Jaz Sawyer: Tribute to Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

Drummer, bandleader, and educator Jaz Sawyer pays homage to one of jazz’s most electrifying forces—Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers—in this powerhouse tribute performance. Infusing Blakey’s iconic hard-bop sound with his own dynamic touch, Sawyer channels the spirit of the legendary drummer, whose relentless swing, thunderous polyrhythms, and fiery energy defined generations of jazz. With a musical foundation spanning classical, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean traditions, Sawyer delivers a heartfelt tribute that captures the essence of Blakey’s masterful legacy.

A San Francisco native with a global presence, Sawyer has shared the stage with jazz greats including Wynton Marsalis, Abbey Lincoln, George Benson, Bobby Hutcherson, Jacky Terrasson, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Whether leading ensembles or driving the rhythm section, his performances have resonated in the world’s most prestigious venues, from Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to the Sydney Opera House and The Concertgebouw. Now splitting his time between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Sawyer returns to the Stanford Jazz Festival to honor one of jazz’s most enduring artists with an electrifying evening of hard bop and beyond.

Made possible by Judy & Bob Murphy

Artist Website

Personnel:

• Jaz Sawyer, Drums
• Mike Olmos, Trumpet
• James Mahone, Tenor Saxophone
• Grant Levin, Piano
• David Ewell, Bass
• special guest Skylar Tang, Trumpet
• special guest Mario Barragan, Percussion