A tribute to jazz innovator Mark Izu will be held at San Francisco’s Herbst Theatre on May 24.
A Sacred Journey through Music, Dance, Story, Puppets & Poetry Celebrating the Late Jazz Innovator Mark Izu Featuring Artists Including Emiko Omori, Brenda Wong Aoki, Genny Lim, devorah major, Mas Koga, Kenneth Nash, Jimi Nakagawa, Lisa Mezzacappa, Shoko Hikage, Derek Nakamoto, Sara Sithi-Amnuai, Moy Eng, Claudine Naganuma.
Musicians, spoken word artists, and dancers from across the US and abroad will gather for a tribute performance celebrating the life and legacy of jazz innovator Mark Izu, a founding father of Asian American Jazz.
This multidisciplinary event presents a powerful afternoon of Japanese/Japanese American Jazz, evocative storytelling, puppetry, and dance.
There is no admission charge – reservations are required at Mark Izu Tribute — Brenda Wong Aoki & Mark Izu – Official Website .
Created and conceived by Brenda Wong Aoki, Mark Izu’s wife and creative partner for nearly 50 years, and produced by First Voice, the non-profit the two co-founded, this special performance is a heartfelt remembrance by Mark’s cherished friends and colleagues, a love song to San Francisco, and a rare convergence of master artists, offering an uplifting chance to witness this deeply personal commemoration of the artist, who died January 12, 2025, and leaves an indelible legacy.