SFJazz Gala Outlines 2025 Event, Don Was Lifetime Achievement Award, Tribute to Zakir Hussain and More
On Thursday, June 12, the SFJAZZ Gala will honor producer, musician, and President of Blue Note Records Don Was with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The event will also feature a tribute to the late tabla master, Zakir Hussain, longtime collaborator of the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and musical partner in Planet Drum.
The impending Gala represents SFJAZZ’s most significant fundraising effort of the year. The occasion boasts an array of events, including an All-Star Gala concert hosted by comedian Paul Reiser, and featuring Terence Blanchard, Was, Kurt Elling, Ambrose Akinmusire, Melissa Aldana, Bill Frisell, Charles Lloyd, Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland, and more.
Also included is a musical eulogy to the late Hussain, who passed away in December. The tribute is billed to feature longtime collaborators, Lloyd, Frisell, Harland, James Moran, and Larry Grenadier performing “Hymn to the Mother.” The aforementioned offering will be followed by a raga from Salar Nader (tabla) and Alam Khan (sarod).
Following the main event, there will be a Gala After Party, with entertainment provided by DJ Andre Power. Click this link for information on the event and subsequent schedule.
