Terence Blanchard, an esteemed composer and trumpeter with eight Grammy Awards to his name, has taken up the role of executive artistic director at SFJazz, aiming to transform the San Francisco Jazz Festival to better engage with the local Hayes Valley community.
In his own words, Blanchard envisions a festival that not only entertains but educates and enriches the local neighborhood. “We’ve tried to bring together a roster of people that we thought people could learn from and enjoy and hopefully create a vibe in the neighborhood to give back to the community,” he remarked, emphasizing a commitment to community-centered programming.
The upcoming 42nd San Francisco Jazz Festival is set to take place from June 13-15 and will feature an impressive lineup of 35 concerts across multiple venues within the SFJazz Center, including the seated Miner Auditorium and the standing-room Joe Henderson Lab. Additionally, a new standing-room tent will host performances along with a lively street market, offering food, wine, beer, vinyl records, books, zines, and local artists’ works.
Friday will kick off the festival at noon with a complimentary outdoor concert on Octavia Street, showcasing past and present members of the SFJazz High School All-Stars alongside students from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Roots, Jazz & American Music Program.
The first day’s lineup is rich with talent, featuring the SFJazz Collective collaborating with singer Kurt Elling for a world premiere performance. Other notable acts include Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, the Charles Lloyd Sky Quartet, and emerging artists in the tent like Salami Rose Joe Louis and the Mark Lettieri Group.
Saturday offers an equally appealing roster with performances from multifaceted singer-actor-playwright Somi, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, and Grammy-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer, among others. The Miner Auditorium will host jazz luminaries like bassist Stanley Clarke alongside pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, while the tent will pulsate with energy from groups such as the electro-acoustic jazz ensemble SML and the legendary brass ensemble Soul Rebels.
On Sunday, the festival concludes with performances by pianist Orrin Evans’ Trio, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, and pianist Patrice Rushen in the Miner Auditorium. Other events include shows by singer Tyreek McDole and trumpeter Tatiana Tate in the Joe Henderson Lab, as well as an eclectic mix of artists in the tent, featuring the Kiefer Trio and spiritual musician Idris Ackamoor.
Blanchard aims to create a platform for both established and emerging artists through this festival, stating, “Patrice Rushen is really a pioneer of her kind, and you look at Ambrose Akinmusire and Tatiana Tate, these other young people that come along—giving them the platform to do their thing, it’s something that’s really powerful for me.” He will also be featured as an artist-at-large, engaging with the community and fellow musicians.
Taking over from SFJazz founder Randall Kline, who had devoted years to nurturing the Bay Area’s jazz scene, Blanchard appreciates the foundations laid by his predecessor. Kline’s commitment to the community made a significant impact, and Blanchard aims to enhance this legacy with a global approach. “Our intention is to make this more of a global festival, where people will want to come and play,” he explained.
Moreover, Blanchard aspires to position SFJazz as a “conduit for the world,” utilizing the organization’s digital services and extensive archives, which encompass recordings from 1980 to the present. He highlights the importance of these resources, stating, “There’s a vast array of music videos and audio for people to research and learn from. I don’t think anybody can match that, what we’re doing when it comes to current music and musicians who are creating now.”
Despite the challenges that may arise, including recent funding cuts from the National Endowment for the Arts, Blanchard remains firmly committed to his vision. He expressed resilience, making it clear that obstacles—including governmental decisions—would not deter his mission to foster artists and engage with the community. “I’m not going to let someone else’s ignorance … deter me from helping not only to develop artists but also to do service to the community,” he asserted. “Art is supposed to make you feel inspired and it’s supposed to make you feel uncomfortable at times. What we’re trying to do at SFJazz is to allow artists to be themselves, to present their music to a community and let the community decide.”
The San Francisco Jazz Festival is scheduled to run from 2-9 p.m. on June 13 and from 1-10 p.m. on June 14-15, located at the SFJazz Center at 201 Franklin St., with additional events at the Festival Tent and Outdoor Festival Street Market at 110 Franklin St. Tickets range from $50-$650, and those aged 12 and under can attend for free. Interested attendees can find tickets and more information at sfjazz.org.
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