With 350 days of sunshine, Tucson, Arizona, is the place to be this winter for…
Tag: 5 Reasons to Visit
The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest has become one of the nation’s most important live…
With 350 days of sunshine, Tucson, Arizona, is the place to be this winter for…
The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest has become one of the nation’s most important live…
Gregory Porter is among the headliners for the 2019 San Jose Jazz Summer Fest[/caption] When it comes to its lineup, the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest absolutely packs it in, with music starting at 11 am and lasting well past midnight. Bay Area artists receive a good portion of the billing, which means you can expect top-notch appearances by the likes of the San Jose Jazz Orchestra, San Jose State of Mind and the San Jose Jazz High School All-Stars to set the tone. But you can always count on SJZ to bring you some of the biggest names in jazz, and this year’s fest is no exception. Headliners for the 2019 edition include pianist Fred Hersch, vocalist Dianne Reeves, bossa nova icon Ivan Lins, U.K. supergroup Sons of Kemet, the global-cabaret outfit Pink Martini and the gospel-inflected singer (and Bay Area native) Gregory Porter. Also on the program are rising stars like pianist Emmet Cohen, vocalist Veronica Swift and drummer Kassa Overall; their appearances here provide intimate opportunities to catch them before their careers blast off. Plenty of jazz styles will be represented, from salsa to blues to R&B and beyond. Also on the bill: a special appearance by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and musical legends The O’Jays. Rest assured, when it comes to great music in San Jose, there’s something for everyone.
The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest attracts fans who love to "listen with their feet."[/caption] Care to dance? Then the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is for you. SJF’s Swing Stage is one of the hottest “scenes” at the Summer Fest, and it’s definitely not a place to just sit and listen. Come before most performances and learn the elements of swing dance with some of the area’s best teachers. Then, cut a rug to the tunes of the SOJ Big Band, the Indygo Rhythm Section, the Los Gatos-Saratoga Big Band, The Serenaders, The 7th Street Big Band and so many more. Few festivals are as dance-friendly as this one, so if tripping the light fantastic is your idea of a good time, you’re welcome here with open arms (and jazz hands). 
The SJZ Club Crawl keeps the party going into the early hours. (Photo: Amanda Valenzuela)[/caption] At San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, as the music winds down, the nightlife winds up. To produce the highly anticipated Club Crawl, the fest has paired with hotels, restaurants and bars to program great music all over downtown San Jose from mid-evening until midnight, which means it's easier than ever to find a place to refuel your fun. The best part: There are no cover charges, and all venues are in easy walking distance of the festival grounds. And fear not, the music travels with you. That's because, at most restaurants, you’ll find plenty of local jazz acts to satiate your hungry ears. Check out the list of participating venues below: MOSAIC RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 211 First St. mosaicdowntown.com Fri, Aug 9 @ 8-11pm The South Bay Jazz Cork Tete (straight ahead jazz) Sat, Aug 10 @ 8-11pm The Kevin McCullough Quartet (straight ahead jazz) FIVE POINTS COCKTAIL BAR 169 W. Santa Clara St. fivepointssj.com Fri, Aug 9 @ 8:30-9:45pm DOMI & JD Beck (jazz beyond) HOTEL DE ANZA, HEDLEY CLUB LOUNGE 233 W. Santa Clara St. www.destinationhotels.com Fri, Aug 9 @ 8:30-11:30pm Mason Razavi Quartet (straight ahead and modern jazz) Sat, Aug 10 @ 8:30-11:30pm Festival Jazz Jam (bring your axe and hang at the fest jam!) CHACHO’S 87 E. San Fernando St. chachosrestaurant.com Fri, Aug 9 @ 9pm-12am The Latin Jazz Collective 5tet with John Nava (Latin jazz) Sat, Aug 10 @ 9pm-12am Brian Andres Afro Cuban Cartel (Latin jazz) HYATT PLACE 282 Almaden Blvd. www.hyatt.com Fri, Aug 9 @ 9pm-12am Jennifer Lee Quartet (jazz vocals) Sat, Aug 10 @ 9pm-12am Joyce McCulloch Quartet (jazz vocals) LOS SAN PATRICIOS 81 E. San Fernando St. Fri, Aug 9 @ 9pm-12am Bennett Roth-Newell Trio (modern jazz) Sat, Aug 10 @ 9pm-12am Kevin Bryson Trio (straight ahead jazz) FAIRMONT HOTEL 170 S. Market St. fairmont.com Fri, Aug 9 TBA Sat, Aug 10 TBA
Artists take the stage in the British Airways Music Lounge.[/caption] Friday through Sunday, Fest-goers with Priority Access or higher wristbands can enjoy the British Airways Music Lounge, featuring pared-down performances by top fest artists. For the second year, the Music Lounge is located in Hammer 4, a raw, alternative “black box” space on an upper floor of the Hammer Theatre Center. Thanks to the support of British Airways, San Jose Jazz has teamed up with the U.K.’s SoulandJazz.com to capture the excitement and essence of five of these performances in the highest level possible in 8K, 360º Virtual Reality, with sound delivered in Dolby AmbiX. Regular Music Lounge sets are pared down, 20-minute performances that allow you to see another side of your favorite artists, in an intimate setting. For the special taping occurring this year, the artists will run through a three-song set, which will be repeated until the performance has been appropriately captured. Audience members are invited to come and go between songs, but must remain silent during the performance/filming.