The annual San Francisco Jazz Festival, June 7–19, is like a pedal-to-the-metal, red-hot Ferrari: high-powered, edgy, daring, and slick. It’s a gift to our city from its contemporary performing arts treasure, SFJazz.
Believed by many to be the premiere event of its kind, the upcoming San Francisco Jazz Festival will present 43 shows in 13 days: an overflowing swag bag of classic and avant-garde concerts featuring jazz heavyweights; tributes to long-gone, but seminal performers; and youthful hotshots who stretch the jazz idiom to the near breaking point.
Here are a few highlights:
Davina & the Vagabonds: With horns, piano, and drums, this New Orleans-style quintet combines jazz, blues, R&B, soul, and gospel to a joyous party. June 8–9, 8 & 9 p.m.
Miles Electric: This group recalls the exciting music of Miles Davis in the electronic phase of his career. June 11, 7:30 p.m.
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band: Gordon Goodwin, a multi-instrument, multitalented genius leads this tight big band with a bunch of imaginative soloists. June 11, 8 p.m.
Ravi Coltrane & the Void: The son of jazz giant John Coltrane, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane carries his father’s legacy while stretching out with his own modern viewpoint. June 12, 7:30 p.m.
Banda Magda: Founded by Greek-born singer Magda Giannikou, this group incorporates Greek folk tunes with the samba, French Chanson, Colombian cumbia, and Afro-Peruvian lando, into spirited global music. June 16, 8 & 9 p.m.
McCoy Tyner Tribute: Honoring this major jazz piano talent, this concert will feature a grab bag of A-list jazz pianists: Chick Corea, Kenny Barron, Benny Green, Geri Allen, and Taylor Eigsti as well as Tyner himself. June 19, 8 p.m.
SFJazz Festival: Daily, June 7–19, (performance venues vary; visit website or telephone for details and ticketing), 866-920-5299, sfjazz.org
— E. Beyl
