For over five decades, the Stanford Jazz Festival has been home to iconic performances, from legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz to groundbreaking artists like Joshua Redman and Bill Frisell. This year, we’re proud to continue that tradition with 26 extraordinary artists and bands over six weeks of vibrant music and culture.

This summer, we celebrate jazz’s rich roots and its global connections. From the swinging sounds of jazz standards to the rhythms of Brazil and Cuba, our lineup promises a dynamic journey. We’re thrilled to open with Fred Hersch Trio, named Jazz Group of the Year by DownBeat Magazine. Don’t miss the Jeremy Pelt Quintet performing selections from his new album Woven, and be captivated by Ken Peplowski’s interpretation of Charlie Parker’s Unheard Bird. John Pizzarelli celebrates the 40th anniversary of his debut album, while Joel Ross brings vibraphone mastery with his band Good Vibes. Lizz Wright’s soulful vocals and George Cables’ hard bop piano mastery will close out the festival in style.

Each concert is a unique experience, with collaborations and performances you won’t find anywhere else. The Stanford Jazz Festival remains a space where musical boundaries are pushed, and new creative possibilities emerge.

Tue, 7/15/2025 @ 7:30 PM

Luther Allison Sextet

VIRTUOSITY REDEFINED

Discover the innovative piano artistry of Luther S. Allison and his high-energy sextet. Honored with a Grammy and celebrating a critically acclaimed new release, Allison blends jazz foundations with modern originality, offering a captivating performance that redefines contemporary piano jazz.

Experience the boundary-pushing artistry of Luther S. Allison, a Grammy-winning pianist, composer, and bandleader whose dynamic sextet brings high-energy, forward-thinking jazz to the stage. Blending deep jazz foundations with modern originality, Allison’s music is bold, expressive, and electrifying, celebrating both tradition and innovation. His critically acclaimed new release showcases his unique approach—where intricate compositions, inspired improvisation, and rhythmic power converge to create a captivating, contemporary jazz experience.

A versatile force in the jazz world, Allison is equally adept as a pianist, drummer, and educator, performing nationally and internationally as both a leader and a sought-after sideman. He has shared the stage with an impressive roster of artists, including Etienne Charles, Jazzmeia Horn, Samara Joy, Rodney Whitaker, and Ulysses Owens Jr. Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, he discovered jazz through the Jazz Arts Initiative, where he performed alongside Donald Harrison and Delfeayo Marsalis before pursuing his studies at the University of Tennessee and later Michigan State University.

Don’t miss this thrilling performance, where high-powered ensemble interplay, vibrant compositions, and cutting-edge improvisation come together to redefine contemporary piano jazz.

Artist Website 

Personnel:

Luther Allison, Drums

Markus Howell, Alto Saxophone

Noah Simpson, Trumpet

Cost: $12.00 - $30.00

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