San Jose Jazz

11/26/2025

2026 Jazz Aid Fund (JAF) awardee Manav (guitar) along with Pritish (clarinet) comprise The Budhrani Brothers, a Bay Area duo specializing in swing and hot jazz. Drawing inspiration from Django Reinhardt and Benny Goodman while incorporating modern sensibilities, they blend rhythmic swing drive with acoustic hot jazz expressiveness. Have a listen to their JAF-commissioned work "If You Could Know Me" and learn more about the 2026 JAF class at sanjosejazz.org/jaf.

11/25/2025

Saxophonist and composer Ashley Jemison (AshleyJsax) creates contemporary smooth jazz by blending R&B, soul, and modern pop into deeply personal, universally resonant work. Her breast cancer battle profoundly shaped her artistic mission toward emotional connection, healing and empowerment through sound. Listen to a clip from her Jazz Aid Fund-commissioned piece "Movin' Up." Learn about all the 2026 JAF awardees at sanjosejazz.org/jaf.

11/24/2025

Tonight's Five Points Sessions features 2026 Jazz Aid Fund awardee Dave Dolengewicz and B.A.J.I.C. playing music from their recently-released album and leading the jam. Free admission, 8:30–11:30pm, 21+.

11/22/2025

With a brother who is a former High School All Stars member, Rio grew up knowing many jazz songs–her childhood favorites were "Giant Steps" and "Salt Peanuts." But the drummer really got hooked on jazz at age eight, when she saw Richard Howell play tenor saxophone at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. She’s inspired by drummers like Kavka Shishido and Yoyoka for their beautiful and energetic playing. Find out more about Rio and the other members of our stellar 2025/26 ensemble at sanjosejazz.org/hsas.

11/22/2025

2026 Jazz Aid Fund artist Saxophonist Dave Dolengewicz performed in Seattle for twelve years with a variety of ensembles before founding B.A.J.I.C. (Bay Area Jazz Inventors Collective), a group of jazz musicians, composers, and artists who promote the joy of writing and reading original jazz tunes through regular live reading sessions and album projects. Have a listen to a clip of his Jazz Aid Fund-commissioned work, “Deco Dance Suite” and learn more about our 2026 JAF artists at sanjosejazz.org/jaf.

11/21/2025

Tonight's set by the Kristen Strom Quartet at the SJZ Break Room is officially SOLD OUT! A few tickets may be available at the door. Pictured: Kristen performs with the Marcus Shelby Orchestra at Summer Fest 2019. Photo by Walter Wagner.

11/21/2025

Bay Area singer and Little Village Recording artist Marina Crouse possesses a voice that pulls listeners in from the very first note—rich, powerful and deeply expressive. Her performances explore her love of jazz, blues and classic boleros, creating intimate, emotionally resonant experiences that showcase her gift for storytelling through song. Have a listen to a clip of her Jazz Aid Fund-commissioned work, “Now You’re Gone” and learn more about our 2026 JAF artists at sanjosejazz.org/jaf

11/20/2025

Kristen Strom Quartet is coming up at the SJZ Break Room in just one day, and it'll be a very special concert with Kristen and her longtime bandmates. Kristen told us the concert is all about the special connection they enjoy and the group will perform a newly-found composition by one of their most beloved members, the iconic San Jose bassist John Shifflett. Don't miss it! sanjosejazz.org/tickets.

11/20/2025

As some San Jose music venues have closed some non-traditional venues, like our office popup the San Jose Jazz Break Room, are flourishing. Read about the Break Room and other local places to hear live music in this week's Metro online at bit.ly/4ppenx8. Experience the Break Room yourself by grabbing a ticket to one of the last shows in our Fall Series at sanjosejazz.org/tickets. Winter Series is announced in mid-December.

11/19/2025

Broadway Meets Jazz! Saturday, December 6 at 8pm, the SJZ Break Room welcomes musical theater/cabaret star Ben Jones with Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Laurence Hobgood Music. In their first project together, their intensity and intimacy are pure magic. “...a spellbinding partnership that redefines the art of the voice-piano duo.” (UK Jazz News) Have a listen to their achingly beautiful rendition of "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" and snag your tickets on the San Jose Jazz website.

Provided to YouTube by Symphonic DistributionBallad of the Sad Young Men · Ben Jones · Laurence HobgoodBen Jones and Laurence Hobgood℗ 2025 Ben JonesReleased...

11/19/2025

Chill out this holiday season as our High School All Stars big band opens for San José State University Jazz Orchestra at "Cool Yule," a lively concert of holiday classics with a jazzy swing at the Hammer Theatre Center. Tickets are $25 adult, $10 kids 12 and under. Tickets: bit.ly/3JHNXHH

11/19/2025

Fri, Nov 21, saxophonist Kristen Strom brings a world-class quartet to the SJZ Break Room including Summer Fest alum Ken Okada on bass, former Jazz Aid Fund artist Scott Sorkin on guitar and current JAF Awardee Jason Lewis on drums. Tickets at sanjosejazz.org/tickets