July 30, 2021
By: Brandon Roos
For our ongoing Fest Five series, we highlight five individual picks from artists, staff, and members of the community who will be attending San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. In this post, we highlight the studied choices of longtime music journalist David Ma. His work has appeared in NPR, The Paris Review, Billboard, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Vibe, and several other outlets. He’s part owner of Needle to the Groove Entertainment and co-hosts Dad Bod Rap Pod, …
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August 9, 2019
By Samantha Khieu
Our “Fest Five” features give you the opportunity to meet Silicon Valley musicians, artists, movers-and-shakers and SJZ staff, and find out what sets they will be catching at Summer Fest, and why. Our third 2019 edition features the powerhouse award winning vocalist from The Suffers, Kam Franklin. The Suffers have been performing “Gulf Coast Soul” since 2011, mixing blues, soul, country, caribbean, cajun, and hip hop styles to create a contagious energy. Their debut was …
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July 31, 2019
By Samantha Khieu
Our “Fest Five” features give you the opportunity to meet Silicon Valley musicians, artists, movers-and-shakers and SJZ staff, and find out what sets they will be catching at Summer Fest, and why. Our second 2019 edition features the powerhouse drummer and bandleader of the 7th Street Big Band, Gabby Horlick. In 2013, Gabby Horlick began the revolutionarily contemporary East San Jose music group known as 7th Street Big Band. There, she formed a diverse, passionate …
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July 10, 2019
By: Samantha Khieu
Our “Fest Five” features give you the opportunity to meet Silicon Valley musicians, artists, movers-and-shakers and SJZ staff, and find out what sets they will be catching at Summer Fest, and why. Our first 2019 edition gets into the mind of one of Silicon Valley’s best-known creatives, Daniel Garcia. Daniel Garcia is a San Jose photographer sought after for his poetic fashion and portrait work, but he’s best known for the creation of Content Magazine, …
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August 9, 2018
By: SJZ Staff
As the CEO of SoulandJazz.com, Brian Hurst wants to share the music he loves with the world, offering streamed programming of soul and jazz gems spanning nine decades through his website. Based in the UK, Brian will be running the British Airways Music Lounge this year, a unique listening space hosted in the Hammer Theater’s Hammer 4 venue. The Lounge will feature pared-down performances by Fest headliners, filmed in full HD and VR with audio …
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August 3, 2018
By: SJZ Staff
Balancing a career in jazz radio and teaching chemistry at San José State University, Dr. Brad Stone, AKA the Jazz Doctor, is a modern-day Renaissance man. Every Thursday on SoulandJazz.com, Dr. Stone debuts a collection of progressive new jazz recordings as part of his Creative Source broadcast. His musical knowledge covers 1960s jazz fusion and extends to the cutting edge of today’s music. For this year’s Summer Fest, the Jazz Doctor has prescribed five acts …
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July 30, 2018
By: SJZ Staff
Whether he’s behind the turntable or broadcasting over the airwaves, Russell Gatewood has established himself as an iconic DJ and radio personality from coast to coast. One half of the World Famous Rick & Russ Show, holding down the Sobrato Organization Main Stage between sets this year, Russell’s work as a DJ is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. Here are five of the acts he’s most excited about this year. Lalah Hathaway: “Lalah is …
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August 10, 2017
By: SJZ Staff
If you follow SJZ on social media, chances are you’ve seen the words of our Summer Fest intern, Cate Ayson. A soon-to-be graduate of Southern Oregon University, Cate has helped spread the Summer Fest excitement through her incisive messaging and savvy social media know-how. Previously, Cate helped walk you through the vocalists, emerging artists, and Blues and Big Easy acts arriving in San Jose this weekend. Yet after reading up on the dozens of acts we’re …
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August 8, 2017
By: SJZ Staff
Jonathan Gonzalez has been a long-time fan and supporter of San Jose Jazz. In the past, you’d find Jonathan working alongside the info team at Summer Fest, always answering Fest inquiries with a smile. This year, he takes on the role of “Festologist,” providing VIP attendees with their personal Summer Fest concierge. Love an artist or sound and need some recommendations on what else to see? Find him in the VIP area Saturday and Sunday near …
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August 12, 2016
Janice Edwards
Janice Edwards, the host and executive producer of “Signature Silicon Valley” and “Bay Area Vista” will once again emcee on the Main Stage at Summer Fest 2016. Here’s her Fest Five: Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers All you have to do is look at photos of Kermit Ruffins’ eyes and know that music and mischief are dancing there. I love the name of his band and finding out that Kermit actually cooks barbecue makes …
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