SFJAZZ Center A Reality

San Francisco can add another musical “first” to its history with the Jan. 23 gala opening of the $64 million SFJAZZ Center.

The grand opening featured a concert by Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman and others hosted by Bill Cosby.

The facility, which includes the 700-capacity, state-of-the-art, Robert N. Miner Auditorium and an 80-seat performance space, is being billed as the West Coast’s first free-standing building designed for jazz performance and education.

The three-story complex also houses a café, digital lab, three practice rooms, administration offices and box office.

SFJAZZ Center’s inaugural season has concerts scheduled through early June.