On its West Coast tour, the company presents several premieres and also celebrates the legacy of one of its greatest stars, Judith Jamison.
The Bird of a Thousand Voices is touring the West Coast in a concert version, but a larger staged production waits in the wings.
Enriching her classical background with explorations of other genres seems natural to the star violinist and actress.
There’s a theatrical bent to the two big works on the lineup: Carla Kihlstedt’s 26 Little Deaths and Andy Akiho’s Seven Pillars.
Spencer uses the MLK holiday to introduce singers from her mentoring program across a weekend of sets at the SFJAZZ Center.