“This young musician and composer is at once reestablishing the artistic, cultural, and social tradition of jazz while creating an entirely new jazz language for the 21st century.” (MacArthur Foundation)   Tickets (Live and Live Stream)   One of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists and composers of his generation, Miguel Zenón has developed a […]

Davina Sowers creates her own Americana mishmash — a little Amy Winehouse-worthy neo-soul here, a little Great American Songbook-influenced songcraft there.” (Rolling Stone Magazine)   Davina and the Vagabond shows are filled with New Orleans charm, Memphis soul swagger, dark theatrical moments that evoke Kurt Weill, and tender gospel passages. Davina’s voice and stage presence […]

Bay Area saxophonist Patrick Wolff  joins forces with jazz guitarist, Peter Bernstein.   Tickets   Wolff has become a creative force in the S.F. Bay Area since relocating here in 2009 from New York City. He has made his mark as a bandleader, honing an enthralling repertoire of overlooked gems by masters from the bebop […]

Vocalist, Jackie Ryan “is one of the outstanding jazz vocalists of her generation……rivaling the dexterous sass of Sarah Vaughan, the instinctive smarts of Carmen McRae and the scintillating verve of Diana Krall.” (Jazz Times)   Tickets   This multilingual S.F. Bay Area native sings in several languages, and her versatility in styles ranging from belting […]

An adventurous jazz saxophonist, Ben Wendel is known for his harmonically sophisticated motivic-style of improvisation and broad compositional style touching upon post-bop, classical and post-rock influences. Wendel first emerged as a member of the forward-thinking ensemble Kneebody in the early 2000’s, earning a Grammy nomination for the group’s 2009 album. As a solo artist he […]

“She’s already a crazy-good player, arranger and improviser. She’s got all the technical mastery she’ll ever need and has absorbed the post-bop piano masters.” (DownBeat)   Tickets   Pianist and Steinway Artist Connie Han has tackled the pantheon of jazz with her own fiery contemporary style, managing to shake up a staid jazz scene with […]

A drummer who The New York Times has said, “takes a back seat to no one,” and “a musician who balances excitement gracefully and shines with innovation.”   Tickets   Heralded as a “powerhouse of a showman” (Glide Magazine), a “legitimate jazz triple threat” (Critical Jazz), drummer, producer and educator Ulysses Owens Jr. goes the […]

Jennifer Wharton presents Bonegasm — a four-trombone frontline with rhythm section — for what should be a very entertaining debut at the Bach! In 2019, Wharton presented her trombone-powered ensemble via its self-titled debut album to an overwhelming response, landing the album on the jazz charts within a week. Bonegasm’s newer recording, Not a Novelty, […]

Bobby Watson is an artist that sits among the pantheon of present-day jazz greats. Born in Lawrence, Kansas, his career now spans more than four decades. A multi-grammy-nominated saxophonist, Watson trained formally at the University of Miami and then, from 1977-1981, earned his “doctorate” as musical director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He then went […]

Whether you’ve heard guitarist Dave Stryker leading his own group or as a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and many others, you know why the Village Voice calls him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.”   He was voted as one of the top Jazz Guitarists in […]

George Colligan is not only one of the great jazz pianists of his generation, he has earned an international reputation as a multi-instrumentalist (drums, trumpet, organ, keyboards), composer, accompanist, teacher, and bandleader, as well as popular blogger (jazztruth.blogspot.com).   A DownBeat Critics Poll winner for Keyboards, he has had a long association with living jazz […]

Legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo is an artist who broke down the barriers between smooth jazz, salsa, latin jazz and contemporary music. His name has been synonymous in the music industry for more than 50 years. Pete is known worldwide for his live performances, session work and solo albums. He has performed and toured with many […]

Paula West is an American jazz and cabaret singer known for her rich, powerful contralto voice and for her highly nuanced interpretations of an extraordinarily eclectic selection of songs that range from the Great American songbook to reinterpretations of songs by artists such as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Lou Reed and Johnny Cash. The New […]

Still in his mid-20s, vibraphonist Joel Ross has earned widespread renown as the most exciting new voice on his instrument. Since the 2019 release of his Blue Note debut album KingMaker to eruptive critical acclaim, Ross has topped the DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star category for vibraphone — graduating beyond the Rising Star to well-honed artist in […]

One of the most sought-after and revered saxophonists in the world, Lakecia Benjamin was voted 2020 DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star Alto Saxophonist and Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. Known for her charisma and dynamism as a player, as a composer she has an inimitable skill of fusing […]

Trumpeter and Trinidad native, Etienne Charles returns to the Bach with his wonderful sextet, Creole Soul. Charles infuses reggae, Calypso and Afro-Caribbean music into a distinctive version of modern jazz.   He has already several albums including the highly regarded Creole Soul, which while steeped in the jazz tradition, delivered a unique spin on Creole-oriented […]

Singer, songwriter and piano phenom Peter Cincotti burst on to the scene at 18 years old when he became the youngest artist ever to reach #1 on the Billboard Jazz Charts. Since then, Peter has been wowing audiences around the globe in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, collaborated with artists ranging from Andrea […]

Vibist Joe Locke is widely considered to be one of the major voices of his instrument, long known to be a soloist capable of stunning physical power and broad emotional range. Joining Locke are two of his favorite music collaborators, pianist Jim Ridl and award-winning vocalist Kenny Washington – a jazz virtuoso who thrills audiences […]

5-time grammy-award winner and 16-time grammy-nominated pianist and composer, Billy Childs remains one of the most diversely prolific & acclaimed artists working in music today. Childs' canon of original compositions and arrangements has garnered him the 2013 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a composer’s award from the American Academy of Arts and […]

Ann Hampton Callaway is one of the leading champions of the great American Songbook, having made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. Voted recently by Broadwayworld.com as "Performer of the Year", Ann is a born entertainer. Her unique singing style blends jazz and traditional pop, making […]

At 36 years young, pianist Justin Kauflin has already produced eight albums as a leader, has appeared on at least 25 additional albums as sideman or guest artist and has recorded 48 original compositions for albums and film. Kauflin blind at age 11 began performing professionally at age 15.   While a student at university he […]

Sponsored by Gail Sinquefield Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana makes her eagerly awaited Bach debut. At 33, the Brooklyn-based tenor player from Santiago, Chile has garnered international recognition for her visionary work. Her album Visions, noted one of best albums of 2019 by NPR Music, earned the saxophonist her first Grammy nomination for "Best Improvised […]

Saxophonist great, Azar Lawrence celebrates his new album New Sky with his 8-piece ensemble who sizzle to his original compositions. Lawrence at just 19 years old was chosen by Elvin Jones for a 3 plus year stint and then by McCoy Tyner for 5 years to fill the shoes of John Coltrane. Azar recorded and […]

Internationally acclaimed jazz violinist Jenny Scheinman presents music she wrote and honed while in the wilderness of Northern California during the shutdown. This drum-less ensemble revels in full acoustic resonance and draws on Scheinman’s early string influences; John McLaughlin’s Shakti, Django Reinhardt and Wild West cinema. She is also sure to include a handful of […]

Legendary bassist Buster Williams leads his Something More quartet. The Guardian calls Williams one of the great acoustic bassists, and JazzTimes states Williams resume ranks with that of any bassist in the modern era. It’s a resume that includes working with Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt when he was 17; backing singing legends Betty Carter, […]

Trombonist and five-time Grammy-nominee, Wayne Wallace is one of the more respected exponents of African American-Latin music in the world today. He is known for the use of traditional forms and styles in combination with contemporary music and has earned recognition with his recent placement in the Downbeat Critics Polls under the trombone and producer […]

Vocalist Tierney Sutton returns this summer with phenomenal Tamir Hendelman on piano and Serge Merlaud on guitar playing songs from Sutton’s Grammy-nominated Paris Sessions album. Sutton, known for her impeccable voice and imaginative treatments of The Great American Songbook, is heralded for her abilities as both a jazz storyteller and her ability to use her […]

With his illustrious career that includes hallmark stints with Miles Davis, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, as well as a heralded career as a solo artist that began more than 30 years ago, Kenny Garrett is easily recognized as one of modern jazz’s […]

Chris and Dan Brubeck have been making music together practically all their lives. Drummer Dan and bassist, trombonist, and composer Chris cut their first record together in 1966— more than a half century ago. Rooted in straight-ahead jazz, they’ve played a variety of styles in a number of different groups, as well as with their […]

Multiple grammy nominee and Juno Award winner Jane Bunnett’s bands and recordings showcase some of the finest musical talent from Canada, the U.S., and Cuba. Bunnett, a veteran jazz icon, soprano sax player, flautist and composer is known for her creative integrity, improvisational daring, and courageous artistry. Her Afro-Cuban melodies express the universality of music […]

A world-class soloist, accomplished composer, and formidable bandleader, saxophonist Chris Potter has emerged as a leading light of his generation. DownBeat called him, “One of the most studied (and copied) saxophonists on the planet,” while JazzTimes identified him as, “a figure of international renown.” DownBeat also voted him second only to tenor sax great Sonny […]

Internationally renowned violinist and composer, 2x Grammy-winner and 2016 DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star, Mads Tolling is accompanied in this performance by versatile singer-songwriter-pianist Spencer Day for an evening of pure extravagance. Mads’ superb mastery and Spencer’s unique blend of blue-eyed soul, pop and film noir moodiness intertwine for a beautiful and refreshing take on […]

One of the world’s leading jazz drummers, Willie Jones III brings the music of legendary jazz musician Roy Hargrove to life on the Bach stage and features Renee Neufville, a vocalist who made her mark in the platinum recording duo Zhané and then “cut her teeth” in the jazz world touring globally with Hargrove’s band […]

Multi-talented virtuoso Jeremy Pelt has become one of the preeminent young trumpeters within the jazz world. He has been voted Rising Star on Trumpet five years in a row by Downbeat and his recordings and performances have earned him critical acclaim. Forging a bond with the Mingus Big Band very early in his career lead […]

At once unassumingly virtuosic and un-contrivedly emotional, award-winning Anglo-Trinidadian jazz singer, Tessa Souter, is “a beguiling artist who infuses everything she interprets with voluptuous intelligence and keen emotional insight.” (KQED ARTS). Her CDs have twice been picked as Top Ten Jazz CDs of the Year by the London Sunday Times. And Picture in Black and White […]

Award-winning pianist Helen Sung brings her Quartet+ with guest violinist Jenny Scheinman. Sung is a virtuoso pianist who has seamlessly fused her classical background into her current passionate swinging sound. A 2021 Guggenheim Fellow, Sung graduated from the the inaugural class of the Thelonious Monk Institute and was a winner of the Mary Lou Williams […]