Not so very long ago, it was a rarity for a jazz artist to have his or her own website. And among the few artist sites out there, what passed for "multimedia" was just a few concert photos added to otherwise bare-bones information: biography, discography, tour schedule, and the like. Well, times and the Web have changed, and happily, the jazz world has kept in (syncopated) step, with elegant design, streaming audio and video, Flash animation, blogs, and other contemporary features now gracing the sites of acknowledged masters and emerging artists alike. (Note: If you don't have Flash, you can download it for free here.)

Here are a few official websites of SFJAZZ Spring Season artists that, in our opinion, stand out from the online crowd:

Randy Weston's website includes an audio slideshow of Randy and The Gnawa Master Musicians (Flash required)

Randy Weston
The great pianist/composer may be a jazz elder statesman, but his website—like his music—is nothing if not up-to-date, with streaming audio clips, a Flash audio-visual presentation on his collaboration with master Gnawa musicians from Morocco, and more.

Randy Weston's African Rhythms & The Gnawa Master Musicians of Morocco "80th Birthday Celebration" Friday, April 28 • 8PM Herbst Theatre

Maria Rita's website includes audio clips, lyrics and a photo gallery.

Maria Rita
While it’s true that this is a Portuguese-only website, that shouldn’t deter the Brazilian singing star’s English-only fans from paying it a visit—you’ll be rewarded with three complete streaming audio tracks from her latest CD, Segundo, and some of the hippest organic-meets-hi-tech graphics this side of Björk.

Maria Rita Saturday, May 13 • 9PM Masonic Center

Baaba Maal's site features a video interview and audio clips.

Baaba Maal
The clarion-voiced Senegalese superstar boasts a website with a little bit of everything: a streaming video interview, music video, and several complete audio tracks—all with multiple choices of media players and bandwidths. Don't miss the video interview, in which Maal discusses the making of his acclaimed CD Missing You (Mi Yeewnii), accompanied by musical excerpts and footage of concerts, the recording studio, and Senegalese village life.

Baaba Maal Friday, June 16 • 8pm Masonic Center

Spring Season Sponsor Sites
Beyond these Spring Season artist sites, we’re pleased to note that a number of our seasonal media sponsors offer a variety of jazz multimedia online. Please pay them a visit using the links below!

	BET J The cable TV network offers music news, concerts, and more via its "Bet on Blast" player.
	KCSM Jazz 91 Live streaming audio available 24/7.
	KKSF For sounds on the smoother side, check out KKSF’s live streams.
	KPFA Live streams, podcasts, and more—all accessible from KPFA’s homepage.

Other Sites We Like
(An admittedly brief, highly idiosyncratic, and absolutely alphabetized selection of sites offering jazz multimedia online)

	Bay Area Improvisers Network An ideal intro to and source-site for many of the most innovative artists on the Bay Area creative music scene.
	Internet Archive There’s treasure upon treasure available from this non-profit site based in San Francisco’s Presidio: legal concert downloads from "taper-friendly" jam bands; classic blues 78s, newly digitized; and much, much more. Set aside several hours in your schedule and dive in!
	Jazzcorner In addition to hosting 190 separate jazz sites (and counting), this online resource offers jazzy podcasts, chatrooms, and more.
	WNYC Soundcheck This radio show out of New York City, available by podcast, often features interviews with today’s leading jazz artists. Subjects in recent months have included Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, John Pizzarelli, and NEA Chairman Dana Gioia (discussing jazz education in America)