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

_MG_7669

Mondays with Kuumbwa
Video Series

venue-2

A Letter to
Our Community

634A7822 copy 2

Gift Certificates

634A7470 copy (1)

Become a Member Today!

634A0470 copy 2

Music Education
In Action

Upcoming Events

View All Events

Virtual Master Class – Mimi Fox: The Jazz Song Practice Playbook

Tuesday, August 18 @ 6:00 PM

Kuumbwa Jazz Presents

POSTPONED – José James Presents No Beginning No End 2

Saturday, October 17 @ 7:00 PM

@kuumbwajazz

For next week’s Mondays with Kuumbwa episode we

For next week’s Mondays with Kuumbwa episode we look forward to sharing with you new concert footage featuring our good friends Tammy Hall and Ruth Davies! (📷: @r._r._jones_photography) #kuumbwajazz #tammyhall @tammylynnehallhawkins #ruthdavies

“How should I practice?” is one of the most co

“How should I practice?” is one of the most common questions that music students ask. Luckily for us, renowned guitarist @mimifoxjazz will share some of her tried-and-true methods and tips in a free, virtual master class titled The Jazz Song Practice Playbook. Link in bio to register for this August 18th event! #kuumbwajazz #mimifox #musiceducation #jazzeducation

We’re excited to announce that we’re expanding

We’re excited to announce that we’re expanding our Mondays with Kuumbwa video series with new concert footage by musicians in our local/regional community (filmed without an audience and with social distancing observed onstage). Our first episode showcasing this new Kuumbwa Jazz concert format will be released this Monday and feature the Jon Dryden Trio with Aron Caceres on bass and Dave King on drums. Stay tuned! (📷: @r._r._jones_photography) #kuumbwajazz #jondryden @jondryden68 #aroncaceres @aroncaceresmusic #daveking @googlebully

“Don McCaslin was a major part of the fabric tha

“Don McCaslin was a major part of the fabric that has created Santa Cruz County’s jazz tapestry for almost 50 years. When I came to town in the early 1970s, the real drivers of the local jazz scene were the jazz program with Lile Cruse at Cabrillo College, the jazz program with Randy Masters at UCSC, and Don McCaslin with his band Warmth. The young jazz players in town studied at one of those institutions by day and then played with Don, either at the Cooper House in the afternoon or at his gigs like the New Riverside Restaurant on the weekends. I credit Don with helping to cultivate and nurture a jazz scene here that allowed Kuumbwa Jazz to emerge as a cultural force in the community in the mid 1970s. Don was your classic working musician – he always had a gig, and in turn provided work for generations of Santa Cruz musicians, as well as joy for multitudes of jazz fans. There will never be another like him.” – Tim Jackson, Artistic Director/Co-Founder, Kuumbwa Jazz (📷: Dan Coyro)

Please visit saveourstages.com to contact your leg

Please visit saveourstages.com to contact your legislators and lend your voice to the National Independent Venue Association's (@nivassoc) campaign to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live music venues and presenters throughout the United States.

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 content and enrichment courses.
For the duration of the Intensive, free daily videos on music theory, jazz history, as well as sessions with Monterey Jazz Festival 2020/2021 Artist-in-Residence @christiansandsjazz will be available on our web platforms.
Those eager for a more in-depth interactive focus on their instrument can register to receive additional premium content, which will include access to daily Master Classes (held on Zoom) for the following instruments: bass, drums, guitar, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and vocals. The premium content will culminate with a round-table discussion between the clinicians and Monterey Jazz Festival and Kuumbwa Jazz Artistic Director Tim Jackson.
Registration for premium content must be completed on or by Friday, June 19th. Registration/Info: link in bio #musiceducation #jazzeducation #kuumbwajazz #montereyjazzfestival #christiansands

UPDATE: POSTERS ARE NOW SOLD-OUT – THANK YOU FOR

UPDATE: POSTERS ARE NOW SOLD-OUT – THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! To commemorate the 45th anniversary of Kuumbwa Jazz, we’re thrilled to announce a limited-edition print run of the poster for Kuumbwa Jazz’s very first concert, which took place on April 6th, 1975. Each poster in this limited-edition run of 50 is numbered and signed by artist Clarke Shultes. POSTERS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE for $45 (plus $5 shipping) and will be mailed to you directly. The dimensions of the print are 12x17. You can also purchase a framed version for $195. Please note that framing will be completed as soon as it can be facilitated and that framed posters must be picked up locally, from our Santa Cruz office, once framing is completed. To purchase, and/or for more info, please email Keith Wieland – keith@kuumbwajazz.org – or call us at 831-427-2227.
Here are some words from Clarke Shultes on this special commemorative project, which will help support Kuumbwa as we remain closed due to COVID-19 public health concerns: “Reading Tim's reminiscences marking Kuumbwa's 45th anniversary, and seeing his mention of this 1975 poster, spawned this idea of a reissue and doing a limited-edition printing. Tim and I go way back – near lifelong friends. We met when he was in high school, driving around in a 'Valiant.' I was painting and drawing, a jazz fan, and starting my stint as a building designer. When this poster was created, Kuumbwa was a fledgling idea. Some of you may, or may not, know that this building we're in was the old Parisian Bakery. When it became available, we were able to get a permit to convert it to a music venue (I think there was even a dough mixer in there). With a fine rag tag crew and with shingles and burlap put up on the walls for acoustics, the then-smaller stage was initially located on the rear wall facing the entry door and rows of church pews were the only provided seating – they were hard, but they were there! It's since expanded and morphed and evolved into our Kuumbwa of today. With so many volunteering their hard work, what a delight to witness – lucky me, lucky US! And now we'll get thru this challenge and we will GROOVE ON!”

Our recent virtual master class with @ulyssesowens

Our recent virtual master class with @ulyssesowensjr_, moderated by @zackolsendrumstudio, was so much fun. Thank you, Ulysses for sharing Jazz Brushes for the Modern Drummer! If you missed the class, don't worry, you can watch it on @crowdcast.io. #kuumbwajazz #ulyssesowensjr #drums #musiceducation #jazzeducation

Instagram post 18056694247233347

Instagram post 18056694247233347

Black lives matter. #blackouttuesday #theshowmustb

Black lives matter. #blackouttuesday #theshowmustbepaused

Black lives matter.

Black lives matter.

There's still time to register for this Friday's f

There's still time to register for this Friday's free virtual master class with @ulyssesowensjr_: Jazz Brushes for the Modern Drummer. Link in bio to register. #kuumbwajazz #ulyssesowensjr #musiceducation #jazzeducation

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

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