To close out the season, the Patten Performances bring to UTC the SF Jazz Collective, one of the most important new groups in jazz today. Given the extraordinary talent in the SFJAZZ Collective it is tempting to think of them as an “all-star band.” But as the “Collective” portion of their name suggests, these eight exceptional artists have come together in pursuit of a larger purpose—the celebration of jazz as a constantly evolving, ever-relevant, quintessentially modern art form. The group annually divides its repertoire between new works written by the Collective’s members and new octet arrangements of compositions by modern jazz masters including, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter and McCoy Tyner. For 2011, the Collective is looking a little farther afield to present work by Stevie Wonder.

The Collective is distinguished by degree and diversity of talent: each member is a celebrated instrumentalist, an outstanding composer and arranger, and most are among today’s most lauded bandleaders. The front line of horns includes Mark Turner, one of the most in-demand saxophonists on the New York scene, and rising Israeli trumpet star Avishai Cohen. They are joined by founding member Miguel Zenón and trombonist Robin Eubanks, a two-time DownBeat “Trombonist of the Year.” Stefon Harris is widely considered the finest vibraphonist of his generation. The incendiary Collective rhythm section boasts renowned recording artist Renee Rosnes on piano, plus two other Collective veterans: Matt Penman, an acclaimed bassist with a prolific recording and touring profile; and drummer Eric Harland, famed for his work with Charles Lloyd and McCoy Tyner.

Join us for this entertaining and involving evening of jazz from one of the premier jazz ensembles in the world.