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 […]
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 audiences throughout the world. Discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963, James recorded his first solo album, Bold Conceptions, that year for […]
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 a living archive of the Gambian people. With one ear on the family’s historic reputation, one on the all-important future legacy, and […]
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, CA-based bassist Ken Okada began arranging big band charts during his college years in the '90s in Japan and has been composing music ever since. His work is heavily influenced by […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
GRAMMY Winner, Doris Duke Artist, and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón represents a select group of musicians who have masterfully balanced and blended the often-contradictory poles of innovation and tradition. Widely considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists and composers of his generation, he has also developed a unique voice as a […]
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
This is a rare, stars must be aligned, pairing of two revered legends in their own time - Evie Sands and Bridget St. John. Two triple-threat singer-songwriter-instrumentalists sharing one-stage promises across-career highlights and delights - meaningful, memorable, illuminating and sly fun. Although these two cherished icons of Northern Soul (Evie) and British "Psych Folk" (Bridget) […]
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, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms. The Los Angeles Times named him “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” and Jazz Weekly calls him “The most lyrical piano […]
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 like a waltz between two sorts of knowledge; a conversation between two instruments taking us on a spiritual and intimate journey and offering us warm and […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Biréli Lagrène, Martin Taylor, and Ulf Wakenius create musical magic with 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 […]
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 […]
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 audiences throughout the world. Discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963, James recorded his first solo album, Bold Conceptions, that year for […]
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 a living archive of the Gambian people. With one ear on the family’s historic reputation, one on the all-important future legacy, and […]
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, CA-based bassist Ken Okada began arranging big band charts during his college years in the '90s in Japan and has been composing music ever since. His work is heavily influenced by […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
GRAMMY Winner, Doris Duke Artist, and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón represents a select group of musicians who have masterfully balanced and blended the often-contradictory poles of innovation and tradition. Widely considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists and composers of his generation, he has also developed a unique voice as a […]
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
This is a rare, stars must be aligned, pairing of two revered legends in their own time - Evie Sands and Bridget St. John. Two triple-threat singer-songwriter-instrumentalists sharing one-stage promises across-career highlights and delights - meaningful, memorable, illuminating and sly fun. Although these two cherished icons of Northern Soul (Evie) and British "Psych Folk" (Bridget) […]
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, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms. The Los Angeles Times named him “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” and Jazz Weekly calls him “The most lyrical piano […]
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 like a waltz between two sorts of knowledge; a conversation between two instruments taking us on a spiritual and intimate journey and offering us warm and […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Biréli Lagrène, Martin Taylor, and Ulf Wakenius create musical magic with 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 […]
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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