2023 Lineup / Chronological

With over 20 years on the Bay Area music scene, drummer Brian Andres has played alongside some of the region’s Latin music legends, and gone on to start his own projects with the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel and Trio Latino. For his Summer Fest performance, he’ll be joined by Mexico City-born vocalist Sandra Aran.

Caroline Chung is a Bay Area professional jazz upright/electric bassist, songwriter and producer. She has been gigging around the Bay Area with her project Citizens Jazz, collaborating with a rotating roster of the best local musicians, and performed two sold-out shows at SF Jazz featuring material from the seminal Nina Simone album Silk & Soul. 

Tony Monaco, one of jazz’s modern B-3 torchbearers, will showcase his red-hot grooves during a set meant to honor the organ’s distinguished place, and lasting legacy, on the jazz tradition. Prior to his performance, Monaco will be awarded for his contributions to furthering the B-3’s legacy.

Co-founded by multi-instrumentalist Adam Theis, Jazz Mafia is an eclectic artist collective of forward-thinking and accomplished players from the worlds of electro, hip-hop, world, classical, and jazz. Active since 2000, the collective is a prolific staple of the quintessential San Francisco sound, uniting creative and accomplished Bay Area instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, composers, and arrangers.

Isaiah Sharkey is poised to take center stage as he fuses together his background in rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues and funk to create an original sound with an unmistakable dose of soul.

DJ Sleepwalk was born in Mexico City, grew up in the Bay Area and currently lives in Los Angeles. She is a member of the LA chapter of Chulita Vinyl Club, and has been spinning with the collective for seven years. 

A member of the game-changing, genre-blurring LA collective the West Coast Get Down, pianist Cameron Graves possesses style described by his bandmate Kamasi Washington as an “almost unbelievable combination of modal jazz, romantic era European classical music and mathematical death metal.” 

Lemon Bucket Orkestra is Toronto’s original guerrilla-folk party-punk band. The multi-award-winning ensemble has been heralded as a groundbreaking, genre-bending phenomenon by media and fans alike, and over the past decade has performed all over the world.

Called “one of the greatest musical visionaries of his generation” by Blue Note Records President Don Was, vibraphonist-composer Joel Ross he regularly tops the DownBeat Critics Poll for his work in the broad lineage of Black music that pulls from jazz, hip hop, church and Chicago improvised music.

Spiñorita entered the Los Angeles party scene as a groover at backyard parties, leading her to start her DJ career in 2010. Since then, she has grown into one of the most prolific and dope DJs to spin at arenas across the globe.

DJ Sleepwalk was born in Mexico City, grew up in the Bay Area and currently lives in Los Angeles. She is a member of the LA chapter of Chulita Vinyl Club, and has been spinning with the collective for seven years. 

Spiñorita entered the Los Angeles party scene as a groover at backyard parties, leading her to start her DJ career in 2010. Since then, she has grown into one of the most prolific and dope DJs to spin at arenas across the globe. 

Vocalist Amy D. and vibraphonist Dillon Vado present a new collaborative project focused on the exploration and presentation of reflective songs that act as doorways to genuine feelings.

Aaron Germain first gained experience playing jazz, blues, funk, and reggae. Since moving to the Bay, he’s entered the world of salsa and Afro-Cuban music, playing alongside Caribbean steel pan music, and even accompanying Indian kathak dancers. Over his 20-plus years as a working bass player, he learned to be picky about quality but not genre.

Advertised as “not your grandparents’ big band,” 7th Street Big Band was conceived in the depths of East San Jose by drummer and bandleader Gabby Horlick. With its fresh injection of contemporary influences into the big band format, the group is a showcase for some of the South Bay’s best young jazz talent.

Saxophonist Bobby Watson and bassist Curtis Lundy have maintained a fruitful creative pairing since first coming together in the acclaimed acoustic quintet Horizon. The two have played alongside some of jazz’s greatest names, including Art Blakey, Max Roach, and Freddie Hubbard.

For this one-time performance, guitarists John Stowell, Rick Vandivier, and Mason Razavi are joined by New York-based percussionist Dave Meade to explore the acoustic potential of contemporary jazz. The unusual instrumentation will make for a fun set of exploration and deep listening. The guitarists are each known for their lyricism, thoughtful improvisation, and penchant for intuitive interaction.

Howard Wiley first displayed his unique musical talent while performing at his local church. He’s gone on to craft his own infectious fusion of jazz, soul, gospel, funk and more, leading journalist Drew Foxman to note that Wiley is “a musician who understands his sound, not only in an ensemble, but in the history of music.”

Cuban composer and pianist Omar Sosa is one of the most versatile jazz artists on the scene today. He fuses a wide range of jazz, world music, and electronic elements with his native Afro-Cuban roots to create a fresh and original urban sound – all with a Latin jazz heart.

Called “one of Mexico’s greatest young talents and vocalists” by KCRW’s José Galvan, Silvana, who is 23 years old, is the new voice of a movement of independent female artists who have characterized Latin Alternative music over the past decade. 

Bay Area-based composer, bassist, bandleader and educator Marcus Shelby is a cornerstone of the Bay Area jazz community. His work focuses on the history, present, and future of African American lives, social movements, and music education.

Currently leading or co-leading four distinct ensembles, Jeff has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe with both his own groups – including the renowned cooperative trio Minsarah – and as a sideman with some of jazz’s finest artists. For this set, he’ll be joined by multi-instrumentalist Paul McCandless, best known for his work with world fusion group Oregon.

Sons of jazz giant Dave Brubeck, Chris and Dan Brubeck have been making music together practically all their lives. Although their quartet’s style is rooted in “straight-ahead” jazz, their concerts reveal an inherent ability to explore and play odd time signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music.

Noted as the “new queen of New Orleans Neo-Soul,” vocalist and songwriter Erica Falls credits her unique vintage sound to her childhood growing up in New Orleans’ 9th Ward, where her parents introduced her to Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughn, and Whitney Houston.

Saxophonist Bobby Watson and bassist Curtis Lundy have maintained a fruitful creative pairing since first coming together in the acclaimed acoustic quintet Horizon. The two have played alongside some of jazz’s greatest names, including Art Blakey, Max Roach, Betty Carter, Freddie Hubbard, and Pharoah Sanders.

The music of Lionmilk reflects the diverse subculture of the Los Angeles beat and jazz scenes. With honesty at its forefront, he expresses sound with eclectic pleasure.

For their Summer Fest performance, Los Angeles based emcee Blu and DJ/producer Exile come together to honor the 15th anniversary of Below the Heavens, a critically acclaimed underground hip-hop classic that introduced the world to the duo’s stunning chemistry.

Whether he’s touring with Herbie Hancock, recording with George Duke, or hearing his compositions on popular film soundtracks, San Francisco native Ray Obiedo has made a name for himself as one the most originally expressive and exciting guitarists of his time.

Kim Nalley is an internationally acclaimed vocalist with a three and a half octave range that goes from gritty to sublime. An SJZ crowd favorite, Nalley has performed globally and shared the stage with a who’s who of jazz greats.

Grammy nominated Raul Midón – dubbed “an eclectic adventurist” by People magazine – has released 10 studio albums as a solo artist and collaborated with such heroes as Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers, along with contributing to recordings by Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg and the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s She Hate Me.

Noah and the Arkiteks is a San Jose-based, alternative-flavored soul ensemble led by soul singer-songwriter Noah. The group will debut “A Way Out,” a work Noah composed as a recipient of SJZ’s 2022 Jazz Aid Fund initiative, with a six-piece band.

Singer/songwriter Mack Keane and producer ESTA. proved a fruitful pairing when they connected for their collaborative EP Intersections, released in April on Soulection Records. The six-track collection melds Keane’s effortlessly dynamic vocals with ESTA.’s diverse production palette. Together, they strike an inimitable and infectious balance between vibes, elevating R&B and soul to another stratosphere.

A highly-respected trumpeter born in Kobe, Japan, Takuya Kuroda is a forward-thinking musician that has developed a unique hybrid sound, blending soulful jazz, funk, post-bop, fusion and hip hop music.

Chris “Kid” Andersen is a Norwegian blues guitarist who moved to San Jose in 2001. A significant force in the West Coast blues scene, Kid is driving the force behind Greaseland Records.

The SJZ U19s feature some of the finest young musicians from Greater Silicon Valley in a small combo setting. It’s a self-run, self curated group that allows promising young players at the pre-professional level an opportunity to truly express themselves.

An American vocalist of African American and Afro-Brazilian heritage, Kenya Moses shares the sounds of Brazilian Bossa Nova with her project Bossa e Bossa, which performs throughout California and beyond for both public and private events.

San Jose collab RIGHTSTARTER offers a guttural artistic response to this global moment, seeking to illuminate submerged truths, transgress boundaries, subvert expectations and assert denied identities in hostile times. The sound is a dynamic mix of funk, musique concréte, and free jazz.

The LMR Jazz Orchestra (formerly known as the Long Meadow Ranch All Star Big Band) is a 17-member large jazz ensemble drawn from an internationally accomplished group of musicians that have played across the world.

Two six-string veterans join forces for an unforgettable Summer Fest performance that will showcase Peter Bernstein and Bruce Forman as both masters of their instrument and incredibly intuitive accompanists.

An unconventional bassist, Mikailo Kasha is dedicated to pushing past the traditional restraints of his instrument. Striving to create new environments through his cinematic compositional style and visionary outlook, he brings a refreshing perspective to scenes around the globe.

Praised by Rolling Stone for her “stellar powerhouse vocals,” Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Judith Hill had the distinct privilege of being one of the final musicians to be mentored by the late Prince, who co-produced her debut album, Back in Time. 

A celebration of West Coast jazz titans, this Summer Fest set will explore the magical musical chemistry Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker shared across various recordings, eras, and ensembles.

With one foot in the world of tradition and another in glitzy upbeat pop, Ak Dan Gwang Chil (ADG7) is a multi-award winning group featuring three powerhouse female folk singers and a rich repertoire inspired by Korea’s sacred, shamanic ritual music (gut) and beloved folk songs (minyo) of Hwanghae Province.

With a bold, genre-bending style that’s been embraced by Wynton Marsalis, SZA, Mach-Hommy, Gorillaz, and the Roots, Melanie Charles has made a name for herself through her dynamic engagements with jazz, soul, and R&B. NPR has declared “Melanie Charles takes us on a journey that embodies the soul of jazz: exploration.”

Called “…a sly, articulate musician who sounds comfortable in any era” by the New York Times, singer-songwriter Nellie McKay’s creative talent has extended to acclaimed efforts in studio and on the Broadway stage.

Hailing from the East Bay, Oddity is a sonic storyteller seeking refuge in the intersections of jazz, hip-hop and neo-soul. With influences ranging from Billy Strayhorn to D’Angelo, Oddity can be found wherever inspiration strikes – be it a tender touch on a warm Rhodes, a heavy dilla-style backbeat, or a bluesy trombone melody.

Fremont-bred saxophonist Tim Lin is a Taiwanese-American jazz talent whose progressive sound comes from his love of the bebop jazz tradition and history. For his Summer Fest performance, he’ll be joined by Billy Drummond, a much sought-after drummer whose work has appeared on over 300 recordings.

Hailed as “the future of the trumpet” by none other than Wynton Marsalis, Keyon Harrold is an inventive, multidisciplinary, genre-fluid artist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and platinum music producer whose creative touch has extended into partnerships of varying format and tradition.

Powerhouse jazz vocalist Nicole Henry will return to the San Jose Jazz Festival to celebrate the release of her eighth CD, Time to Love Again, an eclectic mix of jazz standards and reimagined pop tunes by a diverse group of iconic composers including Anthony Newley, James Taylor, Rodgers & Hart, Buffy St. Marie, Ned Washington, Stevie Wonder and Joan Armatrading. 

An award-winning pianist, composer and arranger in his native France, Adrien Brandeis carries an open musical sensibility, pulling from influences as varied as Ruben Gonzalez, Brad Mehldau, Chick Corea and Bill Evans. Hear his unique voice in an intimate solo piano set.

Mexican-American LA native Danie showcases a sound that’s a thoughtful mixture of retro 60’s Chicano soul and ‘70s glam with a sultry R&B twist.

Natasha Diggs has become known as one of the most versatile and well-respected DJs in the world, making a career out of sharing her deep knowledge of music and showcasing her skills as a mixologist to crowds across the globe, including cities such as New York, Tokyo, Berlin, Prague, Sydney, and Beijing.

A guest-filled spectacular, this special performance presented by the Jazz Organ Fellowship brings together some of today’s best B-3 organists from around the world to celebrate the life of late jazz organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith.

Hailed as “the future of the trumpet” by none other than Wynton Marsalis, Keyon Harrold is an inventive, multidisciplinary, genre-fluid artist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and platinum music producer whose creative touch has extended into partnerships of varying format and tradition.