SFJAZZ

Went to SFJazz for first time to see Cyrille Aimee. Joe Henderson Lab an interesting small venue. However, The seating is pure torture. The performance was wonderful but the chairs were so uncomfortable I was thankful the show ran just over 60 minutes. I noticed several people carrying in cushions, now I know why. If I return, I am bringing a pillow.

I’ve seen hypnotic brass ensemble and terrace Martin here. Two different areas; one way close down on the side of the stage and the other way up in the corner where I could barely see the entire stage. But the way I feel about live music and concerts is how I feel abut a baseball game; when you’re in, it doesn’t matter where you sit. you can hear everything! This venue is pretty cool. The restaurant is nice… and as expected, drinks are pricey.

SF Jazz is a modern marvel and a breath of fresh air to Hayes Valley, hosting some of the best musicians worldwide! Seeing Winton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Regina Carter, Jesus Alemeñy, and Cassandra Wilson in such a personal venue makes it feel like they are performing just for me. The sound is so well balanced that I am blown away – not by the volume – but by the delivery of each note presented, whether through the perfectly balanced line array speakers or the snap of fingers (not miked) and by the various instruments on stage, especially the vocals. So when you want you want the best of entertainment for you personally, make your way here and be ready to be wowed.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!!! They invite world class Jazz musicians to Miner Auditorium. This hall is an intimate setting, and sound is fantastic! Seats are comfortable, and except floor seats, each row is raised high enough from the one in front of it so sights are never blocked.
I also like Joe Henderson Lab which is an even more intimate space. They invite incredible musicians from all over the world to this space too. This place is also very beautiful to look from the street when musicians are playing.
I’ve been to SFJazz at least 30 times, I’ve seen many incredible shows here, but I feel I keep missing fun shows and events because all kinds of greatest musicians keep coming here and SFJazz keeps planning new things.

Fantastic place to watch a show with a snooty crowd. The auditorium acoustics are absurd. A production guy once told me that people have thrown up from the lack of echo.
A little expensive and not for the dingy dive bar jazz crowd.

I have been to the SF Jazz Center once, and my experience was 5 stars. I saw a performance at the Joe Henderson Lab and the sound, environment, and staff were all very nice.
This review is 1-​star because of their online presence. Today, I tried to purchase 2 ticket for another event. I don’t want an SJ Jazz account, but you do not get a «continue as guest option,» when you try to buy tickets… I had trouble creating an account, so I called and was spoken to by a very sweet lady named Leslie, she was great. I told her my problems and she offered to take my order through the phone, which sounded great.
Here is the reason why SF Jazz gets 1 star. After selecting my tickets, she asked if I wanted to pay $ 5 a piece for an emailed ticket, or $ 7 for willcall… Yikes… $ 5 a piece for a digital copy, that is not right. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of an emailed ticket???
That being said, if you physically go to the box office, you can buy a ticket without any fee, which is an alternative to $ 5 a piece, but terribly inconvenient.
This is a bummer, get with it SF Jazz.

God damn this place is sexy.
There are really no bad seats in the Miner Auditorium, it all comes down to budget and what kind of viewing you want. I was able to nab a great seat last minute for the Chris Botti concert. Ushers and box office staff were courteous and hospitable. They have a bar out near the foyer and guests are allowed to bring drinks into the auditorium. The next time I go, I may want to consider a center terrace level seat for different perspective.
Please respect their house rules regarding restrictions on photo or video recording UNLESS the management or the talent explicitly gives permission to do so. Even then, don’t whip out your phone for the entire duration of the concert — you’re there to experience the music live, not through a 4.7−5.5″ screen that’s distracting to your neighbors. It really should go without saying but in this day and age… well, people know no boundaries.
Go! Bring a date. Explore and embrace jazz. You’re sure to have a fantastic time here.

Great venue for listening to live music! Amphitheater seating gives everyone a great view. Sound technicians do a great job of making sure every performer and performance can be heard. Nuanced lighting contributes but it’s about the music not a «light show».
Staff is helpful in getting everyone to where they need to be. Nice to be able to enjoy an adult beverage and snacks if we want.
I’ve been here several times and wonder why they allow folks to pull out smartphones to photograph and film the performances. The angled seating allows everyone behind the offenders to see what is going on. As screen sizes are becoming increasingly larger it is a major distraction. Seems that folks feel empowered watching others do it as well. Some are discreet but others take photos with the flash on or shoot a video with the light blazing away. I see no notices that prohibit such behavior and have yet to hear an announcement discouraging folks from using recording devices or phones.
Paid $ 72 for the last great show at the SF Jazz Center and would have enjoyed the performance more if not constantly distracted by the glowing screens around me.

Great venue in excellent location! Wonderful staff and beautiful, intimate design for Jazz. Love the design of the building, has a nice flow to accommodate patrons and the smaller, glass enclosed hall for smaller venues makes you feel like you are in Europe– very modern and beautiful design!
A gem for the city!

I bought tickets here for a show a few years back, and it was honestly just OK. The venue is nice and modern.
But my 1 star is based on the amount of spam I have had to endure from this company, primarily in the form of junk in the mail, which comes quite frequently. And of course, I never agreed to any of the spam. This type of advertisement tactic is disgusting.

Chris Botti on 12÷20÷16− Couldn’t have asked for a better venue! SF Jazz Center is a must go to!

I’ve attended about 20 shows here, and overall it is a good place to catch a show but it is way too formal. I wish they had more shows with Dance Floor tickets. I also wish Yoshi’s SF hadn’t closed down because it was a more fun venue to hear jazz, but I realize that it was difficult to sustain two jazz venues in town. That being said, I do find myself coming back every other month because SFJAZZ does attract world class performers.
As other reviewers have noted, drinks are pricey as heck. But there are plentiful restaurants and bars in the area to grab a drink and bite before a show. It is BART accessible but I’ve decided after taking BART a handful of times that I’m done with the stinky walk over to SFJAZZ unless I’m desperate.
Ticket prices are higher than at Yoshi’s Oakland, but I’ve decided you get what you pay for. SFJAZZ shows are consistently around 2 hours, whereas at Yoshi’s it is more commonly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Also, SFJAZZ is a new venue, whereas Yoshi’s is well worn and in need of a remodel. I can imagine that the loans to build SFJAZZ require higher ticket prices.

Good view of the performers anywhere you sit. Clean and great acoustics. Great customer service. The ushers were great in showing you your seat. There were festive balloons in the lobby. We were allowed to dance also during the new year’s day concert of Maceo! Sold! This is 5 star treatment of customers!!! Very festive. Street parking were ample. Nice location Thank you!
Great and trendy on-​site restaurant, South.

This is a world class space and I am so glad I got to go to opening week of this new season! The Miner Auditorium is beautifully constructed with not a bad seat in the house. There are your traditional floor seats, terrace seats and then the upper terrace where it’s almost like a balcony with high seats make the space very accessible for different budgets!
I was lucky enough to catch Chick Corea and Bela Fleck and as a pianist, always want to see the hands so initially had seats on the left. Upon coming in, chick had changed the piano around so it was facing the other direction so I quickly ran downstairs to box office to see if I could switch my seats around (or else I’d have been devastated!). They quickly helped me out and I was in heaven.
With projection of lighting and screen for further projections, it is an ideal multi purpose space.

I cannot give less than 5 stars for a place dedicated to Jazz music.
It’s the first of its kind (build by jazz lover for jazz lovers).
The miner auditorium looks a bit cold (color wise/​atmosphere) but is unbeatable in terms of acoustic. You’ll clearly see and hear the artist decently pretty much anywhere you are seating.
Venues seems to be carefully and greatly chosen.
I saw Chick Corea there (non-​electric), and it was outstanding.
The only drawback? parking space. Try to park (10 $) on Oak St. in front of the conservatory.
I am ready to drive over an hour to go listen to jazz concerts there. I’m getting my membership card today!

Great venue – so glad we have this opportunity in SF!
We had the chance last night to hear the Freddie Cole quartet – wow – as smooth and mellow as it gets. The Miner Auditorium feels good as soon as you walk in – it’s got that intimate vibe yet also has a professional look. You know that you’re going to enjoy the evening with whatever act has been booked. Great sound!
And, there is an incredible variety of performers to choose from. I couldn’t believe the performers that have been booked just for the June 9-​August 23 Summer at SFJazz series!
There really is something for everyone.
I took the time the read the names of the donors on the wall outside of the auditorium. I wonder what inspired them to give so much to help put this Jazz Center together?
Such vision for our city – special thanks to them!

Great venue. Miner auditorium is pristine and there’s no bad seat in the house — except for those stools on the very top. Avoid the stools at all costs. Musicians have been pretty stellar for this two year run, let’s see if it continues.
Now on to the real problem… jazz audiences or audiences in general. It’s too bad that people think they’re hear to drink, be seen, socialize, and maybe listen to a little jazz in the process. I’ve been to about 5 shows here and the audience has ranged from pretty quiet and respectful to outright disruptive. Well maybe not entirely disruptive, but seriously, if you can’t go more than five minutes without a drink then why are you here? Go to a bar instead. Audiences need to learn to stop talking (that means whispering too, I can hear you), stop checking your phone in the middle of the set, and being big boys and girls and holding it in every now and then (especially if you getting up means everyone is going to know about it).
Great venue, though.

I am embarrassed to admit that last night was the first time I have been to SFJAZZ, even though it has been open for two years. That said — it’s been open for two years and they have had plenty of time to address a pretty major flaw mentioned by several other Unilocal reviewers: THERE IS NO COAT CHECK.
Seriously — this is San Francisco, not Los Angeles. The weather is cool at night and people wear these additional layers of clothing called «coats» — and motorcyclists likewise have helmets/​jackets/​overpants (number of motorcyclists are higher per capita in the Bay Area than anywhere in the US).
Fortunately, a nice manager named Claire stowed my gear in a storage closet in a locked area — and I quickly discovered at the end of the show: I was not the only person to do so. Even SF Opera has a coat check! People were wearing hats all through the performance (seriously?).
All that aside — it’s a gorgeous building with incredible acoustics. I think the sound in Miner Auditorium could not be better — I’m very happy I did not pick a seat behind the stage as those folks looked as though they were straining to see the action on stage.
The seats were really comfortable for this type of stadium seating — and I look forward to returning for more events. I will continue to lobby for a coat check (!).

Lovely venue and great music experience.
The good:
Made the trip to the city on a work night and came here for the first time for a jazz concert. We were seated one level above the ground floor with an excellent view. Even though it fits 700 people in the Miner Auditorium, it felt intimate and the acoustics were great.
There’s enough space on the ground floor that you can dance if you feel like it. It took almost the whole night, but eventually the singer got everyone on their feet and grooving.
It’s an interesting space with higher level seating formations that aren’t identical for both sides of the room, maybe to optimize the view, plus there’s a seating row behind the stage. First time I’ve seen something like that, and I’m not sure I would enjoy looking at the backs of their heads all night. I’m curious about the sound from that location though. Oh and every chair has a cup holder, so drink away!
Good to know:
There are a few public parking lots nearby. We parked next to the ballet theatre. Thought we were going to get the night hourly rate but they got us with a flat special events charge of $ 15…damn it!
Would I recommend?
Yes, if there is someone performing there you want to watch, go for it!

Wow! First stand-​alone Jazz Center in the US. Great acoustics and A Love Supreme/​John Coltrane 50^th Anniversary Celebration is just awesome!
Ravi Coltrane (Saxophone), Joe Lovano (Saxophone) Drew Gress (Bassist), Geri Allen (Piano) and my friend Ralph Peterson (Drums) were absolutely fantastic!
This is a great center and the acoustics were phenomenal! Not a bad seat in the house!
They have three bars and the Tequila Special was do yummy!