a nonprofit presenter of jazz artistic and education programs
Meet the Masters concert

The Meet the Masters program brings world-class jazz artists out of the concert hall and into the community, connecting youth and adults, students and professionals, musicians and non-musicians, and artists and audiences of all ages with a diverse array of interactive workshops.

Since 1984, SFJAZZ has reached out to youth and adult audiences with in-school performances, and workshops in alternative, intimate and informal settings. Twenty years later, Meet the Masters expanded both in depth and in scope with the founding of the all-star resident ensemble of SFJAZZ, the SFJAZZ Collective, who lead an array of education and outreach programs during their annual San Francisco residency each spring.

By exploring the music and lives of modern jazz composers (Ornette Coleman, 2004; John Coltrane, 2005; Herbie Hancock, 2006), Meet the Masters extends their musical and historical significance through a series of community outreach programs, reaching audiences of all ages in diverse settings and locations.

Events include:

  • Informances, featuring interactive performance, hands-on demonstration and discussion
  • Master Classes, showcasing students in performance for the masters and receiving professional feedback and critique
  • Clinics, teaching a specific skill
  • Coaching and Mentoring, inspiring aspiring young jazz students in the SFJAZZ All-Star High School Ensembles
  • Open Rehearsals, providing audiences with the opportunity to listen and witness the creative process firsthand

Recent programs have featured Terence Blanchard, Ravi Coltrane, Eric Harland, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Vijay Iyer, Yusef Lateef, Nicholas Payton, Joshua Redman, Maria Schneider, Luciana Souza, and Miguel Zenón.
PAST Session

Masters

Meet the Masters Workshop featuring Jimmy Heath and Miguel Zenón (Fall 2006)



Yusef Lateef w kids
Yusef Lateef demonstrates his pioneering jazz technique through indigenous African musical instruments to the All-Star High School Ensemble. (Fall 2005)


Ravi w kids
Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane mentors members of the SFJAZZ Young Composers Project. (Spring 2006)