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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

  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble
    Dec 02, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Six extraordinary young musicians from around the world were selected for the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA Class of 2026. 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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  • College Night at Sam First / CSU Fullerton & USC
    College Night at Sam First / CSU Fullerton & USC
    Dec 03, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    A new program aimed at giving young musicians valuable performance experience, a chance to network with future colleagues on other campuses, and exposure to the wider Sam First family of artists and audiences. Special thanks to Karen Hohman Almeida for her generous support of this performance!
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  • Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O with Jeff Lederer & Paul Sikivie
    Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O with Jeff Lederer & Paul Sikivie
    Dec 04, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    The year 2024 marked the 60th birthday of the beloved drummer, composer, and bandleader Matt Wilson. It also celebrates the 15th anniversary of one of Matt’s acclaimed ensembles, the Christmas Tree-O, featuring multi-reed legend Jeff Lederer and revered bassist Paul Sikivie.
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  • Jacky Terrasson Trio "Moving On" with Luques Curtis & Joe Dyson
    Jacky Terrasson Trio "Moving On" with Luques Curtis & Joe Dyson
    Dec 05, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Introduced in The New York Times in 1994 as "one of the thirty artists poised to shape the trajectory of American culture in the following three decades," pianist Jacky Terrasson has lived up to this acclaim by becoming the most widely heard French jazz musician on digital platforms.
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  • Jacky Terrasson Trio "Moving On" with Luques Curtis & Joe Dyson
    Jacky Terrasson Trio "Moving On" with Luques Curtis & Joe Dyson
    Dec 06, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Introduced in The New York Times in 1994 as "one of the thirty artists poised to shape the trajectory of American culture in the following three decades," pianist Jacky Terrasson has lived up to this acclaim by becoming the most widely heard French jazz musician on digital platforms.
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  • Larry Fuller Trio with Lorin Cohen & Carmen Intorre, Jr.
    Larry Fuller Trio with Lorin Cohen & Carmen Intorre, Jr.
    Dec 09, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    The NYC-based Larry Fuller Trio is known for its super-swinging, emotive style, and program versatility. At Sam First, expect to hear anything from Oscar Peterson to Stevie Wonder, Wes Montgomery to Ray Brown, George Gershwin to Joni Mitchell - and much more.
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  • Jeff Babko / Tim Lefebvre / Mark Guiliana "CLAM CITY"
    Jeff Babko / Tim Lefebvre / Mark Guiliana "CLAM CITY"
    Dec 10, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Unpredictable magic erupts every time these musicians converge for a musical evening of discovery. These three GRAMMY-nominated artist's individual credits include David Bowie, Donny McCaslin, Brad Mehldau, Steely Dan, James Taylor and Toto.
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  • Jeff Babko / Tim Lefebvre / Mark Guiliana "CLAM CITY"
    Jeff Babko / Tim Lefebvre / Mark Guiliana "CLAM CITY"
    Dec 11, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Unpredictable magic erupts every time these musicians converge for a musical evening of discovery. These three GRAMMY-nominated artist's individual credits include David Bowie, Donny McCaslin, Brad Mehldau, Steely Dan, James Taylor and Toto.
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  • Yotam Silberstein Trio with Larry Goldings & Joe La Barbera
    Yotam Silberstein Trio with Larry Goldings & Joe La Barbera
    Dec 12, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Equally passionate about swing and Brazilian music, Yotam is one of NYC's most highly-respected guitarists with credits that include John Patitucci, Ivan Lins, Karrin Allyson, Monty Alexander, Carlos Aguirre and James Moody, to name just a few.
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  • Yotam Silberstein Trio with Larry Goldings & Joe La Barbera
    Yotam Silberstein Trio with Larry Goldings & Joe La Barbera
    Dec 13, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Equally passionate about swing and Brazilian music, Yotam is one of NYC's most highly-respected guitarists with credits that include John Patitucci, Ivan Lins, Karrin Allyson, Monty Alexander, Carlos Aguirre and James Moody, to name just a few.
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  • “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Ryan Porter
    “Tuesday Happenings”: Hosted by Ryan Porter
    Dec 16, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Trombonist Ryan Porter, founding member of the West Coast Get Down and longtime collaborator of Kamasi Washington, leads this week's Happenings! Band plays a set at 7:30pm followed by jam session from 9:30-11pm. Jam session players use coupon code SAM1JAM for discounted 2nd set.
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  • Carol Robbins Group with Billy Childs, Bob Sheppard, Dan Chmielinski & Christian Euman
    Carol Robbins Group with Billy Childs, Bob Sheppard, Dan Chmielinski & Christian Euman
    Dec 18, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Jazz harpist Carol Robbins looks forward to an evening performing her compositions and jazz compositions and standards with longtime friends and colleagues Billy Childs and Bob Sheppard and an exciting rhythm section consisting of Christian Euman on drums and Dan Chmielinski on bass.
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  • Alan Pasqua Trio with Darek Oles & Steve Hass
    Alan Pasqua Trio with Darek Oles & Steve Hass
    Dec 20, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    With a career spanning collaborations with legends like Tony Williams, Michael Brecker, and Bob Dylan, Steinway Artist Alan Pasqua brings decades of artistry, innovation, and soul to every note.
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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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  • Jimmy Branly Trio with Andy Langham & Rene Camacho
    Jimmy Branly Trio with Andy Langham & Rene Camacho
    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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  • 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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  • Melissa Aldana Quartet with Glenn Zaleski, Pablo Menares & Kush Abadey
    Melissa Aldana Quartet with Glenn Zaleski, Pablo Menares & Kush Abadey
    Jan 20, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist/composer Melissa Aldana performs music from her newest Blue Note release, Echoes of the Inner Prophet-- an introspective yet collaborative exploration of self-discovery, intuition, and artistic evolution.
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