Steven Lugerner’s SLUGish Ensemble

San Francisco-based multi-instrumentalist and composer Steven Lugerner brings a rare artistic vision to contemporary jazz, weaving together composition and improvisation in what The Village Voice calls "a textured, nearly seamless blend." The New York Times has lauded him as "an impeccably trained multi-reedist," and his versatility shows—Lugerner moves fluidly between bass clarinet & baritone saxophone, creating sonic landscapes that blur the boundaries between jazz, chamber music, and experimental sounds.

As the creative force behind SLUGish Ensemble and the high-energy quintet JACKNIFE (dedicated to the music of alto saxophone legend Jackie McLean), Lugerner has released a steady stream of critically acclaimed albums since 2010, including the recent In Solitude (2023) and Urban Crawl (2025). His work has earned him collaborations with jazz luminaries including Grammy-nominated pianist Fred Hersch, groundbreaking pianist Myra Melford, vocalist Lisa Fischer, and drum masters Matt Wilson, John Hollenbeck, and Allison Miller. After graduating with honors from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2010 and establishing himself on the New York scene, Lugerner returned to the Bay Area in 2013, where he now serves as Director of Educational and Festival Programming at Stanford Jazz Workshop.

Beyond his performing career, Lugerner founded Slow & Steady Records in 2018, a nonprofit label showcasing West Coast creative artists. His commitment to nurturing jazz extends from intimate club performances to his role as an educator, but it's his original compositions—deeply personal, intellectually challenging, and emotionally resonant—that set him apart as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary jazz.

A wine-tasting is included with adult tickets, and we invite you to bring a picnic. Wine will also be available for purchase by the bottle.

The concert begins at 6pm. We’re open from 5:00 to 8:00. Picnic tables are not available; feel free to bring a blanket to spread on the ground, or beach chairs. Please consider carpooling or bicycling, as parking is very limited.