Music & Features
Javon Jackson reflects on Bob Dylan, Nikki Giovanni, and the discipline of Miles Davis as he balances a new tribute album with a sold-out SFJAZZ appearance.
The piece follows Jackson from his deep engagement with Dylan’s language and social conscience to his thoughts on Miles Davis, Art Blakey, John Coltrane, and the discipline of musical economy. It also explores the lasting influence of Nikki Giovanni on Jackson’s artistic outlook and the larger American tradition connecting poetry, protest, and jazz.
Night 3: Omar Sosa Reimagines the Quartet
Night 3 of Omar Sosa’s SFJAZZ residency shifted the series into high-energy quartet territory. With Sheldon Brown, Josh Jones, and Ernesto Mazar Kindelán, Quarteto Americanos fused Bay Area lineage, Afro-Cuban rhythm, and exploratory improvisation in one of the residency’s most dynamic performances.
From a world premiere exploring the Black Panther archives to a hip-hop-infused tribute to Miles Davis, the SFJAZZ Center’s March lineup emphasizes cultural resonance and rhythmic evolution.
Night 1: Omar Sosa and the Vitality of the Next Generation
Opening his four-night SFJAZZ residency, Latin jazz pianist Omar Sosa swapped decades of experience for the "fresh energy" of 21 student musicians in a sweeping wall of sound.
Night 2: Omar Sosa’s Sacred Aguas Trio
At the center of Omar Sosa’s four-night residency at SFJAZZ, the Aguas Trio transforms Miner Auditorium into a ceremonial space where water, rhythm, and improvisation converge in a shared spiritual experience.
