San Francisco’s Fillmore Jazz Festival Kicks Into Gear

Comments Off on San Francisco’s Fillmore Jazz Festival Kicks Into Gear

This weekend, San Francisco’s Fillmore Jazz Festival takes over Fillmore Street and then some. Beginning in 1985, the festival is the largest of its kind on the West Coast. During World War II, dozens of clubs on booming Fillmore Street hosted the era’s most legendary talents. Today, you will find top jazz talents in addition to great food, arts and poetry. The San Francisco Rock Project will treat visitors to a special performance on Saturday, July 2, 2011 on Fillmore at Jackson.

A l’il history about the festival dating back to World War II. At the time, dozens of Fillmore Street Jazz clubs hosted the era’s major musical talents, including Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Billie Holliday. Stars such as Joe Louis, Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood and Sammy Davis, Jr. sparkled in the audience. At the legendary Jimbo’s, Louis Armstrong went to check out Charlie Parker (the only known time they were under the same roof). Chet Baker snuck out of the Fort Mason barracks to jam all night, and John Handy played Bop City with John Coltrane.

In the 60’s, Jazz historian David Rosenbaum ran the Melrose Record shop on Fillmore Street, employing high school student Maya Angelou. Zen Buddhism was first introduced to the West in the Fillmore, which became a creative home to artists including Isaac Stern, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Mel Blanc and Alan Ginsberg.

Although much changed following the area’s redevelopment in the 1970’s, the jazz spirit proved tenacious.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

California Street Stage

10:00 – 11:30
12:00 – 1:30
2:00 – 3:30
4:00 – 6:00
Sutter Street Stage
10:00 – 11:30
The VNote Ensemble(Venezuela/Jazz)
12:00 – 1:30
2:00 – 2:35
Ottmar Liebert (Nouveau Flamenco)
2:55 – 3:30
Faith Ako (Hawaiian/Polynesian)
4:00 – 6:00
Mingus Amungus (Charles Mingus/Cuban/Dance/Funk)
Eddy Street Stage
10:00 – 11:30
12:00 – 1:30
2:00 – 3:30
4:00 – 6:00
Fillmore Center Plaza at
O’Farrell & Fillmore
12:00 – 12:30Basic swing lesson by Swing U (no partner & no experience needed).
12:30 – 2:00
DJ’s by SFSwingFest.com
2:00 – 5:00
Bay Area Swing All Stars
5:00 – 6:00
Lost Dog Found
Fillmore & Jackson Entertainment Area
12:00 – 5:00
Sunday, July 3, 2011
 

California Street Stage

10:00 – 11:30
12:00 – 1:30
2:00 – 3:30
4:00 – 6:00
 

Sutter Street Stage

10:00 – 11:30
Venezuelan Music Project(Venezuelan/Vocals)
12:00 – 1:30
2:00 – 3:30
4:00 – 6:00
Los Pinguos (Argentina)
 

Eddy Street Stage

10:00 – 11:30
Future Perfect Band
12:00 – 1:30
2:00 – 3:30
4:00 – 6:00
Fillmore Center Plaza at
O’Farrell & Fillmore
12:00 – 12:30Basic swing lesson by Swing U (no partner & no experience needed).
12:30 – 1:00
DJ’s by SFSwingFest.com
1:30
Pin-up Contest
3:00 – 500

Emily Anne Reed SF swingstress who appeared on American Idol

 

Read More Share

Recent Author Posts

Join Our Community

Connect On Social Media

Most Popular Posts

We Blog The World

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share this post with your friends!