Composer, bandleader and pianist John Beasley sits down with SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard. The two old friends catch up and discuss all things related to John Beasley’s Monk’estra. Beasley discusses the joys and complexities organizing a big band, the key role the Sibelius...

Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Keyon Harrold sits down with SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard. Harrold discusses his approach to writing melodies, as well as how the bebop influence passed down to him by Charles Tolliver has affected his work with artists such as Common and...

Saxophonist, composer and 2024 NEA Jazz Master honoree Gary Bartz sits down with Terence Blanchard to discuss the iconic jazz-funk sounds of his band, the NTU Troop, as well as his experiences with Max Roach and Lee Morgan. You can watch Bartz’s “NTU Troop Revisited” concert (filmed in June durin...

“Evolving The Afrobeat Tradition” SFJAZZ Dialogues w/ Seun Kuti & Terence Blanchard

The saxophonist, composer and Egypt 80 bandleader sits down with SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard to discuss the process of finding his own sound within the tradition laid out by his father,...

Saxophonist, composer and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin sits down with SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard. Benjamin shares some hilarious stories involving Prince and Ron Carter, along with discussing her dream rhythm section, her love of fashion and more.You can catch Lakecia Ben...

Vocalist, songwriter and SFJAZZ lifetime achievement award recipient Patti Austin sits down with SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard. The conversation overflows with warm hearted stories spanning Austin’s career including making her debut at the apollo with the help of Dinah Wash...

“Playing for the people” SFJAZZ Dialogues w/ Howard Wiley

Saxophonist, composer and Resident Artistic Director Howard Wiley sits down with SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard. They discuss Howard’s beginnings at the church and how his experiences there influenced him, the Tex...

Singer-Songwriter Ms. Lisa Fischer and Ranky Tank’s trumpeter, composer Charlton Singleton sit down with SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard. They discuss the 30 year long relationship between the members of Ranky Tanky, their roots in Gullah music, as well as Ms. Lisa Fischers’ ...

Legendary trumpeter and Jazz At Lincoln Center’s artistic director Wynton Marsalis catches up with his friend and executive artistic director at SFJAZZ Terrene Blanchard. They share fond childhood memories, discuss the intersection of philosophy and jazz, talk about their future plans for institu...

Blues legend Taj Mahal in an illuminating conversation with SFJAZZ exectuite artistic director Terence Blanchard. They discuss Taj’s musical upbringing growing up in Massachusetts, his passion for world music, as well as the diversse range influnces that shaped his newest recording “Savoy”. Watch...

Trumpeter, composer and former member of the SFJAZZ Collective Etienne Charles sits down with SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard. They discuss the cultural connections between Trinidad and New Orleans, life after the SFJAZZ Collective, as well as Etienne’s upcoming “Earth Tones”...

Showing a lifetime’s worth of warmth and humor, jazz icons Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter come together again via Zoom on the occasion of the fifth and final Fridays at Five Wayne Shorter Celebration concert, joined this time by Wayne’s quartet including pianist Danilo Pérez, bassist John Patit...

Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti talks about studying with Woody Shaw and George Coleman, playing in bands with Sting and Paul Simon, and his own practice routine and insights regarding trumpet technique. Watch Chris Botti on Fridays Live on January 6, 2023, part of SFJAZZ At Home.

SFJAZZ DIA...

Drummer Cindy Blackman Santana in a spirited conversation with SFJAZZ founder Randall Kline as they discuss all things Tony Williams. From his “romantic” style and “loud” technique to the many phases of his musical career, Blackman offers her unique perspective on the legendary drummers' looming ...

Saxophonist Donny McCaslin and drummer Mark Guiliana in an illuminating conversation with SFJAZZ f Director of Education Rebeca Mauleón. They discuss a variety of topics such as Mark’s blend of electronic music and Jazz, finding a balance between improvisation and through composition, as well as ...

“Musings on Mingus” : SFJAZZ Dialogues w/ Charles McPherson

Alto saxophone legend Charles McPherson catches up with SFJAZZ founder Randall Kline. They discuss McPhersons’ musical coming of age in the Detroit jazz scene centered around the Bluebird Jazz Club, where he played with Elvin Jones, Bar...

“From Havana to Blue Note”: SFJAZZ Dialogues w/ Harold López-Nussa

Cuban pianist and composer Harold López-Nussa catches up with SFJAZZ founder Randall Kline. They discuss the recording process behind Nussa’s upcoming Blue Note debut “Timba a la Americana” as well collaborating with Snarky Puppy...

“A Long and Windy Road” SFJAZZ DIALOGUES w/ AL DI MEOLA

Genius guitarist Al Di Meola catches up with SFJAZZ founder Randall Kline. Al shares some lively stories that shed light on his songwriting process along with the influence the Beatles have had on his life and upcoming double album. He also...

“ART THAT TRANSFORMS PERCEPTIONS” SFJAZZ DIALOGUES w/ SOWETO KINCH

British saxophonist, rapper Soweto Kinch catches up with SFJAZZ founder Randall Kline. They discuss Soweto’s upcoming Resident Artistic Director week at SFJAZZ, working with legends such as Gary Bartz and Nicholas Payton, along ...

“Still Things To Do”: SFJAZZ Dialogues w/ Dee Dee Bridgewater

Vocalist and jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater speaks to SFJAZZ founder Randall Kline. In this spirited conversation, Bridgewater covers her jazz roots, playing with legends such as Thad Jones and Herbie Hancock, to her experiences on ...

“Music That Breaks Barriers Down”: SFJAZZ Dialogues w/ Jake Shimabukuro

Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso and composer Jake Shimabukuro speaks to SFJAZZ founder Randall Kline. They discuss his musical upbringing, the mentors that most impacted him as well as his technique and unique approach to the ukul...

Founding member of the Buena Vista Social Club and Afro-Cuban All Stars bandleader Juan de Marcos speaks to SFJAZZ founder Randall Kline. They discuss Marcos’ experiences growing up in one of the most musically rich times in Cuba’s musical history, to now showcasing some of Cuba’s most prodigious...

Founding members of Pink Martini Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes speak to SFJAZZ Founder Randall Kline about the colorful history of the band – from meeting in the “dorm room for outcasts” at Harvard, to becoming the house band for political rallies in Portland, to the band's unlikely first hi...

Saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins speaks to SFJAZZ Founder Randall Kline about the influence his spiritual upbringing has had on his music. Wilkins shares inspiring insights into the musical ideas behind his latest album “The 7th Hand” as well as his love and appreciation for all the grea...