Opened in 2013, the SFJAZZ Center is located on the corner of Franklin and Fell Streets in the heart of San Francisco’s arts district and only 0.3 miles from NEMA San Francisco. Celebrating its 40th year, SFJAZZ is the largest non-profit jazz presenter in the world. Originally founded in 1983 as a two-day festival, SFJAZZ now serves over a quarter of a million fans and students every year through its year-round concert, commissioning, and education programs.
Featuring over 100 concerts, this summer is set to be sizzling at SFJAZZ, featuring a robust lineup during the 3-month summer concert series. The 40th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival features 40 concerts in 12 days at 3 venues, while the SFJAZZ Summer Sessions 2023 features various ensembles, tributes, and more for July and August.
“The crown jewel among American jazz festivals.” - Chicago Tribune
40th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival, June 7-18. Established in 1983, this two week festival every June features over 40 concerts in 12 days at 3 venues in the Hayes Valley neighborhood. Featuring the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, the Organ Queen Sundra Manning, Dan Tepfer: Natural Machines, Young Jazz Piano Sensation Brandon Goldberg, Edward Simon Trio, Jacob Collier, High Pulp, Al Di Meola, Jazz Guitar Virtuoso Pasquale Grasso, Gerald Clayton, Malika Tirolien, Global Jazz Double Bill Barrio Manouche / Gaucho, Visionary Saxophonist Steve Lehman Trio, GRAMMY-Winning Singer Samara Joy, Bay Area Vocal Legend Paula West, GRAMMY-Winning Bassist Ben Williams, Blues Masters Double Bill Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite, Rising Vocalist Emmaline, John Brothers Piano Co., African Psychedelic Rock Orchestra Gold and so many more.
"The San Francisco Jazz Festival is arguably the best extended jazz event on the continent." - Bay Area News Group
SFJAZZ Summer Sessions 2023, July 13-August 20. July through August, a six-week concert series celebrating musical traditions across the Americas.
SFJAZZ Summer Sessions encompasses six weeks of programming arranged into curated, thematic weeklong “mini festivals” based on the concept of the Great American Songbook. This theme takes the idea of the American song tradition and extends it to the entirety of the Americas (encompassing North America, Central America and South America. This year’s SFJAZZ Summer Sessions will present local, national and international artists including Savion Glover, Jaz Sawyer’s Soul Jazz Pioneers, Pher, Martin Luther McCoy, Valerie Troutt’s Moon Candy, Sun Ra Arkestra, Buffalo Nichols, Lizzie No, Leon Timbo, Desiree Cannon, Delgrès, Harold López-Nussa, Aldo López-Gavilán, Meridian Brothers, Jesús Díaz y Su QBA, Bill Ortiz, Sam Reider & Jorge Glem, Mario y su Timbeko, Michael O’Neill with Tony Lindsay, Taj Mahal, Stanley Clarke, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Erik Jekabson, Felix Peikli, Stella Heath, Tammy L. Hall and more.
July 13-16, Savion Glover. “The greatest tap virtuoso of our time” (Variety), Tony-winning tap dancer Savion Glover brings two distinct programs over four nights.
July 20-23, Sun Ra Arkestra. Jazz visionary Sun Ra’s exploratory spirit lives on through this ensemble led by saxophonist and 65-year Arkestra veteran Marshall Allen.
July 20-23, American Roots. America’s roots music is in focus this week in the JHL, with a diverse lineup of artists bringing folk, country, blues, and gospel to the stage including Buffalo Nichols, Lizzie No, Leon Timbo, and Desiree Cannon.
July 27-30, Caribbean Roots. Artists hailing from Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, France, and the U.S. are highlighted in both Miner Auditorium and the JHL this week, performing music that crosses genres and cultures from Afro-Cuban jazz and Cuban timba to electric blues by way of Guadeloupe.
August 3-6, Taj Mahal. Blues Meets Early Swing. Since his first release over 50 years ago with the Rising Sons, Taj Mahal has been a cultural force, bringing blues culture to new generations.
August 10-13, Summer Sessions: Stanley Clarke. The legendary bass virtuoso, composer, and 2022 NEA Jazz Master performs in four diverse settings that showcase his singular versatility.
August 17-20, Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The legendary group synonymous with the New Orleans jazz tradition has remained timelessly relevant, led by tubist and bassist Ben Jaffe.
Image credit: SF Jazz on Facebook
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