a nonprofit presenter of jazz artistic and education programs
 

SFJAZZ Mission Statement

SFJAZZ is a recognized international leader in jazz creation, presentation, and education. SFJAZZ explores the full spectrum of jazz, from the music's origins in the African American community to its diverse present-day expressions around the world. As a non-profit organization, SFJAZZ works to develop the audience for jazz in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. SFJAZZ celebrates jazz as a living art form, built on a constantly evolving tradition.

SFJAZZ presents a wealth of year-round programs, including the internationally acclaimed San Francisco Jazz Festival, the SFJAZZ Spring Season and numerous community outreach and education programs.

Founded in 1983 under the name of Jazz in the City, the organization adopted its new identity as SFJAZZ in late 1999, in recognition of its expansion from seasonal music presenter to year-round arts institution.

All SFJAZZ programs reflect a spirit of artistic exploration, embracing the full breadth of jazz and its related musics; emphasize thematic programming, with tributes to jazz masters and celebrations of particular musical instruments, trends or styles; and strive to instill enthusiasm for jazz among wider audiences.

SFJAZZ programs INCLUDE:

San Francisco Jazz Festival

Hailed by the London, UK Observer as "probably the best jazz festival in the world," the San Francisco Jazz Festival is a two-week celebration of today's best music. Every fall the Festival presents a phenomenal array of jazz concerts, from the classic to the avant-garde, gathering the legends of today and the rising stars of tomorrow in premier venues throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Originally a small-scale event known mostly in the local community, the Festival has risen to national and international prominence featuring dozens of events, including new work by some of the most creative contemporary artists, unique "Jazz on Film" presentations, family matinee concerts and other programs.

SFJAZZ Spring Season

The primary embodiment of SFJAZZ's expansion as a year-round presenter is the SFJAZZ Spring Season featuring high-profile jazz concerts, films, and educational events under the artistic direction of saxophone superstar Joshua Redman.

The SFJAZZ Spring Season debuted in 2000 and was an instant critical and commercial success. Featuring five weekends of events, each showcasing a multi-generational approach to particular musical instruments and styles, it was "something New Yorkers could get jealous about," The New York Times wrote.

SFJAZZ Summerfest

SFJAZZ Summerfest is the organization's annual series of free outdoor concerts, featuring dozens of events from June through October in parks and commercial centers throughout the Bay Area. Locations have included Transamerica Redwood Park, Stanford Shopping Center, Embarcadero Center, and Levi's Park Plaza. SFJAZZ Summerfest showcases local musicians in noon-time or late afternoon concerts all free and open to the public, displaying a wide array of styles, from straight-ahead jazz, to Latin rhythms, swing, blues, and vocals.

SFJAZZ Education Programs

The organization's expansion to year-round programming also marked the establishment of a dedicated Education Department, significantly increasing the scope of jazz education at SFJAZZ through a variety of original programs. SFJAZZ provides adult, youth and family oriented education programs year-round.

SFJAZZ Membership

SFJAZZ's broad membership base is instrumental in supporting creative programming, artist residencies, education programs, commissioned works by talented composers, and all SFJAZZ programs.

To help support its year-round activities, SFJAZZ membership programs feature different levels of membership, topped by the Leaders Circle. In exchange for tax-deductible annual donations, SFJAZZ members receive special benefits, which include merchandise and CD discounts, the opportunity to purchase event tickets before they go on sale to the general public, and additional VIP benefits as the membership level increases.

SFJAZZ Collective

The SFJAZZ Collective is an all-star jazz ensemble comprising eight of the finest performer/composers at work in jazz today. Launched in 2004 by SFJAZZ, the Collective has quickly become one of the most exciting and acclaimed groups on the American and international jazz scenes. In addition to its outstanding line-up, the SFJAZZ Collective has been praised for its innovative approach to repertoire. Each year, the ensemble performs an entirely new list of works, consisting of arrangements of a modern jazz master's works and new compositions by each of the eight Collective members (commissioned by SFJAZZ).

"The biggest and best festival in the world"
—The London Observer