The 12th Annual SFJAZZ Spring Season line-up is pretty damn impressive. Coming on the heels of some fanstastic shows last fall, two of which made my best-of-the-year list, the breadth of talent this organization is presenting to Bay Area music enthusiasts has solidified their status as one of the region's top performing arts organizations. Jazz of all stripes performed by young turks and legends, some of the finest living singers in the world, music from around the world, blues of many hues. The only hard part is how to narrow down what to attend.

Take a look at who's coming:

Tony Bennett
A Night in Treme with the Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Donald Harrison and more
Youssou N'Dour and Angelique Kidjo
Randy Newman
Buddy Guy
Rickie Lee Jones
Ravi Shankar
Steve Tyrell
Hugh Masekela
Max Raabe and Palast Orchester
Marcus Roberts
Nikki Yanofsky
The SF Jazz Collective
Lonnie Smith and Barbara Dennerlein
CéU
Jake Shimabukuro
John Scofield
Patricia Barber
Presevation Hall Jazz Band
Irma Thomas
Ellis Marsalis
Marc Ribot
Lee Ritenour
Ambrose Akinmusire
Kenny Werner
Elaine Elias
Madeleine Peyroux
Ana Moura
Jane Monheit
Lavay Smith
Yasmin Levy
Patricia Barber
 Assad Brothers
Lionel Loueke Trio
Kenny Werner Quintet featuring trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist David Sánchez
Cedar Walton and trumpeter Roy Hargrove
Gabriela Montero

I'll post my own picks in a couple of days- note that tickets go on sale soon 01/16 but if you're a member you can buy them right now.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Tickets go on sale to the public on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 10:00AM. Schedule and artists are subject to change. There are three ways to purchase tickets:

• Visit http://www.sfjazz.org/, service charge applied.

• Call 866-920-JAZZ (5299), service charge applied.
• Go to SFJAZZ Box Office & Store, 3 Embarcadero Center, Lobby Level, no service charge. Open Monday-Friday 11:00am-5:30pm.

To join SFJAZZ, go to www.sfjazz.org or email members@sfjazz.org or call (415) 398-5655x125.