Enter the mind of woodwind genius, Latin Jazz icon, and 2005 NEA Jazz Master Paquito D’Rivera. Over an improvisation that incorporates elements from jazz classics “A Night in Tunisia” “Salt Peanuts,” and “Manteca,” among others, D’Rivera shares his philosophy of improvisation, his method for impr...

Enter the mind of trumpeter, composer, 2024 NEA Jazz Master, and SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard. He speaks about his relationship with the piano, his philosophical distinction between composing and improvising, and how composition is a discipline that reveals its nature to t...

Enter the mind of vibraphonist, multi-percussionist, and composer Warren Wolf — a current member of the SFJAZZ Collective and an in-demand bandleader and sideman. Performing the Steve Swallow composition “Falling Grace” on the Miner Auditorium stage, Wolf talks about approaching his instrument in...

Enter the mind of turntable master, composer, and visual artist Kid Koala, known worldwide as a premier scratch DJ and collaborator with Del the Funky Homosapien, Dan the Automator, and Gorillaz, among many others. He talks through his artistic process, how he uses the influence from his travels ...

Watch Jake Shimabukuro's live at SFJAZZ: https://sfjazz.org/jakeshimabukuro

Enter the mind of the ukulele virtuoso and composer Jake Shimabukuro. He speaks about his approach to remaining present and grateful as an artist, using the Japanese idiom “ichigo ichie” (“once in a lifetime”) as a mus...

Watch dave King perform with The Bad Plus live at SFJAZZ: https://www.sfjazz.org/athome/on-demand/the-bad-plus/

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In My Mind explores the creative process of jazz’s most accomplished improvising musicians, us...

Enter the mind of drummer, composer, and former SFJAZZ Collective member Obed Calvaire, as he takes us through his practice routine, his devotion to his craft, and the inspiration that motivates him to continually strive to improve all aspects of his art.

A Miami native of Haitian descent, O...

Enter the mind of harpist, composer, and SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director Brandee Younger, who takes us on her journey of creativity, making friends with space and openness, treating improvisation as a conversation, and embracing the inspiration of her elders to build her confidence as an artist...

Enter the mind of trumpeter, composer, and SFJAZZ Collective member Mike Rodriguez, whose approach to his instrument is based in awareness of the physical process of music making, being open to inspiration, playing off his emotions, and tapping into a state of pure expression.

A GRAMMY-winning ...

Enter the mind of saxophonist, rapper, and composer Soweto Kinch, who traces his path to jazz mastery, comparing it to learning a foreign language, and his formative experiences as a young artist who used the influence of the greats to form his own musical identity. The London-born Kinch is seaml...

In My Mind explores the creative process of jazz’s most accomplished improvising musicians, using their words and artistry to illuminate the methods behind their spontaneous inventions.

Enter the mind of drummer and composer Eric Harland, who explains how his approach to the drum set is rooted...