San Jose Jazz commissions original work by Sticky Thing

In 2022, San Jose Jazz’s New Works Fest spotlighted commissioned compositions by Bay Area artists, funded through the SJZ Jazz Aid Fund. As Executive Director Brendan Rawson explained, the festival “provides $1,000 grants as well as additional performance fees to the nine artists we’ve selected… bringing their commissioned works alive in a great performance setting for the community to experience and appreciate.”

One of those featured composers was Mike Blankenship, who debuted “Umkhathizwe” (Horizon) during Week 2 of the 2022 fest — a vibrant streaming highlight that blended jazz-infused storytelling with global resonance. Commissioned after his first trip to South Africa in 2017, the piece reflects a deeply personal journey through rhythm, landscape, and perspective.

“I wrote this tune after my first trip to Africa,” Mike shared on Instagram. “I never released the full song, but it means a lot to me. It’s about perspective, distance, and what opens up when you change your view.”

Mike recently performed “Umkhathizwe” live at Mama Kin as part of the San Jose Jazz Winter Fest, alongside a set of both new and familiar originals. Experiencing the piece live allowed audiences to connect with its layered textures and emotional depth — all rooted in community-funded creation.

We’re proud to see San Jose Jazz’s New Works Fest continue to nurture original expression and provide local artists with a platform and resources. For Mike, “Umkhathizwe” isn’t just a composition — it’s a tribute to artistic growth, cultural exchange, and the power of commissioned creativity.