SFJAZZ founder Randall Kline honored at the 9th Annual MoAD Gala

L-R: Randall Kline, Anna Deavere Smith, Linda Dunham, Richard Mayhew

SFJAZZ Founder and Executive Artistic Director Randall Kline was honored as "Patron of Culture" for his contribution to the arts at the 9th Annual Gala for San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) on Saturday, October 11. Titled “Shared Journeys,” the event was held at the city’s spectacular Four Seasons Hotel, hosted by ABC7 News anchor Carolyn Tyler. Fellow honorees included Linda Dunham, Chairman of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith, and artist Richard Mayhew. Guitarist Terrence Brewer, pianist Tammy Hall, the Brazilian All-Stars and the D-Lucca Music Group provided music, and proceeds benefited MoAD’s exhibitions, public programs, and events.

PHOTO: Herbie Hancock at SFJAZZ Center

Herbie Hancock: "Rockit" on keytar ©Rick Swig

A big thanks to pianist Herbie Hancock for a whirlwind of a weekend... from rocking it at the 2014 SFJAZZ Gala to 3 unforgettable performances with bassist Marcus Miller, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, guitarist Lionel Loueke and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain! From the start, this superband clearly came to play. Colaiuta's slamming groove introducing "Actual Proof" from Herbie's 1974 funk masterpiece Thrust kicked off the show and set the tone for each performance, which covered many of Herbie's best-known tunes including "Chameleon," "Cantaloupe Island" and a unique take on "Watermelon Man" that incorporated part of Lionel Loueke's odd-time composition "Seventeen." A highlight of each show was a duet between Loueke and Hussain, which seamlessly integrated African and Indian musical traditions, and the band ended the set with a supercharged performance of Herbie's smash 1983 electro-funk anthem "Rockit." Photos below:

Herbie Hancock, Lionel Loueke, Vinnie Colaiuta, Marcus Miller & Zakir Hussain ©Grason Littles

Marcus Miller ©Grason Littles

Zakir Hussain ©Grason Littles

Lionel Loueke ©Rick Swig

Vinnie Colaiuta ©Rick Swig

For more photos, go to SFJAZZ Flickr. Also, check out a recap on the 2014 SFJAZZ Gala!