r/LosAngeles • u/sancheta • May 30 '24
Jazz in Los Angeles. Who cares to join? Nightlife
Yes, this topic is repeatedly discussed. Jazz is a varied genre and no one place caters to all the sub-categories. Sadly for me, seems like the more avant-garde stuff is rarely play (RIP Blue Whale and ETA).
Seems like Sam First has what I am looking for, but it is a far drive to the west side. So the primary point of my post is to find others that want to attend shows together. I live in Los Feliz and would love to split the ride with others nearby.
Back to the common question: where can I find some jazz (based on my interests)? Since I go by myself, I do not like supper club atmospheres such as Catalina and Vibrato. I will still go to those venues if someone good is playing. Saw Pharoah Sanders at Catalina and I gladly sat in a corner, drinking my two drink minimum. I like 60s/70s era jazz. Do not care for vocal jazz, swing jazz and fusion (looking at you Baked Potato), which is what most jazz performed is nowadays. No guitar wanking jazz. Love indie jazz hybrids (Isotope 217), modern combos like everything Shabaka Hutchings, samba/bossa nova/forro/world.
EDIT: Yes, I know about Jazz Is Dead. Go to most of their Brazilian music shows. Anyone care to join for Marcos Valle? I was not into him when he first/last played LA, but have since became a huge fan.
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u/EuphoricMoose8232 May 30 '24
Check out the Jazz Is Dead series of concerts at the Lodge Room
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u/thehumancondition23 May 31 '24
This is the true answer - they host everything from the OG hardbop to spiritual avant garde and world jazz
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u/2Much_non-sequitur May 31 '24
They have had a kick ass line up so far this year, O Terno and Takuya Kuroda were awesome!
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u/_its_a_SWEATER_ Pasadena May 30 '24
Gawd I miss the Blue Whale.
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u/TheAlienDog May 30 '24
It’s reopening in Atwater, apparently
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u/somedudeinlosangeles Altadena May 31 '24
Source or GTFO.
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u/TheAlienDog May 31 '24
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u/Lauvi May 31 '24
Thanks for sharing the good news! I wonder what kind of restaurant they’ll open. I’m looking forward to the shows at the new venue, but I’ll definitely still miss the intimate, hole-in-wall vibe of Little Tokyo’s Blue Whale.
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u/TheAlienDog May 31 '24
Yeah I hear that, I’ve had similar thoughts. But they did a good enough job with the old place, so I’m happy to see what they do with this one.
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u/vinylmartyr May 30 '24
Jazz is Dead Lodge Room Highland Park
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u/habaroa May 31 '24
My friend Jazz took her own life and the same day it happened I saw these signs for this music show all over town for the first time. It really fucked with me until I realized it was a poster for a show and not a morbid sign from the universe. Random story but I haven’t thought about that till seeing this.
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u/crapkatapult May 30 '24
Bub and Grandma's in Glassell Park has live jazz every Sunday and Monday. Just solo piano for now. Groups coming shortly.
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u/GibsonMaestro May 30 '24
Check out the Baked Potato calendar. It's in Studio City and walking distance from the Metro Red Line.
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u/_Silent_Android_ East Hollywood May 31 '24
The World Stage in Leimert Park: https://www.theworldstage.org/
Also, look out for the Central Avenue Jazz Festival in September: https://centralavejazzfest.com/
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u/Sei-Cada-Okay May 31 '24 edited May 31 '24
I went to the Central Avenue Jazz Festival last year - so fun! Also, the Watts Towers Jazz Festival (and Drum Festival). a week or so later.
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u/Nicholoid Hollywood May 30 '24
Baked Potato and Vibrato are tops in town. You can luck out at the Hollywood Bowl sometimes, but these are the best more intimate venues. The Dresden can be good too. https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/list/where-to-listen-to-jazz-in-los-angeles
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u/poophoto May 31 '24
There’s a blue note jazz club being built in Hollywood by the cineramadome. Just saw the notices on the doers for construction
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u/bighoney95 May 31 '24 edited May 31 '24
I super recommend Sam’s first. Also recommend: The Baked Potato, Lodge Room, The York, The Mint, El Cid, Gold Diggers, Industry Cafe, The San Fernando, The Stowaway, Zebulon Cafe, etc. In my opinion you need to follow the musicians more than anything else. I saw Justin Brown and Pedro Martins in a Venice coffee shop a couple of weeks ago. You never really know where you’ll see cats playing.
Edit: Check out minaret records like someone else mentioned, redacted collective, permanent records road house, Logan Richardson puts some dope shows together (saw him at el cid last night with Justin brown, Dennis Hamm, and Joe Cleveland. He also put together the Pedro Martins/Justin Brown show at little lunch aka that Venice coffee shop.)
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u/Vegetable_Engine1428 May 31 '24
Yea ive found getting to know musician names and following them on instagram is key. When you see a line up and recognize one name you can tell it will be good.
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u/Even_Cod_3 Jefferson Park May 30 '24
Jazz is Dead Just Jazz Series The York Lighthouse Monday Nights Atwater Jazz Club World Stage
All great hangs for jazz in LA
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u/itsfiji Pico Rivera May 30 '24
Doesn’t necessarily answer your question but Kokoroko is playing a show at the Fonda in October if you are interested!
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u/eyeandeyephoto May 30 '24
I’d be down to check out Sam’s first I’ve never been, because I’m an east sider as well. Some of the ETA crew has also started playing at the Fable in eagle rock, went the other night and as much as I loved ETA this place was much larger which was nice
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u/t0nmontana May 31 '24
Those places were great because they fostered the local jazz scene. All those people are still here playing all around town. Start following people like Nicole McCabe, Louis Cole, Brandon Coleman, Elijah Fox just to name some random names. Minaret Records throws lots of great shows, follow them. Leaving Records too. Also, rumor is Blue Whale is coming back to Atwater :-)
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u/buccadibeppo May 31 '24
Check out Feels Like Floating, lots of great outdoor programming in the ambient to jazz range
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u/RoonaDoon May 31 '24
There is a jazz night at Nico’s in Atwater in their bar downstairs. It happens twice a month. It’s really great!!
https://www.instagram.com/atwaterjazzclub?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Check it out!
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u/Courtlessjester South Bay May 30 '24
I don't have many good things to say about New York but good God am I jealous of their Jazz scene
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u/Vegetable_Engine1428 May 31 '24
jazz scene here is insane if you know where to find it. Way more underground than just showing up to smalls, but it’s amazing.
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u/cheaganvegan May 30 '24
Jones coffee roasters in Pasadena has jazz combos Saturday morning. It is hard to find just a gritty combo playing somewhere.
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u/aproperopinion May 30 '24
Like some others already said here, Jazz Is Dead at Lodge Room may be what you’re looking for too
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u/RapBastardz May 31 '24
Casey’s Tavern. 22029 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303
Thursday nights are especially fun. There are some food options nearby which you’re welcome to bring inside. Bart takes cash only. You will see some great great musicians there.
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u/cheeseheadno May 31 '24
The Continental Club in DTLA. Only on Thursday nights. Love the atmosphere and they occasionally have free cupcakes from a local bakery.
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u/Intelligent_Bid_42 May 31 '24
Lighthouse cafe in hermosa beach has jam sessions every Monday at 8pm as well as weekend jazz brunches.
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u/diga_diga_doo May 31 '24
Great suggestions in this thread! There’s a forro show this Sunday, I think Westside, I don’t have the particulars but dm me and I’ll find out for you!
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u/rawsouthpaw1 May 31 '24
Mulatu Astatke is performing at the Hollywood Bowl June 15 by the way
https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/events/performances/2891/2024-06-15/hollywood-bowl-jazz-festival
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u/zenithberwyn May 31 '24
Keep an eye on the schedule at Zebulon Cafe, I've seen both Peter Brotzmann and Anthony Braxton there
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May 31 '24 edited Jul 04 '24
Jazz isn't dead , LA just doesn't have a very public or well known scene. If at al I've been to vibrato several times and genuinely enjoyed it.
There was a place (not sure if it's still around) called the baked potato in universal city.
Never went myself but heard good things.
Can't say I know of any other jazz spots
But a loungey/divey place would be a good contrast to vibrato.
Something a la new Orleans (there you find a bunch of jazz spots in close proximity that are pretty banging )
Edit: check out jazz eclectic la and creative has fusion. I've been to a few events and there were great!
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u/whurpo May 31 '24
You might have more luck looking for funk bands. Thats where jazz has retreated to stay cool right now.
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u/Starslimonada May 31 '24
I want try going to Spagatini sometime this summer. I hear they have live jazz music.
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u/Used-Conclusion-931 May 31 '24
Pasadena playhouse square but the park is small.. so everyone don’t come because I need to get a spot 😂 it’s free https://playhousevillage.org/calendar-of-events/jazz/
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u/tallrockerchick May 31 '24
My partner and I like the Friday nights at LACMA. We both enjoy many styles of jazz and have had some great experiences
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u/quietverse Northeast L.A. May 31 '24
sunday nights at justine’s and minaret records
follow people who play those gigs and you’ll be set
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u/lunacavemoth Florence May 31 '24
South Central used to be THE place for jazz . I subbed at Jefferson where Etta James went .
It is heartbreaking that that is no longer there .
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u/kexzmeckz May 31 '24
7th and Grand has live music. Mainly jazz and blues
The Delphi has Thursday night jazz
The continental club has Wednesday night jazz
The rhythm room has jazz I believe on Thursdays ??
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u/eebaes Jun 05 '24
The Barkley in South Pasadena has a jazz night on Sundays 7p-11p, it's bebop era 40's and 50's - since this thread has morphed into all things jazz in LA may as well include it.
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u/gotfondue May 31 '24
Not really LA but have you checked out Steamers in Fullerton? https://steamerscafe.com/
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u/mil0_7 May 31 '24
Casey’s tavern in Canoga has live jazz every Tuesday and Thursday at 730 or 8 I believe. It’s pretty rad couple of bands they’re old timers, cash only bar and no cussing allowed. I love the place.
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u/[deleted] May 30 '24
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