SFJAZZ Gala 2020 Honoring Mavis Staples

SFJAZZ Gala 2020 celebrates Mavis Staples with the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award during our most lively and influential fundraiser. The party is centered around the Gala Concert, featuring the most exciting names in jazz in all-star collaborations—all erupting into an unforgettable late night After Party.

In honoring Ms. Staples with the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award, we celebrate her as a singular artist who has incorporated the breadth of American music into her work while remaining steadfastly committed to her gospel roots, mirroring the development of the jazz tradition, which has always looked to sacred music as inspiration and a springboard to new areas of expression. We recognize Ms. Staples’ inclusive approach to the roots of American music as a parallel to our mission at SFJAZZ, and we have been fortunate to present her twice in past years, including an October, 2003 performance at San Francisco’s iconic Grace Cathedral during the 21st San Francisco Jazz Festival that paid tribute to her friend and mentor, Mahalia Jackson.

ABOUT MAVIS STAPLES
With a professional career spanning nearly seven decades, Mavis Staples is the greatest living gospel and soul singer – a two-time GRAMMY winner, 1999 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 2016 Kennedy Center honoree, Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the 2005 GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award whose soaring voice turned classic spirituals into anthemic declarations of freedom.

Born in Chicago, Staples made her professional debut at age 10 with her now-legendary family band, The Staple Singers, singing on a succession of timeless songs that became chart topping hits as well as indelible anthems of the Civil Rights Movement. Her unforgettable performances on “Uncloudy Day,” “Some Truth To Tell,” “Freedom Highway,” “Respect Yourself,” “Why Am I Treated So Bad,” “When Will We Be Paid,” “I’ll Take You There,” “If You’re Ready,” and “Let’s Do It Again” have all become intrinsic parts of the American cultural fabric.

VIP Packages + Tickets

Legend  $125,000 • Party of 8
► Invitation for your party to the VIP Salon featuring a performance in honor of Mavis Staples, presented by the Host Committee on the eve of Gala
► VIP cocktail hour and dinner, seated alongside alongside featured artists
► Luxury seating and bottle service during the Gala Concert
► After Party access for your party along with unlimited extra tickets for friends and colleagues to join you
► Mavis Staples Package: 4 tickets, parking pass, and a round of drinks for a Mavis Staples Residency show, Jan 31 - Feb 1

Buy VIP Package

Hero  $50,000  •  Party of 6
► Invitation for two to the VIP Salon featuring a performance in honor of Mavis Staples, presented by the Host Committee on the eve of Gala
► VIP cocktail hour and dinner, seated alongside featured artists
► Premier seating during the Gala Concert
► After Party access for your party along with up to 10 extra tickets for friends and colleagues to join you
► Mavis Staples Package: 2 tickets, parking pass, and a round of drinks for a Mavis Staples Residency show, Jan 31 - Feb 1

Buy VIP Package

Giant  $25,000  •  Party of 6 
► VIP cocktail hour and dinner, seated alongside featured artists
► Preferred seating during the Gala Concert
► After Party access for your party along with up to 6 extra tickets for friends and colleagues to join you
► Mavis Staples Package: 2 tickets, parking pass, and a round of drinks for a Mavis Staples Residency show, Jan 31 - Feb 1

Buy VIP Package

The SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes luminaries who throughout their time have represented the highest level of musicianship, on stage and in their recordings, and who have had a broad impact on culture and society.