Though he's a newcomer to SJZ's Board, Ross McMahon has always been involved in the arts, first as an Irish step dancer and later as an ice skater, competing in both disciplines at the national level. He played guitar in bands throughout the bay area while getting his bachelor of arts in American Literature at Santa Clara University, volunteered at campus radio station KSCU and then later, while attending Tulane Law School, at WTUL New Orleans. Ross has been a trial attorney with the Santa Clara County Public Defender Office for the last 15 years. He's a long-time attendee of SJZ's flagship event, the annual Summer Fest, and enjoys combing the offerings for his must-see shows each year.

Mads Tolling Quartet with Tierney Sutton

Thu Mar 5, Café Stritch When I first heard Turtle Island String Quartet’s version of Pat Matheny’s “Jaco” over two decades ago, it was a revelation.  String quartets weren’t supposed to be able to swing! But swing they did and it’s a real treat, all these years later, to get an opportunity to see Mads Tolling, a former member of that group, with Tierney Sutton, the outstanding Los Angeles-based female vocalist, in a very intimate setting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJicqZRFok0  

Kris Bowers

Fri Mar 6, San Jose Stage Company Juilliard graduate and winner of the prestigious Thelonius Monk Competition, Kris Bowers has wide-open ears and very little use for musical genre distinctions. Think of this as a “state of the union” of modern improvisational music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mx5rZFAm0g  

Free Salsa Dance Party with Edgardo Cambón and LaTiDo

Sat Mar 7, Fairmont Lobby Lounge Over the last few years, some of my fondest Summer Fest memories were made at the somewhat under-the-radar dance party that breaks out nightly in the lobby of the Fairmont. I’m very happy to see that the tradition continues at this years Winter Fest with an outstanding salsa group led by Edgardo Cambón. Bring your dancing shoes and get some tips from the professional dance instructor onsite! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjrpiIxjC4M  

Kendrick Scott Oracle

Sun Mar 8, Café Stritch Not even 35 years old, drummer and bandleader Kendrick Scott has performed with such jazz masters as Joe Lovano and Diane Reeves. A long-time member of Terrence Blanchard’s band, Mr. Scott is equally at home playing the music of Herbie Hancock as he is covering Sufjian Stevens.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5KJlS8pDSE&list=PL0rsaN9XVyZmQALoQjMDRwKzC1j216KS1&index=2  

Denise Perrier Trio with Houston Person

Sun Mar 8, Cafe Stritch At 80 years of age, Houston Person is not just the elder statesman of this year’s Winter Fest, but an elder statesman of modern jazz itself. His soulful playing on his Prestige recordings from the late sixties and early seventies was what first turned me on to him and I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to hear his wonderful tone as he shares the stage with the Bay Area’s own Denise Perrier. He’s been absolutely prolific as a sideman and a bandleader for the last 40 years and it’s a real treat to have him and Denise closing out the festival.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Glw5TMDQM   Edgardo Cambon and LaTiDo concert is one of four free dance parties made possible through the generosity of The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in partnership with the San Jose Downtown Association. A special thank you also to the Western States Arts Federation and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as generous gifts from Jan De Carli and Bruce Powell for making the Denise Perrier Trio with Houston Person concert possible. Winter Fest takes place Feb 27-Mar 8. For more info about Winter Fest, and to purchase tickets, visit sanjosejazz.org/winterfest