Sam First is a jazz club and cocktail bar, a few minutes walk from the LAX terminals. Featuring serious drinks, local beers and fine wines, spectacular first class lounge-of-your-dreams styling, and world-class modern and straight-ahead jazz.
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!
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
- Sep 21, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMRalph Moore has played and recorded music with an amazing list of musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Ray Brown, Roy Haynes, J.J. Johnson, Cedar Walton, Bobby Hutcherson, McCoy Tyner, Roy Hargrove, Oscar Peterson, Kenny Baron (to name just a few).
- Sep 24, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMSam First welcomes back Kyle Poole, the incredibly swinging drummer who can be heard driving the bands led by Cecile McLorin Salvant, Emmet Cohen and Wynton Marsalis. Band performs one set at 7:30 followed by a jam session from 9:00-11:00pm. - Jam session participants use code SAM1JAM.
- Sep 25, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMTo music lovers and critics in Brazil, André Mehmari is a musical wonder and a source of national pride. To the ear, imagine a meeting of Mozart and Keith Jarrett in Brazil, Mozart for the intensity of his creation, Jarrett for his relationship to improvisation at the modern piano.
- Sep 26, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMActive since 1994, The LAJQ is made up of four musicians who share a similar vision of acoustic jazz in the new millennium. Influenced by the sound, style and sensibilities of the classic jazz of the 50's and 60's, LAJQ provides a fresh perspective in the context of the contemporary jazz ensemble.
- Sep 27, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMPianist/composer Josh Nelson has performed with some of the most respected names in jazz, including Natalie Cole, John Clayton and Kurt Elling. For this performance, Nelson re-assembles the bands from two previous projects into an exciting performance featuring an all-star band.
- Sep 28, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMPianist/composer Josh Nelson has performed with some of the most respected names in jazz, including Natalie Cole, John Clayton and Kurt Elling. For this performance, Nelson re-assembles the bands from two previous projects into an exciting performance featuring an all-star band.
- Oct 01, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMSix extraordinary young musicians from around the world were selected for the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA Class of 2025. They recently began their intensive, full-scholarship program and will attain a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
- Oct 02, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMAsk any jazz musician about pianist Matt Politano and all would jump to acknowledge his sheer mastery of his instrument and of jazz. One of the busiest and hardest working musicians in LA, Politano brings his trio to Sam First to present two sets of original tunes and American songbook standards.
- Oct 03, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMHaymer 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.
- Oct 05, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMKnown 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.
- Oct 10, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMInformed by their 25 years of collaborating on everything from film scores to albums and even livestreams, Babko and Himmelman reconnect at Sam First, this time with special guest bassist and producer, Larry Klein. The three will collaborate and conspire, tell stories and play tunes.
- Oct 15, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PMRichardson pushes the boundaries of modern improvised music and is considered by top critics as a breath of fresh air for the future of music. Band performs a set at 7:30 followed by a jam session from 9:30-11. Jam session participants use coupon code SAM1JAM for a discounted 2nd set.
