Jon Cowherd Trio w/ John Patitucci & Brian Blade / The Ingrid Jensen Quartet

Recommended by Terence Blanchard
"Jon Cowherd has an interesting approach to composition and performance that gives his music a sense of forward-thinking expression. His music is unique and while steeped in tradition, he breaks the boundaries of tradition and still sounds current.

Ingrid Jensen is one of the most creative trumpet players I’ve known. I love her approach to creating melodies. Her sound is beautiful and inviting. Her compositions are inspiring and thought-provoking." 

The number of exceptionally talented musicians today far outstrips the marquee space available for big name artists. Terence Blanchard instituted the “UpSwing” series as a showcase for early and mid-career jazz masters who should be far better known.

ABOUT JON COWHERD
This double bill presents two sides of the underappreciated coin, starting with keyboardist Jon Cowherd, who’s best known as the co-founder and co-director of Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band. Cowherd has worked extensively as an arranger, producer, songwriter and accompanist with a vast range of artists, from Cassandra Wilson, John Scofield and Lizz Wright to Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, kd lang, and Rosanne Cash, though he’s also released three acclaimed albums of his own. For this night, he performs in trio with an all-star rhythm section including drummer Brian Blade and bassist John Patitucci — the group from Cowherd’s most recent album Pride and Joy.

ABOUT INGRID JENSEN
Canadian-born trumpeter Ingrid Jensen played the SFJAZZ Center in 2022 with the all-star group ARTEMIS, and over the past three decades she’s become an essential voice in some of the era’s most celebrated ensembles, including the Maria Schneider Orchestra (1994-2012), Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society (2002-present) and Terri Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project. With 10 albums of her own, Jensen is a combustible improviser who has earned mention among the instrument’s greatest current practitioners.