A constellation of musical luminaries gathered at The Masonic in San Francisco on Saturday, February 21, 2026, to honor blues musician Taj Mahal, with performances ranging from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to contemporary chart-toppers. The event, dubbed “A Night to Honor Taj Mahal,” also served as a benefit concert for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
Among those paying tribute to the Berkeley-based artist were Joan Baez, Van Morrison, Stevie Van Zandt, George Thorogood, and Hozier, the Irish singer-songwriter known for his hit “Take Me to Church.” Hozier’s participation was confirmed earlier in February, joining a lineup designed to celebrate Mahal’s five-decade career and his innovative blending of blues with Caribbean, African, Hawaiian, and Latin influences.
The concert, which lasted three and a half hours, drew a capacity crowd. Taj Mahal himself acknowledged the significance of the evening, stating, “This is off the charts.” The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which received proceeds from the event, provides essential services and financial assistance to musicians and music industry professionals. This year marked the organization’s 32nd anniversary of hosting the annual benefit concert.
While the event was lauded for its impressive roster of performers, it also faced challenges common to all-star tribute concerts, including a lengthy runtime, logistical difficulties, and numerous stage changeovers. Despite these hurdles, the concert highlighted Taj Mahal’s enduring legacy and his profound impact on the landscape of modern blues music. The Grateful Dead’s “Ripple” served as the closing number, performed by Taj Mahal alongside several of the evening’s performers, including Joan Baez, Hozier, and Jim Lauderdale.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund has been providing aid to musicians in need for over three decades, and the annual benefit concert remains a critical fundraising source for the organization. The fund offers emergency medical and mental health care assistance to those working in the music industry.
