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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

  • Closed for Christmas
    Closed for Christmas
    Dec 23, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Sam First is closed December 23 to December 25 in observance of Christmas and re-opens Friday, December 26.
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  • Closed for Christmas
    Closed for Christmas
    Dec 24, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Sam First is closed December 23 to December 25 in observance of Christmas and re-opens Friday, December 26.
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  • Closed for Christmas
    Closed for Christmas
    Dec 25, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Sam First is closed December 23 to December 25 in observance of Christmas and re-opens Friday, December 26.
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  • Daniel Rotem: Yūgen with Anthony Wilson, Vardan Ovsepian, Michael Valerio & Clarence Penn
    Daniel Rotem: Yūgen with Anthony Wilson, Vardan Ovsepian, Michael Valerio & Clarence Penn
    Dec 26, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    In his new musical project, Daniel aims to evoke and draw from the depths of the Yūgen concept. A Japanese aesthetic concept, Yūgen refers to a beauty that suggests rather than shows, that invites you to feel rather than define.
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  • Daniel Rotem: Yūgen with Anthony Wilson, Vardan Ovsepian, Michael Valerio & Clarence Penn
    Daniel Rotem: Yūgen with Anthony Wilson, Vardan Ovsepian, Michael Valerio & Clarence Penn
    Dec 27, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    In his new musical project, Daniel aims to evoke and draw from the depths of the Yūgen concept. A Japanese aesthetic concept, Yūgen refers to a beauty that suggests rather than shows, that invites you to feel rather than define.
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  • Closed for New Year's
    Closed for New Year's
    Dec 30, 2025, 7:30 PM PST
    Sam First is closed December 30 through January 1 and re-opens Friday, January 2. Happy New Year!
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  • Closed for New Year's
    Closed for New Year's
    Dec 31, 2025, 7:30 PM PST
    Sam First is closed December 30 through January 1 and re-opens Friday, January 2. Happy New Year!
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  • Closed for New Year's
    Closed for New Year's
    Jan 01, 2026, 7:30 PM PST
    Sam First is closed December 30 through January 1 and re-opens Friday, January 2. Happy New Year!
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  • Clay Jenkins Quintet with Ivan Malespin, Larry Koonse, John Clayton & Joe La Barbera
    Clay Jenkins Quintet with Ivan Malespin, Larry Koonse, John Clayton & Joe La Barbera
    Jan 02, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    The Clay Jenkins Quintet is an established group of musicians who have played together in many different settings for four decades. They have come together to perform their own compositions as well as their unique presentations of the music of several jazz masters.
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  • Clay Jenkins Quintet with Ivan Malespin, Larry Koonse, John Clayton & Joe La Barbera
    Clay Jenkins Quintet with Ivan Malespin, Larry Koonse, John Clayton & Joe La Barbera
    Jan 03, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    The Clay Jenkins Quintet is an established group of musicians who have played together in many different settings for four decades. They have come together to perform their own compositions as well as their unique presentations of the music of several jazz masters.
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  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Devin Daniels
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Devin Daniels
    Jan 06, 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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  • Jimmy Branly Trio with Andy Langham & Rene Camacho featuring special guest Justo Almario
    Jimmy Branly Trio with Andy Langham & Rene Camacho featuring special guest Justo Almario
    Jan 07, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Havana-born Jimmy Branly is a first-call powerhouse drummer, performing and recording with legends ranging from Chucho Valdez to Lyle Mays. For this show, Branly's trio is joined by saxophonist/flutist Justo Almario, whose soulful, agile sound has long been a defining voice in Latin jazz.
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  • Ethan Iverson Trio with Jermaine Paul & Jonathan Pinson
    Ethan Iverson Trio with Jermaine Paul & Jonathan Pinson
    Jan 09, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Blue Note Recording artist/ pianist Ethan Iverson has worked with everyone from contemporaries Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel and The Bad Plus to legends Billy Hart, Tootie Heath and Charlie Haden. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear Iverson with two of LA's finest.
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  • Ethan Iverson Trio with Jermaine Paul & Jonathan Pinson
    Ethan Iverson Trio with Jermaine Paul & Jonathan Pinson
    Jan 10, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Blue Note Recording artist/ pianist Ethan Iverson has worked with everyone from contemporaries Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel and The Bad Plus to legends Billy Hart, Tootie Heath and Charlie Haden. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear Iverson with two of LA's finest.
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  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Jonathan Pinson
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Jonathan Pinson
    Jan 13, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Jonathan Pinson, one of LA's most versatile drummers and first call for everyone from Mark Turner to Tigran Hamasyan, leads the "Happenings". 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.
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  • Will Brahm Quartet with Javier Santiago, Nick Campbell & Anthony Fung
    Will Brahm Quartet with Javier Santiago, Nick Campbell & Anthony Fung
    Jan 14, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Will Brahm’s music evokes the captivating melodic sense of guitarists like Jeff Beck with the lush harmonic backdrops of bands like Pat Metheny Group. His newest album “Distance to Empty” showcases his unique sonic world building abilities.
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  • Roy McCurdy Quartet with Rickey Woodard, Bill Cunliffe & Mike Gurrola
    Roy McCurdy Quartet with Rickey Woodard, Bill Cunliffe & Mike Gurrola
    Jan 16, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Legendary drummer, USC Professor and Rochester Music Hall of Fame Inductee Roy McCurdy has worked with just about all the major jazz personalities, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Betty Carter, Freddie Hubbard, Sarah Vaughan and Benny Golson.
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  • Roy McCurdy Quartet with Rickey Woodard, Bill Cunliffe & Mike Gurrola
    Roy McCurdy Quartet with Rickey Woodard, Bill Cunliffe & Mike Gurrola
    Jan 17, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Legendary drummer, USC Professor and Rochester Music Hall of Fame Inductee Roy McCurdy has worked with just about all the major jazz personalities, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Betty Carter, Freddie Hubbard, Sarah Vaughan and Benny Golson.
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