LIVE MUSIC & all that SFJazz
After weathering the pandemic, founder is ready for arts organization’s next chapter
Randall Kline has a long and distinguished track record of putting on jazz shows for live audiences in the Bay Area.
It has been nearly four decades since he founded Jazz in the City — the arts organization now known as SFJazz — in 1983. Over the years, he has worked with such legends as Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Abbey Lincoln, Dave Brubeck, Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Shorter, Cassandra Wilson and Tony Bennett.
But in early 2021, Kline — like so many others in the arts world — was faced with the task of finding new ways to present performances as COVID-19 shut down venues seemingly overnight.
We recently spoke with Kline, SFJazz founder and executive artistic director, about how the organization responded to the pandemic and what’s on tap for music lovers as they return to live performances at the SFJazz Center in San Francisco.
Q
A
We were conducting business as usual, our 2019-2020 season was strong and we were selling out most of our shows. We were also excited to host, for the first time, the 2020 NEA Jazz Masters concert at the SFJazz Center.
Going into 2020, what did you think the year would look like?
Q
When did you first realize that COVID-19 was going to be a major problem for live music venues?
A
On March 11, 2020, vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant was onstage doing a sound check at the Paramount in Oakland when word came that San Francisco and Oakland had ordered the closing of all venues. After that, the concert industry came crashing down pretty fast with cancellations of all shows. We knew the impact on our staff, the artists and our members was going to be severe. We couldn’t help but think of worst-case scenarios.
Q
What were the first steps the organization took after that realization sunk in?
A
Our first steps were to manage our staff, answer their questions and prepare them, as best we could, for working from home. We immediately created an emergency task force to liaise with the city of San Francisco to stay in close communication about their protocols and mandates that were changing minute by minute. We also had to work with our members and ticket buyers to provide refunds or have people donate their tickets back to SFJazz.
Q
How did SFJazz adapt to the situation? Can you tell us about its digital platform?
A
We acted immediately on digital, broadcasting our archived performances — we have over 500 of them. The organization had been preparing to offer an online broadcast platform to launch in fall of 2022, so we had to scramble to build a platform and get it up and running within just a few weeks, instead of the planned six months.
We currently offer weekly broadcasts, on-demand concerts, and our education department led by Rebeca Mauleon has been able to digitally expand and enhance our education programs. We also created the SFJazz 50/50 Fund where viewers of our broadcasts can contribute financially to the artists performing and, since March 2020, we have provided over $600,000 directly to artists.
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What are the future plans for the digital platform? A
We are going to continue a similar plan with broadcasting concerts from the SFJazz Center every Friday, and we will be expanding the selections of on-demand concerts.
Q
How will you balance digital revenue streams and presenting physical concerts?
A
Our digital content is still too new to project, and it will take time to develop. Since March 2020, we have signed up 15,000 digital members, and we hope to double that number in the coming year.
Q
How much have you missed live music — with an audience — over the last 1½ years?
A
I have missed it terribly. SFJazz has presented concerts for almost 40 years and to several generations of people, and I am so looking forward to experiencing again the connection
between artists and audiences and the transformative power of music.
Q
How will concerts be different at SFJazz in 2021 from pre-pandemic?
A
People will be masked, must be vaccinated, and we cannot
have youth under 12 years of age attend our concerts. SFJazz has always been an all-ages venue, and it deeply saddens me and the organization that we now cannot have these young people for concerts (due to them not being able to be vaccinated). I hope that changes soon as these youth are the future audiences that all performing arts venues need.
Q
What are some of the behind-the-scenes improvements at the SFJazz Center, especially in relation to COVID safety?
A
We have completely upgraded an already great ventilation system in the SFJazz Center’s Robert N. Miner Auditorium. We now have more fresh air turnover, better and more equal ventilation. We are also introducing a new immersive media system that will digitally transform the walls and surfaces of the auditorium.
Q
What did you learn about presenting concerts during the pandemic?
A
We learned that it is possible to truly engage with people in their homes around the world and give them the SFJazz experience even if they never come to San Francisco or are familiar with the organization.
Q
You have referenced SFJazz as a community center. What is the role of a jazz venue in building community — especially at this point in time?
A
All of us need the inspiration and comfort of live music, and there is a need to be with others to feel the same thing — now more than ever. SFJazz provides a place to learn about the music, listen to the perspectives of others and join together to examine our shared histories and discuss how we want our future to look.
Q
What has been the reaction from fans about the reopening of the venue?
A
The most common comment has been “We can’t wait to be there.” Artists, staff, volunteers are all ready to present concerts and create an environment that is safe for all of us.
Q
What shows should we mark on our calendars for the 2021-22 season? There are probably too many to list, but how about five recommendations?
A
I recommend the Branford Marsalis Quartet Oct. 21-24; the SFJazz Collective with new members Lizz Wright, Chris Potter and others Oct. 28-31, performing original repertoire that has been created to reflect these turbulent times; Ravi Coltrane playing the music of his parents, John and Alice Coltrane, Nov. 4-7; Snarky Puppy at the Paramount in Oakland Nov. 8-9; and our annual New Year’s Eve week with Maceo Parker. We are also presenting over 60 local Bay Area artists with more to be confirmed.