Jazz in the Plaza
Jazz in the Plaza has just finished its fifth season in November, 2025. We will be starting up in the spring of 2026. To be included on our mailing list for future jazz and Latin Music free concerts here in Petaluma, please send your email to shermuse@sonic.net. Below are a sample flyer and testimonials from some of the musicians who played this year, which we sent to our fiscal sponsors, Music in Place and Jamey Aebersold. Sample videos from this year are available at https://www.shermusic.com/jazz-in-the-plaza.php. Long Live Jazz! — Chuck Sher
Dear Mr. Merrimore and Members of Music in Place - I am writing to
thank you for your support of Chuck Sher's Jazz in the Plaza series.
With your generous support, we are able to bring live jazz performances,
free of charge, to a community that is very much in need of concerts
like these. In addition to providing the public with the opportunity to
hear great jazz, your generous donations also provide some of the top
musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area with opportunities to perform
for audiences that are eager to experience live jazz, and live music in
general, in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Thank you so much for
your generosity and dedication to bringing so many live performances, in
such a wide range of genres, to our Bay Area communities. Your
contributions are profound!”
— Brian Pardo, guitarist
To you supporters of live jazz; Thank you so much for making this
happen. It has been a small miracle and a huge blessing. And eternal
gratitude to the tireless dedication and vision of Chuck Sher, without
whom this gift to the music and our community would not have been
possible. In love and gratitude.”
— Steve Rubardt, pianist
To the sponsors of Jazz in the Plaza - Thank you so much for your
support! These concerts have become some of the musical and social
highlights of my life. It's such a great opportunity for musicians and
non-musicians alike, to get together and appreciate music in general and
Jazz in particular. Chuck Sher has created a wonderful sense of
community in the beautiful city of Petaluma. I know that we are all
grateful for your support. Thank you!”
— David Rokeach, drummer
The Jazz community in the North Bay has been enlivened and invigorated
by the opportunity to play every week for the fine folks in Petaluma.
We very much appreciate the support you have provided this noble effort
of bringing quality music to the general public. Thank you!”
— Doug Morton, pianist and flugelhornist
Hello Jamie A. and the Music In Place Folks - I wanted to share my
gratitude for all you've done to present and support the Jazz in the
Plaza series over the years. It means a lot to our community to have
free access to high quality music from all of the best musicians in the
Bay Area. As one of the musicians to be in the mix, I have benefited
greatly from being a part of the various lineups of wonderful musicians
and it's always a pleasure to play and hang out with Chuck. Sending you
warm seasons greetings and many thanks!!”
— Bryan Bowman, drums
Jamey and Music in Place - your generous support of Petaluma Sunday
Jazz performances has been so much appreciated by the many people who
have enjoyed listening to the performances and by all the musicians
(including me!) who had great fun playing for those audiences. Mid-day
Sunday gigs are few and far between, especially events that attract
savvy audiences and players who have lots of fun together. Thank you
for making all this possible!”
— Jon Krosnick, drummer
Dear Jamey Aebersold and Music in Place: Thank you so much for
supporting this concert series. It is a wonderful outdoor community
event that gives much needed exposure to the public, who might not
otherwise ever get a chance to hear live jazz. Also, it is a fun place
to perform, with very appreciative audiences composed of people of all
ages. Best wishes for the new year.”
— Steve Heckman, saxophone
I'd like to thank Jamey Aebersold and the folks at Music in Place for
their continued support for Petaluma's Jazz in the Plaza. It's always a
pleasure to perform with Chuck and his cadre of players.”
— Brad Buethe, guitarist
As 2025 draws to a close I would like to thank Chuck for organizing
Jazz In The Plaza and our sponsors for the financial support that makes
first-call musicians willing to come to Petaluma on Sundays to play.
These gigs provide a real sense of community; I particularly enjoy
seeing older folks and little kids listening (and often dancing!) to the
bands. The word has obviously spread that there is no cover charge; as
time has gone by the crowds have become larger and I suspect many
audience members don't have extra income to pay for music in their life.
I'm proud to be a part of such a nice scene. Thank you!”
— Kendrick Freeman, drummer
The Jazz at the Plaza series has provided a great opportunity to play
with great players in a relaxed setting for the general public. I
especially loved the opportunity to reconnect with the fabulous Chuck
Sher. We've played together a lot over the years, but it's definitely
been a while. Thank you!”
— Sheldon Brown, saxophonist
