Kuumbwa Jazz - Santa Cruz Jazz Performance & Education

Skip to content

Buy Tickets
Education & Mission
Support Us
Our Venue

Menu

Buy Tickets
Education & Mission
Support Us
Our Venue

My Account Join Our Mailing List

Buy Tickets
Calendar

Tim's Six-Pick

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

Tim's Six-Pick

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

Tim's Six-Pick

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

Tim's Six-Pick

Ticket Info & Policies

Our Mission

Education Programs

Our History

Memberships/Renewals

Other Ways To Give

Annual Fundraiser

Rentals

Plan Your Visit

Volunteer

venue-2

COVID-19 Update

Screen Shot 2020-02-11 at 10.32.46 AM

Dave Weckl-Tom Kennedy

Monday, May 18 – 7 PM

Become a Member Today!

1-1

Kuumbwa Jazz
Honor Band

Thursday, May 21 – 7 PM

Music Education
In Action

Upcoming Events

View All Events

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

CANCELLED – Russell Malone Quartet

Thursday, April 2 @ 7:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

CANCELLED – Fred Hersch

Monday, April 6 @ 7:00 PM

POSTPONED – Master Class – Steve Wilson: Keeping “The Real Book” Real

Wednesday, April 8 @ 7:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

CANCELLED – William Parker – Blue: Music, Movement & Words

Thursday, April 9 @ 7:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

CANCELLED – LADAMA

Friday, April 10 @ 7:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

CANCELLED – Kuumbwa Jazz 45th Anniversary Celebration: Artemis

Monday, April 13 @ 7:00 PM

@kuumbwajazz

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

Instagram post 17941571911338374

Instagram post 17941571911338374

Instagram post 17869605391652090

Instagram post 17869605391652090

Instagram post 17849394754916186

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

Thank you, Melissa Aldana, for an inspiring night

Thank you, Melissa Aldana, for an inspiring night of music and visual art. (📷: @r._r._jones_photography) #melissaaldana @melissaaldanasax #kuumbwajazz #jazz #concertphotography #santacruz #downtownsantacruz #yoursantacruz #visitsantacruz

William Parker is an icon of free jazz and brings

Our free Master Class series continues on April 8t

Our free Master Class series continues on April 8th with Steve Wilson’s Keeping “The Real Book” Real...an engaging overview of on-the-spot arranging techniques. #kuumbwajazz #musiceducation #jazzeducation #santacruz #downtownsantacruz #visitsantacruz #yoursantacruz

We’re counting down ‘til Fred Hersch’s April

Join us in welcoming Melissa Aldana’s Visions Qu

Davina and our new Steinway...fast friends. (📷:

Davina and our new Steinway...fast friends. (📷: @r._r._jones_photography) #davinaandthevagabonds @davinavagabonds #steinway @steinwayandsons #kuumbwajazz #piano #santacruz

What a time with Davina & the Vagabonds and Hot Cl

What a time with Davina & the Vagabonds and Hot Club of Cowtown! (📷: @r._r._jones_photography) #davinaandthevagabonds @davinavagabonds #hotclubofcowtown @hotclubofcowtown #kuumbwajazz #concertphotography #santacruz #visitsantacruz #yoursantacruz #downtownsantacruz

Davina & the Vagabonds + Hot Club of Cowtown? Yes,

Thank you for the music, McCoy. "When McCoy Tyner

Thank you for the music, McCoy. "When McCoy Tyner played Kuumbwa for the first time, in March of 1981, I felt like we had finally arrived as a venue. While we had presented plenty of major artists prior to that date, presenting McCoy felt like another level. He played with his sextet of the time, including Joe Ford and Ron Bridgewater on saxophones. I remember picking the band up in a van from Keystone Korner in San Francisco and driving them to Santa Cruz. McCoy had such a quiet, friendly, and powerful presence and it made a lasting impact on me." - Tim Jackson, Artistic Director/Co-Founder, Kuumbwa Jazz

Thank you, Roberto Fonseca, for an incredible even

Thank you, Roberto Fonseca, for an incredible evening of music last night. (📷: @r._r._jones_photography) #robertofonseca @robertofonsecamusic #kuumbwajazz #santacruz #concertphotography #downtownsantacruz #yoursantacruz #visitsantacruz

✨ Our Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band joined the @santa.

✨ Our Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band joined the @santa.cruz.symphony for today’s ‘The Orchestra Sings’ student concerts...playing Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust”. ✨ #kuumbwajazz #santacruz #musiceducation #jazzeducation

A mesmerizing, sold-out concert with Regina Carter

A mesmerizing, sold-out concert with Regina Carter and Xavier Davis last night. (📷: @r._r._jones_photography) #kuumbwajazz #reginacarter @regina_carter_violin #xavierdavis @xavdavis #jazz #santacruz #concertphotography #yoursantacruz #downtownsantacruz #visitsantacruz

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

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

Meet Our Donors
Artist Submissions
Press Photos
Contact Us

Privacy | Powered By Team Of Horses | ©2000-2020 Kuumbwa Jazz

COVID-19 Update: Concert Cancellations. LEARN MORE »

Scroll to Top