Live music in Campbell, CA

Palm & Ember Restaurant presents live performances by local artists paired with dinner creations from Chef Macaluso. There is no charge to attend, and outside food or drinks are not permitted.

Anthony Green performs at The Ritz with Geoff Rickly and Keith Goodwin appearing as special guests. This event welcomes attendees of all ages.

The Soul Rebels bring a New Orleans brass tradition into the present by fusing radio pop with funk, soul, hip hop, jazz and rock, creating a modern, high-energy sound. This eight piece band is known for an eclectic live show where horns and drums power a full-on celebration. Their credits span studio work with G-Eazy, Lil Wayne, Nas, Big Freedia and Phony Ppl, along with live collaborations with Katy Perry, DMX, Robin Thicke, Macy Gray and Robert Glasper, plus a supergroup with Wu-Tang Clan. They have appeared twice on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, performed an NPR Tiny Desk set with GZA and headlined at the TED Conference. Building on the momentum of the album Poetry in Motion, they have carried their music across Europe, Australia, China, South Korea and Japan while keeping the focus on skilled playing and songs that uplift peace, love and soul.

Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport brings modern fire to traditional blues with nimble guitar work, a big harmonica tone, and a voice already full of command. Starting on harmonica and guitar at age seven, the Vicksburg, Mississippi musician quickly built a worldwide following, turning an early Chicago appearance into 165,000 Facebook views and 4,000 shares. On stage he moves easily between singing, guitar, and harmonica, sometimes handling guitar and rack harp at once, other times trading parts within an ensemble, always with the poise and presence of a seasoned pro. His music rises from lived experience, finding comfort and strength in a form shaped by struggle. Respected figures including Billy Branch, Kingfish Ingram, Bob Margolin, and Bernard Allison have championed his work. Performances include Norway's Notodden Blues Festival, King Biscuit Blues Festival, both of Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Clubs in Mississippi, and Red's Juke Joint in Clarksdale. Honors include two Blues Blast Magazine nominations for the Sean Costello Rising Star Award and a SPAH nomination for the Bernie Bray Harmonica Player of the Year. Expect a multi-instrumentalist delivering heartfelt songs with unforced sincerity and an energy that points to the future of the blues.

Hailing from East Los Angeles, Thee Sinseers deliver vintage soul with a modern pulse, led by multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter Joseph Quiñones. Their sound leans on a full brass section, silky harmonies, and a locked-in rhythm section to blend deep-rooted tradition with a contemporary feel. The lineup includes Eric Johnson on tenor saxophone, Steve Surman on baritone saxophone, and Joseluis Jimenez on trombone, with Christopher Manjarrez on bass, Francisco Flores and Bryan Ponce on guitars, and Adriana Flores on vocals. As part of the Colemine Records family, they introduced themselves with the 2019 singles It Was Only A Dream and I Don’t Mind, and followed with their full-length debut, Sinseerly Yours, in March 2024. Their song Seems Like appeared on Presenting Penrose Records, the first compilation from the Penrose imprint of Daptone Records, and It Was Only A Dream was featured in the film Self Reliance, starring Jake Johnson, as well as the TV series Riverdale. They have brought this sound to audiences in California, Texas, New York, Chicago, Oregon, and beyond.

A high-energy celebration of funk pairs Zapp with Tuxedo for a dance floor focused night. Zapp, formed by brothers Roger, Larry, Lester and Terry Troutman in 1978, popularized the talk box and delivered R&B staples like More Bounce to the Ounce, Dance Floor and Computer Love. Their pioneering sound helped shape West Coast hip hop and has been sampled by artists including Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z. Known for electrifying shows and a run of gold and platinum releases, the group continues to honor the Troutman legacy while keeping crowds moving. Tuxedo unites Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One, a partnership rooted in a shared love of Chic, Parliament and the broader funk lineage. With eight Grammy nominations between them and individual work with Drake, The Weeknd and De La Soul, they bring sleek, party-ready grooves that celebrate self-love and self-expression, music built to light up the floor.

Three-time Grammy Award nominee Gretchen Parlato brings her intimate, Brazilian-tinged jazz to the stage with drummer Mark Guiliana, bassist Alan Hampton, and pianist Jacob Mann. Parlato is known for close-knit interplay with Guiliana and Hampton, and Mann adds Los Angeles-honed arranging and keyboard artistry shaped by work with KNOWER, Jacob Collier, Moonchild, and Lee Ritenour. Her discography spans more than 85 recordings, including four as a bandleader. Live in NYC earned her first Grammy nomination, drew a 4.5-star review from DownBeat, and reached No. 1 on the iTunes best music video chart. The Lost and Found collected over 30 national and international honors, topping the DownBeat Jazz Critics Poll for vocal album and being named iTunes Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. In a Dream won strong praise from Billboard, and Flor, a 2021 homage to her deep connection with Brazilian music, received another Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Guiliana has collaborated with artists including David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, and St. Vincent, while Hampton has toured and recorded with Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright. The quartet also appears on the SJZ Break Room Stage.

Every Saturday, Maslococantina presents a brunch and daytime party set to R&B. The event is open to all ages and complimentary tickets are available. The venue is in downtown San Jose. To reserve a table, text 510-706-1997.

This performance brings together the SJZ High School All Stars and vocalist Gretchen Parlato, a three-time Grammy Award nominee recognized for an intimate, Brazilian-influenced approach and long-running collaborations with drummer Mark Guiliana and bassist Alan Hampton. Her albums Flor and Lean In earned Grammy recognition and international praise. Earlier highlights include Live in NYC, which brought her first Grammy nomination, drew a 4.5-star review from DownBeat, and rose to the top of the iTunes music video chart. The Lost and Found collected more than 30 national and international honors, including the DownBeat Jazz Critics Poll’s top Vocal Album and iTunes’ Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, while In a Dream was named by Billboard as the most alluring jazz vocal album of 2009. Heard on over 85 recordings and leading four of her own, she brings a deep well of experience to this collaboration with the SJZ High School All Stars.

Acclaimed drummer Mike Clark leads a powerhouse quintet in a set steeped in post bop and hard bop tradition, sparked by spontaneous creativity. The ensemble features saxophonist Craig Handy, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist Dave Kikoski and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet. Clark first made a major impact with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, where the propulsive grooves on Thrust helped define him as a pioneer of linear drumming. His rhythms, counted among the most sampled in hip hop alongside Clyde Stubblefield, have appeared on hundreds of recordings over four decades. He remains a prolific presence, carrying forward the hard swinging spirit of Art Blakey and Elvin Jones. Recent highlights include Mike Clark Plays Herbie Hancock, which reached No. 5 on the Jazz Weekly chart and placed among the top 100 releases of 2023, and Kosen Rufu with Eddie Henderson, Skerik and Wayne Horvitz. He also co-leads the current Headhunters with Bill Summers, and their album The Stunt Man has the band touring in the United States, Europe and Japan. This group has performed together for two years and shares deep ties in the music. Oakland-born Craig Handy, a veteran of Roy Haynes and part of the original Headhunters, has enduring connections with Clark. Eddie Henderson, who received his first trumpet lesson from Louis Armstrong, has worked with Clark since the late 1960s. Dave Kikoski, a Grammy winner with the Mingus Big Band, brings high-octane technique and adventurous solos. Essiet Okon Essiet, Art Blakey’s final bassist and a collaborator especially valued by Clark, anchors the sound. Together they span a century of jazz experience, from the hard bop forge of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers to the funk-driven innovations of the Headhunters.

As part of the Concerts on the Plaza series, Jinx Jones and the Kingtones deliver lively rockabilly at the historic Niles Town Plaza. This free, family-friendly performance welcomes all ages. Attendees may bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy live music at the plaza.

Afro-Cuban All Stars brings the story of Cuba’s musical heritage to the stage, tracing a path from tradition to the present. Conceived in the mid 1990s by producer and bandleader Juan de Marcos González as a salute to the golden age of Cuban music, the orchestra united icons including Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo, helping carry these artists to worldwide recognition. The ensemble rose to global attention through its role in the Buena Vista Social Club wave and appearances in Wim Wenders’ Academy Award nominated documentary and other films. With four Grammy nominations, the group continues to evolve by welcoming new generations and weaving contemporary Cuban styles into a foundation built on son, bolero, and guaracha. De Marcos, a classically trained guitarist and conductor with deep roots in Havana’s musical life, still guides the project with the vision that launched it.

Oakland native Jubu Smith is a guitarist whose tone is earthy, soulful and rooted in the gospel church, refined on some of the biggest stages in the world. After an early rise with Tony! Toni! Toné!, he spent more than 25 years as lead guitarist for Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and he has collaborated with Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton and George Duke. A co-founder of the acclaimed gospel group The Soul Seekers, he received the BET Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and in 2023 he was honored with the Living Legend Award recognizing longstanding contributions to Black music, gospel and soul. He also created Legally Blynd, a project that blends funk, soul and quartet traditions into high-energy, instrument-focused performances. In 2024 he released a self-titled solo album on Little Village Foundation, produced by Charlie Hunter and featuring guest appearances by Eric Gales, a raw and personal statement that opens a bold new chapter in his artistry.

Patti LaBelle, often called the Godmother of Soul, is a two-time Grammy winner with 13 nominations and a voice that has helped shape R&B, pop, and gospel for more than six decades. Her story begins with The Bluebelles, reaches global recognition with the boundary-pushing trio Labelle, and blossoms into a solo career marked by enduring favorites like If Only You Knew and the crossover duet On My Own with Michael McDonald. The fearless energy of Lady Marmalade, the landmark 1974 anthem, continues to echo through American music. Her influence extends beyond the studio and stage, with appearances in film and television, New York Times bestselling books, and her Patti’s Good Life brand. With unmatched vocal firepower, range, and longevity, she remains a commanding and electrifying presence.

Careless Whisper brings a high-energy 80s tribute to Britannia Arms South San Jose (Almaden), featuring big hair, era-inspired outfits, and faithful renditions of rock and pop from that decade. Known for performing nationwide at a wide range of events, the band delivers a crowd-pleasing celebration of 80s music and style. A cover charge will be collected at the door.

Add some soul to your summer with a special mini-brunch and free jazz concert at Urban Sanctuary and the neighboring Recovery Café in downtown San Jose, just a short walk from the San Jose Jazz Fest grounds. The program, The Art of the Protest Song, features jazz arrangements of eight memorable protest songs performed by a quintet with Neil MacPherson on Hammond B3, Adam Astrup on guitar, Dan Robbins on bass, Mike Shannon on drums, and vocalist Miranda Perl. Enjoy coffee and mini-brunch as doors open, take in the concert, then linger for a relaxed coffee hour in the café. Before and after the music, visitors can stop next door at Recovery Café San Jose to learn about its support for people healing from addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges. The concert and coffee hour are free, and a Sunday collection will benefit the Recovery Café’s programs.

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra is a 20-piece, all-star force from the West Coast ska scene, powered by a horn section triple the size of a typical ska band. For fifteen years they have stood out as one of traditional ska’s most dynamic live acts, topping festival bills and playing renowned stages across the United States and Europe. The lineup features players from The Aggrolites, Hepcat, Gogol Bordello, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and more, and the group has collaborated with vocalists such as Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Greg Lee and Alex Desért of Hepcat, and Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers. Their fifth studio album, Fire & Water, arrived in 2025 with 16 tracks that blend originals and covers rooted in early 1960s Jamaican styles. Rich orchestration, including a full string section, showcases a band dedicated to celebrating ska’s roots while pushing the sound forward.

In honor of the Miles Davis centennial, bassist and composer Marcus Shelby leads his nine-piece Bay Area nonet in a program devoted to Birth of the Cool, presented with the instrumentation the music was written for. Shelby’s background includes the Charles Mingus Scholarship to attend CalArts in 1990, composition studies with James Newton, and bass studies with Charlie Haden. He serves as Artistic Director of Healdsburg Jazz and has created major works grounded in African American history and social movements, including oratorios for Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His orchestra’s album Soul of the Movement reached No. 2 on national jazz radio charts in 2011, and his credits include the score for Anna Deavere Smith’s HBO film Notes from the Field and the voice of Ray Gardener in Disney Pixar’s Oscar-winning Soul. Birth of the Cool took shape over multiple sessions led by a young bandleader working alongside innovative musicians, composers, and arrangers. For this performance, the Marcus Shelby Nonet features the Bay Area master musicians who also power his New Orchestra, a group with five recordings. This program spotlights one of jazz’s most enduring works in the colors and textures that defined it, interpreted by some of the region’s top players.

Alto saxophonist, MC, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin brings a vivid, resonant sound often likened to Johnny Hodges, weaving jazz, funk, and R&B into sets that span straight-ahead roots and socially engaged music. A Washington Heights native, she refined her artistry under the guidance of Clark Terry and Terri Lyne Carrington and went on to collaborate with Gregory Porter, Anita Baker, and Robert Glasper. Nominated for five Grammy Awards, she has earned recognition for albums that honor the lineage while pushing it forward. Pursuance: The Coltranes featured Dee Dee Bridgewater, Regina Carter, and former Coltrane bassist Reggie Workman. Phoenix, produced by Carrington, received three Grammy nominations and widespread acclaim, and the journey continues with Phoenix Reimagined, a live-in-studio rendering from The Bunker in Brooklyn that adds three new tracks and captures spontaneous energy with high-fidelity sound. Her performances also carry the force of a comeback. After a 2021 car accident that left her with significant injuries, she returned with renewed strength and perspective, leaning into growth, challenge, and celebration. Expect a set that channels resilience and joy while highlighting a singular voice in contemporary jazz.

Cory Wong, a Grammy-nominated guitarist, producer, and host across both variety and podcast formats, takes the stage with the tightly grooving, high-energy approach that fuels his global reputation. Known for his roles in Vulfpeck and the Fearless Flyers alongside a flourishing solo career, he pairs razor-sharp rhythm work with thoughtful production, writing, arranging, and band leadership. His recent album Lost in the Wonder has earned praise for its rich sound and expert craftsmanship, arriving on the heels of his 2024 orchestral collaboration with the Metropole Orkest titled Starship Syncopation. His work spans television and anime as well, including the theme for the CBS late-night series After Midnight and a chart-topping opening theme in Japan for Spy x Family Season 2. Wong also extends his artistry into signature gear, featuring a Fender Stratocaster, compressor and overdrive pedals, pickup designs, and an Apple Producer Pack. Expect a performance that blends infectious fun with top-tier musicianship.

Instant Alter showcases a forward-looking fusion vision from New York saxophonist Emilio Modeste and Los Angeles vocalist Natasha Agrama, both veterans of Stanley Clarke’s band. The music moves through jazz, rock and soul, folds in vivid storytelling, and channels the festive spirit of Brazilian Tropicália to create a contemporary sound with momentum and heart. Modeste, known for his work with the late trumpet great Wallace Roney, is touring with Stanley Clarke, Cindy Blackman Santana and Kassa Overall. His distinctive tone and melodic sensibility are heard on Steve Turre’s Generations and Dezron Douglas’ Atalaya, and he appears on an upcoming Stanley Clarke release. A student of Lenny White, he brings a curious, exploratory energy to every project. Agrama is a vocalist, composer, poet and multidisciplinary artist whose voice, in her own words, bears the triumph of love and the journey toward belonging in a new world. The granddaughter of Chilean icon Antonio Prieto, she has collaborated with Kamasi Washington and the West Coast Get Down, and her 2017 album The Heart of Infinite Change includes contributions from Thundercat, George Duke, Austin Peralta and Stanley Clarke. With rising talents Brandon Rose, Jermaine Paul, Miguel Russell and Myles Martin contributing, Instant Alter affirms that progressive music can be both inventive and healing.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue deliver an electrifying New Orleans sound led by Troy Andrews, a widely recognized ambassador of the city’s music. He stepped onto the Jazz Fest stage as a child alongside Bo Diddley, led his own brass band soon after, and grew into an artist with albums that topped the charts. His performances have spanned the White House, Madison Square Garden and the Super Bowl, and his resume includes tours with Jeff Beck and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, festival slots at Coachella and Lollapalooza, a Grammy win, and collaborations with Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Jon Batiste, Lenny Kravitz and Ringo Starr. Beyond the spotlight, Andrews founded the Trombone Shorty Foundation to nurture young musicians and has authored two children’s books, with the first recognized with a Caldecott Honor. In his hometown he rides in a beloved Mardi Gras parade on a towering float in his likeness, presents the Treme Threauxdown with guests such as Usher, Nick Jonas, Mavis Staples and Leon Bridges, and now helms the revered closing set at Jazz Fest. The energy bottled on Lifted, recorded live at his own Buckjump Studio, points to a show that is raw, raucous and full of New Orleans spirit.

Masters of Hawaiian Music brings together three acclaimed artists to share slack key guitar, ‘ukulele, and traditional island songs with audiences near and far. The lineup features four-time Grammy winner George Kahumoku Jr., six-time Grammy winner Daniel Ho, and two-time Grammy winner Tia Carrere. Kahumoku, widely regarded as a Renaissance figure in Hawaii, is a multiple Na Hōkū Hanohano Award honoree as well as a vocalist, storyteller, songwriter, author, teacher, sculptor, and farmer. He produces the weekly Slack Key Show on Maui, a long-running series that has highlighted Hawaii’s finest musicians for more than two decades. His music draws on roots stretching to the early 1800s, when Portuguese immigrants introduced the ‘ukulele and Mexican cowboys brought guitars to the islands along with ranching traditions. Daniel Ho is a versatile multi-instrumentalist on ‘ukulele, slack key guitar, piano, and vocals. Four of his six Grammys came as producer for Kahumoku’s winning projects, and his other two were earned with close friend Tia Carrere. Carrere, an international star first recognized for her singing and acting in “Wayne’s World” and later roles in “Lilo & Stitch” and “Jo Koy’s Easter Sunday,” returned to her Hawai‘ian roots through Grammy-winning albums created with Ho. Together they present deep tradition, exceptional musicianship, and bright compositions that carry the spirit of aloha.

Each Monday features bachata classes for multiple levels, including an intro session with Nicole and Level I and Level II with Noelani. After the lessons, the dance floor opens for a social with DJ Nokturnal. Every third Monday, a special guest teaches a 30 minute mini class before the social at no additional cost. Tickets can be prepaid via Venmo at @studiomclub or purchased at the door. Pricing is $25 for a single drop in lesson, $40 for a two level combo, and $10 for the social only. If you take a class, social admission is included. Bring a refillable bottle to use at the studio fountain or buy water for $2.

Blue House will be at Sam's Bar-B-Que for a fun time.

Every second Wednesday of the month, the band First Call is at Little Lou's for an evening of sports, dancing and singing, alongside hearty eats. Choose from beer and wine plus Texas-style brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, tri-tip, meatballs, wings, burgers, dogs, sandwiches, and pho. Enjoy the game and spend time with First Call friends and family. The band is also available for private and corporate events, parties, birthdays, family gatherings, and anniversaries.

ACES returns to Music on the Hill at Santa Teresa Golf Club with a high energy showcase of classic rock and dance favorites. Composed of veteran players dedicated to faithful, note for note renditions, the band tackles demanding songs that highlight their individual skills and aims to electrify audiences with a dynamic, revival-style set. The concert unfolds at the outdoor Top of the Hill setting, offering sweeping views across the golf course and gardens, plus a gazebo that makes a striking sunset photo spot. Full bars will be available with ice cold beverages, and the grill will serve burgers, hot dogs, and a crispy green salad with chicken. Admission is free. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs for comfortable seating. It is another night of live music under the stars at Music on the Hill.

Cupertino Parks and Recreation presents a free outdoor Summer Concert Series that fills the lawn with live music all season. Pack a blanket or a lawn chair, settle onto the grass, and enjoy relaxed evenings shaped by community spirit and summer fun. The music spans symphonic sounds, classic rock, Latin rhythms, funk, soul, pop, and dance favorites. This year’s performers include the Cupertino Symphonic Band, Blind Pilots, The Blanks, Fire Peach, Misguided Saints, Patron Latin Rhythms, The Joint Chiefs, Mad About You, The Sound Project, Get Lucky Band, and Smokin Slice of Mojo.