26 concerts held throughout summer 2025
Palo Alto, Calif. – Featuring a stellar roster of the world’s greatest jazz artists, the Stanford Jazz Festival 2025 celebrates the depth and diversity of the contemporary jazz scene, building on a half-century legacy of jazz preservation and innovation in the heart of Northern California.
With dozens of electrifying concerts on the Stanford University campus from June 22 through Aug. 1, the West Coast’s second longest-running jazz festival showcases a multi-generational cast of state-of-the-art improvisers encompassing the tradition’s veteran masters, buzziest modern jazz artists, and rising musicians making their mark. Concerts will be held at Dinkelspiel Auditorium and Campbell Recital Hall.
June 22 kickoff
Kicking off the Stanford Jazz Festival 2025 is Berkeley saxophonist George Brooks, who has forged deep relationships with the world’s greatest Hindustani and Carnatic classical musicians. He returns to the SJF on Sunday, June 22 for the 11th iteration of his Indian Jazz Journey showcase. The concert reprises his Indo-jazz collaboration with superstar vocalist Mahesh Kale, winner of India’s coveted National Film Award as the Best Playback Singer.
Founded in 1972
Founded in 1972 by saxophonist, arranger, and educator Jim Nadel, the SJF runs in tandem with the Stanford Jazz Workshop, an intensive summer education program staffed with acclaimed musicians who are also many of the SJF’s featured performers. The synergy between the Workshop and the SJF manifests at every concert, as all the students enrolled in a session receive complimentary tickets, bringing an infusion of youth to the venues.
Now under the direction of bassist/composer Cory Combs since 2024, the Festival continues to set a benchmark for presenting jazz’s finest practitioners. Combs brings a wealth of experience to the organization, including his pivotal role as SFJAZZ’s Director of Education (2007-2011), when he was part of the leadership team that designed, planned, and launched the $60 million SFJAZZ Center.
After six years as the founding director of outreach at the Nueva School in San Mateo, where he directed the K-12 music program and led the jazz ensemble, Combs took over as Executive Director of InterMusic SF (2016-2023), developing and curating six annual SF Music Day festivals at the San Francisco War Memorial.
Under his direction, InterMusic SF provided more than $1 million in project grant funding for hundreds of professional musicians throughout the Bay Area, including numerous commissions, premieres, recordings, and performances. During the first years of the pandemic, he administered a relief fund along with Theater Bay Area and Dancers Group that provided over $500,000 in aid to out-of-work arts workers.
“Vital and evolving art form”
“Being part of the Stanford Jazz Festival means curating more than just concerts — it’s about cultivating moments where artistry, education, and community intersect,” says Cory Combs, Executive Director, Stanford Jazz Workshop. “This year’s festival lineup captures the incredible breadth of the jazz tradition, and I’m continually inspired by how these artists bridge generations and styles, reminding us why jazz remains such a vital and evolving art form.”
Stanford Jazz Festival Lineup Schedule
- Sunday, June 22, 2025: Indian Jazz Journey featuring Mahesh Kale and George Brooks: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Friday, June 27, 2025: Fred Hersch Trio: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Saturday, June 28, 2025: Jeremy Pelt Quintet: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Sunday, June 29, 2025: Tiffany Austin presents Sassy: 100 Years of Sarah Vaughan: Campbell Recital Hall
- Sunday, July 06, 2025: Ken Peplowski: The Unheard Bird: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Friday, July 11, 2025: Jaz Sawyer: Tribute to Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Campbell Recital Hall
- Saturday, July 12, 2025: Early Bird Jazz for Kids with Dr. Dave Hart & the Zookeepers: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Saturday, July 12, 2025: John Pizzarelli: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Sunday, July 13, 2025: Sam Reider w/ Spaghetti ft. Jim Campilongo, Scott Amendola, Mat Muntz: Campbell Recital Hall
- Monday, July 14, 2025: Caili O’Doherty: Suite for Gearoidin: Campbell Recital Hall
- Tuesday, July 15, 2025: Luther Allison Sextet: Campbell Recital Hall
- Wednesday, July 16, 2025: Ruth Davies’ Blues Night with Chris Cain: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Thursday, July 17, 2025: An Evening with Victor Lin: Music of Studio Ghibli: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Saturday, July 19, 2025: Anat Cohen & Marcello Gonçalves: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Sunday, July 20, 2025: John Santos Quintet with Special Guest Yilian Cañizares: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Monday, July 21, 2025: Rising Stars: The SJW Mentor Fellows: Campbell Recital Hall
- Tuesday, July 22, 2025: Noah Garabedian Quintet featuring Valerie Troutt: Campbell Recital Hall
- Wednesday, July 23, 2025: Tammy L. Hall: Campbell Recital Hall
- Thursday, July 24, 2025: Joel Ross: Good Vibes: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Saturday, July 26, 2025: Lizz Wright: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Sunday, July 27, 2025: Paul Cornish Trio: Campbell Recital Hall
- Monday, July 28, 2025: Dena DeRose Trio: Campbell Recital Hall
- Tuesday, July 29, 2025: George Cables and Friends: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Wednesday, July 30, 2025: Dayna Stephens: Campbell Recital Hall
- Thursday, July 31, 2025: Taylor Eigsti Quartet featuring Ben Wendel: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
- Friday, August 1, 2025: SJW All-Star Jam: Dinkelspiel Auditorium
A complete list of the Stanford Jazz Festival concerts and events can be found at https://stanfordjazz.org/2025-stanford-jazz-festival
Where to Stay
- The Clement Hotel is Palo Alto
- Nobu Hotel Palo Alto, a flawless experience for discriminating travelers
About Stanford Jazz Festival
Over the past 53 years, the Stanford Jazz Festival has consistently presented the finest performers on the scene. Audiences have heard legendary performances by Dizzy Gilespie, McCoy Tyner, and Stan Getz, along with virtuosic modern masters like Joshua Redman, Terence Blanchard, and Taylor Eigsti. The Festival is unique and adventurous, presenting over 30 celebrated artists and bands over seven weeks. From family-friendly matinees to groundbreaking premieres, the Stanford Jazz Festival proudly keeps the torch of live jazz burning bright.
