Against the backdrop of World War II, dozens of Fillmore Street Jazz clubs hosted the era’s major musical talents, including Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Billie Holliday. Stars such as Joe Louis, Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood and Sammy Davis, Jr. sparkled in the audience. At the legendary Jimbo’s, Louis Armstrong went to check out Charlie Parker (the only known time they were under the same roof). Chet Baker snuck out of the Fort Mason barracks to jam all night, and John Handy played Bop City with John Coltrane.
In the 60s, Jazz historian David Rosenbaum ran the Melrose Record shop on Fillmore Street, employing high school student Maya Angelou. Zen Buddhism was first introduced to the West in the Fillmore, which became a creative home to artists including Isaac Stern, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Mel Blanc and Alan Ginsberg.
Much changed following the devastation and wholesale community razing conducted by Justin Herman, San Francisco's worst-ever Redevelopment Agency chief. Herman called the African-American neighborhood and Japanese neighborhood along Filmore Street a "blithe" and set out to destroy them both. Yet despite Herman's effort to annihilate the jazz community along Fillmore Street, the tradition proved to be too tenacious even for Herman's bulldozers.
In the 1980’s, a renaissance gave rise to the next generation of the Fillmore District. Merchant associations helped launch the first Fillmore Jazz Festival in 1985, giving new expression to the storied neighborhood. In 1999, the festival came home to the newly revitalized Jazz Preservation District.
Performers who have graced Fillmore Street stages include Dr. Lonnie Smith, Denise Perrier, Lady Memphis, Kim Nalley, Pete Escovedo, Jules Broussard, Big Belly Blues Band, Brenda Boykin and Paula West.
Today, Fillmore Street once again hops with an acknowledging nod to the spirit that once filled the street. Boasting an eclectic mix of over 200 businesses: music clubs, shops and restaurants, it continues to echo the music of its birth, transcending boundaries, embracing diversity, and celebrating personal style.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
California Street Stage
| 10:00 - 11:30 | Michael LaMacchia |
| 12:00 - 1:30 | |
| 2:00 - 3:30 | Contemporary Jazz Orchestra |
| 4:00 - 6:00 | Terese Genecco |
Sutter Street Stage
| 10:00 - 11:30 | Erik Lindquist Trio |
| 12:00 - 1:30 | Ben Wanicur Quartet |
| 2:00 - 3:30 | Smith Dobson V Quartet |
| 4:00 - 6:00 | Mitch Marcus Sextet |
Ellis Street Stage
| 10:00 - 11:30 | Jaye & Friends |
| 12:00 - 1:30 | Kimbrough & Company |
| 2:00 - 4:00 | Everyday People |
| 4:30 - 6:00 | Sila and the Afrofunk Experience |
Sunday, July 1, 2007
California Street Stage
| 10:00 - 11:30 | Fazz |
| 12:00 - 1:30 | Wil Blades |
| 2:00 - 3:30 | Will Bernard |
| 4:00 - 6:00 | Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra |
Sutter Street Stage
| 10:00 - 11:30 | Rachel Lauren |
| 12:00 - 1:30 | Brass Mafia |
| 2:00 - 3:30 | Mel Martin Quartet |
| 4:00 - 6:00 | Bautista |
Ellis Street Stage
| 10:00 - 11:30 | Jazz Philosophy |
| 12:00 - 1:30 | |
| 2:00 - 4:00 | |
| 4:30 - 6:00 | Mazacote |
2007 Entertainment Schedule (34 k PDF)
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