October 16, 2015
By: Brandon E. Roos
On Sunday, August 9, Greenberg Traurig hosted the Mayor’s Jazz Brunch, an annual staple at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. The invite-only event featured community leaders as well as SJZ members, and included an address by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo in addition to San Jose Jazz Board Chair Robert Griffin. The event, hosted on the patio at Scott’s Seafood, offered a gorgeous overhead view of Plaza de Cesar Chavez, the centerpiece of Summer Fest. The event …
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August 7, 2015
By: Gabriela Hill
From the scores arranged by Melba Liston, to the important role Mary Lou Williams played in jazz instrumentation, to the well-known enchanting voice of Billie Holiday, women have long contributed to the dynamic and extensive field of jazz. With an added focus on women in jazz at this year’s Summer Fest, you’ll find a wealth of vibrant female voices in jazz throughout downtown San Jose this weekend, voices blazing trails and molding what it means to …
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August 7, 2015
By: Gabriela Hill
A legendary drummer and founding member of the 1960s funk group The Meters, Zigaboo Modeliste is considered one of the most creative and critically acclaimed drummers in music. Studied by aspiring drummers, beloved by funk and rock devotees alike, and revered by musicians the world over, Modeliste has written over 400 songs individually and as part of The Meters, with his music found across 36 national and international albums. While some music lovers may know …
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August 7, 2015
By: Gabriela Hill
Imagine locking yourself in a room with the friends you grew up with for 16 hours a day, every day, over the course of an entire month so each of you can contribute to one another’s work. Jazz saxophonist, composer, producer, and bandleader Kamasi Washington did just that in December 2011, when he and a number of his close musician friends cleared their schedules to focus solely on creating and capturing their own music rather than …
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August 7, 2015
By: Fiona Gleichman
Greg Bridges, otherwise known as G1 Rhythm, is a radio DJ and journalist based in Oakland, California. Greg can be heard at jazz station KCSM 91.1fm Tuesday nights from 6 to 9pm and Thursday nights from 6pm to 2am.He’s also one of the new hosts of the nationally-syndicated late night-early morning program Jazz In The Wee Small Hours. Additionally, Greg can be heard at progressive music, news and culture station KPFA 94.1fm Monday nights from …
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August 6, 2015
By: Fiona Gleichman
Jonathan Gonzales hails from Gilroy, the Garlic Capitol of the world. He loves jazz, good food and good people, which is why Summer Fest is one of his favorite times of the year. A strong supporter of music and arts education programs for youth, Jonathan believes in the positive impact a program can have on a child’s life. He’s been a fan of San Jose Jazz’s youth programs for quite some time and began working as …
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August 6, 2015
By: Fiona Gleichman
Though he’s a newcomer to SJZ’s Board, Ross McMahon has always been involved in the arts, first as an Irish step dancer and later as an ice skater, competing in both disciplines at the national level. He played guitar in bands throughout the Bay Area while getting his Bachelor’s Degree in American Literature at Santa Clara University. Ross first volunteered at campus radio station KSCU then later at WTUL New Orleans while attending Tulane Law School. Ross has been …
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August 6, 2015
By: Fiona Gleichman
Janine Santana is a 40 year veteran of the performing arts industry and comes from a family deeply steeped in film, radio, theater, music and dance. Born in Brooklyn, Janine has since relocated to the Denver area. She serves as on-air host of Salsa con Jazz at Denver’s KUVO Jazz 89.3 FM every Sunday afternoon. She is also the host of two Latin jazz/salsa mix shows on party934.com and VAYA! on KUHSDenver.com. Janine has a hand in …
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August 4, 2015
By: Gabriela Hill
You asked for a place where you can really spin – and we heard you! For over 20 years, salsa dancers have come out in droves to celebrate the summer and enjoy the Salsa Stage. This year, we’re kicking off Summer Fest with a nod to that history. On Friday evening, we’re featuring dynamic, fusion-inspired musical performances on two stages, free of charge, as part of the South First Fridays Art Walk. After, join us …
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July 31, 2015
By: Gabriela Hill
Between recording schedules, touring, and rehearsals, it’s not often musicians have the freedom to dedicate time to travel for the sake of leisure, much less research. Even so, trumpeter and bandleader Etienne Charles journeyed through Costa Rica, Trinidad, and California to explore a place all three areas have: a city known as San Jose. With the support of Chamber Music America, he created the “San Jose Suite,” a music piece inspired by his experiences in each place and …
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