Soak up the sun and unwind with classics like “Summer Days” by Lonnie Liston Smith or set the perfect vibe for your next BBQ with tracks from 2025 San Francisco Jazz Festival performers such as Patrice Rushen, Brandon Woody, Kiefer, and more. You'll also find tunes from artists performing at the SFJAZZ Center this summer, including Ravi Coltrane and Taj Mahal. Enjoy this month's playlist featuring a selection of the SFJAZZ staff's favorite summertime jams.
Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes — “Summer Days”
Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes — “Summer Days”
Azymuth — “Last Summer in Rio”
On their most recent album Marca Passo (Far Out Recordings), the iconic Brazilian jazz-fusion trio Azymuth revisits their 1982 track "Last Summer in Rio" from the album Telecommunication. This version, which also includes Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick of Incognito on electric guitar, brings fresh energy while honoring the original’s samba-funk spirit.
Azymuth — “Last Summer in Rio”
On their most recent album Marca Passo (Far Out Recordings), the iconic Brazilian jazz-fusion trio Azymuth revisits their 1982 track "Last Summer in Rio" from the album Telecommunication. This version, which also includes Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick of Incognito on electric guitar, brings fresh energy while honoring the original’s samba-funk spirit.
Braxton Cook - “FJYD”
Braxton Cook - “FJYD”
Brandon Woody - “Real Love Pt. 1”
We heard Brandon Woody at the Festival, where he played this song from his debut album, For the Love Of It All, with Blue Note Records. He's from Baltimore and his band features great Baltimore musicians as well. His drummer, Quincy Phillips, was in the Roy Hargrove Quintet and has been on the scene for a long time.
Brandon Woody - “Real Love Pt. 1”
We heard Brandon Woody at the Festival, where he played this song from his debut album, For the Love Of It All, with Blue Note Records. He's from Baltimore and his band features great Baltimore musicians as well. His drummer, Quincy Phillips, was in the Roy Hargrove Quintet and has been on the scene for a long time.
Taj Mahal - “Summer Time”
This song might be a little too on the nose for a Summer playlist, but this entire Savoy album is super swinging and joyful and features a lot of stellar Bay Area musicians. We also filmed this concert at SFJAZZ and you can watch it on-demand on SFJAZZ At Home! Taj Mahal returns to SFJAZZ on August 14-17, 2025.
Taj Mahal - “Summer Time”
This song might be a little too on the nose for a Summer playlist, but this entire Savoy album is super swinging and joyful and features a lot of stellar Bay Area musicians. We also filmed this concert at SFJAZZ and you can watch it on-demand on SFJAZZ At Home! Taj Mahal returns to SFJAZZ on August 14-17, 2025.
Brandee Younger ft. Ravi Coltrane - "Love's Prayer"
Ravi Coltrane shines on this feature track from Brandee Younger's 2019 release Soul Awakening. The two have gone on to collaborate regularly in the years since, and both were SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Directors from 2023-2025. Ravi's final performances as a RAD are happening July 24-27, 2025.
Brandee Younger ft. Ravi Coltrane - "Love's Prayer"
Ravi Coltrane shines on this feature track from Brandee Younger's 2019 release Soul Awakening. The two have gone on to collaborate regularly in the years since, and both were SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Directors from 2023-2025. Ravi's final performances as a RAD are happening July 24-27, 2025.
Kiefer ft. Theo Croker - "Everybody Loves The Sunshine"
Two standouts from last month’s San Francisco Jazz Festival teamed up for a truly unique version of this classic Summer jam from Roy Ayers that's been covered and sampled so many times. Theo Croker returns to SFJAZZ in our 2025-26 Season (on a double bill with Stefon Harris) and expect to see Kiefer back soon as well!
Kiefer ft. Theo Croker - "Everybody Loves The Sunshine"
Two standouts from last month’s San Francisco Jazz Festival teamed up for a truly unique version of this classic Summer jam from Roy Ayers that's been covered and sampled so many times. Theo Croker returns to SFJAZZ in our 2025-26 Season (on a double bill with Stefon Harris) and expect to see Kiefer back soon as well!
Patrice Rushen - "Haw-Right Now"
This is a personal favorite jam from the 2025 San Francisco Jazz Festival headliner. This is a song from Patrice Rushen's debut record, Prelusion, completely ripping on the electric keyboard at just 20 years old. The song itself lightly touches on fusion jazz while retaining a unique groove and feel with the addictive double bass, funky drums and brilliant tenor solo from the legendary Joe Henderson. BTW, you can now watch Patrice’s Festival performance on-demand.
Patrice Rushen - "Haw-Right Now"
This is a personal favorite jam from the 2025 San Francisco Jazz Festival headliner. This is a song from Patrice Rushen's debut record, Prelusion, completely ripping on the electric keyboard at just 20 years old. The song itself lightly touches on fusion jazz while retaining a unique groove and feel with the addictive double bass, funky drums and brilliant tenor solo from the legendary Joe Henderson. BTW, you can now watch Patrice’s Festival performance on-demand.
Larry Young - "Sunshine Fly Away"
A rather overlooked gem from an altogether great album, organist Larry Young caught sunshine in a bottle on this one. The rhythm created by the interplay of the bass line and Young's left hand is joyous, allowing for rolling clouds of percussion to come in and frame a perfect summer skyline in the shape of an organ solo.
Larry Young - "Sunshine Fly Away"
A rather overlooked gem from an altogether great album, organist Larry Young caught sunshine in a bottle on this one. The rhythm created by the interplay of the bass line and Young's left hand is joyous, allowing for rolling clouds of percussion to come in and frame a perfect summer skyline in the shape of an organ solo.