The Angel City Jazz Festival sums up the contribution Los Angeles has made to jazz over the years. For its 18th birthday, celebrated in LA from 9-19 October 2025, the ACJF is going to make that clear—and One Jazz is delighted to be media partner. Jazz in Los Angeles has an incredible history: one single high school in Watts gave us Eric Dolphy, Don Cherry, Charles Mingus, Dexter Gordon, Art Farmer and more, and the town can’t stand still. The ACJF showcases international artists defining jazz for the 21st Century such as Mary Halvorson, Jeff Parker and Milena Casado, and the LA-based artists like the Gathering feauturing Dwight Trible, who helped build their platform. The festival is a vital contribution both to LA and the music itself.
Angel City Jazz Festival venues range from recognized venues like REDCAT at the Disney Hall, the Nimoy Theater, and LACMA, to no-less important underground venues such as 2220 Arts + Archives and legendary community venues such as the World Stage in Leimert Park. Highlights include:
West Coast Progressive Chamber Jazz with Matt Small & Motoko Honda (October 9, Sierra Madre Playhouse)
The Gathering, a Tribute to Jesse Sharps + Young Artist Competition Winner (October 10, LACMA)
Milena Casado + Steph Richards Power Vibe (October 12, UCLA Nimoy Theater)
Adegoke Steve Colson & Iqua Colson (October 13, The World Stage)
Jeff Parker Trio + Hanging Hearts (October 16, 2220 Arts + Archives)
Ches Smith’s Clone row + Mary Halvorson & Tomas Fujiwara duo (October 17, 2220 Arts + Archives)
Rudresh Mahanthappa Hero Trio + Brandon Ross & Stomu Takeishi’s For Living Lovers (October 19, REDCAT)
Find out more at angelcityjazz.com or listen to the special edition of Paul Bennun’s The Interchange on One Jazz.
