UPCOMING SHOWS

Dayna Stephens’ Intertwined @Stanford Jazz Festival
Jul
30

Dayna Stephens’ Intertwined @Stanford Jazz Festival

Renowned saxophonist Dayna Stephens is back with his fresh quartet for a sizzling live set. Featuring inventive takes on classic standards and fresh originals, Stephens and his killer band deliver a performance that ignites the stage with unbridled energy.

A DownBeat Rising Star, saxophonist Dayna Stephens is celebrated for his warm, lyrical tone and innovative approach to harmony and rhythm. Sought after by jazz greats including Eric Harland, Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, and Wayne Shorter, Stephens brings his extraordinary quartet to the stage for an intimate evening of compelling original compositions and inspired improvisation.

With a deep commitment to melodic storytelling, Stephens explores the singable and unexpected, crafting lines that push traditional harmonic boundaries while remaining soulful and deeply expressive. His music has resonated in the world’s top jazz venues, from Village Vanguard and Blue Note Jazz Club to SFJAZZ and Philharmonie de Paris.

A master of rhythmic dialogue, Stephens thrives on interplay, drawing inspiration from his many collaborations with legendary drummers such as Al Foster, Billy Hart, Brian Blade, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. This performance promises a dynamic, heartfelt, and unforgettable night of firebrand virtuosity.

View Event →
An Evening with Victor Lin: Music of Studio Ghibli @Stanford Jazz Festival
Jul
17

An Evening with Victor Lin: Music of Studio Ghibli @Stanford Jazz Festival

Victor Lin leads a jazz-infused tribute to Studio Ghibli, blending lyrical beauty and inventive improvisation in a captivating fusion of anime nostalgia and musical artistry.

Join Stanford Jazz Workshop favorite Victor Lin for a mesmerizing evening as he reimagines the iconic music of Studio Ghibli through the lens of jazz piano and violin. If the sight of Totoro instantly brings to mind a Joe Hisaishi melody, you already understand the profound connection between anime and its unforgettable music. Lin and his handpicked ensemble of exceptional jazz artists will bring these beloved scores to life with imaginative improvisation, rich harmonies, and boundless creativity.

Blending nostalgia with innovation, Lin’s reinterpretations breathe new energy into Hisaishi’s timeless compositions, making for a dynamic, immersive, and deeply heartfelt musical experience. Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or a lover of great music, this performance promises to be an exciting and unforgettable journey through the soundscapes of Studio Ghibli and beyond.

View Event →
Luther Allison Sextet @Stanford Jazz Festival
Jul
15

Luther Allison Sextet @Stanford Jazz Festival

PERSONNEL

Luther Allison, piano & drums

Markus Howell, saxophone

Noah Simpson, trumpet

Kilan Thorns, trombone

Jordan Anderson, piano

Mikailo Kasha, bass

Cory Cox, drums

Experience the boundary-pushing artistry of Luther S. Allison, a Grammy-winning pianist, composer, and bandleader whose dynamic sextet brings high-energy, forward-thinking jazz to the stage. Blending deep jazz foundations with modern originality, Allison’s music is bold, expressive, and electrifying, celebrating both tradition and innovation. His critically acclaimed new release showcases his unique approach—where intricate compositions, inspired improvisation, and rhythmic power converge to create a captivating, contemporary jazz experience.

A versatile force in the jazz world, Allison is equally adept as a pianist, drummer, and educator, performing nationally and internationally as both a leader and a sought-after sideman. He has shared the stage with an impressive roster of artists, including Etienne Charles, Jazzmeia Horn, Samara Joy, Rodney Whitaker, and Ulysses Owens Jr. Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, he discovered jazz through the Jazz Arts Initiative, where he performed alongside Donald Harrison and Delfeayo Marsalis before pursuing his studies at the University of Tennessee and later Michigan State University.

Don’t miss this thrilling performance, where high-powered ensemble interplay, vibrant compositions, and cutting-edge improvisation come together to redefine contemporary piano jazz.

View Event →
Mikailo Kasha Plays Ray Brown’s “Don’t Get Sassy” @ SFJAZZ
May
15
to May 16

Mikailo Kasha Plays Ray Brown’s “Don’t Get Sassy” @ SFJAZZ

Described by trumpeter and Count Basie Orchestra director Scotty Barnhart as “in the top 1% of bassists worldwide,” the acclaimed bassist and former SFJAZZ High School All-Stars member Mikailo Kasha honors bass legend Ray Brown and his 1994 Telarc trio album Don't Get Sassy.

A pioneering musician who was foundational to the development of bebop, Ray Brown is best known for his work with Oscar Peterson’s iconic trio and with Ella Fitzgerald in addition to his later career as a bandleader over his six decades in music.

He had lengthy associations with Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Barney Kessel, and the L.A. Four, and released dozens of albums under his own name.

In the late 1980s, Brown began a fruitful relationship with Telarc Records that saw the release of 21 albums over 24 years including his 1994 trio date Don't Get Sassy, his fifth date for the label.

Joined by Berkeley-raised pianist Benny Green and veteran drummer Jeff Hamilton, Brown brings a bone-deep command and youthful energy to the masterful program of standards including a medley of Duke Ellington classics, Sachal Distel's 1962 pop gem "The Good Life" (popularized by Tony Bennett), and a standout version of the Thad Jones title composition, as well as Brown's own contribution "Brown's New Blues."  

View Event →
Sunshine Jazz Organization Presents: International Jazz Month Concert
Apr
4

Sunshine Jazz Organization Presents: International Jazz Month Concert

International Jazz Month Concert

Fri, Apr 04

Black Archives - Historic Lyric Theater

Experience an unforgettable evening as we present a special concert in celebration of International Jazz Month, featuring an incredible lineup of talented musicians, including Melton Mustafa Jr., Val Woods, Mojo Ike, and Jessie Jones Jr.

View Event →