Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
In Memoriam: Rodney Holmes, 1966–2026
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Honorees Tim Jackson and Horace Silver
(Photo: Courtesy California Jazz Foundation)The California Jazz Foundation’s annual “Give the Band a Hand” gala will be delivered online at 6 p.m. (PDT) on June 6 to raise money to support California’s jazz musicians in financial or medical need.
The annual event, in its ninth year, will honor the late pianist and composer Horace Silver as well as Tim Jackson, artistic director of the Monterey Jazz Festival. It will feature performances by Billy Childs, John Clayton, Darryn Dean, Russ Ferrante, Lee Ritenour and Scott Tixier. Jazz DJ LeRoy Downs will be the master of ceremonies and comedian and NPR personality Alonzo Bodden will also take part in the festivities.
Tim Jackson will be honored with the Nica award, which is given to individuals who exemplify the legacy of Baroness Pannonica (Nica) de Koenigswarter, the iconic patron of such great jazz artists as Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk. In 1992, Jackson took over the duties of programming the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival from its retiring founder, Jimmy Lyons. He became artistic director in 2011 and is credited with revitalizing and widening the festival’s musical spectrum and expanding its educational components.
CJF will honor the memory of Horace Silver with the Heritage Award recognizing his many contributions to the jazz community. Silver was the heart of the hard bop era, composing many blues and gospel-flavored songs that have become part of the jazz canon, including “Lonely Woman,” “Song For My Father,” “Señor Blues,” “The Preacher,” “Nica’s Dream” and “Peace.” For more than 28 years, Silver recorded for the Blue Note label and was named an NEA Jazz Master in 1993.
The “Give the Band a Hand” gala is an essential source of financial support for CJF.
“The California Jazz Foundation fills a critical void by assisting California’s jazz musicians in need,” said Edythe L. Bronston, CJF founder and president. “The COVID pandemic closed jazz clubs and concert halls and put musicians of all ages out of work. Many older musicians have no Social Security or health insurance, and some see no residuals from their important work. They rely on us and we rely on the community to keep the Foundation financially sound and swinging.”
For more information, visit californiajazzfoundation.org. DB
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
Ibrahim was an early jazz acolyte, studying the music via 78s he would buy from soldiers stationed in South Africa — who also gave him the nickname “Dollar.”
Jun 30, 2026 3:19 PM
Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, the NEA Jazz Master from South Africa who helped fuse the folk music of his home country with…
“The love from the jazz and music community restored my faith in humanity,” Walia wrote in an online post upon his release from detention at an ICE facility.
Aug 18, 2026 2:15 PM
Indian jazz guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia has been released after being unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken…
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez was among the artists scheduled to perform at the now-canceled inaugural LA Jazz Festival.
Aug 11, 2026 12:53 PM
The inaugural LA Jazz Festival, originally scheduled to run Aug. 7–23 with dozens of events across Los Angeles’…
