SFJAZZ Appoints New CEO, Greg Stern

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Bay Area nonprofit SFJAZZ announces a new CEO is set to begin June 15.

(Photo: Henrik Kam)

SFJAZZ announced Thursday that Greg Stern would become CEO of the Bay Area nonprofit. His tenure is set to begin June 15 as he succeeds Don Derheim, who was in the role for six years.

“I’m delighted that SFJAZZ has found someone of Greg’s enormous breadth of skills and experience,” said Randall Kline, executive artistic director and founder of SFJAZZ, in a press release. “His expertise in leading one of the country’s most innovative and successful advertising agencies, combined with his love of jazz and his previous service as an SFJAZZ Trustee, is exactly what is needed to ensure that SFJAZZ will continue to grow and prosper.”

SFJAZZ has since 1983 presented concerts and spearheaded education efforts in the Bay, while its namesake collective has included players ranging from saxophonists Joshua Redman and Miguel Zenón to in-demand bassist Matt Brewer.

The SFJAZZ Collective was set to celebrate Miles Davis’ In A Silent Way and Sly & The Family Stone’s Stand! when the coronavirus pandemic interrupted its national tour. DB



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