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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

"The Queen of Fado" Mariza speaks openly with SFJAZZ Founder Randall Kline, revealing how COVID affected her and her music deeply, and why she considers San Francisco a home. Mariza performs four nights at the SFJAZZ Center on October 13-16, 2022, with the October 14 concert featured on SFJAZZ At...

Ahead of the September 16th Fridays Live broadcast featuring Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite, the two blues legends join SFJAZZ Founder Randall Kline for a conversation about how ​they met and developed their collaboration, ​tracing​ their​ early days​ in search of the blues​, ​to ​migrating t...

For this exclusive new interview, SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Randall Kline speaks to Cuban-born piano giant Gonzalo Rubalcaba and master percussionist Pedrito Martinez about their backgrounds, their creative processes, and the singular beauty of their duo performance recorded in September...

SFJAZZ Founder and Executive Artistic Director Randall Kline speaks to GRAMMY-winning bassist, producer, arranger, and composer Marcus Miller. They discuss his method for assembling a band, the start of his journey in music, his inspirations, his iconic work with Miles Davis, and his incredible c...

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...

For this exclusive interview, SFJAZZ Founder and Executive Artistic Director Randall Kline speaks to Miles Davis’ nephew, drummer Vincent Wilburn Jr., about the GRAMMY-nominated 2008 album Miles From India that brought together alumni from various Miles Davis bands and a number of Indian classica...