New Home for Jazz in San Francisco

With many businesses and nonprofit groups contracting in a sour economy, SF Jazz is making waves with a bold proposal for an expansion, as our sister blog, ArtsBeat, reports. The arts organization, which runs the San Francisco Jazz Festival, plans to open the SF Jazz Center in Hayes Valley in the fall of 2012.

“A project like this is difficult to do in any economy,” said Randall Kline, the founder and executive artistic director of SF Jazz. “We are lucky to have the support of people who are passionate about this artistic expression with the capacity to give generously to our organization.”

Half of the $60 million for the center has already been raised, including $20 million from an anonymous donor. The organization claims that gift is “the largest ever given to a jazz institution.”

The 35,000-square-foot building will be located at Fell Street and Franklin Street. Those passing by will be able to see inside the building’s public spaces and lobbies to the bustle within. The architect will be Mark Cavagnero, who is known for his energy-saving constructions and who recently designed the renovation at the Oakland Museum.

Mr. Kline called Mr. Cavagnero a “rational architect.” Everything in the building will be adjusted for SF Jazz’s top priority: music. That includes any artwork or embellishment. The details must serve the audience’s listening experience and the musicians’ various styles.

The latter will be the most difficult challenge, Mr. Kline said. SF Jazz is known for its variety from bluegrass to Spanish flamenco jazz artists, some who prefer acoustic instruments. This means creating a space that can suit a symphony on one night and an amplified rock band the next, while seating 700.

SF Jazz hopes to hold four concerts a week at the new building, raising the number of total concerts annually to 150. The new center will also offer educational lectures and a digital music lab for producing, recording and rehearsing. It will also be home base for the SF Jazz Collective, the eight-man jazz ensemble.

About $10 million for the project will be for the operating endowment. The other $50 million will be for the property, design and construction. Mr. Kline started SF Jazz in 1983 with a $10,000 grant.