Venue Information

February 1975 – A small group gathers to discuss the idea of  developing a nonprofit jazz venue to bring jazz to Santa Cruz County. They name the organization “Kuumbwa Jazz Society” and their first fundraising effort consists of taking junk and unwanted items to the flea market and selling them, raising seed money of about $250.
April  1975 – The “First Annual Santa Cruz Jazz Festival” fundraiser features saxophonist Joe Henderson (backed by Warren Gale, David Friesen and local heroes Paul Nagel and Jim Baum) as well as the local groups Eddie Gale Super Energy Ensemble, Evidence and the Hy-Tones.  By year’s end the budget has reached $4,942.
June 1976 – February 1977 – Nonprofit status is secured and Kuumbwa presents over a dozen concerts.  Highlights include Dexter Gordon (backed by the Martha Young Trio) and the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine. A grant campaign is launched to find the money to open the long-dreamed-about concert space: “Kuumbwa Jazz Center”
February 19 ...