For over five decades, the Stanford Jazz Festival has been home to iconic performances, from legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz to groundbreaking artists like Joshua Redman and Bill Frisell. This year, we’re proud to continue that tradition with 26 extraordinary artists and bands over six weeks of vibrant music and culture.

This summer, we celebrate jazz’s rich roots and its global connections. From the swinging sounds of jazz standards to the rhythms of Brazil and Cuba, our lineup promises a dynamic journey. We’re thrilled to open with Fred Hersch Trio, named Jazz Group of the Year by DownBeat Magazine. Don’t miss the Jeremy Pelt Quintet performing selections from his new album Woven, and be captivated by Ken Peplowski’s interpretation of Charlie Parker’s Unheard Bird. John Pizzarelli celebrates the 40th anniversary of his debut album, while Joel Ross brings vibraphone mastery with his band Good Vibes. Lizz Wright’s soulful vocals and George Cables’ hard bop piano mastery will close out the festival in style.

Each concert is a unique experience, with collaborations and performances you won’t find anywhere else. The Stanford Jazz Festival remains a space where musical boundaries are pushed, and new creative possibilities emerge.

Fri, 7/11/2025 @ 7:30 PM

Jaz Sawyer: Tribute to Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

HONORING BLAKEY'S TIMELESS LEGACY

Jazz drummer Jaz Sawyer channels the indomitable spirit of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers in a tribute performance. Merging his versatile style—rooted in classical, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean traditions—with the timeless rhythms of Blakey’s legacy, he delivers a heartfelt tribute.

Drummer, bandleader, and educator Jaz Sawyer pays homage to one of jazz’s most electrifying forces—Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers—in this powerhouse tribute performance. Infusing Blakey’s iconic hard-bop sound with his own dynamic touch, Sawyer channels the spirit of the legendary drummer, whose relentless swing, thunderous polyrhythms, and fiery energy defined generations of jazz. With a musical foundation spanning classical, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean traditions, Sawyer delivers a heartfelt tribute that captures the essence of Blakey’s masterful legacy.

A San Francisco native with a global presence, Sawyer has shared the stage with jazz greats including Wynton Marsalis, Abbey Lincoln, George Benson, Bobby Hutcherson, Jacky Terrasson, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Whether leading ensembles or driving the rhythm section, his performances have resonated in the world’s most prestigious venues, from Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to the Sydney Opera House and The Concertgebouw. Now splitting his time between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Sawyer returns to the Stanford Jazz Festival to honor one of jazz’s most enduring artists with an electrifying evening of hard bop and beyond.

Made possible by Judy & Bob Murphy

Artist Website

Personnel:

Jaz Sawyer, Drums

Mike Olmos, Trumpet

James Mahone, Tenor Saxophone

Christina Galisatus, Piano

David Ewell, Bass

special guest Skylar Tang, Trumpet

special guest Mario Barragan, Percussion

Cost:  $18.00 - $47.00

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