PHOTOS | SFJAZZ’s Annual Gala Honoring Don Was

Event: SFJAZZ’s Annual Gala Honoring Don Was
Date: June 12, 2025
Location: SFJAZZ Center
Photos: Andrew Caulfield, Mahelly Ferreira, Jessica Monroy and Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

On June 12, at San Francisco’s SFJAZZ Center, SFJAZZ—under the direction and guidance of Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard—held its SFJAZZ Gala 2025. The gala raised $1.4 million to support the organization’s artistic and education programs with the goal of advancing jazz in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. ​ This year’s gala honored legendary producer, musician, and Blue Note Records President Don Was with the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award.

​​Notable attendees:
​Terence Blanchard – Executive Artistic Director, SFJAZZ
​Don Was – President, Blue Note Records
​Delroy Lindo – Actor and Gala Host
​Paul Reiser – Actor and Gala Host
​Charles Lloyd – Jazz Legend
​Mayor Daniel Lurie – San Francisco Mayor
​Molly Joel Coye – SFJAZZ Board Chair
​Chris Larsen – Executive and angel investor
​Mary Miner – California-based donor and funder of many left-of-center organizations and political candidates. She is the widow of the late Oracle co-founder Robert Miner, who died of cancer in 1994. SFJAZZ’s auditorium is named for him.

[ Content: Drew Altizer Photography ]