San Francisco’s connection to jazz goes far beyond the San Francisco Jazz Festival and SFJAZZ. From the popular ragtime spot Barbary Coast to the buzzing Fillmore District during the ’40s and ’50s, hosting icons like John Coltrane and Miles Davis, the city has a long history of jazz drawing musicians from New Orleans and beyond. This season, We call it Jazz in San Francisco is adding a new performance to the city’s jazz legacy, taking you on a musical journey to the hometown of the genre.
On selected dates, The Palace Theater will be hosting this new show—a historic venue in Downtown San Francisco that is popular for burlesque, cabaret and jazz shows. Featuring beloved ragtime, brass, and blues songs, such as “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “Cantaloupe Island” alongside electrifying improvisations, you’ll be transported to the streets of New Orleans where it all started. Places are limited so make sure to secure your spot now.
What is ‘We call it Jazz’?
‘We call it Jazz’ is a one-hour show that showcases the complexity of jazz from its very start and onwards. By combining well-known jazz and swing tunes, such as “Ain’t Misbehavin” by Fats Waller and “Cantaloupe Island” by Herbie Hancock with improvised solos, the performance captures the genre’s unique styles and freedom of expression. As you enjoy beloved songs among other groovy melodies performed by a premier local jazz band, you can sip on your go-to refreshing drink and journey to NOLA’s smoky bars.
Jazz, its story and the show
Born in late 19th-century New Orleans as a combination of ragtime and blues, jazz has evolved into a wide range of subgenres, influenced by Caribbean, avant-garde and European sounds. It is characterized by a frequent use of improvisation and polyrhythm, as well as the call-and-response motif that was used by Black slaves when working in the fields.
As a result, jazz is completely embedded in the African-American experience in America. Besides its creativity, it is widely recognized as a symbol of the strive for freedom, thus resonating with global audiences on a deeper level. Now, ‘We call it Jazz’ will give you a taste of the centuries-old genre as talented vocalists, saxophonists, trumpet players and more, take on Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and John Coltrane songs in an enchanting ambiance reminiscent of the dimly lit jazz bars of the 1940s and 1950s.
Whether you love jazz music or are looking for a fun activity to share with your loved ones, ‘We call it Jazz’ in San Francisco is the perfect evening plan this season. Head to The Palace Theater, located in the heart of the city, to listen to moving melodies and grab a drink from the on-site bar while you’re at it to have the full jazz bar experience.
There will be two back-to-back performances on the night, at 6pm and 8pm. You can choose between being seated in the pit, at the top tables or the booth, or on the balcony at the moment of the ticket purchase. What’s more, seating is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis within each zone.