The vibrant sounds of jazz will once again bridge the border this October as the second annual San Diego-Tijuana International Jazz Festival (SDTJ Jazz) kicks off. The three-day event, running from October 2-5, is set to bring the binational community together with a celebration of musical talent, featuring everything from classic standards to innovative fusions.
The festival is designed to highlight the shared cultural fabric of the region, with performances scheduled across three distinct venues, each offering a unique lineup and experience.
Quartyard – San Diego
On October 2, Quartyard in San Diego will open its doors from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The evening’s lineup features:
- 5:30–6:10 p.m.: Binational Youth Ensemble – Students from top extracurricular jazz programs on both sides of the border bring youthful energy and skill to the stage.
- 6:30–7:30 p.m.: The Less Likely – Led by Baja California jazz guitarist Pako Barragán, this Tijuana quintet blends jazz, rock, and hip-hop, performing original compositions alongside electrifying covers.
- 8:00–9:00 p.m.: Irving Flores Afro-Cuban Jazz Sextet – Celebrating his new album Armando Mi Conga, San Diego jazz pianist Irving Flores leads a star-studded band featuring Horacio “El Negro” Hernández (drums), Norbert Stachel (sax/flute), Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet), René Camacho (bass), and Daniel Feldman (congas).
Location: 1301 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Admission: Free
California Center For The Arts – Escondido
On October 4, doors open at 3:00 p.m. for a full day of jazz across multiple stages:
- 3:00–3:45 p.m. (Free Outdoor Stage): Iván Trujillo Ensamble – Trumpeter Iván Trujillo, the first Mexican to receive the Jazz Hero award, opens the festival with his acclaimed ensemble from Ensenada, performing original works and Bennie Maupin’s anthem Ensenada.
- 4:00–5:00 p.m. (Main Theater): Lucía – Veracruz-born singer Lucía Gutiérrez, winner of the 2022 Sarah Vaughan competition, combines jazz standards, boleros, and son jarocho traditions in a vibrant performance rooted in her musical heritage.
- 5:30–6:30 p.m. (Main Theater): James Moody @ 100 – A Grammy-winning quartet pays tribute to the legendary saxophonist’s centennial, featuring special guests Holly Hofmann and Gilbert Castellanos.
- 6:30–8:00 p.m.: Break for food and mingling
- 7:00–7:50 p.m. (Free Outdoor Stage): Gabrielle Cavassa – 2021 Sarah Vaughan competition winner Gabrielle Cavassa, recently touring with Joshua Redman, previews her debut album for Blue Note Records, coming in 2026.
- 8:15–9:30 p.m. (Main Theater): Arturo O’Farrill and the Afrolatino Ensemble with Fandango Fronterizo Colectivo – Eight-time Grammy winner Arturo O’Farrill leads his acclaimed “little big band” from New York, exploring jazz and son jarocho in collaboration with Tijuana’s Fandango Fronterizo Collective, building on their Grammy-winning work on Fandango at the Wall.
Location: California Center for the Arts, Escondido
Tickets: Starting at $54 USD
Avenida Revolución – Tijuana
On October 5, Avenida Revolución comes alive from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with music, art, and vibrant performances:
- 3:00–3:40 p.m.: Binational Youth Ensemble
- 4:00–5:00 p.m.: The Less Likely
- 5:45–6:45 p.m.: Lucía
- 7:15–8:15 p.m.: Irving Flores Afro-Cuban Jazz Sextet
- 8:45–10:00 p.m.: Arturo O’Farrill and the Afrolatino Ensemble with Fandango Fronterizo Colectivo
Many of the artists performing in San Diego will also take the stage in Tijuana, making this a unique binational celebration of jazz.
Admission: Free
A large number of the artists performing in San Diego will also be part of the event in Tijuana. More information available at San Diego-Tijuana Jazz Festival.
