Jazz on the Plazz
Every Wednesday ♦ 6:30-8:30 P.M.
Free to the public concert series
Summer Concerts 2025
Wednesdays
June 25th– August 20th | 6:30-8:30PM
Los Gatos Town Plaza
June 25
Mads Tolling & The Mads Men, with vocalist Kenny Washington, blend the cool vibes of the 1960s with a modern jazz twist. Led by two-time Grammy-winning violinist Mads Tolling, the group reimagines classic pop and soul hits from the era, like “Mission: Impossible” and “Georgia on My Mind.” Featuring acclaimed jazz vocalist Kenny Washington, known for his rich tone and masterful scatting, their performances are a lively tribute to a golden age of music with a fresh, contemporary edge.
July 9
Full Spectrum Jazz Orchestra with Kyle Hernandez— Tribute to Pat Metheny
Full Spectrum Jazz Orchestra, based in Silicon Valley, is a dynamic 18-piece big band that has captivated audiences since 1996. Known for its versatile repertoire, the ensemble performs everything from classic Count Basie swing to modern Latin jazz, featuring original compositions and innovative arrangements of jazz standards. Their performances are marked by tight ensemble playing and standout soloists, earning praise from jazz luminaries like Wayne Bergeron and Dr. Herb Wong for keeping the big band tradition vibrant and forward-moving.
Kyle Hernandez is a multifaceted jazz guitarist, vocalist, composer, and producer whose passionate and genre-defying style has garnered acclaim. Originally from California, Hernandez honed his craft in New York City, studying at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music under mentors like Peter Bernstein and Reggie Workman. He has performed alongside jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis and Roy Hargrove and has released several albums as a bandleader. His performances are noted for their soulful intensity and melodic sensibility.
Together, Full Spectrum Jazz Orchestra and Kyle Hernandez deliver electrifying performances that blend traditional big band sounds with contemporary jazz influences, offering audiences a rich and engaging musical experience.
July 16
Featuring a 6 PM opener: San Jose Jazz High School All Stars
Ren Geisick
Ren Geisick is an Americana singer-songwriter from Los Gatos, California, whose music blends jazz, country, blues, and soul. Her debut album, Ren, Love Song (2017), produced by Jesse Harris, introduced her heartfelt style. In 2022, she released the Ruby EP, inspired by her Oklahoma-born Grandma Ruby. Ren is currently finalizing a new album set for 2025, featuring songs about outlaws, heartache, and mercy. Beyond performing, she teaches jazz voice at San Jose State University.
The San Jose Jazz High School All Stars is an audition-based ensemble comprising talented young musicians from the Silicon Valley region. Under the direction of GRAMMY® Award-winning educator Dr. Aaron Lington, the program offers pre-professional jazz theory and performance training. The All Stars have earned commendations at events like the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival and perform throughout the Bay Area, including appearances at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and Winter Fest.
www.sanjosejazz.org/educations/high-school-all-stars
July 23
The Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Band and Vocal Ensemble are premier youth jazz groups composed of top high school musicians from Monterey County. Selected through competitive auditions, these ensembles provide students with professional-level training under the guidance of esteemed jazz educators. Rehearsing bi-monthly, the ensembles focus on developing ensemble skills such as phrasing, blending, improvisation, and rhythmic feel, while exploring a range of jazz styles. They perform at prestigious nationwide venues, including the Kennedy Center, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle, San Jose Jazz Fest, and the Monterey Jazz Festival.
The Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble, established in 2007, is co-directed by Dr. Rob Klevan and Janice Perl. This group showcases talented vocalists who refine their jazz skills and perform at esteemed venues nationwide.
Stu Reynolds directs the Regional All-Star Band, which was founded in 1989. This ensemble features exceptional instrumentalists who enhance their musicianship and gain performance experience at notable jazz festivals and venues.
Participation in these ensembles allows students to earn a Certificate of Excellence in Professional Musicianship, recognizing their dedication and skill development
www.montereyjazz.org/education/ensembles
July 30
Heidi Evelyn Dance Orchestra is a vibrant ensemble led by Bay Area vocalist and bandleader Heidi Evelyn. It specializes in vintage jazz from the 1920s to the 1940s. The orchestra delivers authentic renditions of ragtime, early blues, New Orleans traditional jazz, and swing dance music, capturing the spirit of the Jazz Age. Heidi Evelyn’s powerful voice and engaging stage presence transport audiences back in time, offering an unforgettable musical experience. The ensemble performs at various venues and events, celebrating the rich legacy of vintage jazz.
August 6
Jazz Mafia
www.jazzmafia.com
Jazz Mafia is a dynamic San Francisco musicians, composers, and producers collective. It was founded 2000 by trombonist, bassist, and arranger Adam Theis. Renowned for blending jazz with genres like hip-hop, funk, classical, and world music, the group has become a cornerstone of the Bay Area’s innovative music scene. Jazz Mafia has collaborated with artists such as Roy Ayers, Lyrics Born, Zion-I, and Ledisi, and has performed at major festivals including SFJAZZ, Outside Lands, and the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. Their acclaimed project, Brass, Bows & Beats: A Hip-Hop Symphony, exemplifies their genre-defying approach by merging orchestral elements with contemporary rhythms. With over 40 albums released, Jazz Mafia continues to push musical boundaries and foster community through their eclectic performances and recordings.
Aug 13
Clairdee is a San Francisco-based jazz vocalist celebrated for her soulful interpretations, magnetic stage presence, and commitment to music education. With a career spanning over two decades, she has performed at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ Center, and international tours in Japan and Russia. Her collaborations include performances with jazz luminaries such as Marcus Shelby, Cyrus Chestnut, and Nancy Wilson.
A passionate educator, Clairdee serves as Professor of Jazz Voice at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and is actively involved with SFJAZZ and the San Francisco Symphony’s education programs. Her 2020 album, A Love Letter to Lena, pays homage to the legendary Lena Horne, blending inventive arrangements with spoken word to celebrate Horne’s legacy as an artist and activist. The album received international acclaim and was acknowledged in three categories in the 2020 Grammy® first-round nominations.
Clairdee’s dedication to community engagement and her belief in the transformative power of music continue to inspire audiences and students alike.
Aug 20
Tony Lindsay & The Soul Soldiers is a dynamic soul and R&B ensemble led by Grammy-winning vocalist Tony Lindsay. Lindsay is best known for his 25-year tenure as Santana’s lead singer, during which he earned 11 Grammy Awards and contributed to landmark albums like Supernatural. He brings decades of experience and passion to this project.
The Soul Soldiers deliver electrifying performances that blend classic soul, funk, and Latin-infused grooves. They draw from Lindsay’s rich musical background and collaborations with legends such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Curtis Mayfield. Their shows celebrate timeless hits and original compositions, including selections from Lindsay’s acclaimed solo albums, Soul Soldier and Something Beautiful.
Whether headlining festivals or performing at renowned venues like Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco, Tony Lindsay & The Soul Soldiers captivate audiences with their soulful sound and magnetic stage presence, solidifying their place in the contemporary music scene.
