5 San Francisco

Music Venues Rich in Black History

The Fillmore

Every discussion of the San Francisco music scene eventually turns to The Fillmore, which has hosted such legends as James Brown, Ike and Tina Turner, and Otis Redding. Some of the country’s biggest entertainers credit The Fillmore with launching their careers, including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Santana.

Today, the music continues with a packed event calendar that combines new talent and seasoned performers. The historical building is large enough to comfortably accommodate more than 1,000 guests, but small enough to ensure an intimate experience no matter where you watch the show.

Great American Music Hall

Great American Music Hall opened in 1907 as a symbol of San Francisco’s rebirth after the devastating 1906 earthquake. It is the oldest nightclub in the neighborhood, and the décor is reminiscent of turn-of-the-century splendor. Some of the most influential Black artists of the 20th century have played on this stage, including jazz legends Duke Ellington and Sarah Vaughan.

SFJAZZ Center

SFJAZZ has been at the helm of the city's jazz scene since its founding in the 1980s. Beyond preserving the history of this musical form so tied to the Black experience, SFJAZZ now blazes a trail for the artists of the future in its permanent home on Franklin St. Few performance venues in the city have the sound quality of the SFJAZZ Center.