Fall Fund Drive
October is the month that we, at Kuumbwa, traditionally launch our annual Fall Fund Drive. It is the one time each year that we actively encourage members to renew their membership and ask those who are not members to join. Why should you support Kuumbwa? More directly, why do I support Kuumbwa? I do it, simply, because I love the music and I value the role that the Kuumbwa plays in our community. For 35 years Kuumbwa has been true to its stated mission to provide “… opportunities for residents and visitors in the Santa Cruz area to enjoy and appreciate the full spectrum of jazz music through live performance and education.  We present extraordinary regional, national and international musicians and provide educational programs for people of all ages.”  Kuumbwa continues to attract both established and developing jazz artists because these musicians recognize our values and appreciate the respect that they are shown by our audiences. Please join me in supporting this jewel of an organization. If you are a member, please renew. If you are not, please join us.

Thank you, 
Drew Miller
Vice –President, Board of Directors
Chair- Fund Development Committee

We Love You Madly! 6th Annual Ellington Awards
Toby & Michael Alexander, and Patti & Brian Herman were honored Monday,
August 2nd at the Jazz Center in recognition of their generous and long standing support of Kuumbwa Jazz.  Toby and Michael have recently established a Charitable Remainder Trust at the Community Foundation of SCC designated to benefit Kuumbwa's Endowment Fund.

Patti and Brian's contribution shines a light both onstage and off enjoyed by musicians and audiences alike. Their recent donation contributed to the new state of the art LED stage and recessed house lighting.

We send them a heartfelt round of applause for making our experiences both today and into the future memorable!


KJC Profile: MIKE SPLAIN

“ The musicians love it here, too.”

From Deadhead to jazz-head, Mike Splain's taste in music run's the gamut from Jerry Garcia to Wayne Shorter, and beyond. His previous experience as a music reviewer, at two local weeklies, has served him well in writing content for Kuumbwa's bi-monthly newsletter and weekly press releases. “I feel really fortunate to work here,” says Mike. “The concerts I've seen have been incredible.” He cites John Scofield, Esperanza Spaulding Richard Bona, Jack DeJohnette, Chris Potter's Underground, Joe Zawinul and Charlie Hunter as favorite examples. “The musicians love it here, too. I remember Christian McBride and Josh Redman, saying:  'You know, we play all over the world at large venues, but at Kuumbwa, the people really listen!'”

Born in 1971, Mike Splain grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He recounts enduring the childhood 'purgatory' of piano lessons. “My mother played some piano. So, when I was in about second grade, I started on piano. Of course I hated it, but, now, I'm so glad she insisted.” When his dad acquired a banjo, and his mom, a guitar, Mike took an interest in the guitar. “I was about 14, and the guitar was really much more appealing than the piano.” As a budding guitarist, he progressed through punk, reggae, and psychedelic styles. Yet, he admits that when he started hearing jazz guitarists, he felt like giving it up. “I still play guitar, but I stick to blues and r&b,” he says. “I was about 17 when I started getting into jazz. We had a really good jazz radio station in Maryland. I heard Dave Holland's Extensions (with Kevin Eubanks on guitar), and The Oracle with Hank Jones, Dave Holland, and Billy Higgins. That music really made an impression on me. Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil is still one of my all-time favorite records.”

–Kurt Brinkmeyer