, March 12, 8PM Herbst Theatre Dianne Reeves’ river-deep, quicksilver vocals conjure up nearly the entire history of popular music: smoky balladry, bop improvisation, sensual soul and reinterpretations of blues and gospel. She recently provided music for the hit film Good Night, And Good Luck, scoring her fourth Grammy for "Best Jazz Vocal Album," a feat no other vocalist has equaled. event page

Rudresh Mahanthappa’s
Indo-Pak Coalition Saturday, March 13, 8PM Swedish American Hall Winner of the DownBeat Critic's Poll for “Rising Star,” altoist Rudresh Mahanthappa is one of the most original musicians of the modern era. His recent album, Kinsmen, integrates New York post-bop with the music of India, his ancestral homeland, and is one of the defining jazz records of the decade. The Indo-Pak Coalition also features Rez Abassi (guitar) and Dan Weiss (tabla). event page

Maceo Parker Sunday, March 14, 7PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre When people hear the word “funk,” a handful of artists immediately springs to mind: James Brown, George Clinton and Prince. Soul legend Maceo Parker has played sizzling alto saxophone with them all and enjoyed a celebrated decades-long solo career in the process. Parker’s slinky style has only deepened over the years, most recently on the Ray Charles tribute album, Roots And Grooves. event page

Keith Jarrett, solo Friday, March 19, 8PM Davies Symphony Hall One of the finest musicians of our time, pianist Keith Jarrett had star-making tenures with Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis before dedicating himself to a solo and small group acoustic career, recording for the esteemed ECM label since the early 1970s. Jarrett’s remarkable improvised solo concerts have earned him a lasting place in jazz history. event page sold out!

Hiromi, solo
Robert Glasper Experiment Saturday, March 20, 8PM Herbst Theatre A fiercely talented double bill, Hiromi and Robert Glasper are redefining jazz piano. Japan-born Hiromi Uehara, hailed by legends such as Ahmad Jamal, Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke, performs a special solo acoustic show in support of her new Telarc album, Place To Be. The 32-year-old Glasper, appearing with a quartet, artfully combines post-bop with alternative hip-hop grooves on his Blue Note 2-CD set, Double Booked. event page

Ralph Towner
with Paolo Fresu Saturday, March 27, 8PM YBCA Forum Ralph Towner sounds like no other guitarist. An original member of Oregon, ‘70s pioneers fusing jazz, folk and world music, Towner plays classical 6-string, 12-string acoustic and baritone guitar with rare grace. Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu shares the adventurous spirit with the elegance of early Miles Davis. The pair follows the release of their ravishing new ECM album Chiaroscuro with an evening of extraordinary duets. event page

Tord Gustavsen Ensemble Sunday, March 28, 7PM YBCA Forum Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen works his magic with nuance and restraint, describing his approach as “loving every note.” His ECM albums feature haunting melodies reminiscent of Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock. This performance unveils Gustavsen’s new quintet with saxophone and vocals. Prepare to be quietly stunned. event page

Sounds and Silence Thursday, April 1, 7PM Roxie Cinema Sounds and Silence covers five years in the career of visionary German record producer Manfred Eicher, the founding pioneer of ECM Records. It features artists including Jan Garbarek, Dino Saluzzi, Nik Bärtsch and many more. Co-presented by the Goethe-Institut SF, the Roxie Cinema and SFJAZZ. Tickets at roxie.com. event page

Bobby McFerrin presents VOCAbuLarieS Saturday, April 10, 8PM Nob Hill Masonic Center Vocalist Bobby McFerrin is a revolutionary musical force, boasting a long list of achievements: conducting symphony orchestras, scoring an era-defining pop hit with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and earning an incredible ten Grammy Awards. This SFJAZZ appearance is the U.S. premiere of a new choral project entitled VOCAbuLarieS, conducted by Roger Treece. event page

Tomasz Stanko Quintet Sunday, April 11, 2PM Gould Theater, Legion of Honor Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko has been among the most revered of European jazz musicians for decades. Recording for the ECM label since 1976, he has collaborated with artists such as Dino Saluzzi, Bobo Stenson and Marcin Wasilewski. Stanko appears with a stellar Scandinavian quintet featured on the new album Dark Eyes. event page sold out!

Pharoah Sanders, solo Friday, April 16, 8PM Grace Cathedral A living legend embodying the spiritual foundation of avant-garde jazz, tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders continues the adventurous tradition of his mentor, John Coltrane. Today, he is still capable of sending an entire concert hall off into the cosmic beyond—and Grace Cathedral serves as the ideal launching pad. event page

Caetano Veloso Saturday, April 17, 8PM Nob Hill Masonic Center Brazil’s reigning artistic genius, Caetano Veloso conjures global pop, jazz and folk into a style uniquely his own. Blessed with an otherworldly voice, he co-led the ‘60s bossa nova and Tropicália movements and has since taken on funky samba, orchestral pieces and edgy rock. At 67, Veloso’s influence is vast and his concerts are central to a legacy still in progress. event page

Punch Brothers
featuring Chris Thile Sunday, April 18, 7PM Herbst Theatre One of the most exciting soloists on today’s instrumental music scene, Chris Thile plays mandolin with astounding facility and artistic depth. Thile came to worldwide attention in the Grammy-winning band Nickel Creek and his remarkable solo recordings. His latest group, Punch Brothers, is a string quintet described by The Village Voice as “five wily, omnivorous bluegrass titans.” event page

Booker T. Friday, April 23, 8PM Herbst Theatre Booker T. Jones is the greatest organist in R&B history. Besides scoring hits such as “Green Onions,” his group Booker T. & the MG’s served as the house band for the immortal soul label Stax Records, backing artists like Otis Redding on their best recordings. Jones recently re-emerged with Potato Hole, a tasty collaboration with Southern rockers Drive-By Truckers, that just won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album. event page

Ana Moura Saturday, April 24, 8PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre Ana Moura is the most innately talented star to emerge from Portugal’s fado tradition in decades. Immersed in her country’s romantic songs as a child, her soul-bearing vocals and old-world poise shot her to international fame seemingly overnight. Her recent release, Para Além da Saudade, is a sensual delight celebrating fado’s history while carrying it ahead for the next generation. event page

Charles Lloyd
New Quartet with Jason Moran, Reuben Rogers & Eric Harland Sunday, April 25, 7PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre A towering musical figure, tenor saxophonist Charles Lloyd carries on the mission of such truth seekers as Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. Lloyd attained near rock-star status in the late ‘60s with albums such as Forest Flower, developing a unique, transcendent sound. For this date Lloyd appears with a new quartet, also featured on his ECM album, Rabo de Nube. event page

Chano Domínguez Flamenco Jazz Quartet featuring Tomasito SHOW CANCELLED Friday, April 30, 8PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre Chano Domínguez has ingeniously upturned flamenco convention, replacing the traditional guitar with his deft, jazz-based piano. Like Cuba’s Chucho Valdes, Domínguez pairs astounding keyboard dexterity with a decidedly Latin flavor, his Spanish roots adding a sensual spin to everything he touches. Domínguez appears in a quartet featuring Tomasito, an incendiary flamenco dancer. event page

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Slavic Soul Party! SHOW CANCELLED Saturday, May 1, 3PM & 8PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre The Chicago-based Hypnotic Brass Ensemble features seven brothers, all sons of Sun Ra trumpeter Phil Cohran, who use the classic New Orleans frontline style as a launching pad for their jazz and hip-hop sensibilities. NYC-based Slavic Soul Party! puts modern power into the folk music of Eastern Europe, updating festive Gypsy style with a funk-fueled propulsion. A major brass blowout! event page

Raul Midón Sunday, May 2, 7PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre Raul Midón’s soaring vocals, flamenco-inspired guitar playing and jazz-inflected positive soul sound draw comparisons to stars like Stevie Wonder and José Feliciano. Yet his unique gifts and diverse influences render a highly personal R&B style. Midón’s critically acclaimed discography expands with his new album, Synthesis, slated for U.S. release in 2010. event page

Sexmob with DJ Olive
play Sexotica Saturday, May 15, 8PM YBCA Forum Sexmob creates seriously modern jazz that’s fun and virtuosic enough to delight both hard-core jazz fans and an indie crowd raised on rock. Led by slide trumpeter and Berkeley native Steven Bernstein, the band weaves a danceable tapestry of bop, Dixieland jazz, luscious lounge and funk. For this gig, Sexmob delves into their new Sexotica album with DJ Olive, a cutting-edge turntabilist. event page

SFJAZZ High School
All-Stars Sunday, May 16, 2PM YBCA Forum For their annual SFJAZZ Spring Season appearance, Director Paul Contos and the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars perform compositions by some of the most important writers of the modern era. With exciting soloists, great arrangements and a swingin’ band featuring students from all over the Bay Area, the All-Stars are sure to entertain jazz fans of all ages. event page

Sheila Jordan
with Steve Kuhn Sunday, May 16, 7PM YBCA Forum A vocalist beloved by musicians and audiences alike, Sheila Jordan sings with spontaneous, exploratory depth while paying keen attention to the emotions the lyrics convey. Tasteful yet fearless, she has an ideal accompanist in pianist Steve Kuhn. Finally receiving the attention he richly deserves, Kuhn’s new tribute album, Mostly Coltrane, has garnered worldwide critical acclaim. event page

Soulive
Wil Blades O.G.D. Saturday, May 22, 8PM Palace of Fine Arts Theatre The past 10 years of Soulive’s unstoppable mix of soul-jazz, funk and hip-hop have brought them fans and collaborators in stars like John Scofield, The Roots and The Rolling Stones. Wil Blades, winner of the DownBeat “Rising Star” award, is a locally based, world-class talent who’s played with Charlie Hunter. Like Soulive, he performs in the classic trio format with O.G.D. (organ, guitar, drums). event page

Faye Carol Quartet
Jamie Davis Quintet Sunday, May 23, 7PM San Francisco Conservatory of Music This strong double-bill features local artists who have artfully upheld the Bay Area jazz/blues vocal tradition. The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol’s powerful pipes and jazz chops bring to mind Dinah Washington and Betty Carter. Jamie Davis has a silky-smooth delivery that earned him a featured spot with the Count Basie Orchestra; his smoky croon earning comparisons to icons like Joe Williams. event page

Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer Tuesday, May 25, 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!

Regina Carter Quintet
Mads Tolling Quartet Friday, May 28, 8PM Herbst Theatre The jazz violin summit of 2010! A player of unsurpassed skill, Regina Carter has earned a MacArthur “Genius“ grant and appeared in Time magazine for her exquisite post-bop, hot swing and classical sets. For her latest project, Reverse Thread, Carter explores African folk traditions. Mads Tolling, of the Bay Area’s Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet, combines modern jazz with an electrifying swirl of rock, classical and bluegrass on his album, The Playmaker. event page

Lou Donaldson Saturday, May 29, 8PM Herbst Theatre Lou Donaldson’s masterful alto saxophone tells the entire story of mainstream jazz: dazzling bebop runs, deep soul-jazz grooves and gorgeously gentle ballads. A trailblazer of the Blue Note Records sound, Donaldson helped launch the careers of George Benson and Dr. Lonnie Smith on albums like Alligator Boogaloo. At 83, he’s still playing with the same power and dexterity of his youth. event page

Kurt Elling with the
Count Basie Orchestra Sunday, May 30, 7PM Davies Symphony Hall Kurt Elling, widely hailed as the best jazz vocalist of his generation, teams up with the Count Basie Orchestra to celebrate the music the band crafted with Frank Sinatra in the early ‘60s. Basie’s sense of swing fit Frank so well that he described singing with them as riding the crest of a wave. Elling has every bit of Sinatra’s firepower and will do some big-wave surfing in this rare matchup. A must-see! event page

Renee Rosnes
  & Bill Charlap
Toshiko Akiyoshi
  & Lew Tabackin Friday, June 4, 8PM Herbst Theatre Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes may be married, but each is a jazz pianist with distinctive style. A founding member of the SFJAZZ Collective, Rosnes has gigged with giants like Joe Henderson and has released more than a dozen albums. New York native Charlap cut his teeth with Gerry Mulligan and is often compared with Bill Evans. Partners in marriage and music, pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and saxophonist Lew Tabackin led a famed big band for over 30 years. The couple’s strikingly original work has earned 14 Grammys nominations. This evening of duets is jazz history in the making. event page

Donny McCaslin Trio Saturday, June 5, 8PM Swedish American Hall Revered by the jazz elite for his powerhouse tenor solos and compositional depth, Donny McCaslin first caught vibraphonist Gary Burton’s ear while at the Berklee College of Music. From there, McCaslin took over Michael Brecker’s spot in Steps Ahead and joined the Dave Douglas Quintet before leading his own ensembles. On this date he brings the power trio from his acclaimed Recommended Tools CD. event page

Marcus Miller Tutu Revisited: the Music of
Miles Davis featuring
Christian Scott Friday, June 11, 8PM Herbst Theatre Widely considered to be among the world’s great electric bassists, Marcus Miller is also a Grammy winner, Hollywood composer and A-list producer for Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, David Sanborn, Paul Simon and, of course, Miles Davis. For this SFJAZZ appearance, Miller delves into the vast repertoire of his own compositions including work from Tutu — the immortal 1986 Davis album he arranged. Special guest Christian Scott is one of the leading young trumpeters on today's music scene. event page

Salif Keita Saturday, June 12, 8PM & 10:30PM Bimbo's 365 Club Salif Keita, “The Golden Voice of Africa,” transformed his continent’s musical landscape and ushered in the Afropop revolution. Born an albino, a symbol of bad luck in his native Mali, Keita’s soaring vocals and socially conscious lyrics nevertheless made him hugely influential in bringing a jangly, guitar-rich African sound to the global pop landscape. Two shows in one night! event page

James Farm with Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks,
Matt Penman & Eric Harland Saturday, June 12, 8PM Herbst Theatre (SFJAZZ Members only) When Joshua Redman heard young keyboardist Aaron Parks’ trio, he knew he had to play with them. The pianist’s brilliant vision of acoustic jazz is informed as much by rock, world and electronic music as it is by post-bop. Along with bassist Matt Penman and drummer Eric Harland, this group looks to be the next great modern jazz quartet. Our Members-only show is the band’s west coast premiere. event page