SFJAZZ Blog

WATCH: Jason Moran & Live Skateboarding at SFJAZZ

2013-05-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

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Here is a great new video by Jonathon Rezonable and Jarod Taber of Thrasher Magazine that highlights some of the best moments from Jason Moran's presentation of live skateboarding and jazz inside the SFJAZZ Center. A truly incredible groundbreaking performance that has everyone talking!

WATCH: Zakir Hussain's Rhythm Summit

2013-05-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Season 1 at the SFJAZZ Center has seen many once-in-a-lifetime collaborations and some daring performances that push the envelope, as witnessed during last week's Jason Moran residency. As we begin to approach the last remaining weeks of our inaugural season here at the SFJAZZ Center, it's always enjoyable to look back at some of the season's most memorable moments.

Arguably one of the most incredible week's we had this season, took place during Zakir Hussain's residency, which featured four very unique and brilliantly original performances. The video above is a short excerpt taken during the opening night of his residency back in March when the table virtuoso shared the stage with three other great percussionists in Giovanni Hidalgo, Eric Harland and Steve Smith. A truly impressive performance!

‪WATCH: Jason Moran & Live Skateboarding at SFJAZZ

2013-05-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Resident Artistic Director Jason Moran presented live skateboarding and jazz inside SFJAZZ Center's Robert N. Miner Auditorium. Ten skaters on both Saturday and Sunday night skated on a massive half-pipe that was installed inside the auditorium, while Moran and his Bandwagon combo simultaneously provided the evening's soundtrack to the sold-out crowds. The performance helped show the fascinating link between jazz and skateboarding, which is the improvisational nature of both art forms, as well as showcase the incredible unlimited flexibility of the auditorium.

The video above is just a short excerpt of the exciting groundbreaking performances that took place over the weekend. Enjoy!

SFJAZZ High School All-Stars on International Jazz Day 2013

2013-05-01T12:00:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the 2nd Annual International Jazz Day. This day, which was originally established by the international community at the 2011 UNESCO General Conference, featured the 2nd Annual International Jazz Day Concert in Istanbul, Turkey led by jazz great and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. The concert featured many collaborative performances by some of jazz music's biggest names including Wayne Shorter, Zakir Hussain, Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, Robert Glasper, Branford Marsalis, Hugh Masekela and many others.

During yesterday's SFJAZZ High School All-Stars' rehearsal, members of the award-winning orchestra and combo took some time out to share their feelings about jazz and what it means to them. Definitely some fascinating testimonials from jazz music's future stars.

See the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars perform live at the SFJAZZ Center on Saturday, May 18th. For more information and tickets, CLICK HERE.

Happy Birthday Joe Henderson!

2013-04-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

Today would have been Joe Henderson's 76th Birthday. Many critics and jazz enthusiasts alike arguably declare that Henderson was one of the greatest tenor saxophonists in jazz history, contributing on over 200 recording dates for labels like Blue Note, Milestone, and Verve. The iconic musician also played an important part in SFJAZZ's rich history, performing almost yearly at the San Francisco Jazz Festival during the eighties and nineties. To honor the jazz legend and his importance to SFJAZZ, the smaller rehearsal/performance space in the SFJAZZ Center was named the "Joe Henderson Lab". The performance space is host to many smaller and more intimate concerts, as well as the monthly Hotplate series and numerous education workshops and classes. While attending one of these events or workshops it's easy to find yourself fully engaged with the incredible music that is constantly taking place in that space, however it's always worth noticing the beautiful painting of Joe Henderson by award-winning artist Mark Ulriksen that hangs up high and reminds us of all the wonderful music Mr. Henderson left us with to appreciate and enjoy.

With that, Happy Birthday Joe!

Here is some of the exciting events that will soon take place in the Joe Henderson Lab:

May 9: Hotplate: Mads Tolling plays Stéphane Grappelli
May 11: Family Matinee Workshop
May 18-19: Paula West
June 6-9: SFJAZZ Poetry Festival
June 8: Family Matinee Workshop
June 13-16: Harold López-Nussa Duo Residency
June 17-19: Giulia Valle Group Residency
June 20-23: Wil Blades Residency

Award-winning illustrator/artist Mark Ulriksen and Randall Kline pose in front of Ulriksen's painting of Joe Henderson, which will forever be located in the Lab.

Jason Moran & live Skateboarding at SFJAZZ Center

2013-04-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

On May 4th and 5th, Jason Moran & the Bandwagon combo perform along side Bay Area skating luminaries Alex Wolslagel (shown in video), Ben Gore (shown in video), Adrian Williams, Dave Abair, Jake Johnson, Justin Gastelum, Billy Roper and Brian Downey, who will take flight on a specially constructed skating half-pipe installed in front of the SFJAZZ Center stage. Don't miss this thrilling blend of visual and aural magic!

To learn more and/or buy tickets, visit the SFJAZZ website:
Saturday, May 4 show
Sunday, May 5 show

Béla Fleck talks about his SFJAZZ Center Residency

2013-04-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

Béla Fleck discusses his upcoming May 16-19 SFJAZZ Center residency. In the video, the banjo maestro talks about his excitement in returning to the SFJAZZ Center and how these four shows will be his first time performing solo.

To buy tickets and to learn more about Béla Fleck's upcoming SFJAZZ Center residency, visit the SFJAZZ website.

1st Annual SFJAZZ Poetry Festival

2013-04-16T13:38:00.001-07:00

SFJAZZ Poet Laureate Ishmael Reed brings a diverse group of poets center stage, many riffing with improvising instrumentalists. Following each night’s final performance, young poets will have a chance to get onstage during an open-mic session and perform their work beginning around 10:30PM.

The first annual SFJAZZ Poetry Festival features a diverse cast of poets – among them the state’s current poet laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera, the celebrated feminist poet Lorna Dee Cervantes, the elegant Beat writer Michael McClure and Reed himself – many performing with improvising instrumentalists. Those musicians include such gifted Bay Area players as woodwind master Melecio Magdaluyo, jamming with poet and performance artist Genny Lim on June 7. The following night, Reed mixes it up with pianist Mary Watkins, on a bill with the commanding Al Young, performing his poetry with bassist Dan Robbins.

“For SFJAZZ’s first annual Jazz Poetry Festival, we have assembled some of the most prominent Bay Area poets, some of whom will be accompanied by some of the finest local musicians,” says Reed, a prolific writer of poems, essays, novels and plays who taught for decades at UC Berkeley. “This may be the most exciting and diverse poetry festival held in San Francisco in recent years.”

SFJAZZ Poetry Festival
June 6 - 9 · Joe Henderson Lab
Two Sets Per Night: 7:30PM & 9PM
Open Mic Each Night at 10:30PM
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06/06 - Juan Felipe Herrera & Alejandro Murguía
06/07 - Lorna Dee Cervantes, Genny Lim, Indira Allegra, Boadiba, Tennessee Reed & Neli Moody
06/08 - Al Young, Ishmael Reed & Michael McClure
06/09 - Lucha Corpi, Jack & Adelle Foley, Floyd Salas, & Claire Ortalda

To learn more about the festival and/or purchase tickets, visit the SFJAZZ website.

SFJAZZ Hotplate: Music of Gil Scott-Heron

2013-04-08T14:28:00.000-07:00

Join us for an exciting Hotplate show in the Joe Henderson Lab this Thursday night, as local songstress Scheherazade Stone breathes new life into the words of Gil Scott-Heron. SFJAZZ Education Director Rebeca Mauleón leads the Front Burner multi-media discussion about the life and times of the legendary musician and poet between the 7PM and 9PM sets. Make sure to show up early for each set as DJ Pat Les Stache spins some of the legend's best-known tracks before the live music begins. This is a seriously fun jazz hang and the joint is always packed!

General Admission Ticket Prices:
7pm set: $20
9pm set: $10
10:30pm set: $5
Tickets will also be available at the door.

To buy tickets or to learn more about our SFJAZZ Hotplate series, visit sfjazz.org/hotplate.

Here is a re-posting of the hour long Hotplate mix I put together a while back when we first presented Scheherazade Stone's tribute to Gil Scott-Heron less than a year ago. The mix features a number of classic gems taken from Gil Scott-Heron's many solo led recordings, as well as some choice cuts he co-wrote and produced with multi-instrumentalist and long time music counterpart Brian Jackson. With the ability to blend jazz, funk, and soulful grooves together with socially conscious poetry and politically driven vocals, it's easy to see why many (including myself) consider Gil Scott-Heron one of the most influential and important singer/songwriters to have come out of America in the second half of the last century.

Gil Scott-Heron SFJAZZ Hotplate Mix

Playlist
Stream Audio | Download
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01. Gil Scott-Heron - "Intro/ Blue Collar" - 1982
02. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - "The Bottle" - 1974
03. Gil Scott-Heron - "Lady Day and John Coltrane" - 1971
04. Gil Scott-Heron - "No Knock" - 1972
05. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - "Hello Sunday! Hello Road!" - 1977
06. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - "It's Your World (Live)" - 1976
07. Gil Scott-Heron - "Whitey on the Moon" - 1970
08. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - "Under The Hammer" - 1977
09. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - "Johannesburg" - 1975
10. Gil Scott-Heron - "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" - 1970
11. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - "Willing" - 1980
12. Gil Scott-Heron - "Fast Lane" - 1982
13. Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - "Home is Where The Hatred Is (Live)" - 1976

Hiromi Photo Shoot at SFJAZZ Center

2013-04-05T17:41:00.001-07:00

Piano virtuoso Hiromi is currently in the middle of her sold out four-night residency at the SFJAZZ Center. Before last night's incredible performance, which also featured electric bassist Anthony Jackson and drummer Simon Phillips, she posed with the Center's two new Yamaha Pianos (shown below).

Hiromi on stage in the Robert N. Miner Auditorium.

Hiromi hanging out in the Joe Henderson Lab.

Photos by Jay Blakesberg

SFJAZZ Hotplate: Music of Quincy Jones

2013-03-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Join us for an exciting Hotplate in the Joe Henderson Lab TONIGHT, as trumpeter Erik Jekabson honors composer, arranger and jazz legend Quincy Jones. SFJAZZ Education Director Rebeca Mauleón leads the Front Burner multi-media discussion about the life and times of Quincy Jones between the 7PM and 9PM sets, and make sure to show up early for each set as deejay Pat Les Stache spins some of the legend's greatest tracks.

General Admission Ticket Prices:
7pm set: $15
9pm set: $10
10:30pm set: $5
Tickets will also be available at the door.

To buy tickets or to learn more about our SFJAZZ Hotplate series, visit sfjazz.org/hotplate.

Here is a video of Erik Jekabson's last SFJAZZ Hotplate performance as a leader a couple years ago, paying tribute to legendary trumpeter/vocalist Chet Baker.

Hiromi featured in April Issue of DownBeat

2013-03-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

I recommend checking out April's issue of DownBeat, which features a very insightful interview of SFJAZZ Season 1 artist Hiromi and her Trio Project featuring guitarist Anthony Jackson and drummer Simon Phillips. The featured piece discusses the pianist's new album Move, as well as The Trio Project's live set-up and approach. The new issue is now available through the DownBeat website and select newsstands.

Hiromi: The Trio Project's four-night residency at the SFJAZZ Center takes place April 4-7. To learn more and/or buy tickets, CLICK HERE.

WATCH: SFJAZZ Collective & Chick Corea - "Spain"

2013-03-05T15:58:00.001-08:00

An exciting video (captured by NPR Music) of the SFJAZZ Collective and Chick Corea performing "Spain" during SFJAZZ Center's "Historic Opening Night Concert" on January 23, 2013.

The SFJAZZ Collective, which roster includes alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón, tenor saxophonist David Sánchez, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, trombonist Robin Eubanks, pianist Edward Simon, bassist Matt Penman and drummer Obed Calvaire, are gearing up for their 2013 Spring Tour, playing the music of Chick Corea and new compositions. Check the dates below to see if they are performing soon in your city.

SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE SPRING 2013 TOUR
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3/08: Berklee Performance Center, Boston, MA
3/10: The Egg, Albany, NY
3/14: Jazz Standard, New York, NY
3/15: Jazz Standard, New York, NY
3/16: Jazz Standard, New York, NY
3/17: Jazz Standard, New York, NY
3/19: Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis, MN
3/21: Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, AZ
3/22: The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV
3/23: The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV
3/24: Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, CO
3/26: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree, CO
3/28: SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco, CA
3/29: SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco, CA
3/30: SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco, CA
3/31: SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco, CA

To buy tickets or get more information about the SFJAZZ Collective's upcoming Spring 2013 Tour, visit sfjazzcollective.org.

South at SFJAZZ Opens March 5!

2013-03-04T13:34:00.001-08:00

This Tuesday, March 5th will mark the highly anticipated Grand Opening of South at SFJAZZ. This all day café/bar from famed chef and restaurateur Charles Phan of The Slanted Door Group is inspired by the birthplace of jazz and features small plates made from local and sustainable ingredients, as well as craft cocktails from the old south and wines from small local wineries.

"I can think of no other chef/restaurateur who is a better match than Charles for the SFJAZZ Center," said SFJAZZ Founder and Executive Artistic Director Randall Kline. "Charles is a culinary genius whose creative spirit compliments the art that we will be presenting in our new home. Our aim is to be an artistic, educational, and community center. The café in the Center will be open for breakfast and lunch, as well as evenings. Exceptional food and drink — what Charles is famous for — will play an integral role in welcoming people to the Center, even when there are not concerts taking place. We are delighted to have him be a part of the Center."

South at SFJAZZ Hours
Breakfast and lunch (will start in April)
Dinners 5:30-11:30

View Food Menu
View Cocktail Menu

John Santos: Filosofía Caribeña 2

2013-02-26T14:48:00.000-08:00

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation towards the completion of SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director John Santos' Filosofía Caribeña Vol.2 recording project through his US Artists fundraising campaign. Santos' and his sextet will be performing most of the tunes from this new recording at the CD release concert at the SFJAZZ Center on Saturday, March 23rd.

"We are extremely excited about culminating the Filosofía recording project, as it has been four years of challenging ourselves to present the highest quality musical expression possible while underscoring the great Afro-Caribbean traditions that inform the region's awesome array of musical expressions including Jazz. I am confident that you will recognize and appreciate the love and soul that imbue the writing and performances by each of the members of my Sextet as well as the 23 additional guests who grace this project!" — John Santos

It is an all-or-nothing proposition, so the situation is urgent. Please bring this project to the attention of friends and folks in your respective circles if you can. They've raised a little over half of their goal and have only a few short days until this Friday, March 1st, to raise the rest!

To donate and/or for more info, please visit the US Artists fundraising campaign.

SFJAZZ Center: An Introduction

2013-02-22T16:51:00.000-08:00

A short documentary film by Ken Ellis, narrated by acclaimed actor Delroy Lindo, that discusses the making and overall vision of the SFJAZZ Center. The film includes behind-the-scenes footage of the SFJAZZ Center being built, a brief historical look at San Francisco's vibrant jazz scene and a number of fascinating interviews featuring SFJAZZ Co-founder & Artistic Director Randall Kline, legendary jazz singer Mary Stallings, Resident Artistic Director John Santos, SFJAZZ Center architect Mark Cavagnero, Education Director Rebeca Mauleón & more!

This video was first shown in the Robert N. Miner Auditorium during SFJAZZ Center's Grand Opening on January 21, 2013.

Photos from Joe Henderson Lab Opening Night

2013-02-20T14:12:00.001-08:00

The Joe Henderson Lab had it's Grand Opening last Thursday night. The evening included a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, some remarks from SFJAZZ Co-founder & Artistic Director Randall Kline, as well as the kick-off of the 1st Annual SFJAZZ Hotplate Festival featuring a Joe Henderson tribute by Mitch Marcus and his quintet. Here are a few photos from that evening.

SFJAZZ Education Program Manager Claire Phillips and Randall Kline cut the ribbon to the Joe Henderson Lab!

Mitch Marcus and his quintet during the opening set of the evening.

A view from the outside looking down Franklin Street.

Another great photo taken from across the street during the opening set.

Award-winning illustrator/artist Mark Ulriksen and Randall Kline pose in front of Ulriksen's painting of Joe Henderson, which will forever be located in the Lab.

Photos by Stuart Brinin.

SFJAZZ Center Mural Time-Lapse

2013-02-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

Artists Sandow Birk and Elyse Pignolet were commissioned by SFJAZZ to create three murals for the SFJAZZ Center. Two of these ceramic tile murals, titled “Jazz and the Nation” and "Jazz and the City” are located in the second floor lobby. They combine to form one overall composition - a fictionalized cityscape made up of influential and important jazz venues from across the United States and San Francisco. They also depict historical images and references of jazz from its roots in African music and the early days of New Orleans' second line traditions to the jazz styles of St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, New York, the West Coast, and Europe. The second mural includes great jazz venues and defining moments in the history of San Francisco jazz from the Fillmore District to the dot.com boom.

The third mural, "Jazz and the Afterlife,” is located in the Lester Young Green Room. It is a parody of religious "Judgment Day" murals with club goers going up to a "heaven" of harps and bagpipes or down to a swinging party in a jazz "hell" where horns blast and jazz fans celebrate.

Sandow Birk said, "Since the history and scope of jazz is enormous and couldn't be contained in one mural, we have tried to depict places where jazz happened, to be located in the center where jazz will be happening now."

SFJAZZ Hotplate Festival Continues!

2013-02-15T12:09:00.000-08:00

The ribbon has been cut and the Joe Henderson Lab is now open! To get things started, Mitch Marcus, backed by Jeff Marrs, Michael Abraham and George Ban-Weiss, kicked off the beginning of the 1st Annual SFJAZZ Hotplate Festival with an explosive tribute to the room's namesake, Joe Henderson. The group started out with their rendition of the entire Inner Urge record, before moving into a selective set of other classic Joe Henderson material.

Tonight features local jazz drummer/percussionist Josh Jones and his Latin Jazz Ensemble paying homage to legendary conga player Ray Barretto. Buckle up as Jones takes the crowd on a ride through Barretto’s long-standing career as one of the most eclectic congueros of all time. And yes…the Joe Henderson Lab is primed perfectly for dancing!

Here is a video taken back on May 12, 2011 at Amnesia Bar, when SFJAZZ first presented Josh Jones and his band performing their tribute to Ray Barretto. ENJOY!

Each night will consist of 3 separate sets: 7PM, 9PM & 10:30PM. Tickets are available online at sfjazz.org and at the door.

February 2013 SFJAZZ Hotplate Mix

2013-02-14T13:15:00.000-08:00

The 1st Annual SFJAZZ Hotplate Festival takes place this week, kicking off the Grand Opening of SFJAZZ Center's Joe Henderson Lab. The festival, which begins TONIGHT and runs through Sunday, features a different tribute each night. The opening show has saxophonist Mitch Marcus paying tribute to the room's namesake as he plays the music of legendary San Francisco jazz icon Joe Henderson, while the rest of the week includes drummer Josh Jones' salute to Ray Barretto, Tiffany Austin singing the music of Ella Fitzgerald, and a homage to Freddie Hubbard by trumpeter Mike Olmos.

Each night will consist of 3 separate sets: 7PM, 9PM & 10:30PM. Tickets are NOW ON SALE and cost $10 per set. SFJAZZ Members receive a 20% discount.

This month's SFJAZZ Hotplate mix consists of a 90-minute tribute to the artist that the room helps celebrate, Joe Henderson. Easily one of the greatest tenor saxophonist in jazz history and a personal favorite of mine, Henderson was a true force during the sixties' and seventies' hard-bop and post-bop eras. As a leader he recorded a number of groundbreaking albums including Inner Urge (1965), Mode For Joe (1966), Power To The People (1969), Black Is The Color (1972) and Multiple (1973), while being featured as a sideman on many other classic recordings like Andrew Hill's Black Fire (1964), Lee Morgan's The Sidewinder (1964), McCoy Tyner's The Real McCoy (1967), Alice Coltrane's Ptah, The El Daoud (1970), Freddie Hubbard's Red Clay (1970) and many others. With the legendary saxophonist spending a major portion of his life living in San Francisco, while performing numerous times with SFJAZZ, it's absolutely fitting that this performance space is named after the late jazz great.

February 2013 SFJAZZ Hotplate Mix

Playlist Stream Audio | Download
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01. Joe Henderson - "Tress-Cun-Deo-La" - 1961
02. Joe Henderson - "Power To The People" - 1969
03. Joe Henderson - "Foregone Conclusion" - 1972
04. Joe Henderson - "El Barrio" - 1965
05. Joe Henderson - "Las Palmas" - 1975
06. Joe Henderson Sextet - "Mamacita" - 1967
07. Joe Henderson - "Caribbean Fire Dance" - 1966
08. Joe Henderson - "Afro-Centric" - 1969
09. Joe Henderson - "Terra Firma" - 1972
10. Joe Henderson - "Fire" - 1974
11. Joe Henderson Quintet - "If You're Not Part of The Solution, You're Part of the Problem" - 1970

Zakir Hussain's SFJAZZ Center Residency Film Project

2013-02-13T12:21:00.000-08:00

Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain has launched an Indiegogo campaign to professionally film and release DVDs documenting his upcoming Season 1 residency at the SFJAZZ Center. This film will feature both live footage and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

This campaign ends this Monday, February 18, so please consider supporting this project and get some terrific gifts in the process!

To learn more about Zakir Hussain and this film project, visit indiegogo.com/zakirhussain.

Zakir Hussain SFJAZZ Center Residency, March 5-10
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03/05: Zakir Hussain Listening Party
03/07: Zakir Hussain, Giovanni Hidalgo, Eric Harland & Steve Smith
03/08: Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia, Niladri Kumar & Ganesh
03/09: Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer & Béla Fleck
03/10: Zakir Hussain & Joshua Redman

Monday Night Band Begins!

2013-02-12T13:27:00.001-08:00

The Joe Henderson Lab kicked off it's opening week with last night's first Monday Night Band rehearsal. Monday Night Band is a new hands-on SFJAZZ education program that will introduce participants to various styles and genres of jazz with the primary goal to develop a performance-ready repertoire. The band will be directed by acclaimed Bay Area musician, composer and bandleader Adam Theis. The series will culminate in a final public performance on Monday, May 20th in SFJAZZ Center's Robert N. Miner Auditorium.

Joe Henderson Lab Opening Week Events:
02/13, 7:00PM: Koret Discover Jazz #1: The Bass

1st Annual SFJAZZ Hotplate Festival
02/14, 6:30PM: Joe Henderson Lab Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
02/14, 7PM, 9PM, 10:30PM: Mitch Marcus plays Joe Henderson
02/15, 7PM, 9PM, 10:30PM: Josh Jones plays Ray Barretto
02/16, 7PM, 9PM, 10:30PM: Tiffany Austin sings Ella Fitzgerald
02/17, 7PM, 9PM, 10:30PM: Mike Olmos plays Freddie Hubbard

Donald Byrd, 1932-2013

2013-02-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

After a few days of speculation, I was sad to hear that the rumors were true and jazz great Donald Byrd had passed away this past Monday at the age of 80. The trumpeter originally made his mark in the jazz world as a rising heavy-weight within the hard-bop scene during the fifties and sixties, getting his start playing in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and shortly thereafter performing and recording with other jazz legends including John Coltrane, Jackie Maclean, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, and Pepper Adams to name just a few. During this period, Byrd released a number of classic records including Fuego, Byrd in Flight, At the Half Note Cafe, Free Form, A New Perspective and many others.

During the late sixties and seventies, the trumpeter moved away from the hard-bop sound and delved into fusion and soul-jazz, hooking up with legendary jazz-funk production tag-team the Mizell brothers (Larry & Fonce Mizell) to release some of the best recordings of that sub-genre including Electric Byrd, Ethiopian Knights, Street Lady, Places and Spaces, Black Byrd (which became the biggest seller in Blue Note history) and more. Some of his notable groundbreaking gems from that era include "Lansana's Priestess", "(Fallin' Like) Dominoes", "Black Byrd", "Think Twice" and "Love Has Come Around".

Overall, the trumpeter/composer has not only left his mark on jazz, but on music in general. From his hailed days on the hard-bop scene, to shifting course and becoming one of the most notable pioneering musicians of the seventies soul-jazz movement, Donald Byrd is definitely one of legendary status and his contributions to music are absolutely monumental on so many levels. He will certainly be missed.

Rest in peace, Donald Byrd.

Feb 14-17: SFJAZZ Hotplate Festival

2013-02-06T16:14:00.000-08:00

SFJAZZ Hotplate moves home!

The 1st Annual SFJAZZ Hotplate Festival kicks off the Grand Opening of the Joe Henderson Lab at the SFJAZZ Center. The four-night festival begins on Thursday, February 14th with a celebration and tribute to the room's namesake by saxophonist Mitch Marcus. The remainder of the week continues with other local artists paying tribute to the masters, including drummer Josh Jones' salute to Ray Barretto, Tiffany Austin singing the music of Ella Fitzgerald, and an homage to Freddie Hubbard by trumpeter Mike Olmos.

Each night will consist of 3 separate sets: 7PM, 9PM & 10:30PM. Tickets are NOW ON SALE and cost $10 per set. SFJAZZ Members receive a 20% discount.

1st Annual SFJAZZ Hotplate Festival
Thursday, February 14 - Sunday, February 17
3 Sets each night: 7PM, 9PM & 10:30PM • $10 Per Set
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Feb 14: Mitch Marcus plays Joe Henderson
Feb 15: Josh Jones plays Ray Barretto
Feb 16: Tiffany Austin sings Ella Fitzgerald
Feb 17: Mike Olmos plays Freddie Hubbard

WATCH: Historic Opening Night Concert Footage

2013-01-30T10:59:00.000-08:00

Historic Opening Night Concert(01/23) footage of legendary pianist/composer McCoy Tyner performing his spiritual jazz masterpiece "Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit" featuring Joe Lovano (tenor saxophone), Esperanza Spalding (bass) and Eric Harland (drums). The second piece welcomes Bay Area jazz legends John Handy (alto saxophonist) and Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphonist), as well as Resident Artistic Director Bill Frisell (guitar) to the stage as the group performs Tyner's bluesy jazz classic "Blues On The Corner".

Historic Opening Night Concert performance of Joe Lovano's (tenor saxophone) "Blackwell's Message," featuring Joshua Redman (tenor saxophone), Matt Penman (bass), Jeff Ballard (drums) and John Santos (percussion). Lovano wrote this piece as a tribute to legendary drummer Ed Blackwell.

Listen to the entire History Opening Night Concert by visiting NPRmusic.org.