Where
california center
for the arts,
escondido
When
Saturday
october 4th
3:00–9:30
Admission
$30–$99
3:00
Grounds Open
3:00–3:45
Iván Trujillo Ensamble
4:00–5:00
Lucía
5:30–6:30
James Moody @ 100
6:30–8:00
Dinner break
7:00–7:50
Gabrielle Cavassa
8:15–9:30
Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Ensemble
9:30
Close
THE SECOND NIGHT OF THE SAN DIEGO TIJUANA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL.
Join us as we celebrate our region's binational jazz history; from Jelly Roll Morton's 1920s roots in Tijuana to the origin of rock icon Carlos Santana, and so much more.
This year’s program channels a cultural legacy reaching back 100 years by bringing together international, national, and regional artists to perform at three unique venues.
FEATURING THESE
ACCLAIMED ARTISTS:
ARTURO O’FARRILL AND THE AFRO LATIN ENSEMBLE
8-time Grammy-winner Arturo O’Farrill makes a rare local appearance with his top NYC-based 8-piece “little big band,” presenting a program of Latin Jazz and a rare performance of his mentor NEA Jazz Master Carla Bley’s Baja-inspired classic, “Tijuana Traffic.” O’Farrill brings together the shared African roots of jazz and Mexican son jarocho for part of his set with special guests, the Tijuana-based Fandango Fronterizo Colectivo.
“Arturo O’Farrill has long been known for his incredible ability to command a big band as a composer, arranger and leader… he’s a river of creativity, beauty and soul… One of our greatest living pianists.”
Downbeat
ARTURO O’FARRILL AND THE AFRO LATIN ENSEMBLE
8-time Grammy-winner Arturo O’Farrill makes a rare local appearance with his top NYC-based 8-piece “little big band,” presenting a program of Latin Jazz and a rare performance of his mentor NEA Jazz Master Carla Bley’s Baja-inspired classic, “Tijuana Traffic.” O’Farrill brings together the shared African roots of jazz and Mexican son jarocho for part of his set with special guests, the Tijuana-based Fandango Fronterizo Colectivo.
“Arturo O’Farrill has long been known for his incredible ability to command a big band as a composer, arranger and leader… he’s a river of creativity, beauty and soul… One of our greatest living pianists.”
Downbeat
FANDANGO FRONTERIZO COLECTIVO
Tijuana’s Fandango Fronterizo Colectivo carries forward the Afro-Mexican musical tradition of son jarocho that originated in the province of Veracruz. The Colectivo is led by Jorge Francisco Castillo, founder and director of the annual Fandango Fronterizo festival. Castillo shared the Grammy award with Arturo O’Farrill for his groundbreaking album, “Fandango at the Wall,” recorded at the festival in 2018 in Playas de Tijuana.
FANDANGO FRONTERIZO COLECTIVO
Tijuana’s Fandango Fronterizo Colectivo carries forward the Afro-Mexican musical tradition of son jarocho that originated in the province of Veracruz. The Colectivo is led by Jorge Francisco Castillo, founder and director of the annual Fandango Fronterizo festival. Castillo shared the Grammy award with Arturo O’Farrill for his groundbreaking album, “Fandango at the Wall,” recorded at the festival in 2018 in Playas de Tijuana.
GABRIELLE CAVASSA
Winner of the Sarah Vaughan vocal competition in 2021, Gabrielle Cavassa has recorded and toured the world for the past two years with saxophone superstar Joshua Redman. Born and raised in Escondido and now based in New Orleans, she will release her first album on the prestigious Blue Note Records label in 2026.
“A young singer with a deep, rich, and fragile voice…a star in the making.”
Downbeat
GABRIELLE CAVASSA
Winner of the Sarah Vaughan vocal competition in 2021, Gabrielle Cavassa has recorded and toured the world for the past two years with saxophone superstar Joshua Redman. Born and raised in Escondido and now based in New Orleans, she will release her first album on the prestigious Blue Note Records label in 2026.
“A young singer with a deep, rich, and fragile voice…a star in the making.”
Downbeat
JAMES MOODY @ 100
A 100th birthday tribute to one of the most beloved figures in jazz, NEA Jazz Master James Moody, a past San Diego resident and longtime musical colleague of Dizzy Gillespie. An all-star quartet of multi-Grammy award winners and nominees honors his legacy – David Sánchez (tenor sax), John Clayton (bass), Lewis Nash (drums/vocals), and Gerald Clayton (piano) – plus special guests Holly Hofmann (flute) and Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet), two of San Diego’s most eminent jazz artists.
“James Moody, just saying his name evokes a sense of awe for jazz lovers across the globe… His contributions to music and jazz history, across decades, are nothing short of iconic.”
Hothouse Jazz
JAMES MOODY @ 100
A 100th birthday tribute to one of the most beloved figures in jazz, NEA Jazz Master James Moody, a past San Diego resident and longtime musical colleague of Dizzy Gillespie. An all-star quartet of multi-Grammy award winners and nominees honors his legacy – David Sánchez (tenor sax), John Clayton (bass), Lewis Nash (drums/vocals), and Gerald Clayton (piano) – plus special guests Holly Hofmann (flute) and Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet), two of San Diego’s most eminent jazz artists.
“James Moody, just saying his name evokes a sense of awe for jazz lovers across the globe… His contributions to music and jazz history, across decades, are nothing short of iconic.”
Hothouse Jazz
LUCÍA
In 2022, rising star vocalist Lucía Gutierrez was the first Mexican jazz artist to win the Sarah Vaughan competition, the world’s most prestigious jazz vocal award. A native of Veracruz and daughter of eminent son jarocho musicians, she combines jazz standards, boleros and son jarocho song and dance in her incandescent performances.
LUCÍA
In 2022, rising star vocalist Lucía Gutierrez was the first Mexican jazz artist to win the Sarah Vaughan competition, the world’s most prestigious jazz vocal award. A native of Veracruz and daughter of eminent son jarocho musicians, she combines jazz standards, boleros and son jarocho song and dance in her incandescent performances.
IVÁN TRUJILLO ENSAMBLE
The first recipient in Mexico of the Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero award, trumpeter Iván Trujillo and his longstanding ensemble of leading Ensenada-based jazz musicians open the day with a special program of original music and a rare performance of Miles Davis/Herbie Hancock band-veteran Bennie Maupin’s meditative hymn, “Ensenada.”
IVÁN TRUJILLO ENSAMBLE
The first recipient in Mexico of the Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero award, trumpeter Iván Trujillo and his longstanding ensemble of leading Ensenada-based jazz musicians open the day with a special program of original music and a rare performance of Miles Davis/Herbie Hancock band-veteran Bennie Maupin’s meditative hymn, “Ensenada.”
JOIN US FOR THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND
BINATIONAL EVENT.
3:00
Grounds Open
3:00–3:45
Iván Trujillo Ensamble
4:00–5:00
Lucía
5:30–6:30
James Moody @ 100
6:30–8:00
Dinner break
7:00–7:50
Gabrielle Cavassa
8:15–9:30
Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Ensemble
Fandango Fronterizo Colectivo
9:30
Close
ABOUT CALIFORNIA CENTER
FOR THE ARTS, ESCONDIDO
A state-of-the-art venue renowned for its acoustics, the California Center for the Arts Concert Hall hosts an array of captivating performances that enchant audiences from all walks of life.
about san diego tijuana
international jazz festival
A three-day event running from October 2, 4 & 5, 2025, the festival features performances in Escondido, Tijuana, and San Diego.