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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

  • 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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  • KCRW Presents: "Third Thursdays" with Vinicius Cantuária & Chico Pinheiro
    KCRW Presents: "Third Thursdays" with Vinicius Cantuária & Chico Pinheiro
    Jan 15, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Legendary Brazilian singer/songwriter/guitarist Vinicius Cantuária is debuting a new concert program with acclaimed guitarist Chico Pinheiro, bringing together two master musicians for an intimate exploration of Brazilian song, rich harmonies, and lyrical guitar interplay.
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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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  • 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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  • Melissa Aldana Quartet with Glenn Zaleski, Pablo Menares & Kush Abadey
    Melissa Aldana Quartet with Glenn Zaleski, Pablo Menares & Kush Abadey
    Jan 21, 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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  • Marlonius Jazz Orchestra: The 10 Year Anniversary Concert with featured vocalists Mara Kaye & Olivia Kuper Harris
    Marlonius Jazz Orchestra: The 10 Year Anniversary Concert with featured vocalists Mara Kaye & Olivia Kuper Harris
    Jan 22, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    MARLONIUS aka Marlon Martinez, and Marlonius Jazz Orchestra, celebrates their 10 year anniversary! Featuring vocalists Mara Kaye and Olivia Kuper Harris, the Marlonius-Strayhorn songbook, and a preview of MJO's debut album!
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  • Roxy Coss Quintet with Alex Wintz, Caili O'Doherty, Dave Baron & Cory Cox
    Roxy Coss Quintet with Alex Wintz, Caili O'Doherty, Dave Baron & Cory Cox
    Jan 23, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    GRAMMY-winning saxophonist, composer, educator and activist Roxy Coss has been a celebrated figure on the New York scene for the past twenty years. The Roxy Coss Quintet explores a multitude of textures and modalities in contemporary cross-genre artistry.
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  • Jenny Scheinman Presents: "All Species Parade" with Carmen Staaf, Tony Scherr & Mark Ferber
    Jenny Scheinman Presents: "All Species Parade" with Carmen Staaf, Tony Scherr & Mark Ferber
    Jan 24, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Jenny Scheinman, acclaimed violinist and composer, and stalwart of the New York jazz and creative music scenes, presents music from her newest album All Species Parade, an epic double-album celebrating the Pacific Northwest wilderness, where Scheinman was raised.
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  • Steve Lehman Trio + Joel Ross with Logan Kane & Damion Reid
    Steve Lehman Trio + Joel Ross with Logan Kane & Damion Reid
    Jan 27, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Described as a “virtuoso alto saxophonist” and a “state-of-the-art musical thinker” Steve Lehman invites internationally renowned vibraphonist, Joel Ross, to join his trio for a very special 3-night run at Sam First.
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  • Steve Lehman Trio + Joel Ross with Logan Kane & Damion Reid
    Steve Lehman Trio + Joel Ross with Logan Kane & Damion Reid
    Jan 28, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Described as a “virtuoso alto saxophonist” and a “state-of-the-art musical thinker” Steve Lehman invites internationally renowned vibraphonist, Joel Ross, to join his trio for a very special 3-night run at Sam First.
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  • Steve Lehman Trio + Joel Ross with Logan Kane & Damion Reid
    Steve Lehman Trio + Joel Ross with Logan Kane & Damion Reid
    Jan 29, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Described as a “virtuoso alto saxophonist” and a “state-of-the-art musical thinker” Steve Lehman invites internationally renowned vibraphonist, Joel Ross, to join his trio for a very special 3-night run at Sam First.
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  • Aaron Parks Trio with Ben Street & Eric McPherson
    Aaron Parks Trio with Ben Street & Eric McPherson
    Jan 30, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Pianist/composer Aaron Parks and his trio with bassist Ben Street and legendary drummer Eric McPherson, perform music from Parks' 3rd Blue Note release "By All Means," which explores a new color palette influenced by the likes of Wayne Shorter, Kenny Wheeler, Horace Silver, Duke Ellington and more.
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  • Aaron Parks Trio with Ben Street & Eric McPherson
    Aaron Parks Trio with Ben Street & Eric McPherson
    Jan 31, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Pianist/composer Aaron Parks and his trio with bassist Ben Street and legendary drummer Eric McPherson, perform music from Parks' 3rd Blue Note release "By All Means," which explores a new color palette influenced by the likes of Wayne Shorter, Kenny Wheeler, Horace Silver, Duke Ellington and more.
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  • Joel Ross: Good Vibes with Tyler Bullock, Kanoa Mendenhall, Jeremy Dutton, Devin Daniels & Maria Grand
    Joel Ross: Good Vibes with Tyler Bullock, Kanoa Mendenhall, Jeremy Dutton, Devin Daniels & Maria Grand
    Feb 04, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Joel Ross is one of the most distinctive vibraphonists of his generation, known for music that blends rhythmic sophistication, lyrical clarity. and deep collective interplay.
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  • Kevin van den Elzen & Joe La Barbera: Double Drums Tribute to Shelly Manne
    Kevin van den Elzen & Joe La Barbera: Double Drums Tribute to Shelly Manne
    Feb 05, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    Joe LaBarbera and Kevin van den Elzen will pay homage to the legendary Shelly Manne, one of the most creative jazz drummers of his generation. LaBarbera and Van den Elzen will play pieces from Shelly’s quintet with some of the best young musicians in the LA jazz scene.
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