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POSTPONED – Monterey Jazz & Kuumbwa Jazz Present: Mariza at the Sunset Center

Tuesday, May 26 @ 7:30 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

CANCELLED – Logan Richardson’s Blues People

Thursday, May 28 @ 7:00 PM

Virtual Master Class – Ulysses Owens Jr.: Jazz Brushes for the Modern Drummer

Friday, May 29 @ 6:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

CANCELLED – David Murray & Kahil El’Zabar

Monday, June 1 @ 7:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

CANCELLED – Aaron Goldberg Trio

Thursday, June 4 @ 7:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

CANCELLED – Cimafunk

Monday, June 8 @ 7:00 PM

@kuumbwajazz

Join us online June 23-25, as we partner with the

Join us online June 23-25, as we partner with the @montereyjazzfestival to bring you the Virtual Summer Jazz Intensive – a virtual summer camp that will offer daily video courses on jazz history, music theory, conversations with artists, and more! Link in bio for more info and registration details. Due to public health concerns, Kuumbwa’s annual in-person Summer Jazz Camp will not proceed as previously planned, but we look forward exploring jazz and learning together with the Virtual Summer Jazz Intensive! #kuumbwajazz #montereyjazz #musiceducation #jazzeducation

We can hardly wait for our first-ever virtual mast

We can hardly wait for our first-ever virtual master class. Join us on @crowdcast.io on May 29th, when @ulyssesowensjr_ will present Jazz Brushes for the Modern Drummer. Link in bio to register for this free event. #kuumbwajazz #ulyssesowensjr #musiceducation #jazzeducation #drums

#tbt to @dianakrall’s 1996 concert at Kuumbwa. A

#tbt to @dianakrall’s 1996 concert at Kuumbwa. An unforgettable night of music. (📷: Will Wallace) #kuumbwajazz #dianakrall #santacruz #concertphotography

#tbt to incredible music, and sartorial inspiratio

#tbt to incredible music, and sartorial inspiration, from Dizzy Gillespie in the late 80s. Pictured onstage, with Chef Cheryl Simons (who recalls that Dizzy insisted on paying for a cup of coffee), and (signing a 8x10 glossy?) with Artistic Director Tim Jackson. Thank you for the music and the memories, Dizzy! #kuumbwajazz #dizzygillespie #santacruz

The National Independent Venue Association (@nivas

The National Independent Venue Association (@nivassoc) is working to help secure financial support for independent venues like us. We are proud to join their #SaveOurStages campaign. Please visit nivassoc.org for more info.

#tbt to softball time in the ☀️. Throughout th

#tbt to softball time in the ☀️. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Santa Cruz's DeLaveaga Park was home to softball games organized by, and played amongst, the local music scene, including many folks from the Kuumbwa community. If you remember and/or participated in these games, please share your memories in the comments below! Pictured standing, L-R: Rob Lautz, Jimi Fox, Brad Hecht, and Charles Levin. Kneeling L-R: Steve Bennett, Denise Powell, and Smith Dobson.

In honor of National Volunteer Week, and for today

In honor of National Volunteer Week, and for today’s #tbt, we wanted to share this photo from our archives and thank the amazing team of volunteers who dedicate so much to Kuumbwa. We miss seeing the smiling faces of everyone who plays a part in our concerts and education events, and we can’t wait to see everyone again, as soon as we are able. Pictured in this photo (taken sometime in the 1980s) are (from L-R): Shirley King, Bob King, Scott Imsland, Leslie Jordan, Doug Rowan, Fran Etow, and Nancy Stein. #kuumbwajazz #nationalvolunteerweek #santacruz

For today's #tbt we'd like to take a moment of app

For today's #tbt we'd like to take a moment of appreciation for Betty Carter. A legendary vocalist, Betty was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Kuumbwa and played here often. The first of these two photos (both taken by photographer Will Wallace) was taken at one of her early concerts at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. The second photo was taken at the 1992 Monterey Jazz Festival and served as the inspiration for Betty's likeness on our Jazz Alley mural. Thank you, Betty Carter, for your music and for giving your seal-of-approval to Kuumbwa in our early years! #bettycarter #kuumbwajazz #jazz #jazzvocals #concertphotography #montereyjazzfestival @montereyjazzfestival

Legends. In honor of Herbie Hancock's 80th birthda

Legends. In honor of Herbie Hancock's 80th birthday week, we wanted to share this moment of Herbie and Wayne Shorter together onstage at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. We presented this concert on November 16th, 2000, as part of our 25th anniversary concert series. Happy birthday, Herbie! (📷: Will Wallace) #kuumbwajazz #santacruz #jazz #concertphotography #herbiehancock @herbiehancock #wayneshorter @wayne.shorter

For today’s #tbt we’re looking back to 2010 – our 35th anniversary – when artist Marvin Plummer began work on a mural in the alley adjacent to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, highlighting five artists with a strong connection to Kuumbwa: Christian McBride, John Scofield, Regina Carter, Roy Hargrove, and Betty Carter. Upon the mural’s completion, “Birch Lane” was dubbed “Jazz Alley” and it continues be a destination for lovers of jazz and public art…and serves as a warm welcome to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. This particular photo was taken just recently by @carlinphotofilm, using a Bronica medium format film camera. #kuumbwajazz #santacruz #jazzalley #mural @marvplummer #christianmcbride @chrmcbride #johnscofield @oldmansco #reginacarter @regina_carter_violin #royhargrove #bettycarter

We're 45 today! To mark our anniversary, we want t

Do the band names Foxglove, The Clean Machine, Evi

Do the band names Foxglove, The Clean Machine, Evidence, and Scary Lala ring a bell? For today's #tbt we're celebrating some of the Santa Cruz-based jazz bands that were on the bill of a heady 1975 Kuumbwa Jazz concert at San Lorenzo Park’s Duck Island. Pictured: Tom Moellering (Foxglove), Phil Yost (The Clean Machine), Dawan Muhammad (Evidence), and Larry Scala (Scary Lala). #kuumbwajazz #santacruz

We are deeply saddened that the great trumpeter Wa

We are deeply saddened that the great trumpeter Wallace Roney has passed away due to complications from COVID-19. It was always a joy to hear Wallace's brilliant playing and we had looked forward to welcoming him back to Kuumbwa this summer. Thank you for the music, Wallace.

At the heart of our humble green room at the Kuumb

At the heart of our humble green room at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center is a beaming portrait of Duke. For this #tbt, we’ve combed through our archives to find photos of artists enjoying a moment in Duke’s presence before taking the Kuumbwa stage.
1. Sun Ra, early 1980s
2. Joshua Redman
3. Scott Amendola, Charlie Hunter, Calder Spanier & Kenny Brooks, mid 1990s
4. Mal Waldron, late 1970s
5. Joe Henderson, early 1990s (📷: Will Wallace)

#kuumbwajazz #santacruz #dukeellington #jazz #sunra #joshuaredman #scottamendola #charliehunter #calderspanier #kennybrooks #malwaldron #joehenderson

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed, for

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed, for the time being, many of our education initiatives, such as Artists in the Schools and our Master Class series, we are happy to share that our Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band is rehearsing via Google Hangouts. This method allows these talented musicians to rehearse together online, while staying at home and respecting the "Shelter in Place" mandate. Hats off to our Honor Band's resilience and dedication! #kuumbwajazz #musiceducation #jazzeducation

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Instagram post 17941571911338374

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Instagram post 17869605391652090

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Instagram post 17849394754916186

Earlier this week our Artists in the Schools progr

Earlier this week our Artists in the Schools program visited Bay View Elementary. It’s always inspiring to hear our community’s talented up-and-coming musicians! (📷: @r._r._jones_photography) #kuumbwajazz #musiceducation #jazzeducation #santacruz

LADAMA blends roots music traditions from across t

We are grateful to the following local, regional, and national granting agencies. Thank you!

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