Live music in San Jose, CA

Embark on a cosmic laser journey where music, animated storytelling, and abstract imagery come together to light up the senses. Galactic Odyssey fills the IMAX Dome Theater with sweeping visuals and sound for family friendly fun. Seating is open, so arrive early to choose your preferred spot. For safety reasons, late arrivals will not be admitted. Laser ticket holders who park in the Convention Center Garage or the 2nd and San Carlos Parking Garage can receive $5 parking validation by presenting their parking ticket at Visitor Services. This offer is not available when a City Special Event fee is in effect and applies only to tickets purchased the same day.

Palm & Ember Restaurant hosts live music featuring local artists alongside dinner from Chef Macaluso. There is no cover charge, and outside food or beverages are not allowed. A fresh lineup is highlighted each week.

Enjoy an outdoor weekend of jazz and live performances at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. The lineup includes The Altons, Thee Sinseers, and The Soul Rebels. This festival takes place at Plaza de César Chávez.

Experience Pink Floyd’s iconic music paired with a choreographed laser spectacle inside The Tech Interactive’s Dome Theater. Sweeping beams, immersive visuals, and vivid color surround the audience as classic tracks and anthems unfold in a full-sensory show designed for longtime fans and first-time listeners. Seating is not assigned, so plan to arrive early to choose your preferred spot in the dome. Guests who park in the Convention Center Garage or the 2nd & San Carlos Garage can receive $5 parking validation by presenting a same-day LASERS! ticket at Visitor Services. Attendance supports The Tech’s nonprofit mission, with proceeds from the IMAX Dome Theater helping fund hands-on STEAM education, equity-focused programming, and low-cost field trips for local schools.

First Call brings an evening of live music to Teske's Germania Restaurant and Beer Garden, alongside authentic German cuisine and beer. Patio seating is available, and reservations are recommended. The band is also available for private, corporate, party, birthday, family, and anniversary events.

Anthony Green, Geoff Rickly, and Keith Goodwin are coming to The Ritz for a live show. This is an all-ages event, and general admission tickets are available. There are also VIP options listed, including a VIP Booth (not all availability remains). Entry is via eTickets displayed on your mobile device or printed for entry.

A standout brass ensemble from New Orleans, The Soul Rebels shape a modern sound by mixing the radio hits they loved with their city’s brass tradition, folding in funk, soul, hip hop, jazz, and rock. The eight-piece is known for a high-energy show powered by horns and drums that turns any room into a celebration. Their studio credits include work with G-Eazy, Lil Wayne, Nas, Big Freedia, and Phony Ppl, and their live collaborations span Katy Perry, DMX, Robin Thicke, Macy Gray, and Robert Glasper, culminating in a new supergroup with the legendary Wu Tang Clan. National spotlights include two appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, NPR’s Tiny Desk with Wu Tang Clan’s GZA, and a headlining turn at the global TED Conference. Riding the momentum of their album Poetry in Motion, they have brought this blend of artistry and songs that celebrate peace, love, and soul to Europe, Australia, China, South Korea, and Japan. Expect top tier musicianship, irresistible grooves, and the joyful punch of horns and drums.

Catch Benson Boone live with special guest Ashe at SAP Center at San Jose. The show gets underway in the evening, and it is listed as an 8:00 PM start time at the venue.

Harrell 'Young Rell' Davenport brings modern blues fire shaped by an early start and fast-rising momentum. The 19-year-old from Vicksburg, Mississippi picked up harmonica and guitar at seven, and his first Chicago appearance drew 165,000 Facebook views and 4,000 shares. Onstage he shifts confidently between guitar and harmonica, at times singing with the harp on a rack, at times trading roles within a group, displaying stage maturity far beyond his years. A deft guitarist with a rich, full harmonica sound, he matches instrumental skill with a commanding voice and thoughtful songwriting. Early hardships pulled him toward music born of struggle, and that bond with the blues remains at the heart of his approach. His warm presence and strong online reach have grown a global fan community and led to support from leading artists including Billy Branch, Kingfish Ingram, Bob Margolin, and Bernard Allison. Highlights already include performances at Norway’s Notodden Blues Festival, the King Biscuit Blues Festival, both of Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Clubs in Mississippi, and Red’s Juke Joint in Clarksdale. Recognition has followed with two Blues Blast Magazine nominations for the Sean Costello Rising Star Award and a SPAH nomination for the Bernie Bray Harmonica Player of the Year. The result is sincere vocals, dynamic stagecraft, and a multi-instrumental spark that points the blues forward.

Led by pianist Cyrus Chestnut, this trio highlights a career shaped by classical beginnings, focused study at Berklee College of Music in Jazz Composition and Arranging, and more than three decades of inventive improvising and composing. His early classical training with Adam Jenkins, Marie White and Linda Lessey laid the groundwork for his path into jazz. Chestnut has collaborated with artists including Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, Freddie Hubbard, Michael Carvin, Jon Hendricks and Chick Corea, and has performed at festivals including Montreux, North Sea and Montreal. His discography features albums such as Soul Brother Cool, There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit and Kaleidoscope, blending contemporary influences with the foundations of the jazz tradition. Recognition includes the Oscar Peterson, Count Basie and Quincy Jones awards, as well as the NAACP ACT-SO Award for Music Composition, the Eubie Blake Scholarship Award and the Benny Golson Jazzmaster Award. As an educator at the Rimon School of Music, Middlebury College and Howard University, and through workshops at jazz camps around the country, he supports the next generation of musicians. The trio performance centers on the sound of an artist dedicated to moving jazz forward while honoring its roots.

Straight out of East LA, Thee Sinseers deliver nostalgic soul with a contemporary spark, guided by multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter Joseph Quiñones. A full brass section, sweet harmonies and a tight rhythm section give their music deep roots and modern spirit. The lineup features Eric Johnson on tenor sax, Steve Surman on bari sax and Joseluis Jimenez on trombone, with Christopher Manjarrez on bass, Francisco Flores and Bryan Ponce on guitars and Adriana Flores on vocals. Part of the Colemine Records family, the group debuted with the 2019 singles “It Was Only A Dream” and “I Don’t Mind,” leading to the full-length album Sinseerly Yours in March 2024. Their song “Seems Like” appears on Presenting Penrose Records, the inaugural compilation from the Penrose imprint of Brooklyn-based Daptone Records, and “It Was Only A Dream” was featured in the film Self Reliance, starring Jake Johnson, and in the TV series Riverdale. They have brought their sound to soul strongholds throughout California, Texas, New York, Chicago, Oregon and beyond.

An evening of modern and classic funk pairs trailblazers Zapp with the duo Tuxedo. Zapp, founded by Roger, Larry, Lester and Terry Troutman in 1978, helped shape West Coast hip hop and transformed funk with their signature talk box sound, earning gold and platinum success and delivering R&B staples like More Bounce to the Ounce, Dance Floor and Computer Love. Their music has been sampled by artists including Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z, and their high-energy shows continue the Troutman legacy of keeping crowds moving. Tuxedo unites Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One, a partnership born from a shared love of Chic, Parliament and the broader funk tradition. With eight Grammy nominations between them and individual work tied to Drake, The Weeknd and De La Soul, they bring a fresh, party-ready boogie sound, praised by the Boston Globe for its pull to the dance floor and grounded in self-love and self-expression.

Next LVL Fridays is a night out at LVL 44 in San Jose, featuring a lounge-style setup with rap and hip-hop plus R&B music. The venue lists table reservations by phone, so you can plan ahead if you want a reserved spot.

K-Pop Club Night is a music night hosted at Pure Nightclub in Sunnyvale, featuring DJ Chen on the bill. Doors and show start time are listed as 10:00 PM local to the venue.

Three-time Grammy nominee Gretchen Parlato brings her intimate, Brazilian-tinged approach to jazz in a quartet setting with longtime collaborators drummer Mark Guiliana and bassist Alan Hampton, joined by Los Angeles pianist and arranger Jacob Mann. Parlato’s recordings span more than 85 guest appearances and four leader releases, with standout moments that include Live in NYC, which earned her first Grammy nomination and reached the top of iTunes’ music video chart, The Lost and Found, honored with numerous critics’ awards including DownBeat’s top vocal album and iTunes’ vocal jazz album of the year, and In a Dream, celebrated by Billboard as one of 2009’s most alluring jazz vocal works. Her deep connection to Brazilian music comes to the forefront on Flor, recognized with another Grammy nomination, and together with Lean In has drawn international acclaim. Guiliana, highlighted by The New York Times for the devoted following around his drumming, has collaborated with David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, and St. Vincent. Hampton’s résumé includes work with Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright, while Mann has toured with KNOWER and performed with Jacob Collier, Moonchild, and Lee Ritenour. The quartet is also set for an additional appearance on the SJZ Break Room Stage.

New Jazz Underground delivers a forward-looking take on the jazz tradition, weaving classic language with hip hop, pop, and Afro-Latino currents. The Juilliard-trained trio first reached a wide audience with living room videos during lockdown, building more than one hundred thousand YouTube subscribers and earning the DCJazzPrix award in 2023. Saxophonist and composer Abdias Armenteros, bassist and composer Sebastian Rios, and drummer TJ Reddick began playing together after meeting at The Juilliard School, growing from park performances in New York City to stages at major festivals. Their catalog spans suites and originals like "MF Doom Suite," "Harlem to Havana," and "cook/swing/work/relax," as well as YouTube performances titled "they can hate but we still swingin'" and "fk/st/c**t/jazz." Highlights include Armenteros serving as the youngest member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Rios receiving the 2024 ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award and a Jazz at Lincoln Center commission, and Rios and Reddick working with Jon Batiste, Sullivan Fortner, and Emmet Cohen. Appearances at Newport, Monterey, Atlanta, Vancouver International, and Jazz BRNO, plus an NPR Music feature for "Oney Ones One" from their forthcoming album, Hoodies, showcase a group connecting deeply with longtime jazz fans and new audiences alike.

Join the 25th Annual Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival, a community event featuring world music performances. Stop by Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival at 4222 MacArthur Boulevard for the festivities.

Enjoy R&B music with brunch at Maslococantina at a daytime party. Free tickets are available through the event link. All ages are welcome. To book a table, text 510 706-1997.

Acclaimed drummer Mike Clark assembles a powerhouse post-bop and hard bop group featuring saxophonist Craig Handy, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist Dave Kikoski, and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet for music steeped in tradition with plenty of on-the-spot sparks. Clark first made his name with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, where his linear approach on the album Thrust helped redefine the groove. His patterns, alongside those of Clyde Stubblefield, have been sampled on hundreds of hip hop recordings across four decades. He remains an active and prolific voice, channeling the drive of Art Blakey and Elvin Jones. Recent projects include Mike Clark Plays Herbie Hancock, which reached No. 5 on the Jazz Weekly charts and placed among the top 100 releases of 2023, and Kosen Rufu with Eddie Henderson, Skerik, and Wayne Horvitz. He also co-leads the current Headhunters with Bill Summers, whose release The Stunt Man has taken the band across the US, Europe, and Japan. This quartet has worked together for two years and draws on deep shared history. Oakland-born Craig Handy, a veteran of Roy Haynes’ band and an original Headhunter, shares long-standing roots with Clark. Eddie Henderson, who received an early trumpet lesson from Louis Armstrong, has teamed with Clark since the late 1960s. Dave Kikoski, a Grammy winner with the Mingus Big Band, contributes virtuosic energy and adventurous improvisation. Essiet Okon Essiet served as Art Blakey’s last bassist and is one of Clark’s favored collaborators. Their collective experience spans the fiery hard bop of the Jazz Messengers to the funk-driven innovations of the Headhunters.

Bay Area neo soul trailblazer Martin Luther McCoy honors Ray Charles with a dynamic showcase of voice and groove. He previously performed with The Roots, and his single Peace of Mind earned a Gospel Choice Music Award in 2025. His range spans hip hop, jazz, R&B and singer songwriter styles, reflected in the album Love Is the Hero and his appearance in E-40’s NPR Tiny Desk set that has topped two million views. As the first vocalist invited to the SFJAZZ Collective, he is known for making big rooms feel intimate. For this Summer Fest performance, McCoy teams with saxophonist Howard Wiley to reinterpret some of Brother Ray’s most enduring songs. A pianist, to be announced, completes the trio for a Ray Charles suite that is soulful, full of surprises and vividly alive.

This performance brings the SJZ High School All Stars together with vocalist Gretchen Parlato, a three-time Grammy nominee celebrated for an intimate style shaped by Brazilian influences and for long-running collaborations with drummer Mark Guiliana and bassist Alan Hampton. Her releases Flor and Lean In both garnered Grammy recognition and international acclaim. She has appeared on more than 85 recordings, including four as a leader, and her 2013 live album earned her first Grammy nomination, a 4.5 star rating from DownBeat, and a No. 1 spot on iTunes’ best music video list. The Lost and Found collected more than 30 awards worldwide, topping the DownBeat Jazz Critics Poll for vocal albums and receiving iTunes’ Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Earlier, In a Dream drew notable praise from Billboard, and Flor deepened her Brazilian focus and brought a nomination in the Grammy jazz vocal album category.

Tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson leads a powerhouse set at Summer Fest, drawing on the experience he gained with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and a Blue Note history that stretches from straight-ahead swing to bold experimentation. His path through modern jazz includes a 1994 Blue Note debut produced by Betty Carter, projects that touch Caetano Veloso, Frank Zappa, Muddy Waters, and Al Green, and groove-rich Palmetto collaborations with Dr. Lonnie Smith and Fred Wesley. Now Director of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz Studies at Hartford’s Hartt School, he remains a flexible and distinctive voice. He is joined by seven-time Grammy nominee Nnenna Freelon, a commanding vocalist whose resume includes the Apollo Theater, the Hollywood Bowl, and the White House. Her 2025 release Beneath The Skin reveals an intimate focus, and The Washington Post credits her with pushing the repertoire for jazz singers in heartfelt ways. Alto saxophone legend Charles McPherson adds his singular sound. A longtime Charles Mingus collaborator, a veteran of Clint Eastwood film projects, and a Don Redman Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, he continues to build on deep bebop roots after more than six decades. The music ranges from classic swing to adventurous exploration.

Afro-Cuban All Stars presents the spirit of Cuba’s golden age with the energy of today, led by founder and bandleader Juan de Marcos González. Rising to worldwide attention through the Buena Vista Social Club, the orchestra has earned four Grammy nominations and helped launch many of its musicians onto the international stage. Conceived in the mid 1990s as a tribute to classic Cuban sounds, the project united luminaries such as Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo, sparking a global renewal of interest in traditional styles. The ensemble appears in Wim Wenders’s Oscar-nominated Buena Vista Social Club documentary and other films. Over the decades the group has continued to evolve, blending contemporary Cuban currents with roots in son, bolero, and guaracha, and welcoming new generations of artists. De Marcos, a classically trained guitarist and conductor with deep ties to Havana’s musical culture, still guides the orchestra with a vision that honors tradition while helping shape the future of Cuban music.

Celebrate the timeless melodies and cinematic charm of Shankar Jaikishan in a live tribute where talented performers bring beloved Bollywood songs to life. The program features a blend of soulful numbers and upbeat favorites presented with a contemporary touch that honors the duo’s iconic legacy. The concert takes place at ICC Milpitas for an evening filled with nostalgia, melody, and vibrant Bollywood rhythms.

Featuring Oakland-raised guitarist Jubu Smith, whose tone blends warmth, grit, and spiritual depth rooted in the gospel church and refined on the biggest stages. Over more than 25 years as lead guitarist with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, following early success with Tony! Toni! Toné!, he built a career that includes collaborations with Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton, and George Duke. A co-founder of the gospel group The Soul Seekers, he earned a BET Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and received the Living Legend Award in 2023 for enduring contributions to Black music, gospel, and soul. He also founded Legally Blynd, a project that fuses funk, soul, and quartet into energetic, instrument-focused performances. In 2024 he released a self-titled solo album on Little Village Foundation, produced by Charlie Hunter with a guest appearance by Eric Gales, a raw and personal statement that opens a bold new chapter in his artistry.

Parlor Greens is a new organ trio featuring drummer Tim Carman, guitarist Jimmy James, and organist Adam Scone, blending blues, soul, jazz, and funk into a distinctive instrumental sound. Scone, a mainstay of the soul revival, has been part of Daptone recording sessions from the beginning and learned from Melvin Sparks and Dr. Lonnie Smith, shaping an organ style marked by seasoned control and nuance. James, known for his work with The True Loves and the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, delivers a crisp, funk-driven guitar approach that is easy to recognize. Carman, who toured the world with blues group GA-20, anchors the trio with deep-pocket grooves that drive the music, a fit highlighted on their debut LP. The group appears on the SJZ Break Room Stage. Entry requires an All Stages or higher wristband, and Priority Access and above ticket holders receive first-in entry.

The Godmother of Soul takes center stage as Patti LaBelle’s storied career is celebrated. A revered force in American music, she holds two Grammy wins and 13 nominations, and her unmistakable voice has shaped six decades of R&B, pop, and gospel. She first reached the charts in 1962 with The Bluebelles, then earned worldwide recognition with the boundary-pushing trio Labelle. Her solo era from the 1970s forward delivered enduring favorites like If Only You Knew and the crossover duet On My Own with Michael McDonald, bringing American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and many other honors. Lady Marmalade, the audacious 1974 anthem, remains a cultural touchstone. Her influence reaches beyond music, with roles in film and television, New York Times bestselling books, and the Patti’s Good Life food and lifestyle brand. Few artists match her power, versatility, and longevity, and she remains as commanding and electrifying as ever.

Careless Whisper brings a high-energy salute to the 1980s at Britannia Arms South San Jose (Almaden), complete with era-inspired outfits, sky-high hairstyles, and a set filled with rock and pop favorites. Known for entertaining crowds around the country at corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, and more, this tribute act turns nostalgia into a lively night out. There is a cover charge at the door.

Soulful Sunday brings music and community together at Urban Sanctuary and the neighboring Recovery Café in downtown San Jose, conveniently close to the San Jose Jazz Fest grounds. The program, titled The Art of the Protest Song, presents jazz interpretations of eight memorable American protest songs performed by a quintet featuring Neil MacPherson on Hammond B3, Adam Astrup on guitar, Dan Robbins on bass, Mike Shannon on drums, and the expressive vocals of Miranda Perl. Guests can enjoy coffee and a mini-brunch before the music, followed by a free concert and a relaxed coffee hour afterward. The Recovery Café next door highlights its work supporting people facing addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges, and a collection taken during the event will benefit its programs.

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra unites 20 West Coast ska veterans into a single powerhouse, anchored by a horn section that triples the size of a typical ska lineup and fuels a commanding traditional sound. More than fifteen years into their run, they are known for high-impact performances at major festivals and storied venues across the United States and Europe. The ensemble features players connected to The Aggrolites, Hepcat, Gogol Bordello, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and they have teamed with vocalists such as Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Greg Lee and Alex Desért of Hepcat, and Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers, a reflection of their influence in ska and reggae circles. Their fifth studio release, Fire & Water, arrived in 2025 with 16 tracks of originals and covers inspired by early 1960s Jamaican music, featuring extensive orchestration with a full string section. Look forward to an expansive big band ska experience that celebrates the genre’s roots while pushing it ahead.

In honor of the Miles Davis centennial, bassist and composer Marcus Shelby leads his nine-piece Bay Area nonet in a full performance of Birth of the Cool using the original instrumentation. Known for socially conscious jazz writing, Shelby brings a thoughtful perspective to Miles’ landmark 1949 project. Shelby received the Charles Mingus Scholarship to attend CalArts in 1990, studying composition with James Newton and bass with Charlie Haden. He is the Artistic Director of Healdsburg Jazz and has created major works rooted in African American history and social movements, including oratorios dedicated to Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His orchestra’s album Soul of the Movement reached No. 2 on national jazz radio in 2011. He composed the score for Anna Deavere Smith’s HBO film Notes from the Field and is the voice of Ray Gardener in the Oscar-winning Disney Pixar film Soul. Birth of the Cool emerged from multiple sessions and the collaboration of a young visionary with forward-looking musicians, writers, and arrangers. The Marcus Shelby Nonet features Bay Area master musicians drawn from the same pool as his New Orchestra, which has five recordings. Experiencing this music in its original sound world, interpreted by leading regional jazz artists, offers a meaningful encounter with one of jazz’s enduring touchstones.

Alto saxophonist, MC, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin brings a warm, resonant sound often likened to Johnny Hodges, blending jazz, funk, and R&B with both classic roots and a clear social pulse. A five-time Grammy nominee, she sharpened her craft with mentors Clark Terry and Terri Lyne Carrington and became a first-call collaborator for Gregory Porter, Anita Baker, and Robert Glasper. Her 2020 album Pursuance: The Coltranes featured Dee Dee Bridgewater, Regina Carter, and Reggie Workman, who performed with John Coltrane. The 2023 follow-up Phoenix, produced by Carrington, earned three Grammy nominations and drew widespread acclaim. Her live performances carry the momentum of a remarkable comeback. After a 2021 car accident that left her with multiple injuries, she rebuilt her strength, confidence, and outlook, channeling resilience into music that celebrates life while pushing for growth and discovery. The newest chapter, Phoenix Reimagined, was recorded live in the studio at The Bunker in Brooklyn, adds three new songs, and captures spontaneous energy with pristine sound. Expect a powerful, unforgettable set from an artist who continues to rise.

Head out for a rockin' Sunday matinee featuring the Gary Blackburn Band at Moe's Alley. Expect high-energy roots rock in the Rock, Country, and Blues style, with familiar rocking covers and a few of the band's originals. Doors open at 1:00 PM, and the show starts at 2:00 PM. This is a 21+ event with no refunds and all sales final.

Bay Area ensemble Combo Tezeta serves up a body-moving blend of instrumental cumbia, chicha, and tropical grooves that echo the psychedelic Peruvian sound of the late sixties and early seventies. Surf-soaked guitar lines glide over sturdy cumbia rhythms, connecting vintage textures with a fresh, present-day spark. Their music spotlights lush melodies and entrancing rhythms rooted in the Afro Latin diaspora, mixing traditional selections with original compositions and guided by a deep respect for global music traditions. Recent features on the 2024 NPR Tiny Desk Concert Tour and at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass have expanded their reach. They have performed alongside Los Mirlos, Son Rompe Pera, Thundercat, and Lee Fields, underscoring their standing as a dynamic force in alternative Latin music.

ICC and Javanika bring the beloved living room sing-off to the big stage with what is billed as the Bay Area’s biggest Antakshari competition at the India Community Center. This friendly contest welcomes teams and solo singers to channel those classic family music battles, mixing nostalgia with playful rivalry. Entry options include a group of four for $50 or an individual entry for $15, and cash prizes are up for grabs. Expect unexpected voices to shine and lighthearted family face-offs to take center stage.

Cory Wong brings a high-energy, rhythm-driven show from a Grammy-nominated guitarist, producer, variety show host, and podcast host. A key part of Vulfpeck and the Fearless Flyers, he has also carved out a solo path that draws sellout audiences to renowned stages worldwide. While many know him for electric guitar prowess, his creative scope spans production, songwriting, arranging, and leading a band with precision and flair. His recent release, Lost in the Wonder, has earned acclaim for its lush sound and expert craft, following his 2024 orchestral collaboration with the Metropole Orkest on Starship Syncopation. His work reaches beyond the stage, from composing the theme for CBS’s After Midnight to a Spy x Family Season 2 theme that reached number one in Japan. His signature gear line includes a Fender Stratocaster, compressor and overdrive pedals, pickups, and an Apple Producer Pack. Expect a set that is both uplifting and musically formidable.

At the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, Mega Ran performs a live set as part of California Extreme. The event features hundreds of arcade and pinball machines set to free play, retro consoles to try, raffles, panels, tournaments, and a vendor area. A full rock band video game setup and additional live music are also featured.

Pedro Pastor, a leading voice in Spain’s new generation of singer songwriters, brings poetic storytelling and a vibrant blend of cumbia, flamenco, funk, and African influences that connect Spain and Latin America. With six albums and performances across 17 countries, he draws on more than two decades on stage and over 800 concerts to shape songs with real depth. His lyrics champion change and reckon with Spain’s history, including the Franco era, while engaging with today’s conversations around migration, inequality, and social responsibility. Blending traditions sits at the heart of his approach, viewing the meeting of musical and human cultures as a source of growth and joy, and his performances celebrate love, social transformation, and collective memory. Pedro Pastor y los locos descalzos will also perform on the SJZ Break Room Stage.

Experience a heartfelt evening of devotional music featuring Kerala vocalist and violinist Vivekanandan with the Bay Area Music Team. In a serene, spiritual setting, hear Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu melodies performed with a live orchestra and engaging musical moments. This program supports the vision of the Guruvayoorappan–Ayyappan Temple Project in the San Francisco Bay Area, bringing together culture, community, and purpose. It welcomes devotees, music lovers, and anyone interested in supporting a meaningful initiative, celebrating artistry and devotion while contributing to a lasting spiritual legacy for future generations.

Instant Alter is a Future Fusion quartet guided by New York saxophonist Emilio Modeste and Los Angeles vocalist Natasha Agrama, both veterans of Stanley Clarke’s band. Their sound weaves jazz, rock and soul with vivid storytelling and the celebratory spirit of Brazilian Tropicália, forming a vibrant voice in contemporary music. Modeste’s journey includes work with the late trumpet icon Wallace Roney, ongoing tours with Stanley Clarke, Cindy Blackman Santana and Kassa Overall, and appearances on Steve Turre’s Generations and Dezron Douglas’ Atalaya. He is featured on Stanley Clarke’s forthcoming album and studied with drummer and producer Lenny White, bringing a curious, exploratory edge to his projects. Agrama is a vocalist, composer, poet and multidisciplinary artist who describes her voice as carrying narratives of love’s resilience and the search for belonging. A granddaughter of Chilean singer Antonio Prieto, she has performed and recorded with Kamasi Washington and the West Coast Get Down, and her 2017 release The Heart of Infinite Change features Thundercat, George Duke, Austin Peralta and Stanley Clarke. With Brandon Rose, Jermaine Paul, Miguel Russell and Myles Martin rounding out the lineup, the ensemble showcases progressive music that is both imaginative and restorative.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue bring the heartbeat of New Orleans to the stage. Led by Troy Andrews, who made an impromptu Jazz Fest splash at age four with Bo Diddley and was leading a brass band by six, his ascent has featured chart-topping releases and appearances at the White House, Madison Square Garden, and the 2025 Super Bowl. Career highlights include touring with Jeff Beck and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, sets at Coachella and Lollapalooza, a Grammy Award, and collaborations with Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Jon Batiste, Lenny Kravitz, and Ringo Starr, along with a 2011 Summer Fest performance that remains a talking point. His work offstage includes founding the Trombone Shorty Foundation in 2011 to support youth music education and authoring two children’s books, one recognized with a Caldecott Honor. In his hometown he leads a beloved Mardi Gras parade on a float in his likeness, hosts the Treme Threauxdown with guests like Usher, Nick Jonas, Mavis Staples, and Leon Bridges, and has taken over Jazz Fest’s closing set. The 2022 album Lifted, recorded live at his Buckjump Studio, captures the high-voltage spirit of his shows... exuberant, gritty, joyful, and rooted in New Orleans magic.

A celebrated trio of Grammy recipients comes together under Masters of Hawaiian Music to share slack key guitar, ukulele, and traditional island songs. George Kahumoku Jr., a four-time Grammy honoree and multiple Na Hōkū Hanohano Award recipient, is a vocalist, storyteller, songwriter, author, teacher, sculptor, and farmer who produces the weekly Slack Key Show on Maui, a series that has highlighted top Hawaii performers for more than two decades. His artistry draws on history reaching to the early 1800s, when Portuguese arrivals introduced the ukulele and Mexican cowboys brought guitars to Hawaii along with ranching know-how. Multi-instrumentalist Daniel Ho holds six Grammys, four earned as producer on Kahumoku’s award-winning projects, and he performs on ukulele, slack key guitar, piano, and voice. His two other Grammys were collaborations with Tia Carrere. Carrere, an international star known for both singing and acting, broke out in Wayne’s World, then appeared in films and television such as Lilo & Stitch and Jo Koy’s Easter Sunday, and later returned to Hawaiian music through Grammy-winning albums created with Ho. Together they present tradition, virtuosity, and bright compositions in a performance that embodies the spirit of aloha.

Anchored in the Colombian diaspora and shaped by New York City’s music scene, Combo Chimbita has carved a distinct voice in Latin alternative music. Their sound is wide ranging and psychedelic, centered on the commanding, ritual-like vocals of Carolina Oliveros that demand attention. Formed in 2016 by friends seasoned through other projects, the group solidified its identity during a year-long residency at Barbès in Brooklyn. What began as loose improvisations grew into a cohesive, unmistakable style built from Dilemastronauta’s crackling rhythms, Niño Lento’s incisive guitar work, and Prince of Queen’s spacey synths, all revolving around Oliveros and her driving guacharaca. The EP El Corredor Del Jaguar charted the course that their full-length albums would continue. Albums Abya Yala, Ahomale, and Ire each expanded the vision, while extensive touring refined a performance known for intensity. Onstage, the band can snap into pinpoint precision, then open into expansive passages that feel transportive. Individual virtuosity serves a larger collective pulse, and the music stays fiercely alive.

Catch a smooth jazz night featuring Nicolas Bearde at San Jose Jazz. The show is scheduled for 7:00 PM local venue time.

Catch Santana and The Doobie Brothers at Shoreline Amphitheatre. The show is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM local time.

Kick off the week with progressive bachata classes followed by social dancing. Choose from Bachata Ignite Intro with Nicole or Bachata Ignite II with Noelani, continue with Bachata Ignite I with Noelani, then wind down at a social featuring DJ Nokturnal. Every third Monday includes a 30-minute mini class with a special guest before the social at no additional cost. Pricing options include $25 per drop-in lesson, $40 for a two-level combo, or $10 for the social only, with the social included when you take a class. Prepaid tickets are available via Venmo @studiomclub or you can pay at the door. Bring a water thermos to refill at the studio fountain, or purchase a bottled water for $2.

Catch The Beths, Beach Bunny, and Wishy live at San Jose Civic. The show starts at 7:00 PM, and tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Blue House will be at Sam's Bar-B-Que. Expect a good time throughout the event.

First Call appears monthly at Little Lou's, with sports on the screens and opportunities to dance and sing among the band’s friends and family. Beer and wine are available, as well as Texas-style brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, tri-tip, meatballs, wings, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and pho. The band also accepts private bookings for corporate events, parties, birthdays, family events, and anniversaries.

Lessons are led by @megs.steps and Top Shelf Dancing.

ACES returns to Music on the Hill with a high-energy set of classic rock and dance favorites, performed note for note by seasoned musicians. This stop in the summer series brings an electrifying stage show that guides listeners through a journey of iconic hits. The outdoor Top of the Hill setting at Santa Teresa Golf Club offers panoramic views of the course and garden spaces, and the gazebo provides a scenic backdrop for photos as the light fades. On-site bars serve ice cold beverages, while the BBQ menu features burgers, hot dogs, and a crispy green salad with chicken. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. Admission is free, and lawn chairs are welcome. The series also highlights additional bands throughout the season, including The Factory, RJ Haas Band, The Mixx, Hit Collective, and Lyin Eyes.