SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director
Meshell Ndegeocello: Matinee Concert
A Love Letter to the Bay Area: The People's Poetry + Music
Meshell Ndegeocello: Matinee Concert
Sat, May 2, 2026
|Miner Auditorium
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In Meshell Ndegeocello’s own words: Explore the inspiration behind this week’s concerts.
About This Show
For this matinee performances, Meshell Ndegeocello premieres "The People's Poetry," featuring a night of music and spoken word featuring a host of the greatest poets from the Bay Area and around the world, including Aja Monet, Genny Lim, Mimi Tempest, and Tongo Eisen-Martin. This is a perfect matinee performance for families and patrons of all ages.
About Meshell Ndegeocello
GRAMMY-winning bassist, singer, and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello cut her teeth on Washington D.C.’s explosive go-go circuit in the 1980s and was one of the first artists signed to Madonna’s Maverick Records label, which released her landmark neo soul album Plantation Lullabies in 1993.
Ndegeocello built a career as an uncompromising artist whose deliriously funky and soulful work is a powerful commentary on race, gender issues, and LGBTQ+ rights.
She’s released 13 albums as a leader and has amassed a distinguished list of collaborators including Jason Moran, Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, John Mellencamp, Madonna, Pat Metheny, Marcus Miller, Terence Blanchard, and The Blind Boys of Alabama.
Returning following her sold-out nights devoted to No More Water/The Fire Next Time: The Gospel of James Baldwin, a theatrical multimedia performance inspired by the iconic essayist, novelist, and activist, she brings the same artistic depth and inspiration to her week as Resident Artistic Director.
SFJAZZ MAGAZINE
› Meshell Ndegeocello's Love Letter to the People
These concerts are co-presented by

Personnel
Meshell Ndegeocello bass, vocals
Chris Bruce guitar
Jake Sherman keyboards
Abe Roundsdrums
Justin Hicks vocals
Josh Lane vocals
Genny Lim poet
Tongo Eisen-Martin poet
Aja Monet poet
Mimi Tempest poet
"The world needs more musicians like her; creatively restless and ambitious"
NPR Music
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