San Francisco Jazz

A recognized international leader in jazz creation, presentation, and education, it explores the full spectrum of jazz—from the music’s origins in the African American community, to its diverse present-day expressions around the world. A non-profit organization, SFJAZZ works to develop audiences for jazz in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

In 2013, SFJAZZ took the most audacious step in its evolution, opening the 700 seat SFJAZZ Center in the heart of San Francisco’s cultural corridor. This is the first stand-alone structure in the country built specifically for jazz. Designed by award-winning San Francisco architect Mark Cavagnero, acoustician Sam Berkow and theatre designer Len Auerbach, they created a performance space with the acoustic quality of a great concert hall and the relaxed intimacy of a jazz club featuring superb sightlines and pristine acoustics tailored for jazz performance.  The 100-seat Joe Henderson Lab is the nerve centre for the organization’s education department. It’s “a place where jazz can do what it’s always done—grow and change. Now there’s a permanent place in San Francisco where it can flourish.” All SFJAZZ programs reflect a spirit of artistic exploration, embracing the full breadth of jazz and its related music; emphasize thematic programming, with tributes to jazz masters and celebrations of particular musical instruments, trends or styles; and strive to instill enthusiasm for jazz among a wider audience.