San Jose Jazz Summer Fest with legendary Herbie Hancock and West African superstar Angélique Kidjo  – Tango Diva

“One of the world’s great urban jazz festivals” (DownBeat Magazine), San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, presents its most acclaimed artists to date with piano/keyboard legend Herbie Hancock set to perform on the Jay Paul Company Main Stage and newly confirmed West African superstar Angélique Kidjo joining the Saturday, August 10 megastar lineup in Plaza de César Chávez in downtown San Jose, Calif. S

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024 returns with 80 artists appearing in nine indoor and outdoor venues including just-announced acts Incognito, Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Las Cafeteras, Kiefer, David Benoit Trio, Benny Green — Solo Piano, The John Santos Sextet, Agostini featuring JC Smith, Pascal Le Boeuf’s “Ritual Being,” Ayo Brame, Terrence Brewer & Mason Razavi: The Magic of Monk, Daniel Ho Quintet, SJZ High School All Stars, Tia Carroll Band, Greg Rahn & The Fat Tuesday Horns, Grace & The Grit, Kid & Lisa with the Little Village All Stars, Andre Thierry Accordion Soul, AC Myles Band, and many more.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is renowned for annually presenting the best in jazz, R&B, Latin jazz, salsa, soul, funk, blues, and a myriad of other idioms the 2nd weekend of August with this year’s Fest happening from Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11, 2024.

The electrifying sounds of the African diaspora will fill the streets of downtown San Jose with multi-GRAMMY Award-winning Angélique Kidjohitting the Jay Paul Company Main Stage at 4pm right before Herbie Hancock’s set at 6pm (Sat., Aug. 10). With 16 albums to her name (w/ five GRAMMY wins and 14 nominations), Kidjo was named by TIME Magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2021. Her latest album, Mother Nature, which won a GRAMMY Award in the “Best Global Music” category, includes an array of the most captivating young creators of West African music, Afrobeat, Afro-pop, dancehall, hip-hop and alt-R&B. Over the course of her illustrious career, Kidjo has collaborated with the likes of Bono, John Legend, Peter Gabriel, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Sting, Ziggy Marley, among others, and she travels the globe advocating on behalf of children in her capacity as a UNICEF and OXFAM goodwill ambassador. Kidjo brings her heart-stopping live show to SJZ Summer Fest 2024 for a beautiful outdoor Main Stage festival set. 

Internationally-celebrated as the cradle of digital culture, San Jose is the nation’s 12th largest city and its role as an arts catalyst is evolving into national notoriety, fronted by the efforts of San Jose Jazz. San Jose is leading an impressive recovery from the pandemic, earning a reputation as the rare SF Bay Area city with empowering civic leadership successfully tackling many of today’s biggest challenges while prioritizing the arts. SJZ Summer Fest exemplifies how San Jose knows the way to a sustainable future infused with public art for the people. And what could be better than a summer weekend in the sun filled with live music by Herbie Hancock, Angélique Kidjo, Incognito, Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly, Cory Henry, The Family Stone, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Shamar Allen, Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton, New Breed Brass Band, John Santos Sextet, Jahari Stampley Trio, and so many others!

Check out the price tier that helps support attendees who purchase tickets early, and our 3-Day ticket packages are amongst the best value for any festival out there. We’re greatly looking forward to Summer Fest exhibiting the breadth of the jazz tradition as it moves into the future, and providing an inclusive atmosphere where all people are celebrated.”

Artistic Director Bruce Labadie, one of the event’s founders, programs the artists for SJZ Summer Fest with the help of locally based co-curators. 

Labadie comments, “It’s been a dream of ours to present the acclaimed jazz visionary Herbie Hancock, and we couldn’t be more excited to see him and his all-star band headlining on Saturday night on the Main Stage. Maze featuring Frankie Beverly’s performance will be a historic moment with longtime SJZ Summer Fest performer and SJZ Board Member Tony Lindsay taking the reins of Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly. Many fantastic live performers will take the Summer Fest stage like Angélique Kidjo, Cory Henry, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, The Family Stone, Lisa Fischer, and others. We have unbelievable emerging talent like piano prodigy Jahari Stampley — who won first place in the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute International Competition. With the global music community always on our minds, we are presenting artists from Africa, Korea, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, and the United Kingdom.”

Ensuring SJZ Summer Fest’s accessibility to the widest audience possible, San Jose Jazz has lowered 3-Day Pass prices on most access levels this year. The region’s best entertainment value accompanies a major upgrade of Plaza de César Chávez, which unveils a complete refresh of the park this month including a re-sodding of the green spaces (with special events in mind), planting colorful mixes of flowers, and the addition of Adirondack chairs, corn hole, ping pong tables, and large orange California poppy-style umbrellas. The park is the center of fun at SJZ Summer Fest 2024 with live concerts throughout Plaza de César Chavez alongside artisanal vendors offering delicious foods and beverages, and creative crafts. 

Activating the city scene, SJZ Summer Fest’s profusion of music transforms a major metropolitan downtown into a huge street party closer to NOLA Jazz Fest and Detroit Jazz Festival than to anything else on tap in the SF Bay Area. It’s a highlight of the Bay Area’s summer season, and a not-to-be-missed celebration. 

Sponsors @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024

San Jose Jazz is excited to welcome back returning sponsors Jay Paul Company, PG&E, Amazon, Applied Materials Foundation, Meriwest Credit Union, Heritage Bank, CEFCU, Visit San Jose, City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Silicon Valley Creates, DownBeat Magazine, Gordon Biersch Brewery, Casino M8trix, Larry & Carmen Stone, Poor House Bistro, Content Magazine, and venue partners Hammer Theatre Center and San Jose Museum of Art.

San Jose Jazz is proud to have San Jose Marriott as the Official Hotel Partner for SJZ Summer Fest 2024. An upscale hotel directly across from the Main Entrance to the Fest, San Jose Marriott will be in the center of the action with eclectic artist activations onsite, including the popular Mayor’s Jazz Brunch (event information will be posted on summerfest.sanjosejazz.org). With San Jose Marriott’s recent completion of extensive guest room renovations (513 rooms in total), the hotel sets a new standard of comfort and sophistication, offering guests an unparalleled stay. “Our newly renovated guest rooms represent a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences,” says San Jose Marriott’s General Manager, John Southwell. “We are excited to unveil these beautifully transformed spaces, which combine modern elegance with thoughtful design to exceed the expectations of our valued guests.”

San Jose Marriott’s exciting collaboration with San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024 not only enhances the cultural vibrancy of downtown San Jose, but also reinforces the hotel’s commitment to supporting the local community. The Fest brings together music enthusiasts from around the world, contributing to the dynamic atmosphere and economic vitality of the South Bay.

“We are thrilled to partner with San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024, further enriching the cultural landscape of downtown San Jose,” added Southwell. “As a hub for arts and entertainment, our hotel is delighted to be a part of this iconic event, showcasing the best of jazz music and fostering a sense of community spirit.”

In addition to deals including lower prices for 3-Day ticket packages, exclusive hotel deals listed at summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/hotel-deals for stays at San Jose Marriott, as well as Signia by Hilton San Jose, AC Hotel by Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton, Four Points by Sheraton, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hotel Clariana, Hotel De Anza, Hyatt Place, and Westin.

Highlights of Newly Confirmed Artists @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024

Herbie Hancock

Now in the seventh decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Still at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music, he has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960s. Throughout his explorations, Hancock has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. With an illustrious career that has earned him 14 Grammy Awards, including the 2008 Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters — only the second time that a jazz album has won the coveted award — he continues to amaze audiences across the globe.

Hancock first came into prominence as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet during the 1960s and through his early solo recordings for Blue Note Records. His work in the ’70s — including influential albums such as Headhunters and Mwandishi — combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. The hit single “Rockit” and album Future Shock in the ’80s marked Hancock’s foray into electronic dance sounds. Today, Hancock serves as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and as Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. In 2011, Hancock was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and in December 2013, he received a Kennedy Center Honor. He is currently in the studio at work on a new album.

Angélique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo hails from the West African nation of Benin. Her striking voice, stage presence and fluency in multiple cultures and languages have won respect from her peers and expanded her following across national borders. TIME Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2021. Forbes Magazine ranked her as the first woman in its list of the “Most Powerful Celebrities” in Africa. 

With 16 albums to her name, Kidjo has not only explored the African diaspora in her music, but has offered a refreshing take on the Talking Heads album, Remain In Light, and reflected on celebrated salsa singer Celia Cruz. Kidjo’s albums, Djin Djin and Sings with the Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg, have won world music GRAMMY Awards, and her album, Oyo, was nominated for the same award in 2011. Her latest album, Mother Nature, won a “Best Global Music” GRAMMY. 

3-Day Pass Adult VIP ($550 Early Bird; $580 Advance; $680 Gate)

Includes access to all stages, Fri-Sun, Aug 9-11 and access to VIP seating Area at the Main Stage on Fri-Sun. Also, unlimited access to the VIP Pavilion near the Main Stage with one complimentary gourmet meal, a snack and two alcoholic drinks per day; as well as “first-in” access to indoor stages, 15 minutes before downbeat. If the venue is full, you’ll be the first to get in when seats become available.

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024 — Ticket Information

3-Day Pass Adult PRIORITY ACCESS ($310 Early Bird; $325 Advance; $380 Gate)

Access to all stages, Fri-Sun, Aug 9-11 and to Priority Seating area in front of the Main Stage with an exclusive attached bar plus Priority, “first-in” access to indoor stages, 15 minutes before downbeat. If the venue is full when you arrive, you’ll be the first to get in when seats are available.

3-Day Pass Adult ALL STAGES ($125 Early Bird; $140 Advance; $170 Gate)

Basic access to all stages, Fri-Sun, Aug 9-11. Access to indoor stages after Priority Access and VIP ticket holders are seated

3-Day Pass Adult GENERAL ADMISSION (GA) ($105 Early Bird; $110 Advance; $130 Gate)

Basic access all outdoor stages, including the Main Stage, Aug 9-11

About San Jose Jazz 

Founded in 1986, San Jose Jazz is a public benefit organization celebrating jazz as a dynamic, evolving art form and is producer of the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, Winter Fest, SJZ New Works Fest, among other events. San Jose Jazz innovates leading-edge initiatives to foster artistic ingenuity and preserve the jazz tradition as a forward-thinking movement. Through diverse music and educational programming, San Jose Jazz offers singular content and events by investing in the SF Bay Area ecosystem of exceptional talent for local and national audiences to enjoy. 

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is at the forefront of trend-setting Northern California festivals featuring the most distinguished artists across a multitude of genres. For 34 years, SJZ Summer Fest has presented GRAMMY® Award-winning artists, the hottest salsa and Latin bands in the world, classic jazz legends, global music stars, the top SF Bay Area emerging musicians, and pioneering hip-hop, R&B, and soul artists. Past performers have included: Herbie Hancock, Common, En Vogue, Chris Botti, Michael Bublé, Ledisi, The O’Jays, Kool and the Gang, Kamasi Washington, Dianne Reeves, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, Big Daddy Kane, Sergio Mendes, Ozomatli, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Gregory Porter, Stanley Clarke, Robert Glasper Experiment, Domi & JD Beck, among many others. 

For more information, please visit sanjosejazz.org.