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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

  • Yakiv Tsvietinskyi Quartet: "Dnipro Blue" with Miles Lennox, Destiny Diggs & Ebs Daramola
    Yakiv Tsvietinskyi Quartet: "Dnipro Blue" with Miles Lennox, Destiny Diggs & Ebs Daramola
    Apr 02, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    "Dnipro Blue" is dedicated to the people of Ukraine, whose lives have been forever changed by the war with Russia. A tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the strength found in unity, these pieces are meant to inform, inspire, and honor those who persevere through unimaginable challenges
  • Tone Forest with Miro Sprague, Jason Ennis & Marty Jaffe
    Tone Forest with Miro Sprague, Jason Ennis & Marty Jaffe
    Apr 03, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    With a focus on tone clarity and a rich sonic blend, Tone Forest strives to truly improvise together, creating unique musical textures and using a wide range of grooves ranging from samba to swing and much more.
  • Sasha Berliner "Fantome" LA Album Release Show with Julien Knowles, Adam Hersh, Max Gerl & Myles Martin
    Sasha Berliner "Fantome" LA Album Release Show with Julien Knowles, Adam Hersh, Max Gerl & Myles Martin
    Apr 04, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Sasha Berliner is celebrating the release of her new album, "Fantome", on Outside In Records. Songs from the cutting edge modern jazz project will be performed, in addition to brand new merch made available at the show.
  • Jacob Mann Trio "32" Album Release Show with Jonathan Richards & Christian Euman
    Jacob Mann Trio "32" Album Release Show with Jonathan Richards & Christian Euman
    Apr 05, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Jacob Mann is a pianist, composer, and arranger based in Los Angeles. He will be celebrating the release of his debut piano trio album “32” featuring Jonathan Richards (bass) and Christian Euman (drums). The trio will perform music from the newly released album along with some brand new tunes.
  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Gerald Clayton
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Gerald Clayton
    Apr 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.
  • Pritesh Walia Jazz Trio with Max Gerl & Efa Etoroma,Jr
    Pritesh Walia Jazz Trio with Max Gerl & Efa Etoroma,Jr
    Apr 09, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Join Pritesh and his trio—featuring Max Gerl on bass and Efa Etoroma,Jr on drums for a night of dynamic and immersive jazz, performing selections from his debut album "HopeTown" along with unreleased compositions from his upcoming record.
  • Sam Hirsh Quartet with Devin Daniels, Jermaine Paul & Joe La Barbera
    Sam Hirsh Quartet with Devin Daniels, Jermaine Paul & Joe La Barbera
    Apr 10, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Pianist, composer and educator Sam Hirsh has been an active member of the Los Angeles jazz community for over a decade and is gaining recognition for his soulful, energetic sound. He returns to Sam First to debut some new quartet music. Enjoy an evening of original music and standards.
  • Anthony Fung Quartet with Devin Daniels, Michael Ragonese & Logan Kane
    Anthony Fung Quartet with Devin Daniels, Michael Ragonese & Logan Kane
    Apr 11, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Currently based in Los Angeles, CA, drummer, composer, producer and bandleader Anthony Fung brings his hard-hitting quartet to Sam First for a night of incredible original music and arrangements.
  • Wise One: Celebrating the Music of John Coltrane with Daniel Rotem, Billy Childs, Darek Oles & Christian Euman
    Wise One: Celebrating the Music of John Coltrane with Daniel Rotem, Billy Childs, Darek Oles & Christian Euman
    Apr 12, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Approaching the music from the spiritual side, Rotem has reimagined and rearranged Coltrane’s music, inspired by the master saxophonist’s own interpretation of songs like “My Favorite Things” or “How High the Moon”. The result is a heartfelt tribute[...]
  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Host TBA
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Host TBA
    Apr 15, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Band performs one set at 7:30 followed by a jam session from 9:00-11:00pm. - Jam session participants use code SAM1JAM.
  • Isaac Wilson Trio with Christian Euman and Marlon Martinez
    Isaac Wilson Trio with Christian Euman and Marlon Martinez
    Apr 16, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    NYC pianist Isaac Wilson returns to his native LA, presenting an evening of trio music with Los Angeles drummer Christian Euman & bassist Marlon Martinez, each of them singular voices on their instruments.
  • April Varner Quartet with Graham Dechter, Alex Frank & Ryan Shaw
    April Varner Quartet with Graham Dechter, Alex Frank & Ryan Shaw
    Apr 17, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    New York City- based Jazz Vocalist, April Varner, makes her Los Angeles debut! Winner of the 2023 International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, April will share selections from her upcoming sophomore album, "Dear Ella & Frank: A Love Letter", set to be released in Spring 2026.
  • Josh Nelson Trio with Luca Alemanno & Dan Schnelle
    Josh Nelson Trio with Luca Alemanno & Dan Schnelle
    Apr 18, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    The Josh Nelson Trio will perform new and older original music, selections from his favorite film scores, and much more! The Trio has been playing and recording together for many years.
  • Josh Nelson Trio with Luca Alemanno & Dan Schnelle
    Josh Nelson Trio with Luca Alemanno & Dan Schnelle
    Apr 19, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    The Josh Nelson Trio will perform new and older original music, selections from his favorite film scores, and much more! The Trio has been playing and recording together for many years.
  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Gerald Clayton
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Gerald Clayton
    Apr 22, 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.
  • Emily Braden with Sam Barsh, Benjamin Rossman & John Davis
    Emily Braden with Sam Barsh, Benjamin Rossman & John Davis
    Apr 23, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Big, bad beauty from Boise, Idaho, Emily Braden has the innate ability to win the heart of any audience with her powerhouse vocals and striking stage presence. Winner of NYC’s prestigious "Best of the Best" Jazzmobile Vocal Competition, her signature sound is an effortless blend of jazz and soul.
  • Kevin Sun Quartet Album Release Concert with Christian Li, Walter Stinson & Kayvon Gordon
    Kevin Sun Quartet Album Release Concert with Christian Li, Walter Stinson & Kayvon Gordon
    Apr 24, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Kevin Sun is a saxophonist and composer based in New York City. His latest album, QUARTETS, collects original music from his past decade in NYC, and he is touring with his quartet in April 2025 to promote the release.
  • Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne
    Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne
    Apr 25, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne is a 90-minute celebration of Lena Horne’s life and music. Honoring traditional renditions of her most iconic repertoire, the performance also includes contemporary musical arrangements and original tunes inspired by Horne.

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