The Long Beach Jazz Scene

Of all musical genres, most might associate Long Beach with West Coast hip hop of the ’90s, made popular by Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and others who brought "the LBC" to the mainstream. But jazz, too, has and maintains deep roots in Long Beach, with two major annual jazz festivals, several venues to hear both seasoned and up-and-coming jazz musicians, and the nation’s top jazz radio station.

Roscoe's Jazz Lounge

Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge (730 E. Broadway), an intimate club attached to Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles, hosts live performances Thursday through Saturday nights, with additional shows on Sunday afternoons. The cozy red velvet upholstered chairs, low ceiling, and bartenders pouring classic cocktails create an atmosphere that is somewhat of a throwback to a past era and the perfect space to enjoy local talent up close.

KJAZZ 88.1 FM

Jazz lovers across the country and around the world know Long Beach, as it is home to the number one full-time jazz radio station in the U.S. KKJZ 88.1 FM, known as KJAZZ, has been broadcasting from the campus of California State University, Long Beach since 1981 and also streams live on its website, kkjz.org. Funded by donor support, KJAZZ plays great jazz and blues seven days a week and fosters the music community throughout Southern California and beyond with a calendar of events on its website and by hosting a series of summer concerts on the Queen Mary.

Uptown Jazz Festival

The City of Long Beach brings live jazz performances by major musical acts to the community through the Uptown Jazz Festival. The 13th annual free event takes place on August 3 at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave). Over the years, headliners have included Sheila E, Ozomatli, and Stephanie Mills, the original Dorothy from the movie The Wiz. In 2024, BJ the Chicago Kid will headline the festival, with other performances by Katalyst, Ryck Jane, DJ Mr. Quick, and Angelo Pagan y La Candela.

Long Beach Jazz Festival

Coming to Marina Green Park (386 E Shoreline Dr) in Downtown Long Beach on August 9 to 11, 2024, the 35th annual Long Beach Jazz Festival features two stages, a health and wellness pavilion, VIP seating, food, vendors, and art installations. The line-up includes artists playing classic and Latin jazz, R&B, and more, including Rebecca Jade and Brian Simpson, Gerald Albright, Keiko Matsui, and Jeffrey Osborne. Enjoy three solid days of music in the beautiful outdoor setting of Long Beach’s downtown waterfront.

More Venues

There are many places to hear live jazz in Long Beach throughout the year, including the Queen Mary’s Observation Bar (1126 Queens Hwy), which hosts free jazz and blues nights with KJAZZ on Thursdays from 6:00 to 10:00PM. During the summer, the Long Beach Municipal Band performs free concerts in parks across Long Beach, with their second set after intermission usually spotlighting the studio band and vocalist performing standards. Looking ahead, the Fairmont Breakers (210 E Ocean Blvd) hotel is slated to open this fall and will house several bars including a jazz lounge, harkening back to the building's legacy as a 1920s-era Hollywood hotspot.

About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.