Fest History

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, formerly known as the San Jose Jazz Festival, is emblematic of the Silicon Valley start-up spirit. The first San Jose Jazz Festival took place in 1990 over two days in August at the Plaza de César Chavez. Its first day focused on fusion and its second day was dedicated to straight-ahead jazz, attracting about 10,000 attendees. This was a true grassroots effort, with the main festival organizers cleaning up festival grounds well after the last notes had been played in the park.

Festival Director Bruce Labadie funded the first two festivals out-of-pocket, and luckily the gamble paid off. Ever since, the plaza has remained the festival’s epicenter and is now our Main Stage centerpiece. The festival’s second year featured a stage on Post Street and the event has continued to grow. Through the 90s, the festival’s expansion made it the largest free jazz festival in the United States, and the new millennium has seen the event grow to include nearly 1,000 musicians on 12 stages.

Learn more about the festival by scrolling through headliners and posters from past years.

2021

Morris Day and The Time / Goapele / Common / Judith Hill / Ozomatli / Butcher Brown / Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra / Superblue: Kurt Elling Featuring Charlie Hunter / The Motet / Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs / Brandon Coleman / Sarah McKenzie / Helen Sung Presents Quartet+ / James Francies / Kandace Springs / Quiana Lynell: Pillow Talk / Christian Sands / Giveton Gelin / Gary Smith & the House Rockers With Andy Just / Septeto Los Amigos / Chris Cain Band / Billy Iuso & Friends / Cabanijazz Project / Junior Watson Band / Rumbankete / Delgado Brothers / Las Chikas / Sons of the Soul Revivers / Sonny Green & Tia Carroll w/ The Greaseland Allstars / Stella Heath / Mimi Fox B3 Trio / SJZ Collective plays Chick Corea / Ray Obiedo & Mambo Caribe / Jamie Baum Septet+ / George Brooks & Arjun Verma / Tony Lindsay / Ray Charles Project / Claudia Villela and Romero Lubambo / New West Guitar Group with Leah Zeger / The Futurelics / Swatkins & the Positive Agenda / Secret Sidewalk / Wally Schnalle’s Idiot Fish

2019

Dianne Reeves / Gregory Porter / Pink Martini / The O’Jays / The Family Stone / Orquesta La-33 / En Vogue / The Suffers / Fred Hersch / Sons of Kemet / China Moses / Charlie Hunter and Lucy Woodward / Roberta Gambarini / Marquis Hill Blacktet / Ivan Lins / Sammy Miller and the Congregation / Veronica Swift featuring the Emmet Cohen Trio / Marcus Shelby Orchestra featuring Tiffany Austin / Elio Villafranca: Cinque

2018

Kool & the Gang / Johnny Gill / Goapele / Herb Alpert and Lani Hall / Lalah Hathaway / Booker T.’s Stax Revue / Nachito Herrera Trio / Yissy & Bandancha / Vincent Herring’s Story of Jazz: 100 Years / Jane Monheit / Kishi Bashi With Strings / Sarah McKenzie / MAE.SUN / Changüí Magadero / Marcus Roberts / Big Sam’s Funky Nation / Makaya McCraven / Emmet Cohen Trio / Kat Edmonson / Rumbankete / Jimetta Rose / Aaron Abernathy Trio / Theo Croker Quartet

2017

Orgone / George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic / Robert Glasper Experiment / Chris Botti / Angelique Kidjo’s Tribute To Salsa with Pedrito Martinez / Hip-Bone Big Band / The Whispers / Jazz By 5 with Javon Jackson, George Cables, Randy Brecker, Eddie Gomez & Jimmy Cobb / Eddie Henderson Quartet / Oscar Hernández and Alma Libre / Maceo Parker / Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio / Moonchild / Peter Cincotti / Tommy Igoe Groove Conspiracy / Pedrito Martinez / Daymé Arocena / Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys / Pacific Mambo Orchestra / Cyrille Aimée / Samantha Fish / Somos El Son / The Seshen / Carmen Lundy / California and Montreal Guitar Trios / Posi-Tone Records Showcase: Art Hirahara / Posi-Tone Records Showcase: Roxy Coss/Josh Lawrence / Wally Schnalle & IF3+ / Danny Green Trio / Kavita Shah / FatsO / Dmitri Matheny Jazz Noir / Emilio Solla Tango-Jazz Quartet / Rickey Woodard Quartet / Claudia Villela Group

2016

Galactic / Sergio Mendes & Brasil 2016 / Funky Meters / Lizz Wright / Cécile McLorin Salvant / José James / Goapele / Miguel Zenón Quartet / Bobby Caldwell & His R&B Band / Chico Freeman Plus+Tet / Red Baraat / Melissa Aldana / Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers / Tootie Heath Trio / Alfredo Rodríguez Trio with Ganavya Doraiswamy / Karrin Allyson Trio / Wolff & Clark Expedition / Tony Lindsay presents The Soul Soldiers / Honey Island Swamp Band / The Royal Bopsters

2015

Alex Conde / Anton Schwartz / Bria Skonberg / Brian Culbertson / Bombay Jazz / Charenee Wade / Chihiro Yamanaka / Con Brio / Conjunto Karabali / Davina & the Vagabonds / Doug Beavers / Eddie Palmieri / Etienne Charles / Glen David Andrews / the Internet / JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound / Jesus Diaz  / John Pizzarelli / Kamasi Washington / Le Boeuf Brothers / Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz / Mike Clark, Wil Blades and Hailey Niswanger / Natalie Cressman / Oran Etkin / Samba Parade / Sax Appeal with Javon Jackson, Jimmy Heath, Gary Bartz & Donald Harrison / Selwyn Birchwood / Shai Maestro / SJZ Camp Octet / SJZ High School All Stars / SJZ U-19s / Sonex / Storm Large / Sultans of String / Sylvia Cuenca / Terri Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project: Love & Soul / Tower of Power / Villalobos Brothers / Will Sessions

2014

Bootsy Collins / Catherine Russell / Con Funk Shun / Conjunto Chappottin y Sus Estrellas / David Sanborn, Joey Defrancesco, Warren Wolf & Byron Landham / Jerry Gonzalez & the Fort Apache / Jimmy Bosch / Kris Bowers / Ledisi / Monty Alexander and the Harlem-Kingston Express / Nicole Henry with the Top Shelf Big Band & Orchestra / Pedrito Martinez Group featuring Ariacne Trujillo /Pacific Mambo Orchestra / Poncho Sanchez Band & Guests: Tribute to Armando Peraza / San Jose Taiko with The Bangerz / Snarky Puppy

2013

Dave Koz & Friends / Dr. Lonnie Smith / Pink Martini / Rebirth Brass Band / Wil Campa / Preservation Hall Jazz Band / Ben Vereen / Cameo / Javon Jackson / Les McCann / Arturo O’Farrill / Derrick Hodge / Ricardo Lemvo / The Crookers

2012

Alessandro Penezzi Quartet / Amanda Shaw & The Cute Guys / BlackMahal / Boney James / Coco Montoya / Dianne Reeves / Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk / Jeff Hamilton Trio / Morris Day & The Time / Terence Blanchard / The Spinners / The Jazz Crusaders ft Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson, Wilton Felder / Tia Fuller / Wil Campa y Su Gran Union

2011

Arturo Sandoval / Dave Koz / DMS featuring David Sanborn, George Duke, Marcus Miller / Edgardo Cambon y Candela / Grady Champion / The John Santos Sextet / Mavis Staples / Ohio Players / Ramsey Lewis / Trombone Shorty

2010

Bobby Matos & his Afro Latin ensemble / Carolyn Wonderland / The Ford Blues Band with Robben Ford / George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic / Irma Thomas: Soul Queen of New Orleans / John Ellis & Double Wide / John Handy / Maceo Parker / Marcus Miller Tutu Revised / Nnenna Freelon / Ruthie Foster / Tower of Power

2009

The Bay Area Latin Jazz All-Star Band / Bettye LaVette / Black Joe Lewis / Buster Williams, Patrice Rushen, Cindy Blackman & Bernie Maupin / Lionel Loueke / Louie Bellson Tribute by Musician’s Warehouse Big Band / Nachito Herrera / Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra with special guests Mario Gonzales Justo, Almario, Ray Obiedo & Doug Beavers / SambaDa / Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

2008

Bob Mintzer and Pete Yellin / David Sanborn in a tribute to Ray Charles & Hank Crawford / Djabe / Gail Dobson Latin Jazz Sextet presents Three Generation of Jazz / George Brooks’ Summit featuring Zakir Hussain / James Hunter / Joe Bonamassa / New York Police Department Big Band / Tony Lindsay

2007

Airmen of Note / Angie Stone / Charlie Musselwhite / David “Fathead” Newman / Lee Ritenour / Marcus Shelby / Miguel Migs / Ray Vega

2006

Bud Shank Quartet / Dr. John / Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio / Eldar / Ingrid Lucia / The Iguanas / Marcus Miller / The Neville Brothers / San Jose Jazz Orchestra directed by Aaron Lington and featuring Mike Vax / The Spanish Harlem Orchestra

2005

Bettye LaVette / Bobby Watson and the Live and Learn Quintet / Eddie Palmieri / Ernestine Anderson / Geri Allen Trio & San Jose Jazz Orchestra directed by Dennis Wilson / The Musician Warehouse Big Band with featured guest Louie Bellson / Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir / Poncho Sanchez / Soulive / Zakiya Hooker

2004

Bobby Sanabria / James Moody / The LeBoeuf Brothers / Lizz Wright / Los Rumberos / Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
Pete Escovedo Orchestra with special guests Ray Vega and Justo Almario / Ray Borrtto Sextet / San Jose Jazz Society Orchestra with Steve and Michael Turre / Terence Blanchard

2003

!Cubanismo! / Julian Lage Quartet / Jimmy Heath with the San Jose Jazz Orchestra / Ledisi / Nestor Torres and the Bay Area Latin All-Stars, Featuring Orestes Vilato, John Santos and Rebeca Mauleon / Nnenna Freelon / Palenque / Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca / Taylor Eisgsti Trio / Yellowjackets

2002

The 50 Voice Oakland Jazz Choir / Chuchito Valdez Afro Cuban Ensemble / George Duke Quartet / Jon Faddis / John Santos & the Machete Ensemble / Larry Coryell / Los Hombres Calientes / Montclair Women’s Big Band / Oleta Adams / Quetzal

2001

Angelique Kidjo / Dee Dee Bridgewater / Kenny Barron and Regina Carter / Joe Locke’s Storytelling featuring Mark Ledford / Jose Netoband / Jules Broussard / Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra / Papo Vasquez’s Pirates & Troubadours / Pete Escovedo Orhestra featurig Marlena Shaw / Steve Turre Quintet / Tommy Dorsey Orchestra conducted by Buddy Morrow / Vivendo de Pao

2000

Bronx Horns / Caribbean Jazz Project / Dmitri Matheny / Eddie Marshall / Gonzalo Rubalcaba / Hiroshima / Jazz Times Superband / Jeff Chambers / Kevin Mahogany / Larry Coryell / Lavay Smith / Los Aztex / The Oakland Jazz Choir / Poncho Sanchez / Richie Cole’s Alto Madness Orchestra / Roy Hargrove Quintet / Smith Dobson / ValLimar Jansen & Frank Jansen

1999

Cedar Walton Trio with Billy Higgins / Chuck Mangione / Clarence Gatemouth Brown / Corner Pocket / Frank Jansen, ValLimar Jansen & Friends / Johnny Almendra y Los Jovenes del Barrio featuring Jillian / Jon Jang Quartet / Lavay Smith & Her Red-Hot Skillet Lickers / Little Charlie & the Nightcats / Ray Borretto & Kenny Burrell with New World Spirit / Michael Davis Group / Mingus Amungus / Nnenna Freelon with Ernie Watts / SoVosSo / Strunz & Farrah

1998

Arturo Sandoval / Diane Schurr / Frank Jansen & ValLimar Jansen / The Frederick Zimmerman Group Jazz Trio / Gene Harris / Johnny Otis / Lady Bo and the B.C. Horns / Manny Oquendo / Pete Escovedo / Rebbie Kwock & Melecio Magdaluyo / Regina Carter / Sista Monica / Steve Turre

1997

B Sharp / Bobby Matos Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble / Brad Mehldau Trio / Charles Brown / Chris Botti / Common Unity / Dianne Reeves / Gypsy Tribe / Jimmy McGriff & Hank Crawford Quartet / Lifescan Diversity Choir / Nestor Torres / Norman Connors / Nueva Manteca / Pele Juju / Spyro Gyra / Tomo

1996

Bobby Caldwell / Bobby Hutcherson Quartet / East Palo Alto Boy’s Choir / Freddie Ravel Orchestra / Jazz Crusaders / Joyce Cooling , Person 2 Person / Lifescan Gospel Choir / Marlena Shaw & Jack McDuff / Pete Escovedo / Poncho Sanchez / Stanley Turrentine / Straight Ahead / Wild Mango

1995

Claudia and Claudia / Doctor Dorothy Donegan / Heavy Metal Horns / Jerry Gonzales & The Fort Apache Band / John Handy with Class / Kilauea / Patrick Palomo / Pieces of A Dream

1994

Dick Whittington / Ernie Watts / Larry Coryell / Men in Christ Gospel Choir / Ponche with Rebeca Mauleon / Swing Ace, San Jose Taiko & Tree Carson / Super Sax & the L.A. Voices / Tania Maria / Wally Schnalle Sextet

1993

Charlie Haden / Quartet West / Ernestine Anderson / Justo Almario / Kotoja / Poncho Sanchez / Ray Obiedo / Roy Haynes / Walter Norris

1992

Eddie Harris / Etta James / Mel Martin’s Bebop & Beyond / Steve Smith and Vital Information / Steve Turre / Strunz & Farah / The Next Crusade – Featuring Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder / Viva Brazil

1991

Billy Childs / Bob Sheppard / Dianne Reeves / Intima Records presents Fattburger / Flora Purim & Airto / Harold Land and Tom Harell Quintet / Joey Calderazzo / Richard Elliot

1990

Brandon Fields / Bobby Hutcherson / Freddie Hubbard / Grant Geissman / Hal Galper / Hugh Masekela / Poncho Sánchez / UNI w/ Dave Garibaldi