Vocalist Veronica Swift performs a stirring rendition of Dinah Washington’s “This Bitter Earth” backed by members of the SFJAZZ Collective at the SFJAZZ Gala 2023 honoring Randall Kline. Swift is one of Randall’s favorite young vocalists, and she’s been presented many times by SFJAZZ since Randall first heard her at the 2015 Thelonious Monk Competition, where she placed second. The Monk Competition is also where Randall heard Swift sing this very song.

ABOUT THE SFJAZZ GALA 2023

The 2023 SFJAZZ Gala celebrated SFJAZZ Founder and Executive Artistic Director Randall Kline. He is a visionary. Step by step, over 40 years, he grew a small community festival into a San Francisco cultural institution and one of the most influential jazz organizations in the world. After a lifetime of championing this uniquely American art form, Randall is stepping down in November 2023. The SFJAZZ Gala 2023 featured an all-star concert with Ambrose Akinmusire, Regina Carter, Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, Ravi Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Sullivan Fortner, Dianne Reeves, Gonzalo Rubalcaba & many others.

SFJAZZ MAGAZINE
› "People Want To Be Moved": Celebrating the Vision of Randall Kline
https://www.sfjazz.org/onthecorner/celebrating-the-vision-of-randall-kline/

SFJAZZ GALA EVENT PAGE
https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/events/2023-gala/