Music

Death and Saxes

June 23, 2026

Santa Cruz jazz quartet Death and Saxes brings its straight-ahead sound to a free outdoor show at The Crepe Place, with founder John Bouwsma drawing from Kuumbwa roots, New Orleans experience and classic jazz influences.

Music and Art

UCSC grad Brett Dennen brings a new kind of performance to Felton Music Hall on Wednesday, June 17, pairing his singer-songwriter catalog with paintings that invite the audience into the conversation.

Tragedy Into Art

Former Cabrillo choral director Cheryl Anderson brings Considering Matthew Shepard to Peace United Church, reviving a powerful musical response to Matthew Shepard’s life and death for a Santa Cruz Pride benefit.

Under the Stars

I Cantori di Carmel performs Carmina Burana at the UCSC Quarry Amphitheater, where redwoods, stars and natural acoustics meet Orff’s thunderous music.

Mountain High

Redwood Mountain Faire brings two days of music to Roaring Camp, with headliners, rising acts, local bands and a volunteer-powered mission that supports Santa Cruz County nonprofits.

Making a Scene

A new compilation, Santa Cruz Scene Celebration Vol. 1, spotlights 12 local bands and celebrates its physical CD release May 31 at Streetlight Records with a performance by Perch.

Mind-altering Music

This week’s Santa Cruz music roundup explores New Music Works’ mind-altering concert with William Winant and Zeena Parkins, a powerful Westside chamber performance and Espressivo’s upcoming season finale.

Praise the Blade

Santa Cruz horror punk band Dark Ride celebrates its first full-length album, Blade Manor, and plays Mothfest May 30 at Moe’s Alley in tribute to Dan Lamothe.

There Comes a Time

After three decades of building Soquel High’s music program into an award-winning powerhouse, beloved band director Jim Stewart will take his final bow this spring.

The Healing of Kat Moss

Scowl’s Kat Moss channels chaos into catharsis. In this intimate portrait, the Santa Cruz vocalist reflects on pain, power and the strange healing force of music.

Mighty Ludwig Van

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 takes center stage as the Santa Cruz Symphony closes its season with a powerful, genre-spanning program.

Queen of Sludge

Acid King, the long-running sludge-metal force led by Lori S, plays a rare afternoon set at Moe’s Alley on April 26, joined by Santa Cruz heavyweights Mammatus.