Logan Richardson

Alto saxophonist Logan Richardson brings his blues PEOPLE project to the Joe Henderson Lab as part of the SFJAZZ Summer Sessions. Described by DownBeat as "one of the most gifted and transformative alto saxophonists of his generation," Richardson continues the distinguished Kansas City jazz lineage that includes Charlie Parker, Count Basie, and Bennie Moten.

Richardson's approach to the alto saxophone is angular and intervallic, known for what The Guardian calls "warmly lyrical saxophone tone" coupled with "an untrammelled improviser's fierceness." His blues PEOPLE project promises "blues-steeped spiritual grooves and masterful improvisation" — an immersive, high-energy session that's both deeply grounded in tradition and boldly exploratory.

Since his 2015 Blue Note Records debut SHIFT, which featured guitar legend Pat Metheny, Richardson has established himself as a leading voice in contemporary jazz. His recent work includes the 2018 album blues People, which gives the current project its name, and 2024's Sacred Garden on WAX Industry Records. His collaborations read like a who's who of modern jazz: Jason Moran, Stanley Cowell, Joe Chambers, Gerald Clayton, and Nasheet Waits, among others, and he's a member of the visionary NEXT Collective.

Richardson's live performances are known for their intensity and volume — critics describe his bands as "unapologetically loud and abrasive" with "remarkable rapport." His concerts feature what one reviewer called "nuclear fusion" energy, with the saxophonist exhibiting "cerebral" improvisation that pauses and searches for "pathways through the structures he has created." Expect an 80-minute set that balances fierce experimentation with soulful blues-laced passages, as Richardson honors his Kansas City forebears while pushing the music forward.

This Joe Henderson Lab appearance features two sets at 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM, showcasing Richardson's distinctive compositional voice and his reputation as one of the most compelling bandleaders of his generation.