As it approaches 35 years of celebrating the evolving art form of jazz, San Jose Jazz demonstrates its commitment to passing the torch and tradition to the next generation with notably different programming as part of its Future of Jazz campaign.
In the past, SJZ has presented artists like Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, ESTA, Domi & JD Beck, Robert Glasper, the Internet, and other artists whose musical innovation would garner mass popularity and appearances at festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella in the years since.
This year, SJZ presents the Future of Jazz on its Big Easy & Beyond Stage, leaning on Kiefer, DJ Harrison of Butcher Brown, Mohini Dey, Stella Cole, Zohar & Adam, and others as heralds of the changing times and torchbearers of the jazz tradition.
Mohini Dey, raised in Mumbai, was influenced by great bass players like Victor Wooten, Jaco Pastorius, mentored by prolific composer A.R. Rahman and came to collaborate with SJZ Summer Fest artist Zakir Hussain, Steve Vai, and others as she came to prominence on social media.
DJ Harrison was a percussionist in Virginia Commonwealth University’s jazz studies program, and influenced by everyone from Jimi Hendrix and Marvin Gaye to Pete Rock, D’Angelo, and Questlove, carves out a unique niche as a solo artist and as keyboardist for funk, soul, jazz, and fusion band Butcher Brown.
Kiefer, meanwhile, is an educator in his own right, mentoring SJZ Break Room and Summer Fest artist Telemakus over Skype, while dropping collaborations with artists like Braxton Cook, SJZ Summer Fest artist Theo Croker, Elijah Fox, and 10.4 ROG.
Stella Cole has amassed millions of views on TikTok, reinventing jazz classics and standards in her own way and going viral because of it. She’s influenced by pop and jazz singers of the ‘40s and ‘50s, legends like Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, and is often told that she was born in the wrong decade — but her social media following says otherwise.
A group of forward-looking artists who incorporate elements of the tradition that came before them, the Future of Jazz was molded by originators and innovators who carved out their own paths and influenced millions with their music. We imagine the same may be said about some of these artists in the future.
At the 35th annual Summer Fest, Friday buyers aged 13-25 can imagine a Future of Jazz for just $25, and the initiative continues all weekend long. Buy your tickets at the gate, or lock in a 3-day ticket while Early Bird prices are available. Single day tickets–including the specially-priced “Future of Jazz” Friday Night ticket–will be on sale on April 21.
Also, check out our playlist of favorites from each of these artists here: