About

The Academy Award winning Best Picture, Birdman, screened to a live soundtrack

“In his live scoring of Birdman, Sánchez injects a vitality that maps out the emotions of the film’s characters with precision.”—The Guardian (U.K.)

“One of the standout jazz drummers on the contemporary scene, a polyrhythmic ace attuned to the subtlest dynamic fluctuations.”—New York Times

After the success of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, which won four Academy Awards including Best Picture, drummer/composer Antonío Sánchez performed his dramatic Grammy Award-winning score live around the world. Sánchez’ original music was largely improvised, making each presentation unique. Celebrating the film’s 10th anniversary, he brings Birdman Live to the Epstein Family Amphitheater. One of the most sought-after drummers on the international jazz scene, Sánchez has recorded and performed with the likes of Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Michael Brecker and Charlie Haden. His 2022 album SHIFT features Trent Reznor, Dave Matthews, Meshell Ndegeocello and more. (Birdman: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, 2014, R, 119 min.)

About Antonío Sánchez

Born in Mexico City, 4-time Grammy Award winner Antonío Sánchez began to play the drums at age five and performed professionally as a teen in Mexico’s Latin, jazz and rock scenes—when he wasn’t participating as a member on Mexico’s Junior National Gymnastics Team. He later pursued a degree in classical piano at the National Conservatory in Mexico and in 1993 enrolled in Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory, where he graduated magna cum laude in Jazz Studies.

Following nine albums and 18 years as one of the most cherished of Pat Metheny’s collaborators, Sánchez has also recorded and performed with Gary Burton, Michael Brecker, Charlie Haden and Chick Corea. In 2014 Sánchez’s popularity soared when he scored Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman which ended up garnering four Academy Awards (including Best Picture).

Today, Sánchez is among the most sought-after jazz drummers in the world and has been Modern Drummer’s “Jazz Drummer of the Year” on multiple occasions. His new album SHIFT – Bad Hombre Vol. II, featuring Dave Mathews, Trent Reznor and a host of other guest artists, will be released on Warner Bros this August.

“What makes [Birdman] snap, crackle and pop — literally and figuratively — is Sánchez’s remarkably creative drumming.”—San Diego Union Tribune
Read the full interview >

Artist Links

Details

Parking

The closest parking structure is Gilman Parking Structure located at the intersection of Gilman Drive and Russell Lane.

UC San Diego requires parking permits 7 days a week. Permits can be purchased at permit machines or through the Parkmobile App. Visit UC San Diego Transportation for information on where to buy your permit, and costs.

Location

The Epstein Family Amphitheater is located in the Pepper Canyon Neighborhood on the UC San Diego campus. See Map >

Food & Drink

Food and drink will be available for purchase in the venue. Please note: Food vendors are cashless.

Vendors at this event:

Snake Oil Cocktails

Ahitsweets Desserts

Cocina de Tamales

Salty Seal Coffee

About the Venue

Accessible Seating

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in all seating areas for patrons in wheelchairs and their companions.

What can I bring to the show?

You may bring in empty refillable water bottles, small personal bags (16” x 16 “ x 8”). All bags are subject to search by security officers. We encourage that you dress in layers and for those who have tickets to the General Lawn Section to wear shoes without heels.

What can I bring to the show?

Additional prohibited items include: strollers, large backpacks, flags, tobacco products, alcohol, cans, bottles, ice chests, picnic baskets, lawn furniture, weapons of any kind, umbrellas, pets, hula hoops, musical instruments, laser pointers, bicycles, and skateboards. Cameras with a detachable lens of any kind and professional recording devices are not allowed, including GoPros. Scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and other recreational wheeled equipment are not permitted at the Epstein Family Amphitheater. UC San Diego is a smoke-free campus.

If you have questions, please contact amphitheater@ucsd.edu.

Can I bring Lawn Furniture, Cushions or Blankets?

For the safety and comfort of all, you may not bring lawn chairs or furniture. The lawn is quite steep and not safe for lawn chairs. You can bring in personal seat cushions, blankets, or seating, as long as they fit your personal space and lie flat on the ground (no legs, no hard structure). We encourage the same for the stone bench seating areas on both General Admission and reserved seating shows.