Originally founded by Charles Walker with the help of Dr. Dee Spencer at San Francisco State University in 1998, Jazz Forum began by holding weekly jazz sessions on the SFSU campus and hosting master classes by Bradford Marsalis, John Handy, Babatunde Olatunji, Regina Carter, Kitty Margolis, Hafez Moderzadeh, John Santos, Wayne Wallace, John Worley, and other Bay Area jazz greats.
Having moved to San Diego, and inspired by pianist and composer Dr. Carl Hammond, Charles founded Jazz Forum at San Diego City College during the Fall 2005 Semester following a summer of enthusiastic open mic sessions at the world famous Hancock Street Café, named in tribute to jazz pianist Herbie Hancock who's picture with the owner is proudly displayed. In what would prove to serve as the foundational template for future open mic events, the Hancock Street Café sessions included a broad and diverse range of musicians and music lovers, congregating weekly to share and celebrate jazz culture.
Jazz Forum continued with events at the Rhythm Lounge, the Honey Bee Hive, and at Winston’s during the First Annual Ocean Beach Jazz Festival sponsored by Jazz 88.3 KSDS. Reaching out to the community, Jazz Forum plans to continue hosting open mic sessions at a variety of venues throughout San Diego providing an opportunity for more musicians and audiences to enjoy this inclusive art form.
