SFJAZZ Announces Artist Line-up for 8th Annual Spring Season

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE THE SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE IN THEIR FOURTH SEASON, 'THE MONK PROJECT,' ETTA JAMES, MCCOY TYNER, DAVE BRUBECK, ALLEN TOUSSAINT, ANGELIQUE KIDJO, DAVE HOLLAND, DIANNE REEVES, CARLINHOS BROWN SEASON RUNS MARCH 8 - JUNE 23, 2007 TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 7, 2007

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SAN FRANCISCO)-- Randall Kline, the Executive Director of SFJAZZ--the leading non-profit jazz organization on the West Coast and the presenter of the San Francisco Jazz Festival-- along with Spring Season Artistic Director Joshua Redman today announced the complete artist line-up for the Eighth Annual SFJAZZ Spring Season. The four-month-long curated concert series will begin on March 8th with an opening weekend that includes Etta James, Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band, the SFJAZZ Collective, the Omar Sosa Quartet, and a rare solo performance by Fred Hersch at the SFMOMA. The season will continue through June 23 and will include some of the most illustrious names in jazz, including: Dave Brubeck, Carlinhos Brown, Bill Frisell, Poncho Sanchez, Dave Holland, Dianne Reeves, McCoy Tyner, Brad Mehldau, Allen Toussaint, Paula West, Joey DeFrancesco, and Eddie Palmieri.

For this year's Spring Season, SFJAZZ is conducting “The Monk Project," a wide-ranging exploration of the music and legacy of Thelonious Monk. Along with this project, SFJAZZ is offering distinctive ancillary programming designed to complement and enhance the concert experience. This includes “Discover Jazz," a five-part jazz education course, “Inside Jazz" pre-concert talks, and the popular Family Matinees: shorter, discount-priced events for jazz fans young and old.

SFJAZZ Executive Director Randall Kline commented, “The Spring Season is always an exciting time for SFJAZZ. The year's programming is expansive and diverse, ranging from New Orleans cultural ambassador Allen Toussaint, the legendary Etta James, Brazilian master Carlinhos Brown and the new orchestral sounds of pianist and big band leader Guillermo Klein. I am equally thrilled for the SFJAZZ Collective, embarking on their first Asian Tour and welcoming new member Dave Douglas, and our wide-ranging Monk Project that encompasses so many events celebrating this American jazz icon."

SFJAZZ SPRING SEASON EVENTS

THE MONK PROJECT
In what would have been his 90th year, Thelonious Monk continues to exert a profound influence on the world of jazz--as a bebop pioneer, as the composer of some of jazz's most evergreen standards, and as a stride-influenced yet wholly original pianist. The 2007 Spring Season pays tribute to that legacy in “The Monk Project"--concerts, education events, and more devoted to the history and present-day impact of Monk's music. Featured programs include Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau in a one-of-a-kind reinterpretation of music from the great Monk and Coltrane “Carnegie Hall Concert" (5/4); Jason Moran, Thelonious' son T.S. Monk, and others revisiting Monk's “Town Hall Concert" (5/19); a stride-piano exploration of Monk's musical roots with Dick Hyman and others (6/17); and more.

DISCOVER JAZZ HISTORY & APPRECIATION COURSE
Jazz aficionados and newcomers alike will enjoy these weekly evening classes for adults, presented at and in association with the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. With each class led by an expert in a particular aspect of jazz, the course offers an entertaining and informative overview of the music's history, culture, and ongoing development. Registration may be purchased for individual class meetings or--at a discount--for the entire course. This spring's course comprises the following classes:
Feb 1 Jazz History: Early Days Through 1950
Feb 8 Jazz History: 1950 Through the Present
Feb 15 Music of Thelonious Monk
Feb 22 Jazz and Visual Arts/Photography
Mar 1 Developing Your Jazz Library: CDs, Downloads

INSIDE JAZZ PRE-CONCERT TALKS
These pre-concert talks by jazz musicians, scholars, and other experts are free to concert ticket-holders.

SFJAZZ MEMBERS-ONLY EVENTS & DISCOUNTS
One of the many benefits of SFJAZZ Membership is unparalleled access to the music and musicians. The 2007 Spring Season continues this tradition with a variety of exciting SFJAZZ Members-Only events and other special perks:

Jan 26 Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Members-only pre-season concert.

Mar 8 Pianist Fred Hersch performing “Solo Monk" at SFMOMA in the Members-only kick-off event of “The Monk Project." The program also includes a fascinating panel discussion on Modernism in Monk's music and the visual arts.

Mar 11 SFJAZZ Collective: Special Members-only discounts on tickets to the afternoon (3PM) performance.

May 3 Free Members-Only listening party: “Monk's Moods," hosted by jazz record- industry legend and Thelonious Monk producer Orrin Keepnews.

SFJAZZ GALA 2007: STRAIGHT NO CHASER
The SFJAZZ Gala, an annual benefit for SFJAZZ artistic and education programs, will be held on Friday, February 23, at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. In keeping with the Spring Season's “Monk Project," the night pays tribute to the musical legacy of Thelonious Monk, featuring performances by the SFJAZZ All-Star High School Octet and the SFJAZZ Collective premiering their 2007 repertoire featuring new original compositions and classic Monk tunes. The party will also includes a silent auction, signature cocktails, dinner in the elegant Four Seasons Veranda Ballroom, and the “SFJAZZ After-Jam" - featuring the Collective, the All-Stars, and a number of surprise musical guests.

SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE 2007 SEASON
Named “Rising Star Jazz Ensemble of the Year" in DownBeat's 2006 Critics Poll, the SFJAZZ Collective returns in 2007 with an all-new repertoire of original compositions and works by Thelonious Monk. The 2007 Collective roster includes seven returning veterans from 2006: tenor saxophonist and artistic director Joshua Redman; vibraphonist and jazz living legend Bobby Hutcherson; alto saxophonist Miguel Zenn; trombonist Andre Hayward; pianist Renee Rosnes; bassist Matt Penman; and drummer Eric Harland. Debuting in the trumpet chair in 2007 is Dave Douglas, the DownBeat poll's 2006 “Trumpeter of the Year" and a past “Jazz Artist of the Year." On the topic of Monk's music, Redman notes, “There is such an innate sense of modernism in his works, something invariably fresh and compelling. To rehearse and premiere our own originals in the context of Monk's music is sure to inspire exciting new directions in the Collective's sound."

SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE 2007 TOUR

February 27 - 28
Blue Note, Tokyo

March 2
Hong Kong Arts Festival, Hong Kong

March 3 - 4
Java Jazz Festival, Jakarta

March 8
Laxon Auditorium, Chico Performance, CSU Chico, Chico, CA

March 9
Mondavi Center, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA

March 11
Herbst Theatre, SFJAZZ Spring Season, San Francisco, CA

March 15
Centennial Hall, UA Presents, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

March 16
Laurie Auditorium, Trinity University, San Antonio, CA

March 17
Cullen Theatre, Wortham Theater Center, Da Camera of Houston, Houston, TX

March 18
Gem Theater, Kansas City, MO

March 21 - 22
Jazz at the Bistro, St. Louis, MO

March 23
Leighton Concert Hall, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

March 24
Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI

PRE-FESTIVAL SFJAZZ MEMBERS-ONLY CONCERT!
“Voices of South Africa"
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Friday, January 26, 8PM
Herbst Theatre
$64/$44/$36/$25

SFJAZZ Members-only Concert
“Solo Monk: Modern Master"
Fred Hersch, solo piano
Thursday, March 8, 7PM
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
$30 GA

“Sabor Latino!"
Jerry Gonzalez & the Fort Apache Band; Omar Sosa
Friday, March 9, 8PM
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
$58/$38/$30/$25

“Living Legend"
Etta James & the Roots Band
Saturday, March 10, 8PM
Masonic Center
$82/$62/$47/$37/$25

“Monk and Beyond"
SFJAZZ Collective
Sunday, March 11, 3PM
Herbst Theatre
$65/$45/$37/$25

“Monk and Beyond"
SFJAZZ Collective
Sunday, March 11, 7PM
Herbst Theatre
$65/$45/$37/$25

“Sacred Space"
Bill Frisell, solo guitar
Friday, March 16, 8PM
Grace Cathedral
$45VIP Reserved Section/$25GA

“Conga Caliente"
Poncho Sanchez
Saturday, March 17, 8PM
Herbst Theatre
$65/$45/$37/$25

“The Modern Quintet"
Dave Holland Quintet
Sunday, March 18, 7PM
Herbst Theatre
$58/$38/$32/$25

“An Evening With..."
Dianne Reeves
Saturday, March 31, 8PM
Herbst Theatre
$70/$50/$38/$25

“Rising Star of Sitar"
Anoushka Shankar
Sunday, April 1, 7PM
Herbst Theatre
$58/$38/$32/$25

“Monk & Mary Lou"
Ben Riley's Monk Legacy Band; Geri Allen Trio
Friday, April 6, 8PM
Herbst Theatre
$56/$36/$30/$25

“A Vocal Afternoon: Family Matinee"
Madeline Eastman
Saturday, April 7, 3PM
Herbst Theatre
$15 adult/$10 adult w/child or senior/
$5 child or senior

“

Vocal Magic"
Freddy Cole with Houston Person; Madeline Eastman
Saturday, April 7, 8PM
Herbst Theatre
$58/$38/$32/$25

“Elemental Brubeck"
Dave Brubeck Quartet & Big Band
Sunday, April 15, 7PM
Masonic Center
$85/$65/$47/$37/$25

“Friday Night Fado"
Dulce Pontes
Friday, April 20, 8PM
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
$58/$38/$30/$25

“String Theory: Family Matinee"
Assad Brothers with the Turtle Island String Quartet
Saturday, April 21, 3PM
Herbst Theatre
$15 adult/$10 adult with child or senior/
$5 child or senior

“String Theory: The Music of Astor Piazzolla"
Assad Brothers with the Turtle Island String Quartet
Saturday, April 21, 8PM
Herbst Theatre
$56/$36/$30/$25

“Transatlantic Tango"
Dino Saluzzi & Anja Lechner
Sunday, April 22, 2PM
Florence Gould Theatre, Legion of Honor
$25GA

“Monk's Moods: Behind the scenes with Thelonious Monk"
SFJAZZ Members-only Listening Party w/Orrin Keepnews
Thursday, May 3, 6PM
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum
Free to SFJAZZ Members (2 tickets per household)

AN SFJAZZ EXCLUSIVE!
“Monk & Coltrane: Carnegie Hall Concert Revisited"
Joshua Redman/Brad Mehldau
Friday, May 4, 7PM & 9:30PM
Herbst Theatre
$75/$55/$40/$25

“Bach Improvisations"
Gabriela Montero
Saturday, May 5, 2PM
Florence Gould Theatre, Legion of Honor
$25GA

“B-3 Summit X"
Joey De Francesco/George Coleman; Trudie Pitts Trio
Saturday, May 5, 8PM & 10:30PM
Great American Music Hall
$40VIP Reserved Section/$25GA

“Piano Eminence"
McCoy Tyner, solo
Sunday, May 6, 7PM
Herbst Theatre
$75/$55/$40/$25

“NOLA Solo"
Allen Toussaint; Henry Butler
Friday, May 11, 8PM
Herbst Theatre
$58/$38/$32/$25

“Global Groove"
Angelique Kidjo
Saturday, May 12, 8PM
Herbst Theatre
$56/$36/$30/$25

“Generations of Latin Jazz"
Eddie Palmieri & David Sanchez
Friday, May 18, 8PM
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
$58/$38/$30/$25

“Monk Town Hall Revisited"
Jason Moran & Orchestra Featuring T. S. Monk
Saturday, May 19, 8PM
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
$64/$44/$36/$25

“Orchestral Innovator" Guillermo Klein y Los Guachos featuring
Chris Cheek, Miguel Zenon, Ben Monder
Friday, June 1, 8PM,
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
Public: $56/$36/$30/$25

“Trios Squared"
Joshua Redman Trio; Amendola/Goldberg/Hoff “plays Monk"
Saturday, June 2, 8PM
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
$64/$44/$36/$25

“Modern Romance"
Sasha Dobson
Sunday, June 3, 2PM
Florence Gould Theatre, Legion of Honor
Public $22

“New-Millennium Monk"
SFJAZZ All-Star High School Ensemble w/special guest Stefon Harris
Sunday, June 3, 7PM
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
$15 Adult/$10 Ages18 & Under

“An Evening With..."
Paula West
Friday, June 15, 8PM
Herbst Theatre
$58/$38/$32/$25

“Monk's Roots: Harlem Stride Piano"
Dick Hyman, Butch Thompson, and Mike Lipskin
Sunday, June 17, 7PM
Herbst Theatre
$58/$38/$32/$25

“World Fusion"
Carlinhos Brown/Ojos de Brujo
Saturday, June 23, 8PM
Masonic Center
$75/$55/$45/$35/$25

TICKETS AND INFORMATION
Tickets go on sale to SFJAZZ Members on Saturday, December 16 and on sale to the public Sunday, January 7. Schedule and artists are subject to change.
There are three ways for the public to purchase tickets:
* Visit www.sfjazz.org, service charge applied
* Call 800.225.2277, service charge applied
* Go to SFJAZZ Box Office & Store, 3 Embarcadero Center, Lobby Level, no service charge

SFJAZZ EDUCATION
SFJAZZ, in addition to being the largest non-profit jazz presenter on the West Coast, is a year-round education organization that offers a dynamic and innovative array of artistic and educational programs in the concert hall, classroom, and community. This spring, SFJAZZ offers the following education programs in connection with the SFJAZZ Spring Season.