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!
African Diaspora
Pioneering Black Women in Jazz
FEB 3-4 | SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director
HOWARD WILEY: SATURDAY NIGHT TO SUNDAY MORNING
Exploring the dichotomous connection that exists between cutting loose on Saturday night and the repentance of Sunday morning, saxophonist and Resident Artistic Director Howard Wiley performs a soulful and spiritual jazz program that will alternately get you out of your seat and help cleanse your soul. Wiley is joined by an all-star band including flautist and vocalist Camille Thurman, organist Damien Sneed, bassist Amina Scott, and drummer Darrell Green.
Buy TicketsFEB 3-4 | SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director
HOWARD WILEY: SATURDAY NIGHT TO SUNDAY MORNING
Exploring the dichotomous connection that exists between cutting loose on Saturday night and the repentance of Sunday morning, saxophonist and Resident Artistic Director Howard Wiley performs a soulful and spiritual jazz program that will alternately get you out of your seat and help cleanse your soul. Wiley is joined by an all-star band including flautist and vocalist Camille Thurman, organist Damien Sneed, bassist Amina Scott, and drummer Darrell Green.
Buy TicketsFEB 8-11 | West Coast Premiere
JOHNATHAN BLAKE: MY LIFE MATTERS
One of the most accomplished drummers in modern jazz makes his West Coast debut as a leader, joined by his quintet featuring Bay Area raised saxophone great Dayna Stephens and piano phenom Fabian Almazan along with young vibraphone virtuoso Jalen Baker and Blake’s longtime collaborator, bassist Dezron Douglas. Commissioned by New York’s Jazz Gallery, ‘My Life Matters’ is a dual treatise on the importance of family values and the social imperative to stand up in the face of injustice.
Buy TicketsFEB 8-11 | West Coast Premiere
JOHNATHAN BLAKE: MY LIFE MATTERS
One of the most accomplished drummers in modern jazz makes his West Coast debut as a leader, joined by his quintet featuring Bay Area raised saxophone great Dayna Stephens and piano phenom Fabian Almazan along with young vibraphone virtuoso Jalen Baker and Blake’s longtime collaborator, bassist Dezron Douglas. Commissioned by New York’s Jazz Gallery, ‘My Life Matters’ is a dual treatise on the importance of family values and the social imperative to stand up in the face of injustice.
Buy TicketsFEB 14 | No Ordinary Love
SADE TRIBUTE w/ MARTIN LUTHER THE REAL MCCOY
Cherished Bay Area vocalist and SFJAZZ Collective alumnus Martin Luther The Real McCoy brings a romantic tribute to the iconic Nigerian/British soul queen Sade with this Valentine’s Day performance. For this sold out performance, McCoy dives into Sade’s seductive songbook, performing gems like “No Ordinary Love” and “Sweetest Taboo.”
Buy TicketsFEB 14 | No Ordinary Love
SADE TRIBUTE w/ MARTIN LUTHER THE REAL MCCOY
Cherished Bay Area vocalist and SFJAZZ Collective alumnus Martin Luther The Real McCoy brings a romantic tribute to the iconic Nigerian/British soul queen Sade with this Valentine’s Day performance. For this sold out performance, McCoy dives into Sade’s seductive songbook, performing gems like “No Ordinary Love” and “Sweetest Taboo.”
Buy TicketsFEB 17 | Black Gospel Music
FAMILY MATINEE w/ OAKLAND INTERFAITH GOSPEL CHOIR
Under the direction of Founding Artistic Director Terrance Kelly, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir presents a captivating musical revue in celebration of Black History Month. From heartfelt Negro spirituals performed with an authenticity not often found outside of the South, to energetic and upbeat contemporary gospel, the show also offers historical context for each piece throughout and is sure to uplift and inspire an audience of all ages.
Buy TicketsFEB 17 | Black Gospel Music
FAMILY MATINEE w/ OAKLAND INTERFAITH GOSPEL CHOIR
Under the direction of Founding Artistic Director Terrance Kelly, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir presents a captivating musical revue in celebration of Black History Month. From heartfelt Negro spirituals performed with an authenticity not often found outside of the South, to energetic and upbeat contemporary gospel, the show also offers historical context for each piece throughout and is sure to uplift and inspire an audience of all ages.
Buy TicketsFEB 22 | Soul-Jazz
KANDACE SPRINGS
“A bewitching amalgam of Dusty Springfield’s caliginous, cream-filled soulfulness and Nancy Wilson’s sensual sophistication, with distinct shades of Michael Jackson” (JazzTimes), the stunning soul jazz singer and pianist presents music from her highly acclaimed album ‘The Women Who Raised Me’, which is a loving tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and others. Springs will be joined by rising star drummer Camille Gainer and Oakland-born bassist Aneesa Strings.
Buy TicketsFEB 22 | Soul-Jazz
KANDACE SPRINGS
“A bewitching amalgam of Dusty Springfield’s caliginous, cream-filled soulfulness and Nancy Wilson’s sensual sophistication, with distinct shades of Michael Jackson” (JazzTimes), the stunning soul jazz singer and pianist presents music from her highly acclaimed album ‘The Women Who Raised Me’, which is a loving tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and others. Springs will be joined by rising star drummer Camille Gainer and Oakland-born bassist Aneesa Strings.
Buy TicketsFEB 23-25 | Legendary Vocalist
Dianne Reeves
“The most admired jazz diva since the heyday of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday,” (NY Times) GRAMMY winner and 2018 NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves is jazz’s greatest living vocalist — an artist who embodies the music’s enduring values of elegance, class, and improvisational poise. Whether putting a personal stamp on lilting Brazilian standards, exploring contemporary pop songs, interpreting American Songbook classics, or breathing fresh life into romantic ballads, Dianne Reeves always gets to the heart of a song.
Buy TicketsFEB 23-25 | Legendary Vocalist
Dianne Reeves
“The most admired jazz diva since the heyday of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday,” (NY Times) GRAMMY winner and 2018 NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves is jazz’s greatest living vocalist — an artist who embodies the music’s enduring values of elegance, class, and improvisational poise. Whether putting a personal stamp on lilting Brazilian standards, exploring contemporary pop songs, interpreting American Songbook classics, or breathing fresh life into romantic ballads, Dianne Reeves always gets to the heart of a song.
Buy TicketsBlack 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 Chair
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 Chair
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
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
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
We invite you into our amazing SFJAZZ Center to celebrate Black music and Black history EVERY month of the year.
John Santos, SFJAZZ Trustee
We invite you into our amazing SFJAZZ Center to celebrate Black music and Black history EVERY month of the year.
John Santos, 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 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
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