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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

  • John Escreet Quartet with Nicole McCabe, Eric Revis & Gary Novak
    John Escreet Quartet with Nicole McCabe, Eric Revis & Gary Novak
    Mar 07, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Over the course of his career, John Escreet has earned a reputation as one of the most active and diverse pianist/composers working in music today. Tonight he presents a special quartet made up of some of his closest musical collaborators, premiering some brand new music.
  • Linda May Han Oh Trio with Fabian Almazán & Christian Euman
    Linda May Han Oh Trio with Fabian Almazán & Christian Euman
    Mar 08, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Based in NYC, GRAMMY Award–winning bassist/composer Linda May Han Oh has performed and recorded with Pat Metheny, Kenny Barron, Joe Lovano, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Following her latest album, Strange Heavens, she appears at Sam First with pianist Fabian Almazán and drummer Christian Euman.
  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Gerald Clayton
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Gerald Clayton
    Mar 10, 2026, 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.
  • Brian Swartz Quintet with Keith Fiddmont, Steve Cotter, Chris Colangelo & Kendall Kay
    Brian Swartz Quintet with Keith Fiddmont, Steve Cotter, Chris Colangelo & Kendall Kay
    Mar 11, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    The Brian Swartz Quintet delivers a sophisticated and soulful jazz experience. Blending reimagined standards with vibrant original compositions, they create a sound that is both familiar and strikingly new.
  • Edu Ribeiro Trio with Vinicius Gomes & Noah Garabedian
    Edu Ribeiro Trio with Vinicius Gomes & Noah Garabedian
    Mar 12, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Edu Ribeiro is a multiple-time Grammy Award winner based in São Paulo, Brazil. He is a core member of the group Trio Corrente, and has performed and recorded with Luciana Souza, João Bosco, and Randy Brecker to name a few. The trio will be performing original music from their debut album, Caipora.
  • Bill Cunliffe Trio with Darek Oles & Joe La Barbera: Music of the Movies
    Bill Cunliffe Trio with Darek Oles & Joe La Barbera: Music of the Movies
    Mar 13, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Bill, Joe and Darek will present music from the great movie composers, including Erich Korngold, Henry Mancini, Bronislau Kaper, Jerry Goldsmith and Phillip Glass.
  • Irving Flores Afro Cuban Latin Jazz with Horacio "El Negro" Hernández & Will Lyle
    Irving Flores Afro Cuban Latin Jazz with Horacio "El Negro" Hernández & Will Lyle
    Mar 14, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Pianist Irving Flores returns in a conceptually driven Afro-Cuban trio format featuring the legendary rhythmic spontaneity of drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and the New York City-seasoned expertise of bassist Will Lyle.
  • Geoffrey Keezer Trio with Edwin Livingston & Marvin "Smitty" Smith
    Geoffrey Keezer Trio with Edwin Livingston & Marvin "Smitty" Smith
    Mar 17, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Geoffrey Keezer has been a major figure in NYC's jazz piano scene since 1989, when he became the last pianist with the legendary Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Keezer has toured and recorded with Ray Brown, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Diana Krall and many more.
  • Yakiv Tsvietinskyi Quintet with Joshua Christian Childress, Adam Hersh, Yerin Kim & Christian Euman
    Yakiv Tsvietinskyi Quintet with Joshua Christian Childress, Adam Hersh, Yerin Kim & Christian Euman
    Mar 18, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    A recent graduate of the Herbie Hancock Institute, Tsvietinskyi presents original works reflecting the challenges of the modern world and sharing stories inspired by Ukrainian resistance, offering a compelling perspective on identity, cultural dialogue, and contemporary experience.
  • KCRW Presents: "Third Thursdays" with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
    KCRW Presents: "Third Thursdays" with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
    Mar 19, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Veering from in-your-face, jaw dropping chops and passion, to those quiet moments when you hold your breath to take in a soundscape of solitude, the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra elements of jazz, classical, and progressive rock, peppered with Latin rhythms and soulful outbursts of funk.
  • Otmaro Ruiz Quartet with Kosta Kutay, Edwin Livingston & Jimmy Branly
    Otmaro Ruiz Quartet with Kosta Kutay, Edwin Livingston & Jimmy Branly
    Mar 20, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Known for his versatility and virtuosity, multi-GRAMMY-nominated pianist, keyboardist and arranger Otmaro Ruiz has had an extensive career collaborating with John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves, Randy Brecker, Simon Phillips, Billy Cobham, Gino Vannelli and Arturo Sandoval.
  • Larry Goldings & Melinda Sullivan Present "BIG FOOT" with Special Guest Anthony Wilson
    Larry Goldings & Melinda Sullivan Present "BIG FOOT" with Special Guest Anthony Wilson
    Mar 21, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    An unlikely and extraordinary duo, Larry Goldings and Melinda Sullivan have been creating eclectic music and tap dance that is both inventive and joyful. They will be performing music from their album, BIG FOOT. This performance will feature special guest Anthony Wilson on guitar!
  • Jochen Rueckert Trio with Mark Turner and Karl McComas-Reichl
    Jochen Rueckert Trio with Mark Turner and Karl McComas-Reichl
    Mar 24, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    German-born New-York-City-expatriated jazz drummer of note Jochen Rueckert stops over to reunite with his long-time band mate, supreme tenor saxophonist, reluctant ECM artist, and sought-after fashion model Mark Turner for a night of consensual musical exploration with bassist Karl McCormas-Reichl.
  • Tristan Cappel Quartet with Adam Hersh, Max Gerl & Myles Martin
    Tristan Cappel Quartet with Adam Hersh, Max Gerl & Myles Martin
    Mar 25, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Tristan Cappel is a saxophonist, flutist, and composer who is quickly becoming a staple of the LA jazz scene. Join him and his stellar band for a night of contemporary jazz!
  • Ralph Alessi Quartet with Adam Benjamin, Richard Giddens & Mark Ferber
    Ralph Alessi Quartet with Adam Benjamin, Richard Giddens & Mark Ferber
    Mar 26, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Trumpeter/composer and ECM recording artist Ralph Alessi forms a new band for a West Coast tour. His music balances the traditions of jazz with expansive areas of experimentation, inviting exploration into the unknown.
  • Allison, Cardenas & Nash
    Allison, Cardenas & Nash
    Mar 27, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Against the backdrop of over 25 years of creative collaboration Ben, Steve, and Ted weave musical conversations that are full of subtlety and surprise. The group is modeled after reedist/composer Jimmy Giuffre’s drummerless trios of the 1950s and 60s.
  • Allison, Cardenas & Nash
    Allison, Cardenas & Nash
    Mar 28, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Against the backdrop of over 25 years of creative collaboration Ben, Steve, and Ted weave musical conversations that are full of subtlety and surprise. The group is modeled after reedist/composer Jimmy Giuffre’s drummerless trios of the 1950s and 60s.
  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Devin Daniels
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Devin Daniels
    Mar 31, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Devin Daniels, one of the most unique and exciting voices from LA’s thriving creative music scene, leads tonight's "Happenings". House band performs one set at 7:30pm followed by a jam session from 9:30-11pm.

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