San Jose Jazz

10/09/2026

We’ve got something special planned for Secret Sidewalk tomorrow night!

Come early and catch a vinyl record set by new San Jose Jazz Artistic Director, Christian Vela!

He’ll be playing a wide range of records from film scores to Coltrane and beyond.

Needle drops promptly at 7pm.

10/02/2026

🎷 FREE live jazz TONIGHT at South First Friday! 🎶

San Jose Jazz is hosting an all-ages jazz jam, and you're invited. Bring your instrument and sign up to play alongside some of the South Bay's best amateur musicians, or just pull up a seat and soak it in.

🎺 Kicking things off: the SJZ U19s + the Michael Webster Group
🎨 After that: wander the SoFA District as nearly 20 galleries, museums & venues stay open late for a free art walk

Doors at 5pm - Free. All ages. All vibes. See you there! ✨

09/25/2026

What a weekend! 🎶 Thank you to everyone who joined us for 2026 Summer Fest in downtown San Jose, and to the amazing artists who made it unforgettable: The Soul Rebels, Gretchen Parlato, The Top Chefs, Patti LaBelle, and so many more! See you next year, August 13–15, 2027 🎷

09/24/2026

✨ Join us for Bright Moments, SJZ’s signature fundraiser supporting the Jazz Aid Fund, on October 24th at the Westin Sainte Claire.

Enjoy live music, a curated dinner, and silent and live auctions, all supporting Bay Area musicians and the creation of new work. The evening’s centerpiece is a performance by former Jazz Aid Fund artist The Destiny Muhammad Project 🎶

New this year: the celebration continues a block away at the San Jose Jazz Break Room with an after-party featuring Martin Luther McCoy, fresh off his standout Summer Fest set.

Music, community, and impact. Don’t miss it.
🎟️ Tickets at brightmoments.auctria.events.

09/22/2026

🎹 What does the future of jazz sound like? South Africa says it’s Bokani Dyer.

This Friday, the pianist and bandleader brings his electrifying trio to the SJZ Break Room stage for one night only. 🔥 Fusing deep-rooted African tradition with infectious rhythms and virtuosic piano, it’s a sound that’s only getting louder with his upcoming album Traditions. 🎶

✨ Come discover your next favorite artist at the SJZ BREAK ROOM! Ticket link in bio.
🎟️ sanjosejazz.org/tickets

09/03/2026

The SJZ Break Room Fall Series kicks off with four diverse and exciting voices.

South African pianist Bokani Dyer, hailed as the future of his country's jazz (9/25). Bay Area quartet Secret Sidewalk, fusing atmospheric beats with improvisation (10/9). Oakland singer and vinyl selector Mara Hruby (10/10). And Latin jazz virtuoso Irving Flores, four decades of traditional jazz woven through Afro-Cuban rhythms (10/16).

Intimate room, 100 seats, nobody more than 30 feet from the stage. These and more great shows at sanjosejazz.org/tickets.

08/31/2026

🎷 Ever get pulled in by the music on a show like Hacks or Netflix's Insiders? Then you've already heard Alicia Camiña, even though you might not know her name.

Friday, October 23, the saxophonist steps out from behind the screen and onto the SJZ Break Room stage. ✨ Her sound is built on the flamenco phrasing of her Andalusian roots, woven through jazz harmony and a modern producer's ear. 💃

🎟️ Come discover your next favorite artist at the Break Room! sanjosejazz.org/tickets.

08/27/2026

Watch our 2026 Summer Jazz Camp recap! 🎥👇

🎷 Two weeks. 100+ young musicians. One serious jazz education.

Camp took over Santa Clara High School June 15–26, with middle and high schoolers digging into improvisation, big band, combos and a brand-new vocal track, led by Camp Director Oscar Pangilinan and special guest Gretchen Parlato. 🎶

The magic of Camp. ✨ Hear it for yourself. 👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3FFB9bc8TU

08/24/2026

San Jose ranked 29th out of 34 North American cities for downtown vibrancy. But rankings only tell you where you are, not where you could go.

In a piece that originally appeared in the Silicon Valley Business Journal, San Jose Jazz Executive Director Brendan Rawson argues the fix isn't incremental policy tweaks. It's a bold investment in the place where San Jose began: the historic central Plaza and former Circle of Palms.

San José's 250th anniversary in 2027 is the occasion. A grand public plaza worthy of its history as the birthplace of the California Dream.

Recently, Gensler Research Institute released a study ranking San Jose 29th out of 34 North American cities assessed on downtown vibrancy. Just behind Pittsburgh, tied with Indianapolis, and a smidge above Baltimore.