Happy Birthday Joe Henderson!

Today would have been Joe Henderson's 76th Birthday. Many critics and jazz enthusiasts alike arguably declare that Henderson was one of the greatest tenor saxophonists in jazz history, contributing on over 200 recording dates for labels like Blue Note, Milestone, and Verve. The iconic musician also played an important part in SFJAZZ's rich history, performing almost yearly at the San Francisco Jazz Festival during the eighties and nineties. To honor the jazz legend and his importance to SFJAZZ, the smaller rehearsal/performance space in the SFJAZZ Center was named the "Joe Henderson Lab". The performance space is host to many smaller and more intimate concerts, as well as the monthly Hotplate series and numerous education workshops and classes. While attending one of these events or workshops it's easy to find yourself fully engaged with the incredible music that is constantly taking place in that space, however it's always worth noticing the beautiful painting of Joe Henderson by award-winning artist Mark Ulriksen that hangs up high and reminds us of all the wonderful music Mr. Henderson left us with to appreciate and enjoy.

With that, Happy Birthday Joe!

Here is some of the exciting events that will soon take place in the Joe Henderson Lab:

May 9: Hotplate: Mads Tolling plays Stéphane Grappelli
May 11: Family Matinee Workshop
May 18-19: Paula West
June 6-9: SFJAZZ Poetry Festival
June 8: Family Matinee Workshop
June 13-16: Harold López-Nussa Duo Residency
June 17-19: Giulia Valle Group Residency
June 20-23: Wil Blades Residency

Award-winning illustrator/artist Mark Ulriksen and Randall Kline pose in front of Ulriksen's painting of Joe Henderson, which will forever be located in the Lab.