$20 cover charge. $10 for students / musicians / low income.

Michael Dease, trombone
Jason Hainsworth, tenor saxophone
Spencer Hoefert, guitar
Cris Carrera, bass
Robert Chapa, drums

Jason Hainsworth, Assistant Director of the Roots, Jazz & American Music program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (to initiates, the SFCM RJAM), welcomes long-time running-buddy-in-jazz Michael Dease to front a jazz quintet as they run through a fat program of jazz classics and originals.  Michael is here in San Francisco out of East Lansing, Michigan as a visiting faculty member in the RJAM program, putting the students through their paces in an enlightening week of classes. The rhythm section for this date comprises three first- and second-year students of the SFCM’s RJAM program who vividly demonstrate the talents that each new generation brings to America’s finest indigenous music, once again ensuring a bright future for jazz in America!

Michael Dease was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, and played saxophone and trumpet before choosing the trombone at age 17.  In 2003, he moved to New York City to become part of the historic first class of jazz students at Julliard — an appropriate fact, given that the RJAM students he’s schooling this week at the SFCM are the first- and second-year trailblazers in a jazz program that was newly introduced just last year at an institution with a 100-year history of classical music education, only now letting down its defenses as Jason and RJAM Director Simon Rowe build a program for the new era!

Earning both Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees and quickly establishing a reputation as a brilliant soloist, collaborator and bandleader, Michael has over the years gained deep experience as a musician and an educator, and he brings vast knowledge of the jazz tradition and its building blocks to the students of the RJAM, who will be out in force for tonight’s concert.

A world-class jazz talent, Jason Hainsworth has quickly established himself as a central pillar of the San Francisco jazz scene. though his duties at the SFCM keep him too busy to be in the clubs more than just a bit. Jason made his name in the jazz constellation coming out of his native Houston, Texas, where he studied at the prestigious High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before going on to the University of New Orleans.

In New Orleans, Jason studied with legendary jazz educator Ellis Marsalis and saxophonist Victor Goines. He then moved to the New York/New Jersey area to continue his musical studies at William Paterson University while performing along the eastern seaboard. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in music, Jason matriculated at Florida State University for graduate work where he earned his Master’s degree in Jazz Studies.

As a performer, Jason has led his own quartet throughout the world to critical acclaim, recently headlining the Suriname Jazz Festival. He has also performed and recorded with Michael Dease, Johnathan Blake, Josh Evans, Renee Rosnes, Linda Oh, Claudio Roditi, Randy Brecker, Lewis Nash, Glenn Zaleski, Tim Warfield and Martin Bejerano, to name just a few. Additionally, he’s a current touring member of Ed Calle’s Mamblue (2016 Latin Grammy Winner), Tito Puente Jr’s. Latin Jazz All Stars and the Melton Mustafa Jazz Orchestra. He has performed extensively throughout the United States and South America.

As a composer/arranger, Jason has received commissions to craft works  for Jimmy Cobb, Russell Malone, Tim Warfield and many others; and his compositions and arrangements have been performed throughout the country at jazz festivals including those of Oklahoma State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Iowa, Jacksonville State University and Florida A&M. His first vocal arrangement was premiered last spring at the Florida Music Educators Conference by the Dillard Center for the Arts Vocal Ensemble.

Jason’s debut album, “Kaleidoscope,” features original compositions and arrangements for big bands, with Tanya Darby, Linda Oh, Claudio Roditi and Michael Dease as soloists. His latest album, “Third Ward Stories” from Origin Records reflects his New Orleans sojourn as well as his understanding of the music’s roots, and features jazz heavyweights Michael Dease, Josh Evans and Johnathan Blake, among other remarkable talents.

As noted. Jason is currently the Assistant Director of the Roots, Jazz, and American Music (RJAM) program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, bringing up a new generation of musicians in the jazz tradition.

Like what you hear? Come around on the 2nd Monday of each month when RJAM students hold forth in a blazing jam session, welcoming other students from around the Bay to plumb what the music holds to offer! Jason and director Simon Rowe are likely to be on hand, along with two dozen brilliant students of the form, likely more…