That Eric Alper

The iconic Blue Note Jazz Club is expanding to Los Angeles, bringing the legendary reputation of its renowned New York flagship to the heart of L.A.’s dynamic music scene. Designed specifically for Los Angeles, the new venue will offer an intimate atmosphere and programming similar to its New York counterpart: world-class jazz performances from celebrated icons, rising stars, and genre-defying collaborations that reflect the evolution of jazz. The club is set to open its doors in March 2025.

Located on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, the new venue boasts two performance spaces: a main showroom with a 200-person capacity and a secondary “B Side” room with a 100-person capacity. There will also be a full-service kitchen and beverage menu, open for brunch and dinner throughout the week.

“We are excited to bring the Blue Note experience to Los Angeles, offering the same intimate atmosphere and world-class performances that have defined our New York club,” says Tsion Bensusan, COO of Blue Note Entertainment Group.

In addition to the new venue, Blue Note and the LA Phil have confirmed a partnership for the newly named Blue Note Jazz Festival—formerly the storied Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival—beginning with the Hollywood Bowl’s 2025 season. Presented by the LA Phil, the 2025 edition of the festival kicks off on June 14 at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. This partnership reflects both organizations’ shared commitment to supporting and showcasing jazz artists. The full lineup will be announced on February 18, alongside the complete Hollywood Bowl 2025 season announcement. Tickets will go on sale in May 2025 at the provided link.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Blue Note to launch the Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl,” says LA Phil President & Chief Executive Officer Kim Noltemy. “This partnership represents a shared dedication to celebrating jazz and its extraordinary artists, while continuing the legacy of world-class music at the Bowl. Together, we look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for jazz lovers in Los Angeles.”

“This collaboration represents a powerful union of two iconic institutions dedicated to celebrating jazz and its profound impact on music and culture,” adds Steven Bensusan, President of Blue Note Entertainment Group.

Blue Note Los Angeles will also continue the venue’s partnership with five-time Grammy-winning artist, composer, producer, and frequent collaborator Robert Glasper to host and curate once-in-a-lifetime performances that showcase his mastery at the intersection of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. In 2018, Glasper and Blue Note launched the record-breaking, world-renowned annual residency ROBTOBER, which has become a global destination and notable launchpad for some of Glasper’s most exceptional recent work. The initial partnership has since grown to include cross-continental events such as the Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa, Blue Note at Sea, and The Black Radio Experience.

“I’m honored to partner with Blue Note once again for what will be a significant cultural intersection for the Los Angeles community,” says Glasper. “Los Angeles has always been a second home to me, and I can’t wait to bring L.A. culture to the Blue Note.”

The Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City has become one of the premiere music venues in the world. While jazz is at its core, the Blue Note continues to broaden its offerings with a mission to spotlight contemporary artists across all musical styles, backgrounds, and cultures. The club and its sister institutions worldwide continue to draw household names, with frequent surprise appearances from superstars like Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and more.

Blue Note Entertainment Group owns and operates New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, Sony Hall, and Arthur’s Tavern; D.C.’s The Howard Theatre; and Blue Note Jazz Clubs worldwide, which include venues in Milan, Italy; Honolulu, Hawaii; Beijing and Shanghai, China; Tokyo, Japan; Napa, California; and Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil.

The storied Blue Note Jazz Festival started in New York in 2011, each summer offering a month-long celebration of jazz throughout June. The Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa debuted in 2022, curated by Robert Glasper, and created a multi-day festival where jazz meets hip-hop and R&B, taking place outdoors across multiple stages. Past headliners include NAS, Mary J. Blige, Chance the Rapper, Maxwell, and others. In 2024, the Napa festival expanded as a landmark spin-off, the Black Radio Experience, in association with Glasper at the Meritage Hotel. Blue Note will continue to present the Black Radio Experience in Napa in 2025.

The Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival is a beloved annual celebration of jazz at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Known for its stellar lineups and electric atmosphere, the festival showcases a diverse range of artists—from legendary performers like Charles Lloyd and Raphael Saadiq to emerging talents such as Yebba, Aneesa Strings, and Cimafunk—highlighting the rich and evolving traditions of jazz. This festival is a reimagining of the Playboy Jazz Festival, which began at the Bowl in 1979 and inspired the venue’s full jazz series programming to date.

Under the leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, the LA Phil offers live performances, media initiatives, and learning programs that inspire and strengthen communities in Los Angeles and beyond. The Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra is the foundation of the LA Phil’s offerings, which also include a multi-genre, multidisciplinary presenting program and youth development programs like YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). Herbie Hancock serves as the Creative Chair for Jazz at the LA Phil, bringing visionary artistry and leadership to the organization’s dynamic jazz programming. Performances are offered on four historic stages—Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, The Ford, and Beckmen YOLA Center—as well as through a variety of media platforms. In all its endeavors, the LA Phil seeks to enrich the lives of individuals and communities through musical, artistic, and learning experiences that resonate in our world today.