BLUE NOTE’S INAUGURAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
SLAMS INTO THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Dubbed “summer’s biggest party,” the Hollywood Bowl has witnessed countless musical transformations since 1922, but Saturday’s inaugural Blue Note Jazz Festival felt particularly significant—a symbolic passing of the torch that honored the venue’s jazz heritage while boldly stepping into the future. This rebranding of the longtime Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival (formerly the Playboy Jazz Festival) under the prestigious Blue Note umbrella was more than cosmetic; it represented a commitment to jazz’s continuing evolution while embracing other related genres so that there was truly something for everyone.
Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Day One, August 14, 2025
From the opening act by the L.A. County High School for the Arts to The Isley Brothers‘ closing Las Vegas-style revue, the seven-hour marathon showcased jazz as both a timeless art form and a living, breathing creative force. The festival’s greatest strength lay in its unapologetic embrace of contrast—traditional bebop saxophone alongside Afro-Cuban rhythms, academic jazz education programs sharing the stage with hip-hop and R&B pioneers.
Arsenio Hall
Once again hosted by Arsenio Hall—who managed to squeeze in a brief stand-up set while we waited for the final act—he was entertaining in his own right. His scripted introductions provided much-needed context before and after each performance.
Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble at UCLA
The festival’s commitment to jazz education offered a sneak peek at the level of artistry emerging from Los Angeles’ high schools and colleges. Many of these young talents will no doubt become tomorrow’s big-name artists. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble at UCLA demonstrated the genre’s academic rigor, while the high school openers showcased its grassroots vitality. These weren’t token spots but integral performances, fully in line with the festival’s mission to present jazz as both cultural heritage and living tradition.
Brandon Woody & Imani Grace
Brandon Woody shined as one of jazz’s most promising young trumpeters, his Baltimore-bred sound combining technical precision with emotional resonance. The Blue Note Records signee and his five-piece band demonstrated why he has been dubbed “the exact trumpeter of this moment.” Woody’s compositions balanced accessibility with sophistication, proving he could honor jazz tradition while propelling the music forward into contemporary terrain.
Pedrito Martinez
Pedrito Martinez transported the Bowl to Havana with his quartet’s infectious Afro-Cuban jazz. His playful stage presence matched music that felt both deeply rooted and incredibly hip. Martinez’s blend of folkloric elements and jazz improvisation was a testament to the genre’s global reach and adaptability.
Lakecia Benjamin
Another standout was Lakecia Benjamin, already a star with five GRAMMY nominations to her name. Her tribute to John Coltrane was the evening’s most electrifying moment. Benjamin’s explosive saxophone work didn’t just pay homage—it redefined it, with her golden balloon pants and fierce stage presence matching the intensity of her sound. It was a visual and musical spectacle that honored Coltrane while establishing Benjamin as a force all her own.
Keyon Harrold
Keyon Harrold brought the fire and urgency of New York City’s modern jazz scene to the West Coast. His trumpet performance struck a balance between social commentary and musical sophistication—particularly in his stirring tribute pieces honoring jazz’s role in civil rights history. Harrold’s use of effects and electronic elements enhanced, rather than obscured, his acoustic virtuosity. As Mr. Hall noted in his introduction, Harrold first came into the spotlight as the trumpet voice for Don Cheadle in the 2015 biopic about Miles Ahead.
DeeDee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
The most emotionally resonant set came from Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap, whose intimate duo performance turned the vast Bowl into a cozy, secret jazz club—especially fitting during dinner time. Their Duke Ellington interpretations were simultaneously reverent and personal, with Bridgewater’s versatile vocals paired beautifully with Charlap’s sensitive piano.
De La Soul
De La Soul proved that jazz and hip-hop are natural allies. Their vocals over a DJ set cleverly layered in jazz textures while maintaining their signature wit and energy. Tracks like “Potholes in My Lawn” and “Me, Myself and I” felt right at home, reaffirming how hip-hop continues jazz’s improvisational spirit and cultural commentary.
The Isley Brothers
Adding to what I felt was a jazz festival with funk and R&B themes, The Isley Brothers closed out the day with flair that bordered on the theatrical extravagance of a Las Vegas residency. Ronald Isley entered in a white tuxedo and black fedora, matching the grandeur of classics like “That Lady” and “Between the Sheets.” Ernie Isley’s guitar—complete with a show-stopping moment playing with his teeth—reminded us that the brothers have been musical boundary-pushers for over seven decades. I’m thrilled that this historic group was included—this is, after all, the festival promising to be the biggest summer party.
L.A. County High School for the Arts
While the lineup was impressively diverse, a few transitions felt abrupt. The shift from traditional jazz ensembles to hip-hop could have used more nuanced curation. And while it’s understandable that the debut leaned on well-known names, it left limited space for emerging artists outside of the educational segments.
The Isley Brothers
Still, the Blue Note Jazz Festival’s Hollywood Bowl debut accomplished its primary goal: demonstrating jazz’s continued relevance while honoring its legacy. By presenting jazz not as a museum relic but a living, evolving art form, the festival moved beyond mere entertainment—it became an act of cultural advocacy.
Derrick Hodge & D Smoke
Saturday’s event confirmed that jazz, like the Hollywood Bowl itself, remains a vital force in American culture. Under new leadership but with enduring values, both institutions seem poised for an exciting future. That said, I hope they’ll consider renaming the event Jazz ’n More or Jazz Plus, to make it even clearer: jazz knows no boundaries.
DeeDee Bridgewater
photos of the Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Day One, June 14, 2025
by Farah Sosa & Timothy Norris
provided courtesy of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
