Skip to content

Buy Tickets
- - - Calendar
      
      Café Kuumbwa & Dinner Specials
      
      Ticket Info & Policies
      
      Our Mission
      
      Education Programs
      
      Our History
      
      Memberships/Renewals
      
      Other Ways To Give
      
      Annual Fundraiser
      
      Rentals
      
      Plan Your Visit
      
      Volunteer
Education & Mission
- - - Calendar
      
      Café Kuumbwa & Dinner Specials
      
      Ticket Info & Policies
      
      Our Mission
      
      Education Programs
      
      Our History
      
      Memberships/Renewals
      
      Other Ways To Give
      
      Annual Fundraiser
      
      Rentals
      
      Plan Your Visit
      
      Volunteer
Support Us
- - - Calendar
      
      Café Kuumbwa & Dinner Specials
      
      Ticket Info & Policies
      
      Our Mission
      
      Education Programs
      
      Our History
      
      Memberships/Renewals
      
      Other Ways To Give
      
      Annual Fundraiser
      
      Rentals
      
      Plan Your Visit
      
      Volunteer
Our Venue
- - - Calendar
      
      Café Kuumbwa & Dinner Specials
      
      Ticket Info & Policies
      
      Our Mission
      
      Education Programs
      
      Our History
      
      Memberships/Renewals
      
      Other Ways To Give
      
      Annual Fundraiser
      
      Rentals
      
      Plan Your Visit
      
      Volunteer

Merchandise Shop

Buy Tickets
Education & Mission
Support Us
Our Venue

Blaque Dynamite cropped

Blaque Dynamite

January 21

ELEW Cropped

ELEW Plays Sting

January 22

_I4A5866 copy

Become a Kuumbwa Member Today!

Explore Membership Benefits & More

Aaron Parks Cropped

Aaron Parks Trio

January 29

Joel Ross Cropped

Joel Ross – Good Vibes

February 2

Upcoming Events

View All Events

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

Blaque Dynamite

Wednesday, January 21 @ 7:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

ELEW Plays Sting

Thursday, January 22 @ 7:00 PM

Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper

Saturday, January 24 @ 7:00 PM

Santa Cruz Works Presents: 2025 Titans Awards

Wednesday, January 28 @ 6:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

Aaron Parks Trio feat. Eric McPherson & Ben Street

Thursday, January 29 @ 7:00 PM

A Todd Snider Tribute

Saturday, January 31 @ 7:00 PM

@kuumbwajazz

💫 Vibraphonist @imjoelmross will bring the 'Good V

💫 Vibraphonist @imjoelmross will bring the 'Good Vibes' to Kuumbwa next month with his distinct blend of hip hop, jazz, and gospel.

🎟️ Tickets available at the link in our bio!

#joelross #vibraphone #santacruzmusic

✨ The Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band is grateful to be fe

✨ The Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band is grateful to be featured alongside keynote percussionist Larry McDonald and great musicians from across the nation for @ucsc's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. The event will take place on January 27 at the @santacruzcivic, and is free to attend.

Scan the QR code or visit https://diversity.ucsc.edu/ to register.

🪩 Drummer @gregerricodrums shared tales from his t

🪩 Drummer @gregerricodrums shared tales from his time as a founding member of Sly and the Family Stone.

Missed it? Watch the replay at the link in our bio.

📸 @r._r._jones_photography

#gregerrico #kuumbwajazz

"It’s no hyperbole to apply the 'prodigy' label to

"It’s no hyperbole to apply the 'prodigy' label to drummer and band leader Blaque Dynamite." - @goodtimessc

Don't miss @blaquedynamite's electric Kuumbwa debut on January 21.

🎟️ Tickets available at the link in our bio.

#blaquedynamite

Starting the year strong with a great month of sho

Starting the year strong with a great month of shows!

Head to the link in our bio for tickets and to listen to January's lineup ⭐️

Playing: We Bop! by @sarahhanahan

It's always an honor to set the stage for the lege

It's always an honor to set the stage for the legendary @kennybarron.

📸 @r._r._jones_photography

#kuumbwajazz #kennybarron

🌟 Thanks to all who joined us for last week's sold

🌟 Thanks to all who joined us for last week's sold-out @nora.brwn and @stephiecoleman show...an inspiring start to our 2026 concert season!

📸 @r._r._jones_photography

#kuumbwajazz #norabrown #stephaniecoleman

🎇 The new year is in full swing, and we have lots

🎇 The new year is in full swing, and we have lots of great music coming up this January at Kuumbwa! 🎶

#kuumbwajazz

“what jazz can be in the new century” - PopMatters

“what jazz can be in the new century” - PopMatters

The @aparksmusic Trio featuring @e.mcjamz and @benstreet2 promises an evocative night of piano trio artistry on January 29.

🎟️ Tickets available at the link in our bio.

#aaronparks #ericmcpherson #benstreet

🎹 Innovative pianist @elewrockjazz reimagines one

🎹 Innovative pianist @elewrockjazz reimagines one of classic rock's most beloved songbooks in his latest project, ELEW Plays Sting.

🎟️ Tickets available at the link in our bio.

🌃 Our thanks to Atchison, Barisone & Condotti, LLP for sponsoring this evening.

#elew #santacruzmusic

"With its spare accompaniment, intricate instrumen

"With its spare accompaniment, intricate instrumentation and often haunting vocals, there is an appeal to Appalachian folk music that transcends geography and generations." - Santa Cruz Sentinel

📰 Link in bio for full article from @scsentinel

#norabrown #stephaniecoleman #appalachianfolk

"We're still going to play the wildest shit that w

"We're still going to play the wildest shit that we can think of, but it's a homage to that jazz trio tradition." - @okayplayer

🥁 Fearlessly creative drummer @blaquedynamite makes his Kuumbwa debut on January 21.

🎟️ Tickets available at the link in our bio.

#blaquedynamite #santacruzmusic

🌟 "One of the brightest stars in the world of blue

🌟 "One of the brightest stars in the world of bluegrass and old-time music...Acclaimed for her work on a somewhat unusual instrument—the fretless, nylon-string banjo—Brown cultivates folk traditions, carrying them forward for current and future generations of listeners." - @goodtimessc

@nora.brwn and @stephiecoleman will kick off 2026 for Kuumbwa!

#norabrown #stephaniecoleman

Led by a virtuoso mandolinist, the @hamiltondehola

Led by a virtuoso mandolinist, the @hamiltondeholanda Trio brings their upbeat blend of Brazilian choro and jazz to Kuumbwa on January 17.

🎟️ Tickets available at the link in our bio.

#hamiltondeholanda #choro

📝 A note from our Executive Director, Chanel Enriq

📝 A note from our Executive Director, Chanel Enriquez:

“As we close out this remarkable year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for being part of Kuumbwa Jazz - whether you joined us for a concert, participated in our education programs, or supported us with a donation. 2025 marked an extraordinary milestone - 50 years of Kuumbwa Jazz, and your presence and support made this year truly special.

As we celebrate this moment and look ahead, there is still time to make a year-end gift. Thank you for helping us celebrate 50 years of music, education, and community. Your support helps ensure Kuumbwa remains a vibrant home for jazz for generations to come.” - Chanel Enriquez, Executive Director

Become a member today! ➡️ Link in bio

Memberships start at just $75 and come with great benefits, including:

⭐ waived service fees on ticket purchases
⭐ pre-sale ticketing opportunities
⭐ ticket return, for credit, up to 24 hours before a concert
⭐ reserved seating (at the All-Star and above levels)
⭐ discount on Kuumbwa Jazz merchandise
...and more!

🎷 Saxophonist @sarahhanahan will return to Kuumbwa

🎷 Saxophonist @sarahhanahan will return to Kuumbwa with her quartet, after a dazzling performance in Joe Farnsworth's trio in 2025.

🎟️ Tickets available at the link in our bio.

#sarahhanahan #kuumbwajazz

Happy holidays to you, from the Kuumbwa team! ⛄️

Happy holidays to you, from the Kuumbwa team! ⛄️

Check out our staff's hand-picked seasonal favorites at the Spotify link in our bio – the perfect companion for your holidays! ✨

Kuumbwa Jazz has been celebrating creativity since

Kuumbwa Jazz has been celebrating creativity since 1975, and your membership support helps keep our nonprofit programs going strong! Memberships start at just $75 and come with great benefits, including:

⭐ waived service fees on ticket purchases
⭐ pre-sale ticketing opportunities
⭐ ticket return, for credit, up to 24 hours before a concert
⭐ reserved seating (at the All-Star and above levels)
⭐ discount on Kuumbwa Jazz merchandise
...and more!

Head to the link in our bio to become a member today!

🎁 Still searching for a perfect gift for the holid

🎁 Still searching for a perfect gift for the holiday season? Head to Kuumbwa's merch store for all kinds of wearables, tote bags, hats, and more! All shipped right to your door.

Link in bio.

Our deepest thanks to @ambroseire, @billychildspia

Our deepest thanks to @ambroseire, @billychildspiano, @geraldclayton, @gregoryhutchinsonofficial, @iamelena, @joshuaredmanmusic, and Reuben Rogers for creating such an unforgettable 50th Anniversary Celebration.

And thank you to all the amazing audiences who joined us this anniversary year...we'll see you in 2026! On to the next 50 🎉

📸 @r._r._jones_photography

#kuumbwajazz

We are grateful to the following granting agencies and funders. Thank you!

320-2 Cedar Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-2227

Meet Our Donors
Artist Submissions
Press Photos
Contact Us
Join Our Mailing List

Privacy | Website By Team Of Horses | ©2000-2026 Kuumbwa Jazz

×

Become a Member or Renew Today! »

Scroll to Top