SFJAZZ announced the appointment of 7-Time Grammy Winner and 2-Time Academy Award Nominee Terence Blanchard as Executive Artistic Director. This new position leads the organization’s artistic programming and guides its overall creative direction. Blanchard’s appointment comes as SFJAZZ Founder Randall Kline stepped down from the organization he founded in 1983. As Executive Artistic Director, Blanchard is the artistic leader of the organization and will help formulate and implement artistic programming across diverse disciplines and genres. He works closely with the teams at SFJAZZ to curate year-round concert programming, expand the SFJAZZ ‘At Home’ digital platform, and further develop community engagement and educational offerings.

The 2024-25 SFJAZZ Season includes more than 350 shows with a rich lineup of creative artists and the organization’s Resident Artistic Directors — guitarist Julian Lage, harpist Brandee Younger, Oakland-bred saxophonist Howard Wiley, and pianist Kenny Barron.

Marking his official inaugural season as Executive Artistic Director at SFJAZZ, Terence is  presenting  The UpSwing, a curated series which highlights a dynamic group of cutting-edge artists who are guiding lights in a bold, new movement of jazz, including the following:

JAN 16 Double Bill: Tia Fuller • Grace Kelly

JAN 17-19 Meshell Ndegeocello

FEB 1 Kendrick Scott: Unearthed

MAR 1 Gerald Clayton Quintet

MAR 6-9 Brandee Younger w/ New Century Chamber Orchestra

MAY 22 Double Bill: Kneebody • Aaron Parks

Tickets are available at SFJAZZ.org