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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260910T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260910T190000
DTSTAMP:20260901T201337Z
CREATED:20260324T215723Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T201337Z
UID:10000934-1789066800-1789066800@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Nduduzo Makhathini Trio
DESCRIPTION:Dinner Special:\nRoast Chicken with Tamari & Dry Farmed Early Girls\nRice\nSesame Green Beans\n*meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter \n––– \nNduduzo Makhathini is an improvisor\, scholar and musicologist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal school of the arts with a PhD in music. \nMakhathini is also a multi award-winning artist and internationally acclaimed musician from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal. As a bandleader\, Makhathini holds twelve albums under his belt and he features on many as a sideman and producer. He is currently signed to Blue Note Records and has a busy tourist schedule that keeps him relevant in current jazz practices and discourses. Makhathini has collaborated with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra\, Richard Bona\, Hamilton de Holanda\, (the late) Zim Ngqawana\, Omagugu\, Shabaka Hutchings\, Black Coffee\, Thandiswa Mazwai\, Mbuso Khoza and most recently\, the WDR Big Band. \nCurrently\, Makhathini is performing his recent offering uNomkhubulwane (2024) out on Blue Note Records. uNomkhubulwane is understood to be a mythical rain goddess who regulates fertility through the language of water. The album is underpinned by an understanding of mythical institutions of Nguni peoples of Southern Africa\, their connection to the cosmos and how that relates to their ingoma dance. \nNduduzo Makhathini Website\nSponsored by Heit Family Dentistry\n(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/nduduzo-makhathini-trio/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kuumbwa Jazz Presents
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Nduduzo-Makhathini-cropped.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260911T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260911T190000
DTSTAMP:20260715T225416Z
CREATED:20260715T225154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260715T225416Z
UID:10001011-1789153200-1789153200@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:World Class Music Live Presents: Ballaké Sissoko & Piers Faccini
DESCRIPTION:Two decades after their first ever collaboration\, British-Italian folk songwriter\, Piers Faccini\, and Malian kora virtuoso\, Ballaké Sissoko\, return with a mesmerizing album. This new and captivating musical dialogue — between a prodigious instrumentalist at the height of his powers and a gifted songwriter and wordsmith — deftly bridges continents and traditions\, inventing new song forms. \nThe seeds of Our Calling were first planted when Sissoko and Faccini met at Label Bleu in the early 2000s. Their friendship grew as they linked and explored uncharted paths between Manding traditions and folksong forms. With its ten finely crafted tracks\, Our Calling is a sonic and narrative praise song for migration in all its manifestations: seeds borne by the winds; Nightingales flying between West Africa and Europe at the turn of the seasons; humans\, across the centuries\, and along trade routes\, sharing musical practices and rhythms. \nThe album’s originality is that it feels deeply Malian at its core\, while also being seamlessly infused with an essence of folk songwriting; the two elements blending without one ever overshadowing the other. The duo’s ambition when they began imagining the album was clear: the musical language begins and ends with Manding traditions and modes. The songs had that creative brief. Their melodies\, although sung in English\, are constructed and stepped along Manding lines. \nThe originality of Sissoko and Faccini’s dialogue is best exemplified with the song “If Nothing is Real” — a song that succeeds in finding a home away from home\, both on the African and European continents. It is a testament to the Nightingale\, or Sorofé Kono in Bambara\, the songbird that first inspired these old friends to compose music of their own calling. \nBallake Sissoko Website \ninfo/tickets/questions:  worldclassmusic.live/contact  or  Ticketing Page \n 
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/world-class-music-live-presents-ballake-sissoko-piers-faccini/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Independently Produced Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/banner-9.11.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260913T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260913T190000
DTSTAMP:20260728T224245Z
CREATED:20260728T224245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T224245Z
UID:10001017-1789326000-1789326000@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:World Class Music Live Presents: Ballaké Sissoko & Piers Faccini
DESCRIPTION:Two decades after their first ever collaboration\, British-Italian folk songwriter\, Piers Faccini\, and Malian kora virtuoso\, Ballaké Sissoko\, return with a mesmerizing album. This new and captivating musical dialogue — between a prodigious instrumentalist at the height of his powers and a gifted songwriter and wordsmith — deftly bridges continents and traditions\, inventing new song forms. \nThe seeds of Our Calling were first planted when Sissoko and Faccini met at Label Bleu in the early 2000s. Their friendship grew as they linked and explored uncharted paths between Manding traditions and folksong forms. With its ten finely crafted tracks\, Our Calling is a sonic and narrative praise song for migration in all its manifestations: seeds borne by the winds; Nightingales flying between West Africa and Europe at the turn of the seasons; humans\, across the centuries\, and along trade routes\, sharing musical practices and rhythms. \nThe album’s originality is that it feels deeply Malian at its core\, while also being seamlessly infused with an essence of folk songwriting; the two elements blending without one ever overshadowing the other. The duo’s ambition when they began imagining the album was clear: the musical language begins and ends with Manding traditions and modes. The songs had that creative brief. Their melodies\, although sung in English\, are constructed and stepped along Manding lines. \nThe originality of Sissoko and Faccini’s dialogue is best exemplified with the song “If Nothing is Real” — a song that succeeds in finding a home away from home\, both on the African and European continents. It is a testament to the Nightingale\, or Sorofé Kono in Bambara\, the songbird that first inspired these old friends to compose music of their own calling. \nBallake Sissoko Website \ninfo/tickets/questions:  worldclassmusic.live/contact  or  Ticketing Page \n 
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/world-class-music-live-presents-ballake-sissoko-piers-faccini-2/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Independently Produced Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/banner-9.11.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260914T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260914T190000
DTSTAMP:20260901T201517Z
CREATED:20260324T215535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T201517Z
UID:10000935-1789412400-1789412400@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:John Pizzarelli
DESCRIPTION:Dinner Special:\nRoast Chicken Legs w/ Pancetta & Dry Cured Olives\nGreen Polenta with Kale & Parmesan\nCorn & Green Bean Sauté\nBaguette\n*meat or veggie chili will be available to order at the counter \n––– \nGuitarist and singer John Pizzarelli has been hailed by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz.” Established as one of the prime contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook\, Pizzarelli has expanded that repertoire by including the music of Paul McCartney\, Joni Mitchell\, Neil Young\, Tom Waits\, Antônio Carlos Jobim\, and The Beatles. In addition to being a bandleader and solo performer\, Pizzarelli has been a special guest on recordings for major pop names such as Natalie Cole\, Kristin Chenoweth\, Tom Wopat\, Rickie Lee Jones\, and Dave Van Ronk\, as well as leading jazz artists such as Rosemary Clooney\, Ruby Braff\, Johnny Frigo\, Buddy DeFranco\, Harry Allen\, and\, of course\, his father Bucky Pizzarelli. \nFor Pizzarelli\, Tony Bennett was more than simply an influence. The admiration was mutual – Bennett could be found in the audience for a number of Pizzarelli’s performances\, and sketched his likeness on two occasions. The charming artwork that graces the cover of Pizzarelli’s heartfelt new tribute album\, Dear Mr. Bennett\, was rendered during an engagement at Feinstein’s nightclub at New York’s Loews Regency hotel. Dear Mr. Bennett\, released in March 2026\, is on the one hand a loving farewell to a profoundly influential musician who meant so much to so many. At the same time\, it’s a spirited celebration\, arriving just in time for Bennett’s landmark August 3rd centennial. A five-song EP will follow on August 7th to coincide with the occasion. Both releases feature songs made famous by Bennett over the course of his remarkable seven-decade career\, rendered with lively warmth\, soulful balladry\, and embracing swing. \nJohn Pizzarelli Website\nSponsored by West Coast Community Bank\n(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/john-pizzarelli-2/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kuumbwa Jazz Presents
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/john-pizzarelli-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260915T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260915T190000
DTSTAMP:20260527T173204Z
CREATED:20260527T173030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260527T173204Z
UID:10000971-1789498800-1789498800@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Master Class: Gerard Egan – Zen & the Art of Guitar Maintenance
DESCRIPTION:Join Gerard Egan\, Santa Cruz’s ‘resident guitar mechanic\,’ for Zen & the Art of Guitar Maintenance – a presentation about guitar playability and maintenance. Learning just a few basic skills can dramatically improve your relationship with the guitar and your playing; being armed with the ability to know when and why your guitar needs a setup can ensure a long relationship with a trusted instrument that will only enhance your performance and playing experience. \nTopics will include the elements of a setup for various fretted instruments and playing styles\, simple set up evaluations you can do at home\, what a Plek machine is\, and more. Participants are encouraged to have a fretted instrument handy to get the most out of the presentation. \nEgan is a lifelong musician and co-owner of The House of Twang – Santa Cruz’s premier fretted instrument repair shop – alongside his wife and musical partner\, Carolyn Sills. They specialize in fretted instrument set ups and repair with their Plek machine. When the two aren’t working on guitars they tour around the country performing as their duo\, Poi Rogers. \nCan’t make it in-person? You can stream it! Click here to register.
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/master-class-gerard-egan-zen-the-art-of-guitar-maintenance/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gerard-egan-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260917T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260917T190000
DTSTAMP:20260306T190317Z
CREATED:20260306T175055Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T190317Z
UID:10000918-1789671600-1789671600@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Sarah Elizabeth Charles – Dawn
DESCRIPTION:Sarah Elizabeth Charles is a vocalist/composer/producer/teaching artist/mother based in Brooklyn\, New York. She has released four critically acclaimed albums with her band SCOPE\, and her fifth album Dawn – a reflection on birth\, loss\, joy\, and motherhood – features a brand new ensemble. Charles has performed at venues including The White House\, Carnegie Hall\, the first annual Culture Summit in Abu Dhabi\, The Kennedy Center\, the Rose Theatre with Jazz at Lincoln Center and many more. She has also had a commissioned composition performed at The National Gallery in Washington D.C. via The Canales Project “Hear Her Song” initiative. \nCharles’ musical output has been described as a “genre of one” (DownBeat Magazine)\, “soulfully articulate” (The New York Times) and “an unmatched sound” (Jay Z’s Life+Times). One can only look to the future for more unique and boundary pushing work from this versatile artist. \nIn addition to Charles’ performance and recording work\, she is an active teaching artist who designed\, developed and co-teaches the “Jazz and Gender: Broadening the Scope” and “New Narratives: Creating Space for Equity in Music” at The New School University in New York City with Dr. Caroline Davis. Moreover\, Charles has co-led The Musical Connections project with Carnegie Hall at Sing Sing Correctional Facility for over a decade\, designed an early childhood education program in Fond Parisien\, Haiti for Rise2Shine and has worked with Decoda and Musicambia to teach music programs in Correctional Facilities in South Carolina\, Connecticut and Kansas.  \nSarah Elizabeth Charles Website\n(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/sarah-elizabeth-charles-dawn/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kuumbwa Jazz Presents
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sarah-elizabeth-charles.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260918T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260918T193000
DTSTAMP:20260624T173732Z
CREATED:20260624T171841Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T173732Z
UID:10000993-1789759800-1789759800@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Old Blind Dogs
DESCRIPTION:The Old Blind Dogs\, Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals)\, Aaron Jones (cittern/guitar/vocals)\, Mike Katz (highland pipes/vocals) and Donald Hay (percussion/vocals) return to Santa Cruz with their signature sound of lively tunes and beautiful male harmonies. \nThe Old Blind Dogs began in Aberdeen in 1992 with roots that grew from the eclectic music scene that flourished in the Granite City during the early 90’s. Four musicians from very different musical backgrounds came together to create a full-time professional touring band with the aim of showcasing the rich tradition of songs and tunes of the North East of Scotland on an international stage. The Old Blind Dogs line up has faced inevitable changes over the years but the core values at the band’s musical heart continue to beat strong. \nThe current band line up has been settled for several years now and consists of four of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians at the top of their game. \nThe Dogs have been inducted to the BBC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards ‘Trad Music Hall of Fame’. \nOld Blind Dogs Website \ninfo/tickets/questions:  Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/old-blind-dogs-3/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Independently Produced Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/OBD-jpg.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260922T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260922T190000
DTSTAMP:20260831T165911Z
CREATED:20260520T195659Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T165911Z
UID:10000967-1790103600-1790103600@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Al Di Meola – Acoustic Ensemble – 7:00 PM
DESCRIPTION:A Meet & Greet VIP Package is available to purchase with a ticket to the 7 PM show! The VIP package is $150 per-person\, and can be added to your cart after selecting your ticket(s). The package includes: \n\nView Al Di Meola’s soundcheck from the first five rows (this seating is available only during the soundcheck). Cameras are permissible (no flash please). Video recording is not permitted. This is a chance to experience the unique time during which Al prepares for a polished and fantastic performance in every city.\nFollowing the soundcheck\, you will meet Al Di Meola and he will sign up to two pieces of your favorite memorabilia\, should you wish to bring any items. In addition\, an Al Di Meola CD or photo will be provided to you and will also be signed in person. During that time you will be able to personally chat with Al.\nAl Di Meola’s tour representative will capture the moment on your own phone or camera while you pose with Al for a photo.\nPriority access to the merchandise booth prior to the doors opening to the general public.\n\n––– \nAl Di Meola occupies a rare and enduring position in contemporary music as a living legend whose work continues to define the present moment. For more than five decades\, he has shaped the language of modern instrumental music through an unmistakable synthesis of jazz\, rock\, Latin\, Mediterranean\, and world traditions—marked by rhythmic sophistication\, compositional intelligence\, and extraordinary precision.  \nA GRAMMY Award–winning artist\, Di Meola is the recipient of the Miles Davis Lifetime Achievement Award and the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a seven-time recipient of Guitar Player Magazine’s Best Guitarist award and a multi-year winner of DownBeat’s Readers Poll. His standing among the Greatest Guitarists of All Time is consistently affirmed by leading international publications and cultural institutions. \nDi Meola first rose to global prominence in the mid-1970s as a core member of Return to Forever\, the seminal ensemble led by Chick Corea. His solo career—launched with Land of the Midnight Sun and followed by landmark albums including Elegant Gypsy\, Casino\, Splendido Hotel\, Electric Rendezvous\, and Scenario—confirmed his stature not only as a virtuoso guitarist but as a composer whose works are performed\, analyzed\, and revered worldwide. \nAl Di Meola Website\n(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/al-di-meola-acoustic-ensemble-7-pm/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kuumbwa Jazz Presents
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/al-di-meola-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260922T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260922T210000
DTSTAMP:20260831T165816Z
CREATED:20260520T195657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T165816Z
UID:10000968-1790110800-1790110800@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Al Di Meola – Acoustic Ensemble – 9:00 PM
DESCRIPTION:Al Di Meola occupies a rare and enduring position in contemporary music as a living legend whose work continues to define the present moment. For more than five decades\, he has shaped the language of modern instrumental music through an unmistakable synthesis of jazz\, rock\, Latin\, Mediterranean\, and world traditions—marked by rhythmic sophistication\, compositional intelligence\, and extraordinary precision. \nA GRAMMY Award–winning artist\, Di Meola is the recipient of the Miles Davis Lifetime Achievement Award and the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a seven-time recipient of Guitar Player Magazine’s Best Guitarist award and a multi-year winner of DownBeat’s Readers Poll. His standing among the Greatest Guitarists of All Time is consistently affirmed by leading international publications and cultural institutions. \nDi Meola first rose to global prominence in the mid-1970s as a core member of Return to Forever\, the seminal ensemble led by Chick Corea. His solo career—launched with Land of the Midnight Sun and followed by landmark albums including Elegant Gypsy\, Casino\, Splendido Hotel\, Electric Rendezvous\, and Scenario—confirmed his stature not only as a virtuoso guitarist but as a composer whose works are performed\, analyzed\, and revered worldwide. \nAl Di Meola Website\n(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/al-di-meola-acoustic-ensemble-9-pm/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kuumbwa Jazz Presents
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/al-di-meola-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260923T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260923T190000
DTSTAMP:20260330T212230Z
CREATED:20260330T212230Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T212230Z
UID:10000936-1790190000-1790190000@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Brass Queens
DESCRIPTION:Brass Queens is a female-led\, New York-based brass band that has been dominating the brass band scene since 2019.  \nFinding that they shared similar frustrations about the emerging brass band scene in New York City\, co-founders Alex Harris and Ally Chapel formed a group dedicated to showcasing the talents of female musicians in a landscape that was dominated by male musicians and bandleaders. After debuting in March 2019\, Brass Queens grew to be a fixture in the local music scene and was dubbed “the hardest working band in town” by their peers. The Queens gained a dedicated following through outdoor performances on the streets of Brooklyn and playing pop-up events in their community through the pandemic. Now\, a core value of the band is to play for as many audiences as possible to increase the visibility of female musicians.  \nThe band has developed a signature style that sits right at the intersection of the Big Apple and the Big Easy. Their sound is deeply inspired by\, and pays homage to\, the New Orleans brass band tradition while injecting the upbeat\, multifaceted energy of their New York home into each performance. In November 2023\, the band released their first full-length album titled Black & Gold\, which is an ode to the Brass Queen’s incredible early fanbase who supported the band from the virtual performances and socially-distanced street corners during the COVID-19 pandemic\, to the crowded clubs and packed venues of today. Less than a year later\, Brass Queens released their second full-length album and their first album of all-original music\, titled Hot Tub Sessions Vol. I. \nBrass Queens Website\n(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/brass-queens/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kuumbwa Jazz Presents
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/brass-queens-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T190000
DTSTAMP:20260805T205832Z
CREATED:20260518T172550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T205832Z
UID:10000965-1790276400-1790276400@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Bill Frisell & HARMONY FIVE feat. Petra Haden\, Hank Roberts\, Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo – 7:00 PM
DESCRIPTION:“Frisell has had a lot of practice putting high concept into a humble package. Long hailed as one of the most distinctive and original improvising guitarists of our time\, he has also earned a reputation for teasing out thematic connections with his music…” – The New York Times \nBill Frisell’s career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than forty-five years and many celebrated recordings. His catalog has been cited by DownBeat as “the best recorded output of the decade.” Bill Frisell & HARMONY FIVE expands upon 2019’s HARMONY project\, blending jazz\, traditional Americana\, and chamber music; and features Petra Haden on vocals\, Hank Roberts on cello and vocals\, Luke Bergman on bass and vocals\, and Tim Angulo on drums. \nAs a singer\, instrumentalist\, and composer\, Petra Haden has established a singular reputation for creativity and versatility\, and a unique niche\, allowing her to apply her diverse talents to a wide range of music\, including her work as part of the 1990 alt-rock quartet That Dog\, her solo albums Imaginaryland (1996)\, Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out (2005)\, and Petra Goes to the Movies (2012). \nWith a career spanning over fifty years\, improvisational cellist and composer Hank Roberts has performed internationally with a diverse array of celebrated musicians. His playing is featured on many recordings\, including dozens of his own as a leader and collaborator.  \nLuke Bergman is a multi-instrumentalist based in New York City. As a pedal steel guitarist\, he is known for his distinctive approach to the instrument\, performing jazz and classical music alongside repertoire traditionally associated with that instrument. He has released two solo albums and one trio album with Jason Burger and Martin Nevin.  \nTimothy Angulo is a drummer and composer based in New York City. Although his background is in jazz\, Angulo has performed with a dizzying array of musicians across genres. Combining intuition and discipline to allow the music to reveal itself regardless of genre\, Angulo is one of the most original\, innovative\, and versatile drummers working today. \nBill Frisell Website\nSponsored by Michele Taylor & Jeff Farnsworth\n(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/bill-frisell-harmony-five-7-pm/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kuumbwa Jazz Presents
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Event-Page.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T210000
DTSTAMP:20260805T205933Z
CREATED:20260518T172740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T205933Z
UID:10000966-1790283600-1790283600@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Bill Frisell & HARMONY FIVE feat. Petra Haden\, Hank Roberts\, Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo – 9:00 PM
DESCRIPTION:“Frisell has had a lot of practice putting high concept into a humble package. Long hailed as one of the most distinctive and original improvising guitarists of our time\, he has also earned a reputation for teasing out thematic connections with his music…” – The New York Times \nBill Frisell’s career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than forty-five years and many celebrated recordings. His catalog has been cited by DownBeat as “the best recorded output of the decade.” Bill Frisell & HARMONY FIVE expands upon 2019’s HARMONY project\, blending jazz\, traditional Americana\, and chamber music; and features Petra Haden on vocals\, Hank Roberts on cello and vocals\, Luke Bergman on bass and vocals\, and Tim Angulo on drums. \nAs a singer\, instrumentalist\, and composer\, Petra Haden has established a singular reputation for creativity and versatility\, and a unique niche\, allowing her to apply her diverse talents to a wide range of music\, including her work as part of the 1990 alt-rock quartet That Dog\, her solo albums Imaginaryland (1996)\, Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out (2005)\, and Petra Goes to the Movies (2012). \nWith a career spanning over fifty years\, improvisational cellist and composer Hank Roberts has performed internationally with a diverse array of celebrated musicians. His playing is featured on many recordings\, including dozens of his own as a leader and collaborator.  \nLuke Bergman is a multi-instrumentalist based in New York City. As a pedal steel guitarist\, he is known for his distinctive approach to the instrument\, performing jazz and classical music alongside repertoire traditionally associated with that instrument. He has released two solo albums and one trio album with Jason Burger and Martin Nevin.  \nTimothy Angulo is a drummer and composer based in New York City. Although his background is in jazz\, Angulo has performed with a dizzying array of musicians across genres. Combining intuition and discipline to allow the music to reveal itself regardless of genre\, Angulo is one of the most original\, innovative\, and versatile drummers working today. \nBill Frisell Website\nSponsored by Michele Taylor & Jeff Farnsworth\n(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/bill-frisell-harmony-five-9-pm/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kuumbwa Jazz Presents
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260926T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260926T190000
DTSTAMP:20260729T161341Z
CREATED:20260312T215402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260729T161341Z
UID:10000924-1790449200-1790449200@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Martha High's Funky Divas with Fred Wesley & The New JBs - 7:00 PM
DESCRIPTION:Get ready for a funky good time when Martha High’s Funky Divas\, backed by Fred Wesley and The New JBs\, return to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center with a power-packed show of hits from those they played and sang with the Godfather of Soul\, James Brown. \nFred Wesley Website \ninfo/tickets/questions:  michael@pulseproductions.net
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/martha-highs-funky-divas-with-fred-wesley-the-new-jbs-700-pm-2/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Independently Produced Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260926T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260926T210000
DTSTAMP:20260729T161430Z
CREATED:20260312T215408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260729T161430Z
UID:10000923-1790456400-1790456400@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Martha High’s Funky Divas with Fred Wesley & The New JBs – 9:00 PM
DESCRIPTION:Get ready for a funky good time when Martha High’s Funky Divas\, backed by Fred Wesley and The New JBs\, return to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center with a power-packed show of hits from those they played and sang with the Godfather of Soul\, James Brown. \nFred Wesley Website \ninfo/tickets/questions:  michael@pulseproductions.net
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/martha-highs-funky-divas-with-fred-wesley-the-new-jbs-900-pm-2/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Independently Produced Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260929T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260929T193000
DTSTAMP:20260624T174539Z
CREATED:20260624T174539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T174539Z
UID:10000994-1790710200-1790710200@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Téada
DESCRIPTION:Téada consists of Oisín Mac Diarmada (fiddle)\, Paul Finn (button accordion)\, Damien Stenson (flute)\, Samantha Harvey (piano& dance)\, Seán Mc Elwain (bouzouki & guitar) and Tristan Rosenstock (bodhrán). If you have attended an Irish Christmas In America concert\, you will undoubtedly recognize fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada. \nA leading exponent of Irish traditional music\, Téada is driven by a fascination for the timeless\, expressive force of music inherited from previous generations of musicians. An Irish band with a truly worldwide reach\, Téada has frequently appeared as headliners at major music festivals throughout the US\, Canada\, Mexico\, Europe\, Africa\, Russia\, Israel and Australia. Highlights include a 30\,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany\, along with performances at Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia\, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada\, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe\, and the Milwaukee Irish Festival. The group also received an invitation from the Irish Embassy in Rome during 2008 to perform at a commemorative event marking the 400th anniversary of the landmark event in Irish history known as The Flight of the Earls.. With engaging textural arrangements\, Téada\, which means “strings”\, will have you dancing in your seat. \nCelebrate Téada’s 25th Anniversary of touring as one of Ireland’s leading traditional bands! \nTéada Website \ninfo/tickets/questions:  Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/teada-2/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Independently Produced Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260930T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260930T190000
DTSTAMP:20260401T172505Z
CREATED:20260330T212822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T172505Z
UID:10000938-1790794800-1790794800@www.kuumbwajazz.org
SUMMARY:Cyrille Aimée Duo
DESCRIPTION:Cyrille Aimée grew up in a multilingual household full of music where dancing was an everyday activity\, soundtracked by the Afro-Caribbean sounds of her mother’s native Dominican Republic.  \nMoving to New York City\, her talents quickly gained her a reputation among her peers as a matchless interpreter of song. Steven Sondheim invited her to star in a tribute at New York’s City Centre\, backed by Wynton Marsalis. Her 2019 album Move On featured versions of Sondheim’s songs which received praise from Sondheim himself\, and her version of “Marry Me a Little”\, was nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY Award. \nAt the height of her New York success\, new horizons beckoned. Visiting New Orleans\, she fell in love with the energy and diversity of the city and made it her home. Linking back to New York to connect up all the dots\, she teamed up with producer/multi-instrumentalist Jake Sherman\, and together they created her latest album\, à Fleur de Peau. Combining the depth and sophistication of jazz\, the immediacy of pop\, the irrepressible dance rhythms of the Caribbean\, it’s more intimate and more accessible than anything Aimée has done before. \nCyrille Aimée will be joined on this concert date by renowned pianist Mathis Picard. \nCyrille Aimée Website\n(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
URL:https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/calendar/cyrille-aimee-duo-2/
LOCATION:Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, 320 Cedar St.\, Santa Cruz\, 95060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kuumbwa Jazz Presents
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