Wednesday, 7/8/2026, 2pm - Jazz In The Afternoon with Jesse 'Chuy' Varela

Don Dixon

“Jazz is a gift that America gave to the world. And now the world is giving us the next evolution of jazz,” the words of Christian Vela, incoming San Jose Jazz Festival and Artistic Director.

Distinguished in the jazz world for a decade with SFJAZZ as senior production manager as well as his countless years in artist management and as a working musician, Christian Vela joins Jesse “Chuy” Varela to talk about the upcoming 2026 San Jose Jazz Summer Fest happening August 7-9 and his new role shaping the future of the San Jose Jazz organization.