Collective Wonder

In late February, 2011, eight of the planet’s most gifted jazz musicians came together in San Francisco for a two week residency to woodshed original compositions and conjure up new takes on the timeless treasure trove that is the music of Stevie Wonder. Collective Wonder, a one hour documentary, will take viewers inside the creative process of the SFJAZZ Collective, following the evolution of their new season, from the creative spark of an idea, through rehearsals and live concerts. Collective Wonder will capture the moments of inspiration and serendipity that make for great art.

Since it was formed in 2004, the SFJAZZ Collective has earned international acclaim for their individual musicianship and collaborative compositions.
"Fierce and elegant, precise and loose-limbed, artfully balancing intricate ensembles and blazing solos." —San Francisco Chronicle
"The standard, in terms of solo firepower, could hardly be higher.”
—The New York Times

The Collective’s 2011 personnel features MacArthur “Genius Grant” winner, three-time DownBeat “#1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist” and founding member Miguel Zenón; trombonist Robin Eubanks, a two-time DownBeat “Trombonist of the Year,” trumpeter Avishai Cohen, Grammy-nominated vibraphonist Stefon Harris and the incendiary rhythm section boasts 2010 Guggenheim Fellow Edward Simon on piano. Two of the most in-demand sidemen round out the group - bassist Matt Penman and Eric Harland, winner of DownBeat #1 Rising Star drummer for the last three years.
The group presents a global music perspective, with musicians from Puerto Rico (Zenón), New Zealand (Penman), Venezuela (Simon) and Israel (Cohen). Each member is a celebrated instrumentalist, an outstanding composer and arranger, and an articulate master teacher. After exploring the work of various jazz artists, from Ornette Coleman (2004), to Horace Silver (2010), the 2011 Collective tour features the music of Stevie Wonder, an artist outside the jazz tradition whose sophisticated songcraft and timeless melodies are more than worthy of modern jazz interpretation.


The documentary broadcast and DVD release is scheduled for fall of 2012. The project will also feature a companion website offering short clips and educational material.

Production/ Distribution Schedule
2/24 Miguel Zenon, Member Listening Party, San Francisco Conservatory of Music
2/25 Collective rehearsal in Portland, Oregon.
3/10 Two sets of performances at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, California.
April 1 - Live performance at Yoshi's, Oakland
Post-production editing and mixing will be completed during the summer of 2012, with release of the documentary and dvd in the fall.
Target audiences/venues include PBS and Cable Television, film festivals and music events. The Collective Wonder DVD will be available for sale on the SFJAZZ website, and other vendors. A companion website will present profiles of band members and feature educational material about their playing techniques and insights into the process of composing and arranging. 

Kickstarter Update:

Our Kickstarter funding effort fell short of its goal and is now closed. (overly ambitious goal and not enough time.) We are now in postproduction, with 3 sets of music and interviews. We need to raise approximately $30K to complete the documentary.

Why you?

With all these big time players, why do I need your help? For one reason, this is jazz, not pop. Heck, you don't even see jazz on the Grammys anymore. While they have been supportive, SFJAZZ does not have funds for this project. Thus far, it has been a labor of love, with the support of talented friends and pros. If you would like to contribute to our effort,  send an email to Executive Producer, Ken Ellis at kenzvenue@gmail.com. Thanks!

About me: I have been producing, writing and directing award-winning documentaries and other productions for 30+ years for various audiences including PBS, ABC, MSNBC, HGTV and the George Lucas Educational Foundation. A lifelong jazz fan, I believe in the power of music to inspire and teach.