Hot Nights, Cool Vibes: Jazz Heats Up LACMA’s Friday Scene
West Hollywood may have lost a few nightspots, but over on Wilshire, LACMA is serving heat every Friday night — and we’re not talking about the weather.
Jazz at LACMA is back and bolder than ever, turning the museum’s Smidt Welcome Plaza into LA’s sexiest (and freest) open-air jazz club. From May through November, the city’s top jazz talent tears up the plaza stage while art lovers, music aficionados, and wine-toting locals groove beneath the iconic Urban Light installation.
And the best part? It won’t cost you a dime.
Kicking off the 2025 season on May 2 is the Tony Austin Quartet, featuring one of LA’s most versatile drummers whose beats have backed everyone from Kamasi Washington to Lauryn Hill. This season’s lineup also includes genre-bending innovators like Munyungo’s Jungle Jazz (May 23), the smooth stylings of Tatiana Tate (May 9), and a heartfelt tribute to the late Barbara Morrison (June 20). Expect sax solos that scream, basslines that seduce, and an audience of Angelenos who know exactly where the real Friday night action is.
No RSVP. No cover. Just music, magic, and maybe your next summer fling.
Bring a blanket. Bring your date. Bring your dog. Just don’t show up late — real ones know the plaza fills up fast. Arrive early to snag a prime spot, catch a golden hour selfie under “Urban Light,” and explore LACMA’s rotating exhibitions (open late during performances).
🕕 Fridays | 6PM – 8PM
📍 LACMA – 5905 Wilshire Blvd, LA 90036
🎟️ Free Admission. No tickets required.
This isn’t just jazz — it’s a cultural movement under the LA night sky.
More info and full lineup: www.lacma.org/jazz
