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“Not long ago, jazz was the flow and heroes lived their dreams. Musically jazz was a Love Supreme, ‘cause jazz was a trip through fame.”
Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors
In addition to our dedication to rejuvenating jazz in San Francisco, we work to:
Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors
In addition to our dedication to rejuvenating jazz in San Francisco, we work to:
- Introduce jazz to the public & share the evolution of jazz history to the world
- Share the history of the African influence in jazz: Canadian Creole, New Orleans funerals, Latin & Caribbean Jazz
- Create a new "Fillmore Jazz District" to share our story through jazz
We Escort You Through a Musical Journey
We Escort You Through a Musical Journey
Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors (FJA) is dedicated to reviving jazz in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. We are individuals who have come together because of our shared passion for jazz.
Darlene Roberts, Co-Founder
Darlene Roberts, Co-Founder
Darlene was a Rock'n'Roll girl, but her love for jazz began when she was 18. Her brother hired babysitters to protect her while he was at work. It just so happened that her babysitters were jazz lovers that took her to the underground jazz clubs in San Francisco. Darlene watched in awe as the man with his back to the audience started playing the trumpet on stage . If you guessed Miles Davis at the Both/And, you are correct! That was when Darlene began to appreciate jazz and a jazz love affair was in full bloom..
In 2019, Darlene decided to quit her job in order to produce jazz. Although it was harder than she thought it would be, she continues to work hard in pursuing her passion, JAZZ! JAZZ! JAZZ!!!
Dr. David Hardiman Sr, Co-Founder
2019 -- IAOTP Best Music Director of the Year
2019 -- Bay Area Jazz & Blues Artists Lifetime Achievement Award
2017 -- Northern California Entertainment Music Award, Best Jazz Band of the Year.
2017 -- Honorary Doctorate of Arts World Music, Martin University, Indianapolis, Ind.
1971 -- Masters of Music, Butler University
Professional musician, trumpet & flugelhorn player, pianist, composer/arranger, College Music Professor, Jazz Historian and Adjudicator. Professor, City College of San Francisco (1994-2004), including Alameda, and Contra Costa Colleges.
Teacher of instrumental music at both: Berkeley California Unified School District and Indianapolis, Ind. Public Schools.
Sam Peoples, JR.
Sam Peoples, JR.
San Francisco’s Musical Icon
Sam Peoples, Jr., a native San Franciscan, is part of a multi-generational family of musicians and performers; His father played during the heyday of San Francisco's Fillmore district. Both Sam and his father appear in the famous Fillmore photo that pays homage to "A Great Day in Harlem". Sam's uncle, Wes Peoples, and his father, Sam Peoples, Sr., are referenced in the "Harlem of the West" the San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Era book. On Saturday, August 19, 2019, Sam brought together a group of outstanding musicians to play in "The Sam Peoples' Ensemble,” for the "Harlem of the West: The San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Era" photo exhibition closing celebration at the African-American Art & Cultural Complex in San Francisco.
Sam started playing professionally in the early 70s with his friend and mentor, Lee Hester. Together, they founded the Haight-Ashbury Music Workshop. Over his long musical career, Sam has toured and played with Oscar Brown, Jr., the Pointer Sisters, Julian Preister, Marine Intrusion and Sonny Simmons. In recent years, Sam toured and played in Europe with various musicians and played locally with a variety of rock, funk, and jazz bands.
Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors Proteges
Mayor London Breed's Black History Program
City Hall Rotunda, San Francisco -- February 26, 2020
Jacore Baptiste on Guitar
Karizsma on Sax
Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors Proteges
Mayor London Breed's Black History Program
City Hall Rotunda, San Francisco -- February 26, 2020
Jacore Baptiste on Guitar
Karizsma on Sax
Mission and Vision
Mission and Vision
To create a thriving bay area jazz environment that sustains, develops and honors jazz practitioners. FJA educates the community through discussion, programs, and music grounded in the famous “Harlem of the West,” jazz era and dedicated to the revitalization of San Francisco’s, Fillmore Jazz District.
We envision a world where educating the community through Jazz music is acknowledged, respected, and developed and seen as the outgrowth of African American struggle, pain, and enjoyment.
