Wednesday 7:30PM

Thursday 7:30PM

Friday 8:00PM

Chestnut/Malone double bill along w/Lionel Loueke Trio

Saturday 2:00PM

Toshiko Akiyoshi

Sunday 2:00PM

Pablo Zeigler

Sunday 7:00PM

From Rising Stars to Living Legends, Week Two Features a World of Music

The week opens tonight (10/25) with an onstage celebration of the great saxophonist Jimmy Heath’s 80th birthday. The Heath Brothers (Jimmy, drummer Tootie, and the late bassist Percy) are a Philadelphia musical dynasty that dates back to the bebop era. Largely known for contributions as sidemen for the who’s who of jazz titans, the Heaths have become legends themselves,with Jimmy earning NEA Jazz Master status and Tootie fronting The Whole Drum Truth drum ensemble. Joining the brothers onstage is the up-and-coming Jeremy Pelt, recently pegged “#1 Rising Star” Trumpeter in the DownBeat Critics Poll.

Legends make way on Thursday for two musicians very much on the rise—an exciting double bill led by DownBeat Critics Poll “#1 Rising Star” honorees on their respective instruments, Stefon Harris for vibes and alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón. Harris’ music with his band Blackout is “unadulterated jazz that [finds] the sweet spot between challenging and accessible, grooving hard and swinging harder” (Ottawa Citizen). His brand-new CD, African Tarantella, is a confident exploration of Duke Ellington songbook. In the three years since joining the SFJAZZ, Zenón’s career has grown by leaps and bounds. A special Members-only “Open Soundcheck” precedes his performance Thursday night.

Friday night, two distinctive guitarists take the Herbst Theatre stage. In a Festival-exclusive pairing, straight-ahead paragon Russell Malone co-leads a quartet with pianist Cyrus Chestnut. These two musicians—former rising stars themselves— have grown into revered members of the jazz firmament. Opening the show is Beninese guitarist Lionel Loueke, who displays a unique blend of African and jazz stylings on the six strings.

Another Members-only event kicks off Saturday’s performances, with newly christened NEA Jazz Master Toshiko Akiyoshi in a rare solo recital at the intimate Florence Gould Theatre. This revered artist’s career was launched as a bebop pianist in post-war Tokyo; after an extended spell in Los Angeles as a leader of an acclaimed big band, she made New York City home. Non-members who join SFJAZZ now are still eligible to buy tickets for this special show, while supplies last. Read more about Akiyoshi's recent NEA Award.

That evening, another globetrotting musician and composer will fire up the Herbst Theatre stage. A brilliant improviser, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval won Cuba’s Best Instrumentalist award for eight years straight. The accolades have continued since his defection from Cuba in 1990, with Sandoval claiming 4 Grammy Awards, 6 Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award.

The weekend draws to a close on Sunday with two compelling shows. In the afternoon, pianist Pablo Ziegler extends the tradition of Nuevo tango master Astor Piazzola, in whose ensembles Ziegler performed for many years. One of the Festival’s most compelling double bills rounds out the evening. Andrew Hill, an under-sung master at the nexus between hard bop and the avant garde, has re-emerged with two stellar albums in the 21st century—including Time Lines, named “Best Album” in the recent DownBeat Critics Poll. That night, Hill’s music will receive an informed, passionate revival from a more contemporary master, Wilco's guitarist Nels Cline, whose most recent album, New Monastery , is a tribute to Hill’s compositions. Read the SFWeekly preview article for this concert.

Andy Gard, SFJAZZ member

SFJAZZ Member Andy Gard is particularly enthused about tonight’s Heath Brothers show [10/25], as they were the band that tore him away from Detroit rock radio “where Ted Nugent=God.”

“I’m grateful the surviving brothers have chosen to continue performing, because the Heath Brothers embody everything I love about jazz: Their effortless sense of melody and swing, the subtle interplay between the musicians, and their wicked sense of humor!”

If you can find a copy of the out-of-print title “Live At The Public Theatre,” be sure to snap it up. It’s Andy’s favorite recording. Andy also recommends Brotherly Love and Jazz Family.

SFJAZZ Members: If there's a show you're looking forward to, or a particular recording by a Festival artist that you want let others know about, send your thoughts to the Members Corner at members@sfjazz.org.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Friday, January 26
Herbst Theatre, 8PM

South Africa’s groundbreaking 10-man a cappella group makes a rare SF appearance! Renowned worldwide for their spellbinding vocals on Paul Simon’s Grammy-winning, quintuple-platinum album Graceland—soon followed by a series of whimsical 7UP TV commercials—“LSMB”are famed for “melding a tradition of Zulu harmony with imported gospel and soul” (The New York Times). Two-time Grammy-winners in their own right, LSMB are revered cultural and humanitarian ambassadors for their homeland,” using their majestic voices, and nothing else [to produce] a full orchestra of sound” (San Francisco Chronicle).

Tickets go on sale to SFJAZZ Members only this Sunday, October 29, at 12PM. (Members can call 415-788-7353, or use the Members online order form this Sunday).