Nonesuch releases SFJAZZ Collective’s second album—SFJAZZ Collective 2—on March 14, 2006. Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Joshua Redman—whom The Los Angeles Times has called “one of the most vital figures in jazz of the new century”—created the SFJAZZ Collective with the San Francisco Jazz Organization (SFJAZZ) two years ago. The resident and touring ensemble is composed of eight musicians/composers drawn from the top ranks of today’s jazz artists. Each year, the ensemble performs an entirely new list of works, consisting of compositions by a modern jazz master and one new piece by each of the eight Collective members (commissioned by SFJAZZ).

The group’s first commercial recording, SFJAZZ Collective, was released by Nonesuch in 2005 and included original compositions as well as songs by Ornette Coleman (in arrangements by Gil Goldstein). That same year, the second incarnation of the Collective—with Joshua Redman (saxophone/artistic director), Bobby Hutcherson (vibes), Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Renee Rosnes (piano), Miguel Zenón (alto sax/flute), Matt Penman (bass), Isaac Smith (trombone), and Eric Harland (drums)—toured the U.S., playing original compositions by group members as well as works by jazz icon John Coltrane, newly arranged by Goldstein. Selections from that season comprise SFJAZZ Collective 2.

The 2006 SFJAZZ Collective line-up includes returning members Joshua Redman, Bobby Hutcherson, Nicholas Payton, Miguel Zenón, Renee Rosnes, Matt Penman, and Eric Harland, plus newcomer Andre Hayward on trombone.