Celebrating Women's History Month with 10 Dynamic Jazz Concerts

Every March, jazz venues are intentional about featuring female instrumentalists to mark Women’s History Month. The abundance of talented contemporary American women in jazz makes it an effortless task for presenters to deliver stellar performances. Women's roles in jazz have been historical, from iconic figures like Lil Armstrong to the growth seen over the past few decades, with more women taking the spotlight with instruments that have been traditionally played by men.

Sasha Berliner: A Vibraphone Virtuoso

Vibraphonist Sasha Berliner, splitting her time between Los Angeles and New York, has been making waves with her advanced techniques and harmonic innovation. For several nights, she'll perform with an impressive ensemble including pianist Javier Santiago and drummer Jonathan Pinson.

Anat Cohen Tentet: Diverse Orchestral Jazz

Anat Cohen, an Israeli clarinet and saxophone wonder, leads her 10-piece ensemble with a vibrant selection of tunes, complemented by a crew of gifted soloists.

Brandee Younger: Harp Legacies

New York harpist Brandee Younger pays homage to jazz harp pioneers Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane with special guests like Ravi Coltrane and flutist Nicole Mitchell joining the tribute.

Mara Fox Foxtet: Trombone-Powered Jazz

Trombonist Mara Fox commands a dynamic quintet featuring the talents of saxophonist Kasey Knudsen and bassist Carla Kaufman, among others.

Akiko Tsuruga Trio: Organ Jazz Excellence

Hammond B3 organ prodigy Akiko Tsuruga, from Osaka and now based in New York, shows off her chops alongside the likes of guitarist Bruce Forman and drummer Akira Tana in a series of performances.

Lisa Mezzacappa Quartet: Experimental Jazz Fusion

Bassist Lisa Mezzacappa's quartet is known for blending original compositions with the underrated works of jazz greats, showcasing a rich variety of musical textures.

Melba’s Kitchen: All-Women Big Band

The all-women ensemble Melba's Kitchen celebrates the legacy of Melba Liston with powerful performances, supported by burgeoning talents including Skylar Tang and Jayla Hernandez.

Beth Schenck and Sundra Manning: Dual Shows

Alto saxophonist Beth Schenck and organist Sundra Manning each take the stage with their respective bands, displaying their unique approaches to jazz.

Rhonda Benin’s “Just Like a Woman”: A Decade of Women in Music

Rhonda Benin's showcase of Bay Area’s female musicians hits a milestone with a focus on vocalists and key players like Susan Muscarella and Wendy DeWitt.

Celebrating Linda Tillery: Vocal Magic

The SFJAZZ series wraps up with a tribute to vocalist Linda Tillery, featuring an ensemble of past and current music luminaries.

jazz, concerts, celebration