The Ensemble The SFJAZZ Collective consists of eight of the most talented jazz composers and performers today. The Collective was launched in 2004 by SFJAZZ, the West Coast’s largest non-profit jazz institution and presenter of the San Francisco Jazz Festival. It has since become one of jazz’s most acclaimed and exciting groups. The Collective was hailed by the New York Times upon its launch as “a serious jazz band rising in San Francisco.” It has also been praised for its innovative approach and repertoire. The ensemble performs a different list of compositions each year by a jazz master, and new pieces written by Collective members (commissioned annually by SFJAZZ). The Collective is a pioneering approach that simultaneously celebrates jazz’s past while championing its current directions. This is SFJAZZ’s commitment to jazz as a live, evolving art form. The SFJAZZ Collective holds a multi-week residency in San Francisco every spring to cultivate its unique sound. The octet works on the new season’s repertoire during this extended rehearsal period, which is a rare occurrence in jazz today. They also interact with the Bay Area community through SFJAZZ education programs for youths and adults. The Collective takes to the stage for the performance, including home season concerts, which are under the auspices SFJAZZ’s Spring Season. They also embark on a national and international tour that includes stops at some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world. The Collective explores the works of Ornette Coleman (2004) and John Coltrane (2006). Thelonious Monk (2006), Wayne Shorter (2008). McCoy Tyner (2010). The Collective then tackles the material of Stevie Wonder (2011)-2012.
