Blue Note Jazz Club to Open in Hollywood

One of the most famous jazz clubs in New York City is expanding to Hollywood. The Blue Note Jazz Club, known for its global venues in cities like Milan, Italy, Honolulu, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Napa, D.C., Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, will establish a new location on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, set to open in March.

The new venue aims to create an intimate atmosphere similar to its original East Coast counterpart. It will host a range of jazz performances, showcasing celebrated artists, emerging talents, and unique collaborations across genres.

The layout of the club includes a main showroom that can accommodate 200 people, along with a secondary room known as the "B Side," which holds 100 guests. The venue will feature a full-service kitchen and a diverse beverage menu, offering brunch and dinner throughout the week.

In addition to this exciting opening, Blue Note Jazz Club has partnered with the LA Phil to launch the Blue Note Jazz Festival, which was previously known as the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival. This newly named festival will take place at the Hollywood Bowl starting June 14.

The full lineup for the festival is expected to be announced on February 18, alongside the complete schedule for the Hollywood Bowl's 2025 season. Tickets for this two-day festival will go on sale in May at the Hollywood Bowl's official website.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of the LA Phil, Kim Noltemy, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to join forces with Blue Note to launch the Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. This collaboration reflects a mutual commitment to honoring jazz and its remarkable artists, while also preserving the legacy of outstanding music at the Bowl. Together, we anticipate creating a memorable experience for jazz enthusiasts in Los Angeles."

The Blue Note Jazz Festival first began in New York in 2011 as a month-long celebration of jazz in June. Since then, it has expanded to include various versions such as the Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa, Blue Note at Sea, and The Black Radio Experience.

The festival's programming is curated by the Grammy Award-winning artist Robert Glasper, known for his blend of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. Glasper also curated the Napa festival in 2022, which has featured performances from well-known artists like NAS, Mary J. Blige, Chance the Rapper, and Maxwell. Blue Note Los Angeles plans to continue working with Glasper for the June festival in LA.

Glasper remarked, "I’m honored to team up with Blue Note once again for what will be a significant cultural event for the Los Angeles community. LA has always felt like a second home to me, and I’m excited to bring its culture to the Blue Note."

The Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival, prior to its rebranding, celebrated jazz annually at the iconic venue. The festival highlighted a diverse range of artists, from legendary figures like Charles Lloyd and Raphael Saadiq to rising talents like Yebba and Cimafunk. It has played a vital role in showcasing the rich heritage and evolving traditions of jazz, continuing the legacy of the Playboy Jazz Festival that started at the Bowl in 1979.

jazz, festival, Hollywood, BlueNote