The Collective’s saxophonist and music director Chris Potter, drummer Kendrick Scott, and vibraphonist Warren Wolf share their spontaneous reactions to a range of compositions from jazz and pop icons who have been celebrated by the Collective over its 20-year history.

Founded by SFJAZZ in 2004, the SFJAZZ Collective is an all-star ensemble and composer’s workshop that represents what is happening now in jazz, celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2024. Since the beginning, the Collective’s mission has been to perform newly commissioned pieces by each member and fresh arrangements of works by modern masters. Through this pioneering approach, simultaneously honoring music’s greatest figures while championing jazz’s up-to-the-minute directions, the SFJAZZ Collective embodies SFJAZZ’s commitment to jazz as a living, ever-relevant art form. Most recently, the band has devoted their efforts to concepts rather than specific artists, focusing on music that reflects the present moment, and that celebrates the band’s history and anniversary.

TRACK LISTING

1. Stevie Wonder: “Sir Duke” from Songs In the Key of Life (1976)
2. Ornette Coleman: “Una Muy Bonita” from Change of the Century (1960)
3. Bobby Hutcherson: “Montara” from Montara (1975)
4. Herbie Hancock: “Butterfly” from Thrust (1974)
5. McCoy Tyner: “Passion Dance” from The Real McCoy (1967)
6. Chick Corea and Return to Forever: “500 Miles High” from Light as a Feather (1973)