Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honor of the Irish god Lugh, patron of the arts, Lúnasa is indeed a gathering of some of the top musical talents in Ireland. Its members have helped form the backbone of some of the greatest Irish groups of the decade. Bassist Trevor Hutchinson was a key […]
Dinner Special: Cajun Turkey Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes, House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – The career of Bob James is long, varied and continues to evolve at every turn. From his first days in Marshall, Missouri, the music of Bob James has captivated […]
Dinner Special: Jambalaya House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – Preserving her musical past, Sona Jobarteh innovates to support a more humanitarian future. The spirit of Sona Jobarteh’s musical work stands on the mighty shoulders of the West African Griot Tradition; she is […]
Dinner Special: Green Curry with Chicken, Sweet Potatoes & Spinach Basmati Rice, House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – Kuumbwa Jazz's Spirit of '75 Series celebrates our 50th anniversary with performances by local/community artists and $19.75 tickets commemorating our founding year. San Jose, […]
Benmont Tench Website (((folkYEAH!))) Website More info: info@folkyeah.com
Award-winning singer songwriter, Keith Greeninger, and legendary guitarist, Nina Gerber, join forces for a powerful night of music in one of the finest listening rooms on the West Coast. Both artists share deep roots in the rich California music scene and are well known for their dynamic, improvisational performances and musical collaborations. Keith Greeninger is […]
Featuring: Pranav Anand (UC Santa Cruz), Jan Grue (University of Oslo), Megan Moodie (UC Santa Cruz). What does it mean to talk and write about the experiences of our bodies? How do the stories told about us mediate the narratives we construct? What are the stakes for disabled writers sharing their first-person perspectives with the […]
Dinner Special: Salmon with a Pistachio & Meyer Lemon Relish Roasted New Potatoes, House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – One of the most lyrical and intimate voices of contemporary jazz piano, Brad Mehldau has forged a unique path, which embodies the essence of jazz […]
One of the most lyrical and intimate voices of contemporary jazz piano, Brad Mehldau has forged a unique path, which embodies the essence of jazz exploration, classical romanticism and pop allure. From jazz to R&B, and pop/rock and hip-hop/neo-soul to classical, nine-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader Christian McBride is a luminary with one hand ever reaching […]
Groove and integrity of rhythm are the most important aspects of Latin dance music. Thus, Rhythm Section 101 will be geared for all levels of rhythm section players. John Calloway will demonstrate, focus, and lead the class in rhythm and groove acquisition and refinement on piano, guitar, bass, congas, timbales, bongo-bell, guiro, and clave. The […]
Dinner Special: Grilled Chicken Salsa Verde Farro with Cherry Tomatoes House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – NEA Jazz Master, Two-time EMMY and Oscar Nominee, Eight-time GRAMMY® winning trumpeter & composer Terence Blanchard has established himself as the quintessential 21st Century Renaissance man. […]
NEA Jazz Master, Two-time EMMY and Oscar Nominee, Eight-time GRAMMY® winning trumpeter & composer Terence Blanchard has established himself as the quintessential 21st Century Renaissance man. On this concert date, Blanchard and his band, the E-Collective, which is comprised of Charles Altura on guitar, Taylor Eigsti on piano and synthesizers, Oscar Seaton on drums, and […]
Dinner Special: Black Cod in a Spicy Tomato Sauce with Almonds & Sultanas Rice Pilaf House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – GRAMMY Winner, Doris Duke Artist, and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón represents a select group of musicians who have masterfully […]
Sin Sisters Burlesque & Drag is the premier headliner review in Santa Cruz, CA. Produced by Cyanide Cyn, a local queer femme, Sin Sisters is committed to providing a stellar theatrical experience and a safe, inclusive space for its audiences, performers and crew. Contact: Sin Sisters email | Sin Sisters Facebook
(((folkYEAH!))) Website More info: info@folkyeah.com
Dinner Special: Steelhead Trout with Tamari, Ginger & Sake Rice, House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – Honored by The National Endowment for the Arts as a 2010 Jazz Master, Kenny Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, […]
Dinner Special: Pistachio Stuffed Chicken Roasted Potatoes House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – After many memorable collaborations across different music genres, kora virtuoso Ablaye Cissoko surprises us again by pairing up with the French diatonic accordion player Cyrille Brotto. This collaboration sounds […]
The China Cats, performing Grateful Dead music for 15 years in Santa Cruz, will be playing for first time "unplugged." Buffalo Blues Trio will transport you to another time celebrating American Roots Blues from the 1920s - 1960’s, and paying homage to female blues artists like Bessie Smith, Nina Simone, Big Mama Thornton, Janis Joplin and more, […]
Floratura fuses soaring jam band vibes with bouncy neo-soul creating a unique blend. The band’s electrifying live shows combine uplifting narratives with stirring vocal performances. Drawing from diverse influences, this Santa Cruz band traverses genres from jazz-rock funk to electronica, harnessing colorful harmonies, spicy hooks, expansive improvisation, and psychedelic flair. Floratura Website Tickets/Contact info: 831-706-6908 […]
Dinner Special: Spicy Tomato Stew w/ Shrimp & Potatoes Herb Pesto Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – Over more than 20 years as a recording artist, the jazz piano phenomenon Hiromi has shifted seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. In the process, she’s […]
Over more than 20 years as a recording artist, the jazz piano phenomenon Hiromi has shifted seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. In the process, she’s earned a reputation as one of the most explosive live performers in jazz history and a global ambassador for the art form. Her many triumphs include an […]
Guitar virtuosos Martin Taylor and Ulf Wakenius create musical magic as The Great Guitars™. This project traces its colorful heritage back to the 1970s, when the legendary jazz guitarists of that era toured the world and recorded together. Award-winning guitarist Martin Taylor, who replaced Herb Ellis to become part of the original group in the 1980s […]
Singing the praises of the many services provided for those with vision loss, Vista Center will hold our fifth annual benefit concert, Voices for Vista on April 24 at Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz. Believing that vision loss is no longer a barrier to independence, Vista Center empowers individuals who are blind or visually impaired […]
Born and raised in Baltimore, NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz stands as a titan of modern jazz, dedicated to honoring and advancing Black American musical heritage. With a career spanning over six decades, Bartz’s masterful approach to the alto saxophone and his concept of “informal composition” have redefined the boundaries of jazz improvisation. Bartz first […]
Join Poi Rogers in celebrating the release of their debut album and witness the harmoniously humorous handsomeness of Mood Indigo! Santa Cruz natives Poi Rogers (Gerard Egan & Carolyn Sills of the 2024 Ameripolitan Award Winners, The Carolyn Sills Combo) blend vintage Americana, western swing and Hawaiian steel guitar in their catchy originals and creative […]
“So, what kind of music do you make?” This question is the bane of every musician’s existence because it requires that they shrink down the wide expanse of their creativity to an easily (mis)understood genre description. No matter how vivid or elaborate the description, “show” will always be more powerful than “tell.” The words we […]
Seven-time GRAMMY Award nominee Nnenna Freelon is a compelling artist and captivating performer with numerous accolades and activities including another GRAMMY Award nomination for 2021’s Time Traveler. With her son Pierce Freelon, they made GRAMMY history by being the first mother and son nominated for awards in separate categories. Their collaborative new recording, AnceStars, marks […]
Join us to celebrate International Jazz Day with the Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band! Featuring Adler Blackmun, Reuben Cave, Raymond Cavlan, Ryu Cirillo, Nolan Frink, Kyle McMillan, Samuel Nicely, and Kai Thomas-Nasef, the ‘24/’25 Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band showcases some of the most talented high-school student musicians from Santa Cruz County and the Central Coast region. […]
Join us for this special First Friday event commemorating Kuumbwa Jazz’s 50th anniversary. Enjoy the premiere of Celebrating Creativity, an exhibit spanning 50 years of Kuumbwa archives, including posters, photos, and historical ephemera. At 6 PM there will be a conversation with Kuumbwa co-founder Tim Jackson and Bay Area vocalist Kim Nalley, exploring Kuumbwa’s history […]
Join a celebration of Pete Seeger with musicians who made music with this beloved American folksinger! Jaeger & Reid (Bob Reid & Judi Jaeger), Aileen Vance and guests present "Sing Out for Pete’s Sake!” a singalong concert where the audience becomes a part of the performance. Bob and Judi, have performed their intimate, engaging music around […]
Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honor of the Irish god Lugh, patron of the arts, Lúnasa is indeed a gathering of some of the top musical talents in Ireland. Its members have helped form the backbone of some of the greatest Irish groups of the decade. Bassist Trevor Hutchinson was a key […]
Dinner Special: Cajun Turkey Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes, House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – The career of Bob James is long, varied and continues to evolve at every turn. From his first days in Marshall, Missouri, the music of Bob James has captivated […]
Dinner Special: Jambalaya House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – Preserving her musical past, Sona Jobarteh innovates to support a more humanitarian future. The spirit of Sona Jobarteh’s musical work stands on the mighty shoulders of the West African Griot Tradition; she is […]
Dinner Special: Green Curry with Chicken, Sweet Potatoes & Spinach Basmati Rice, House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – Kuumbwa Jazz's Spirit of '75 Series celebrates our 50th anniversary with performances by local/community artists and $19.75 tickets commemorating our founding year. San Jose, […]
Benmont Tench Website (((folkYEAH!))) Website More info: info@folkyeah.com
Award-winning singer songwriter, Keith Greeninger, and legendary guitarist, Nina Gerber, join forces for a powerful night of music in one of the finest listening rooms on the West Coast. Both artists share deep roots in the rich California music scene and are well known for their dynamic, improvisational performances and musical collaborations. Keith Greeninger is […]
Featuring: Pranav Anand (UC Santa Cruz), Jan Grue (University of Oslo), Megan Moodie (UC Santa Cruz). What does it mean to talk and write about the experiences of our bodies? How do the stories told about us mediate the narratives we construct? What are the stakes for disabled writers sharing their first-person perspectives with the […]
Dinner Special: Salmon with a Pistachio & Meyer Lemon Relish Roasted New Potatoes, House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – One of the most lyrical and intimate voices of contemporary jazz piano, Brad Mehldau has forged a unique path, which embodies the essence of jazz […]
One of the most lyrical and intimate voices of contemporary jazz piano, Brad Mehldau has forged a unique path, which embodies the essence of jazz exploration, classical romanticism and pop allure. From jazz to R&B, and pop/rock and hip-hop/neo-soul to classical, nine-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader Christian McBride is a luminary with one hand ever reaching […]
Groove and integrity of rhythm are the most important aspects of Latin dance music. Thus, Rhythm Section 101 will be geared for all levels of rhythm section players. John Calloway will demonstrate, focus, and lead the class in rhythm and groove acquisition and refinement on piano, guitar, bass, congas, timbales, bongo-bell, guiro, and clave. The […]
Dinner Special: Grilled Chicken Salsa Verde Farro with Cherry Tomatoes House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – NEA Jazz Master, Two-time EMMY and Oscar Nominee, Eight-time GRAMMY® winning trumpeter & composer Terence Blanchard has established himself as the quintessential 21st Century Renaissance man. […]
NEA Jazz Master, Two-time EMMY and Oscar Nominee, Eight-time GRAMMY® winning trumpeter & composer Terence Blanchard has established himself as the quintessential 21st Century Renaissance man. On this concert date, Blanchard and his band, the E-Collective, which is comprised of Charles Altura on guitar, Taylor Eigsti on piano and synthesizers, Oscar Seaton on drums, and […]
Dinner Special: Black Cod in a Spicy Tomato Sauce with Almonds & Sultanas Rice Pilaf House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – GRAMMY Winner, Doris Duke Artist, and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón represents a select group of musicians who have masterfully […]
Sin Sisters Burlesque & Drag is the premier headliner review in Santa Cruz, CA. Produced by Cyanide Cyn, a local queer femme, Sin Sisters is committed to providing a stellar theatrical experience and a safe, inclusive space for its audiences, performers and crew. Contact: Sin Sisters email | Sin Sisters Facebook
(((folkYEAH!))) Website More info: info@folkyeah.com
Dinner Special: Steelhead Trout with Tamari, Ginger & Sake Rice, House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – Honored by The National Endowment for the Arts as a 2010 Jazz Master, Kenny Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, […]
Dinner Special: Pistachio Stuffed Chicken Roasted Potatoes House Salad & Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – After many memorable collaborations across different music genres, kora virtuoso Ablaye Cissoko surprises us again by pairing up with the French diatonic accordion player Cyrille Brotto. This collaboration sounds […]
The China Cats, performing Grateful Dead music for 15 years in Santa Cruz, will be playing for first time "unplugged." Buffalo Blues Trio will transport you to another time celebrating American Roots Blues from the 1920s - 1960’s, and paying homage to female blues artists like Bessie Smith, Nina Simone, Big Mama Thornton, Janis Joplin and more, […]
Floratura fuses soaring jam band vibes with bouncy neo-soul creating a unique blend. The band’s electrifying live shows combine uplifting narratives with stirring vocal performances. Drawing from diverse influences, this Santa Cruz band traverses genres from jazz-rock funk to electronica, harnessing colorful harmonies, spicy hooks, expansive improvisation, and psychedelic flair. Floratura Website Tickets/Contact info: 831-706-6908 […]
Dinner Special: Spicy Tomato Stew w/ Shrimp & Potatoes Herb Pesto Baguette *meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter – – – Over more than 20 years as a recording artist, the jazz piano phenomenon Hiromi has shifted seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. In the process, she’s […]
Over more than 20 years as a recording artist, the jazz piano phenomenon Hiromi has shifted seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. In the process, she’s earned a reputation as one of the most explosive live performers in jazz history and a global ambassador for the art form. Her many triumphs include an […]
Guitar virtuosos Martin Taylor and Ulf Wakenius create musical magic as The Great Guitars™. This project traces its colorful heritage back to the 1970s, when the legendary jazz guitarists of that era toured the world and recorded together. Award-winning guitarist Martin Taylor, who replaced Herb Ellis to become part of the original group in the 1980s […]
Singing the praises of the many services provided for those with vision loss, Vista Center will hold our fifth annual benefit concert, Voices for Vista on April 24 at Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz. Believing that vision loss is no longer a barrier to independence, Vista Center empowers individuals who are blind or visually impaired […]
Born and raised in Baltimore, NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz stands as a titan of modern jazz, dedicated to honoring and advancing Black American musical heritage. With a career spanning over six decades, Bartz’s masterful approach to the alto saxophone and his concept of “informal composition” have redefined the boundaries of jazz improvisation. Bartz first […]
Join Poi Rogers in celebrating the release of their debut album and witness the harmoniously humorous handsomeness of Mood Indigo! Santa Cruz natives Poi Rogers (Gerard Egan & Carolyn Sills of the 2024 Ameripolitan Award Winners, The Carolyn Sills Combo) blend vintage Americana, western swing and Hawaiian steel guitar in their catchy originals and creative […]
“So, what kind of music do you make?” This question is the bane of every musician’s existence because it requires that they shrink down the wide expanse of their creativity to an easily (mis)understood genre description. No matter how vivid or elaborate the description, “show” will always be more powerful than “tell.” The words we […]
Seven-time GRAMMY Award nominee Nnenna Freelon is a compelling artist and captivating performer with numerous accolades and activities including another GRAMMY Award nomination for 2021’s Time Traveler. With her son Pierce Freelon, they made GRAMMY history by being the first mother and son nominated for awards in separate categories. Their collaborative new recording, AnceStars, marks […]
Join us to celebrate International Jazz Day with the Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band! Featuring Adler Blackmun, Reuben Cave, Raymond Cavlan, Ryu Cirillo, Nolan Frink, Kyle McMillan, Samuel Nicely, and Kai Thomas-Nasef, the ‘24/’25 Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band showcases some of the most talented high-school student musicians from Santa Cruz County and the Central Coast region. […]
Join us for this special First Friday event commemorating Kuumbwa Jazz’s 50th anniversary. Enjoy the premiere of Celebrating Creativity, an exhibit spanning 50 years of Kuumbwa archives, including posters, photos, and historical ephemera. At 6 PM there will be a conversation with Kuumbwa co-founder Tim Jackson and Bay Area vocalist Kim Nalley, exploring Kuumbwa’s history […]
Join a celebration of Pete Seeger with musicians who made music with this beloved American folksinger! Jaeger & Reid (Bob Reid & Judi Jaeger), Aileen Vance and guests present "Sing Out for Pete’s Sake!” a singalong concert where the audience becomes a part of the performance. Bob and Judi, have performed their intimate, engaging music around […]
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