Jazz in the Plaza!

 

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

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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