The Sofia launches jazz series — with shows booked through December

By Cathy Cassinos | Solving Sacramento Jacam Manricks is the curator and a performer behind a new jazz series at The Sofia in Sacramento, which launched in April. (Photo courtesy of The Sofia) In his new jazz series at The Sofia, saxman and educator Jacam Manricks is taking a page out of Wynton Marsalis’ book. Like Marsalis, a renowned trumpeter and educator who has made jazz more accessible to the masses, Manricks aims to enlighten, as well as entertain, in a string of performances at The Sofia dedicated to jazz legends and their iconic works. “People sometimes think jazz is over their heads,” says Manricks, who is both performing in and curating the series. “As humans, we’re creatures of habit, so we like what we know — what’s familiar.” By making jazz more familiar through performance and discussions, he says, he hopes to remove the intimidation factor. Along with presenting such classics as Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” on May 10 and John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” on June 13, the concerts will provide audiences with historical context and musical insights intended to help them connect with the music on a deeper level, Manricks says. “Providing historical perspective, discussing when...