Jazz on the Plazz

www.claudiavillela.com Vocalist and composer Claudia Villela talent for musical exploration knows no limits. Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, she absorbed the sounds of Brasil all around her: Samba, Bossa Nova, Partido Alto, Choro, Baiao, Maracatu, as well as influences of music from all over the world, Jazz, from traditional to classical to avant garde. For Villela’s, music is a spiritual exercise to be embraced openly and unpremeditated, a search for inspiration and spontaneity. Her compositions

Full Spectrum Big Band presents a contemporary big band program that blends groove, sophistication, and high-energy ensemble playing. This year’s set leans into the smooth, contemporary sound of jazz, while still showcasing the full power and color of a modern big band. From Smooth… to Groove, the evening moves through a mix of funk, fusion, Latin, and contemporary jazz styles, combining groove-driven charts with lyrical moments and featured soloists throughout the band. Drawing inspiration from

www.anthonypaule.com The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra was formed in San Francisco by guitarist Anthony Paule in 2007. Inspired by soul and blues sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s, this dramatic horn-driven powerhouse creates its own classics, while staying deeply rooted in the origins of this treasured African American art form. About Terrie Odabi: “What sets Terrie Odabi apart from her peers are the different shades of hurt, longing, bliss, and depth she brings to her music. The distinguishable chara

Smoked Out Soul (S.O.S) brings a Bay Area–rooted sound that blurs the line between a live band and a DJ-driven experience. What began as a mixtape project by Zebuel—blending ’70s-era Motown and Stax with modern production—has grown into a full-scale live act featuring musicians, producers, and DJs working together in real time. Their performances fuse classic soul and funk with contemporary textures, combining live horns, guitars, drums, and synthesizers with a high-energy DJ set. The result is

www.tiffanyaustin.com Rather than separating African American music into kindred tributaries, Tiffany Austin plunges into the whole river of sound that’s sustained black life in America since before the nation’s founding. In many ways, she’s contesting what vocalist Gregory Porter has called “musical genocide” with a soul-steeped affirmation that embraces blues and swing, spirituals and R&B, bebop, post-bop, and her own Louisiana Creole heritage. With a series of prestigious gigs and residencies

Pamela Parker brings a special performance to Jazz on the Plazz this season, leading The Fantastic Machine in a piano-centered set that highlights a different side of her artistry. While known for her dynamic guitar work, Parker takes the lead at the grand piano for much of the evening, combining expressive playing with her signature vocal style. The performance draws from jazz, blues, and soul traditions, with an emphasis on musical interplay, groove, and melodic storytelling. Backed by a full

www.davidbenoitmusic.com For four decades, the GRAMMY®-nominated pianist/composer/ arranger David Benoit has reigned supreme as one the founding fathers of contemporary jazz. David’s career as a contemporary jazz pianist began in 1977 and includes 40 solo recordings over the past 40 years. Benoit currently hosts a morning radio show on KKJZ 88.1 FM, CA, and continually tours & records; is a composer in residence at Montalvo Arts, the Music Director & Conductor for the Asia America Symphony Assoc

Season Finale Gunhild Carling returns to close the season with a spirited blend of classic jazz, swing, and showmanship. An internationally recognized multi-instrumentalist, Carling is known for her virtuosity on trumpet and trombone, as well as her ability to move seamlessly between instruments while leading an engaging, fast-paced performance. Rooted in early jazz traditions, her style draws from New Orleans, swing, and vintage jazz, brought to life with precision, personality, and a strong se