February 02, 2026

Playlist: The Electric Side of Cuba

curated by SFJAZZ Staff

A high‑voltage journey with Cuba’s boldest innovators, spotlighting artists like Irakere, Cimafunk, Brenda Navarrete, Omar Sosa, Elipsis, and more as they fuse ancestral rhythms with electronic, genre‑bending sound.

A collage of album covers: Cachaito, Cimafunk, Havana Cultura, Brenda Navarrete, Ellipsis, Aldo López-Gavilan

“The Electric Side of Cuba” dives into the island’s boldest sonic experiments, spotlighting the musicians who push tradition into the future. This playlist traces the charge running through Cuba’s modern soundscape—from Cimafunk’s funk‑drenched swagger and Brenda Navarrete’s electrified batá grooves to Omar Sosa’s kaleidoscopic keyboard explorations, which you can experience live during his Residency as Artistic Director of SFJAZZ on March 5-8. The playlist highlights new bands like Elipsis (Michael League, Pedrito Martinez and Antonio Sanchez) alongside the groundbreaking legacy of Irakere—whose fusion of Afro‑Cuban rhythms, jazz, and electronic instrumentation in thee 70s set a blueprint for modern Cuban fusion. You can catch that lineage continued onstage with Chucho Valdés’ Royal Quartet performances at SFJAZZ on February 26-March 1. Together, these tracks showcase a Cuba plugged in, reimagining its roots through electronic sounds, rhythm, and fearless creativity.

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June 03, 2026

Playlist: Resistance as Music

Curated by Vijay Iyer

In honor of Juneteenth, this reissued playlist curated by Vijay Iyer celebrates jazz’s enduring legacy of protest through iconic and contemporary voices of resistance.

May 01, 2026

George Benson in 10 Songs

Curated by SFJAZZ Staff

A celebratory journey through George Benson’s legendary career, highlighting ten essential recordings in honor of his recognition as the 2026 SFJAZZ Gala Honoree.

April 01, 2026

“The Upswing” Playlist: Voices Shaping The Moment

Curated by SFJAZZ Staff

Explore the sound of SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard’s bold Upswing Series, which showcases artists who are shaping the sound of jazz today.

March 01, 2026

Playlist: Innovators in Residence

Curated by SFJAZZ Staff

A journey through the visionary, boundary‑breaking work of SFJAZZ’s 33 Resident Artistic Directors, this playlist spotlights the innovative projects that have shaped jazz over the past two decades.

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