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Sam First is a unique venue (and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) dedicated to supporting and expanding jazz as a musical form and tradition. Our mission is to provide a vibrant center for regional, national, and international practitioners of jazz and to foster the growth and engagement of the jazz community in Los Angeles. As a space designed without an elevated stage, we remove the boundary between performers and audiences to promote in-person collaboration, the formation of new relationships, and the creation of original music that takes risks and pushes boundaries.

A LIVE JAZZ EXPERIENCE

Sam First is proud to feature today's best modern and straight-ahead jazz artists five nights a week in a listening room so unique and intimate it'll feel like you're on stage with the band. The combination of the amazing room acoustics and one of LA's most loved Yamaha C7x grand pianos makes for an irresistible listening experience. All shows are currently in-person and nearly all are live streamed so you can watch from anywhere!

Aperol spritz
Two customers sitting at the bar
Seating at Sam First Bar
Hummus plate and a drink

ALL SENSES ENGAGED

Our carefully curated selection of craft cocktails, local beers and wines, and bar snacks are the perfect pairings for a night of jazz. 

A NIGHT OF FIRST CLASS STYLE

From the industrial interior structures and original photography to the vintage mid-century modern furniture, Sam First provides a space that inspires its musicians and patrons alike.

UPCOMING SHOWS

  • Daniel Rotem Group with Larry Koonse, Vardan Ovsepian & Darek Oles
    Daniel Rotem Group with Larry Koonse, Vardan Ovsepian & Darek Oles
    Jun 14, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Searching for meaning in and with every note, Daniel Rotem and his group reflect on the many spectrums of existence, playing music in the "now", for the "now", while embracing the intersection of their different perspectives and experiences as human beings as the starting point.
  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Gerald Clayton with Devin Daniels, Luca Alemanno & Myles Martin
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Gerald Clayton with Devin Daniels, Luca Alemanno & Myles Martin
    Jun 17, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    "Tuesday Happenings" is a weekly series curated by 6x GRAMMY-nominated pianist/composer Gerald Clayton. House band performs one set at 7:30pm followed by a jam session from 9:30-11pm. Jam session participants use coupon code SAM1JAM for a discounted 2nd set.
  • Max Haymer Trio with Luca Alemanno & Rick Montalbano
    Max Haymer Trio with Luca Alemanno & Rick Montalbano
    Jun 18, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Haymer provides a unique blending Classic Broadway Standards with authentic Afro-Cuban Rhythms giving audiences a fresh new take on the piano trio art form. Known mostly for touring the globe with Arturo Sandoval and Jane Monheit, Haymer is excited to be back performing for his home audience.
  • Joshua White & SixOfOne with Nicole McCabe, Devin Daniels, Daniel Rotem, Karl McComas-Reichl & Anthony Fung
    Joshua White & SixOfOne with Nicole McCabe, Devin Daniels, Daniel Rotem, Karl McComas-Reichl & Anthony Fung
    Jun 19, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Praised by legendary musicians like Herbie Hancock as having “immense talent” and lauded for his “daring and courageous approach to improvisation … on the cutting edge of innovation”, Joshua has distinguished himself as a formidable leader of distinct voice among his peers.
  • Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman
    Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman
    Jun 20, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    9-time Grammy Nominee Tierney Sutton returns with piano virtuoso Tamir Hendelman for an intimate and swinging evening full of jazz storytelling through imaginative arrangements.
  • Acid Cole Trio: Music of Nat Cole, Ahmad Jamal, and Les Paul with Bill Cunliffe, Larry Koonse & Darek Oles
    Acid Cole Trio: Music of Nat Cole, Ahmad Jamal, and Les Paul with Bill Cunliffe, Larry Koonse & Darek Oles
    Jun 21, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Nat Cole’s legacy as an instrumentalist and band leader is saluted by Los Angeles’ Acid Cole Trio. They will perform original Nat Cole arrangements, originals, and newly discovered charts from the early Ahmad Jamal and Les Paul piano/guitar/bass trio.
  • "Sam First at Tomat": Presents Adam Hersh & Max Walker
    "Sam First at Tomat": Presents Adam Hersh & Max Walker
    Jun 22, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
    Tomat is a Californian farm-to-table restaurant located in Westchester that celebrates seasonal, local, and sustainable produce. Join Sam First Sunday evenings on Tomat's rooftop for cocktails, wine, small bites and live jazz with an unparalleled view of jets landing at LAX.
  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Host TBA
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Host TBA
    Jun 24, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    "Tuesday Happenings" is a weekly series curated by 6x GRAMMY-nominated pianist/composer Gerald Clayton. House band performs one set at 7:30pm followed by a jam session from 9:30-11pm. Jam session participants use coupon code SAM1JAM for a discounted 2nd set.
  • Moraga South American Jazz with Christian Moraga, Katisse Buckingham, Josh Childs & René Camacho
    Moraga South American Jazz with Christian Moraga, Katisse Buckingham, Josh Childs & René Camacho
    Jun 26, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Lead by multi-percussionist Christian Moraga, the Moraga South American Collective presents a variety of South American folkloric rhythms orchestrated and mixed with Jazz and North American song forms.
  • Jonathan Scales Fourchestra with  E'Lon JD & Maison Guidry
    Jonathan Scales Fourchestra with  E'Lon JD & Maison Guidry
    Jun 27, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Veering from in-your-face, jaw dropping chops and passion, to those quiet moments that make you hold your breath, this power trio combines elements of jazz, classical, and progressive rock, peppered with Latin rhythms and soulful outbursts of funk.
  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Host TBA
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Host TBA
    Jul 01, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    "Tuesday Happenings" is a weekly series curated by 6x GRAMMY-nominated pianist/composer Gerald Clayton. House band performs one set at 7:30pm followed by a jam session from 9:30-11pm. Jam session participants use coupon code SAM1JAM for a discounted 2nd set.
  • Mauricio Morales Quartet with Devin Daniels, Adam Hersh & Gene Coye
    Mauricio Morales Quartet with Devin Daniels, Adam Hersh & Gene Coye
    Jul 02, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Mexican-born acoustic/electric bassist, composer and arranger Mauricio Morales' distinctive brand of fusion shines across his albums "Luna", "Eclipse", "The Endless Ride" and "Seven Days". Morales hosts a night of original music alongside some of the top young musicians from LA's thriving scene.
  • Max Gerl Quartet with Alden Hellmuth, John Escreet & Gary Novak
    Max Gerl Quartet with Alden Hellmuth, John Escreet & Gary Novak
    Jul 03, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Max Gerl returns to Sam First with a multigenerational quartet, that will be debuting all new Gerl compositions.
  • Closed for July 4th Holiday
    Closed for July 4th Holiday
    Jul 04, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Sam First is Closed in observance of Independence Day, but will re-open Saturday, July 5.
  • Alan Pasqua & Darek Oles Duo
    Alan Pasqua & Darek Oles Duo
    Jul 05, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Steinway Piano artist and Grammy Nominee Alan Pasqua has played with everyone from Tony Williams to Bob Dylan. Pasqua's musical connection with bassist Darek Oles is chronicled through decades of working with Peter Erskine, George Garzone and so many others. Don't miss these two masters!
  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Host TBA
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Host TBA
    Jul 08, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    "Tuesday Happenings" is a weekly series curated by 6x GRAMMY-nominated pianist/composer Gerald Clayton. House band performs one set at 7:30pm followed by a jam session from 9:30-11pm. Jam session participants use coupon code SAM1JAM for a discounted 2nd set.
  • John Tegmeyer Quartet with Vardan Ovsepian, Jake Leckie & Tina Raymond
    John Tegmeyer Quartet with Vardan Ovsepian, Jake Leckie & Tina Raymond
    Jul 09, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    An unparalleled clarinetist, John Tegmeyer is equally at ease playing virtuosic concertos in concert halls as he is pushing the boundaries of improvisatory jazz in intimate venues.
  • Kelly Green Quartet with Elijah J. Thomas, Luca Soul Rosenfeld & Evan Hyde
    Kelly Green Quartet with Elijah J. Thomas, Luca Soul Rosenfeld & Evan Hyde
    Jul 10, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Based in New York City, the Kelly Green Quartet is a tight-knit ensemble featuring Kelly Green as a pianist and vocalist, alongside dedicated rhythm section, drummer Evan Hyde and bassist Luca Soul Rosenfeld, and flautist and composer Elijah J. Thomas (flute, alto flute, and piccolo).

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