CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY at SFJAZZ
Almost 100 years ago, noted historian and scholar Carter G. Woodson launched Black History Week, which over time became an officially recognized month in the United States, for the celebration and education of the history and culture of Black People. A vital element of this history is Black American Music ... Jazz, an art form rooted and born of the African American and Afro-Caribbean experience.
At SFJAZZ, we are grateful for these opportunities for expanded recognition and celebration. We believe that Black history is everyone’s history… therefore we are continuing in our commitment to honor our history on a daily basis… and strengthen our relationships with Black communities locally and globally.
Please join us here at SFJAZZ to celebrate Black heritage, Black experiences, Black voices… all year long!
Visit SFJAZZ social media channels for ongoing Black History videos, photos, curated playlists, and more:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
PLAYLISTS
Freedom Now!
Pioneering Black Women in Jazz
FEB 1 | Terence Blanchard UpSwing Concert
KENDRICK SCOTT: UNEARTHED
SFJAZZ Collective’s Kendrick Scott presents the West Coast premiere his multimedia project Unearthed, combining poetry, visuals, string quartet, and a jazz ensemble in a moving work memorializing the Sugar Land 95 — the 95 unidentified Black prisoners and forced laborers found buried in the Texas town of Sugar Land in 2018. SFJAZZ Members receive 25% discount on all tickets.
Buy TicketsFEB 1 | Terence Blanchard UpSwing Concert
KENDRICK SCOTT: UNEARTHED
SFJAZZ Collective’s Kendrick Scott presents the West Coast premiere his multimedia project Unearthed, combining poetry, visuals, string quartet, and a jazz ensemble in a moving work memorializing the Sugar Land 95 — the 95 unidentified Black prisoners and forced laborers found buried in the Texas town of Sugar Land in 2018. SFJAZZ Members receive 25% discount on all tickets.
Buy TicketsFEB 6-9 | Duke Ellington Big Band Tribute
JASON MORAN w/ MARCUS SHELBY NEW ORCHESTRA
“A startlingly gifted pianist with a relentless thirst for experimentation” (Los Angeles Times), Jason Moran is joined by the New Orchestra of Bay Area jazz great Marcus Shelby and rising jazz vocal star Darynn Dean for concerts dedicated to the big band compositions of the iconic Duke Ellington — America’s greatest composer and a constant source of inspiration to both artists.
Buy TicketsFEB 6-9 | Duke Ellington Big Band Tribute
JASON MORAN w/ MARCUS SHELBY NEW ORCHESTRA
“A startlingly gifted pianist with a relentless thirst for experimentation” (Los Angeles Times), Jason Moran is joined by the New Orchestra of Bay Area jazz great Marcus Shelby and rising jazz vocal star Darynn Dean for concerts dedicated to the big band compositions of the iconic Duke Ellington — America’s greatest composer and a constant source of inspiration to both artists.
Buy TicketsFEB 6-8 | The World Is On Fire
Isaiah Collier
An explosive young saxophonist, vocalist, composer, and bandleader, Isaiah Collier performs in the Joe Henderson Lab with a night devoted to his project I AM, with drummer Timothy Regis, and one with his band The Chosen Few, playing his latest music including songs from his most recent album ‘The World Is On Fire’, which is Collier’s observation journal reflecting on the tumultuous period from before the pandemic to the present day. The title itself wields his lens on vile acts committed by those in power addressing themes of economic upheaval, systemic racism, and the relentless fight for justice.
Buy TicketsFEB 6-8 | The World Is On Fire
Isaiah Collier
An explosive young saxophonist, vocalist, composer, and bandleader, Isaiah Collier performs in the Joe Henderson Lab with a night devoted to his project I AM, with drummer Timothy Regis, and one with his band The Chosen Few, playing his latest music including songs from his most recent album ‘The World Is On Fire’, which is Collier’s observation journal reflecting on the tumultuous period from before the pandemic to the present day. The title itself wields his lens on vile acts committed by those in power addressing themes of economic upheaval, systemic racism, and the relentless fight for justice.
Buy TicketsFEB 8 | Duke Ellington for Young People
FAMILY MATINEE w/ MARCUS SHELBY NEW ORCHESTRA
We continue our tribute to one of the greatest artists in jazz, Duke Ellington, with a Family Matinee concert led by bassist, bandleader and educator Marcus Shelby and his fabulous orchestra. With over 3,000 compositions to his credit — Duke Ellington was heralded as “beyond category,” and provided the world with some of the most enduring melodies ever written. This hour-long family-friendly and educational concert is a great experience for all ages.
Buy TicketsFEB 8 | Duke Ellington for Young People
FAMILY MATINEE w/ MARCUS SHELBY NEW ORCHESTRA
We continue our tribute to one of the greatest artists in jazz, Duke Ellington, with a Family Matinee concert led by bassist, bandleader and educator Marcus Shelby and his fabulous orchestra. With over 3,000 compositions to his credit — Duke Ellington was heralded as “beyond category,” and provided the world with some of the most enduring melodies ever written. This hour-long family-friendly and educational concert is a great experience for all ages.
Buy TicketsFEB 14-16 | Soul & Gospel Icon
MAVIS STAPLES
Mavis Staples is the greatest living gospel and soul singer – a three-time GRAMMY winner, a 2016 Kennedy Center honoree, a 1999 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a Blues and Gospel Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the 2005 GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award whose soaring voice turned classic spirituals into joyous declarations of freedom. Born in Chicago, Staples made her professional debut at age 10 with her legendary family band, The Staple Singers, singing on timeless songs that became chart topping hits and indelible anthems of the Civil Rights Movement.
Buy TicketsFEB 14-16 | Soul & Gospel Icon
MAVIS STAPLES
Mavis Staples is the greatest living gospel and soul singer – a three-time GRAMMY winner, a 2016 Kennedy Center honoree, a 1999 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a Blues and Gospel Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the 2005 GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award whose soaring voice turned classic spirituals into joyous declarations of freedom. Born in Chicago, Staples made her professional debut at age 10 with her legendary family band, The Staple Singers, singing on timeless songs that became chart topping hits and indelible anthems of the Civil Rights Movement.
Buy TicketsArt Blakey once said, jazz washes away the dust of everyday life. We invite and welcome you here to our amazing jazz center to celebrate the music, and wash off the dust of everyday life all year long.
Bernard Boudreaux, SFJAZZ Trustee
Art Blakey once said, jazz washes away the dust of everyday life. We invite and welcome you here to our amazing jazz center to celebrate the music, and wash off the dust of everyday life all year long.
Bernard Boudreaux, SFJAZZ Trustee
I invite you to join us as we celebrate the beautiful, phenomenal heritage of this music we call jazz during Black History Month and throughout the year.
Angela Davis, SFJAZZ Trustee
I invite you to join us as we celebrate the beautiful, phenomenal heritage of this music we call jazz during Black History Month and throughout the year.
Angela Davis, SFJAZZ Trustee
Black music and Black history are deeply important to us all, and we invite you to enjoy and celebrate it with us ... in February and EVERY month.
Herman Gray, SFJAZZ Trustee
Black music and Black history are deeply important to us all, and we invite you to enjoy and celebrate it with us ... in February and EVERY month.
Herman Gray, SFJAZZ Trustee
Jazz has a unique place in Black History, it has been a unifying element throughout our community ... a source of love, hope, and joy. That's why at SFJAZZ we celebrate Black History today and everyday.
Shakeya A. McDow, SFJAZZ Trustee
Jazz has a unique place in Black History, it has been a unifying element throughout our community ... a source of love, hope, and joy. That's why at SFJAZZ we celebrate Black History today and everyday.
Shakeya A. McDow, SFJAZZ Trustee
Black music, history, and culture are deeply important to us at SFJAZZ, and therefore we invite you to join and celebrate with us in February and every month thereafter.
Denise Young, SFJAZZ Trustee
Black music, history, and culture are deeply important to us at SFJAZZ, and therefore we invite you to join and celebrate with us in February and every month thereafter.
Denise Young, SFJAZZ Trustee
As an organization that celebrates jazz as an artform born from and rooted in the African-American experience, SFJAZZ understands the importance of using our platform to connect and engage with vital Bay Area and national organizations focused on furthering social justice, ending racism, and supporting arts and culture in Black communities. SFJAZZ encourages you to learn more about these organizations, what they do, how they are affecting change, and how you can get involved.
Learn MoreAs an organization that celebrates jazz as an artform born from and rooted in the African-American experience, SFJAZZ understands the importance of using our platform to connect and engage with vital Bay Area and national organizations focused on furthering social justice, ending racism, and supporting arts and culture in Black communities. SFJAZZ encourages you to learn more about these organizations, what they do, how they are affecting change, and how you can get involved.
Learn More