Live music in Cupertino, CA

Palm & Ember Restaurant features live music with performances by local musicians, paired with dinner crafted by Chef Macaluso. There is no admission fee. Outside food and beverages are not allowed.

Anthony Green performs with special guests Geoff Rickly and Keith Goodwin. This all ages concert brings these artists together on one stage for live music.

New Orleans brass band innovators The Soul Rebels fuse the radio sounds they love with their hometown tradition, shaping a kinetic mix of funk, soul, hip hop, jazz and rock powered by horns and drums. The eight-piece group is known for high-energy performances that turn concerts into full-on celebrations. Their recording credits on major label releases include work with G-Eazy, Lil Wayne, Nas, Big Freedia and Phony Ppl, and their onstage momentum has sparked collaborations with Katy Perry, DMX, Robin Thicke, Macy Gray, Robert Glasper and a new supergroup with Wu-Tang Clan. Their growing reach features two appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, an NPR Tiny Desk session with GZA of Wu-Tang Clan and a headlining slot at the global TED Conference. Touring behind their album Poetry in Motion, they have brought this sound to Europe, Australia, China, South Korea and Japan while staying committed to top-tier musicianship and songs that uplift with messages of peace, love and soul.

Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport brings blues shaped by resilience and tradition. The Vicksburg, Mississippi native picked up harmonica and guitar at seven, and his first Chicago appearance drew 165,000 views and 4,000 shares online. A nimble guitarist with a rich, full-toned harmonica style, he is also a confident singer and expressive songwriter. He shifts between guitar and harp, sometimes singing while playing harmonica on a rack, and carries himself on stage with the calm assurance and charm of a seasoned artist. Music became a refuge early in life, and that depth comes through in performances marked by sincerity and heart. His warm rapport with audiences and active online presence have built a worldwide following and led to support from Billy Branch, Kingfish Ingram, Bob Margolin, and Bernard Allison. Notable appearances include Norway’s Notodden Blues Festival, King Biscuit Blues Festival, both Mississippi locations of Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club, and Red’s Juke Joint in Clarksdale. He has earned 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 with lively energy and a clear voice that points to a bright future for the blues.

A funk-forward lineup brings together Zapp and Tuxedo. Zapp, formed by Roger, Larry, Lester and Terry Troutman in 1978, transformed funk with their signature talk box sound and climbed the R&B charts with staples like More Bounce to the Ounce, Dance Floor and Computer Love. Their blueprint helped shape West Coast hip-hop, echoed in samples from Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z. Known for high-energy performances and a run of gold and platinum records, they continue to honor the Troutman legacy while keeping crowds worldwide moving. Tuxedo unites Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One, a partnership rooted in a shared love of Chic, Parliament and the wider funk cosmos. With eight Grammy nominations between them and solo work that includes credits with Drake, The Weeknd and De La Soul, they craft party-ready grooves that champion self-love and free expression, offering a fresh take on gangster boogie.

Hailing from East LA, Thee Sinseers blend classic soul influences with a modern edge, guided by multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter Joseph Quiñones. Their sound leans on a robust horn section, silky harmonies and a locked-in groove for a feel that stays true to tradition while sounding fresh. The lineup features Eric Johnson on tenor sax, Steve Surman on baritone sax and Joseluis Jimenez on trombone, with Christopher Manjarrez on bass, Francisco Flores and Bryan Ponce on guitars and Adriana Flores on vocals. They are part of the Colemine Records roster, debuting with the singles It Was Only A Dream and I Don’t Mind in 2019, then releasing their full-length album Sinseerly Yours in March 2024. Seems Like appears on Presenting Penrose Records, the first compilation from the Penrose imprint of Daptone Records in Brooklyn, and It Was Only A Dream has been featured in the film Self Reliance, starring Jake Johnson, as well as in the TV series Riverdale. The group has brought its soulful show to key scenes across California, Texas, New York, Chicago and Oregon, and beyond.

Gretchen Parlato, a three-time Grammy nominee, appears with her quartet, offering an intimate vocal style colored by Brazilian influences and shaped by years of collaboration with drummer Mark Guiliana and bassist Alan Hampton. She has contributed to more than 85 recordings, with four as a leader, and her albums Flor and Lean In have garnered Grammy recognition and international acclaim. Earlier milestones include Live in NYC, which brought 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 honors, among them DownBeat Jazz Critics Poll No. 1 Vocal Album and iTunes Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, while In a Dream was singled out by Billboard as 2009’s most alluring jazz vocal album. Rounding out the ensemble, Guiliana, described by The New York Times as a drummer with a devoted following, has worked with David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, and St. Vincent. Hampton has toured and recorded with Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright, and Los Angeles pianist and arranger Jacob Mann brings experience with KNOWER, Jacob Collier, Moonchild, and Lee Ritenour.

At Maslococantina, an R&B-themed brunch and day party pairs soulful music with a daytime social setting. Free tickets are available, and all ages are welcome.

Drummer Mike Clark leads his Post Boptet for a program steeped in post bop and hard bop tradition, charged with improvisational spark. He is joined by saxophonist Craig Handy, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist Dave Kikoski, and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet. Clark first came to wide attention with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, where his work on the album Thrust helped define linear drumming. His grooves, alongside those of Clyde Stubblefield, are among the most sampled in hip hop across many recordings over four decades. He remains a prolific force, advancing hard swinging, forward looking jazz in the spirit of Art Blakey and Elvin Jones. Recent releases include Mike Clark Plays Herbie Hancock, which peaked at number 5 on the Jazz Weekly chart and placed within 2023’s top 100 releases, and Kosen Rufu featuring Eddie Henderson, Skerik, and Wayne Horvitz. He also co-leads the present-day Headhunters with Bill Summers, and the album The Stunt Man has taken the band on tours through the United States, Europe, and Japan. Although this ensemble has been together for two years, its lineage runs deep. Oakland native Craig Handy, an alumnus of Roy Haynes’ group and the original Headhunters, has longstanding ties with Clark. Eddie Henderson, whose earliest trumpet lesson came from Louis Armstrong, has collaborated with Clark since the late 1960s. Dave Kikoski, a Grammy winner with the Mingus Big Band, supplies virtuosic drive and adventurous solos. Essiet Okon Essiet, Art Blakey’s final bassist and one of Clark’s favored collaborators, anchors the low end. Together they cover a wide swath of jazz history, from the hard bop forge of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers to the funk innovations of the Headhunters.

The SJZ High School All Stars share the stage with three-time Grammy Award nominee Gretchen Parlato, a jazz vocalist known for an intimate sound shaped by Brazilian influences. Her albums Flor and Lean In earned international acclaim and Grammy recognition, and her discography spans more than 85 guest appearances and four leader releases. Live in NYC brought her first Grammy nomination and reached No. 1 on the iTunes music video chart, The Lost and Found received over 30 national and international awards including top honors from DownBeat and iTunes, and Billboard praised In a Dream as 2009's most alluring jazz vocal album. Flor reflects her deep connection to Brazilian music and received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Parlato’s collaborators over the years include drummer and composer Mark Guiliana, who has worked with David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, and St. Vincent, bassist Alan Hampton, who has toured and recorded with Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright, and Los Angeles pianist and arranger Jacob Mann, noted for tours with KNOWER and performances with Jacob Collier, Moonchild, and Lee Ritenour. This performance brings together a distinguished jazz voice with a high school all-star ensemble.

Concerts on the Plaza, Niles' free and family friendly music series, presents Jinx Jones and the Kingtones performing lively rockabilly at Niles Town Plaza. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy live music from a local favorite in a historic setting.

Afro-Cuban All Stars, the renowned orchestra central to the Buena Vista Social Club story, appears under the direction of producer and bandleader Juan de Marcos González. With four Grammy nominations and a roster that has launched many musicians to global fame, the ensemble took shape in the mid 1990s to honor Cuba’s golden age, uniting icons such as Ruben González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo. Their rise helped rekindle worldwide interest in traditional Cuban sounds, and the group is featured in Wim Wenders’ Buena Vista Social Club documentary, which was nominated for an Academy Award. Today the orchestra looks forward as much as it celebrates the past, blending contemporary Cuban currents with foundations in son, bolero, and guaracha while welcoming new generations of artists. The Times in London has credited the group with helping define the next chapter of Cuban music. De Marcos, a classically trained guitarist and conductor with deep roots in Havana’s musical life, continues to guide the orchestra with the vision that made it a landmark in global music.

Oakland-raised guitarist Jubu Smith steps into the spotlight with a tone that is warm, gritty, and deeply spiritual, grounded in the church tradition of gospel and refined on premier stages worldwide. After more than 25 years as lead guitarist for Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and an early rise with Tony! Toni! Toné!, he brings hard-earned artistry and feel to every performance. His collaborations span icons such as Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton, and George Duke. As a cofounder of The Soul Seekers, he earned a BET Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and he received the Living Legend Award in 2023 in recognition of enduring contributions to Black music, gospel, and soul. Smith also founded Legally Blynd, a powerhouse ensemble that blends funk, soul, and quartet styles into high-energy, instrument-forward shows. 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 career.

An icon of American music, Patti LaBelle has earned two Grammy Awards and 13 nominations, and her powerhouse voice has shaped six decades of R&B, pop, and gospel. The Philadelphia-born singer first reached the charts in 1962 with The Bluebelles, then gained worldwide recognition with the boundary-pushing trio Labelle. Since launching her solo career in the 1970s, she has built a catalog of enduring favorites, from the R&B number one "If Only You Knew" to the cross-genre hit "On My Own" with Michael McDonald, earning American Music Awards and NAACP Image Awards among many other honors. The 1974 classic "Lady Marmalade" remains a cultural landmark, its fearless energy still resonating after half a century. Her impact extends beyond music with appearances in film and television, New York Times bestselling books, and her Patti’s Good Life food and lifestyle brand. Celebrated as the Godmother of Soul, she continues to command the stage with an electrifying presence that few can match.

Careless Whisper brings a 1980s tribute to Britannia Arms South San Jose (Almaden), complete with big hair, throwback fashion, and authentic costumes set to rock and pop from the decade. The band entertains audiences across the country at corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, anniversaries, and other special events, and travels nationwide. Cover charge at the door.

Add some soul to your summer at Urban Sanctuary with a free Soulful Sunday concert alongside a light mini-brunch in the café next door, steps from the San Jose Jazz Fest grounds. The program, The Art of the Protest Song, presents eight influential American protest songs reimagined through jazz. The quintet features Neil MacPherson on Hammond B3, Adam Astrup on guitar, Dan Robbins on bass, Mike Shannon on drums, and vocalist Miranda Perl. Doors open for coffee and a mini-brunch, the concert follows, then a relaxed coffee hour in the café. Visitors are welcome to stop by Recovery Café San Jose before or after the music to learn how it supports people recovering from addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges. There is no charge for the concert or the coffee hour, and the collection taken that day will directly benefit the café’s programs.

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra brings a 20 member, all star West Coast ska ensemble to the stage, powered by a horn line triple the size of a typical ska band. Now fifteen years in, they are known for commanding traditional ska performances and have topped bills at major festivals and celebrated venues throughout the United States and Europe. The lineup features players tied to The Aggrolites, Hepcat, Gogol Bordello, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and others, and they have 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 release, Fire & Water, arrived in 2025 with 16 tracks that blend originals and covers shaped by early 1960s Jamaican sounds, expanded with rich orchestration that even includes a full string section. It is a bold chapter for a band devoted to refreshing classic styles and pushing them ahead, and their live set delivers high energy, dance friendly ska on a grand scale.

A salute to the Miles Davis centennial brings bassist and composer Marcus Shelby to the stage with his nine-piece Bay Area nonet, revisiting the music of Birth of the Cool with the ensemble colors the score was written for. Shelby’s long commitment to socially engaged jazz makes him a fitting guide to this seminal 1949 music, created by a young Davis in collaboration with forward-looking players, writers, and arrangers. Drawing on the same Bay Area master musicians who power his New Orchestra, a group with five recordings, the nonet offers a chance to hear this cornerstone of jazz close to how it was first conceived, interpreted by standout artists from the region. Shelby earned the Charles Mingus Scholarship to study at CalArts, working on composition with James Newton and bass with Charlie Haden. He serves as Artistic Director of Healdsburg Jazz and has created expansive works centered on African American history and social change, including oratorios for Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His orchestra’s Soul of the Movement rose to number two on the national jazz radio charts in 2011. His credits also include the score for Anna Deavere Smith’s HBO film Notes from the Field, and the voice role of Ray Gardener in the Oscar winning Disney Pixar film Soul.

Alto saxophonist, MC, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin brings a resonant warmth often compared to Johnny Hodges and a distinctive mix of jazz, funk, and R&B that ranges from straight-ahead tradition to socially conscious expression. A five-time Grammy nominee, her performances leave a lasting impression. A Washington Heights native, she refined her craft with Clark Terry and Terri Lyne Carrington and went on to become a sought-after collaborator for Gregory Porter, Anita Baker, and Robert Glasper. Her 2020 release Pursuance: The Coltranes featured Dee Dee Bridgewater, Regina Carter, and Reggie Workman, a former member of John Coltrane’s band. Phoenix followed in 2023, produced by Carrington, earning three Grammy nominations and widespread praise. After a serious car accident in 2021 that resulted in a broken jaw, shoulder blade, ribs, and a ruptured eardrum, Benjamin returned with restored confidence and a drive to keep challenging herself and growing. Her newest project, Phoenix Reimagined, captures Phoenix in a live-in-studio session at The Bunker in Brooklyn, adds three new songs, and marries spontaneous energy with high-fidelity sound. The performance embodies resilience and a spirit of celebration.

Cory Wong takes the stage with the high-voltage groove and precision that have made him a Grammy-nominated guitarist, producer, variety show host, and podcast host. Known from Vulfpeck and the Fearless Flyers as well as his own projects, he has built a reputation for rhythm-forward performances that pack iconic venues worldwide. He emphasizes that the guitar is only one channel for his creativity, with equal focus on producing, writing, arranging, and leading a band. His newest release, Lost in the Wonder, has earned praise for its rich sound and superb execution, arriving after his 2024 orchestral collaboration with the Metropole Orkest, Starship Syncopation. Beyond the stage, he wrote the theme for the CBS late-night series After Midnight, and his theme for Spy x Family Season 2 reached number one in Japan. His signature gear line includes a Fender Stratocaster, compressor and overdrive pedals, pickups, and an Apple Producer Pack. Expect a performance bursting with upbeat energy and razor-sharp musicianship.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue bring the spirit of New Orleans to the stage, led by Troy Andrews, a hometown standard-bearer who has been performing since childhood. He first jumped onstage at Jazz Fest at age four with Bo Diddley, was fronting a brass band by six, and by his early twenties was releasing widely praised, chart-topping albums while touring the world. His career highlights include appearances at the White House, Madison Square Garden, and the 2025 Super Bowl, major festival sets at Coachella and Lollapalooza, tours with Jeff Beck and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a Grammy Award, and collaborations with Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Jon Batiste, Lenny Kravitz, Ringo Starr, and others. Beyond the spotlight, Andrews founded the Trombone Shorty Foundation to expand music education for young people and has authored two children’s books, with his debut earning a Caldecott Honor. In New Orleans he leads a signature Mardi Gras parade atop a float crafted in his likeness, hosts the Treme Threauxdown concerts that have welcomed guests like Usher, Nick Jonas, Mavis Staples, and Leon Bridges, and now holds Jazz Fest’s closing slot. The show draws on the sound captured on his 2022 release, Lifted, recorded live at his Buckjump Studio, channeling unbridled energy, joyful grooves, and the unmistakable New Orleans spirit.

Instant Alter brings Future Fusion to life under the guidance of New York saxophonist Emilio Modeste and Los Angeles vocalist Natasha Agrama, both alumni of Stanley Clarke’s band. The quartet folds jazz, rock, soul and storytelling into the celebratory spirit of Brazilian Tropicália, shaping a contemporary sound that is curious and inviting. With rising talents Brandon Rose, Jermaine Paul, Miguel Russell and Myles Martin in the mix, the music reaches for adventurous ideas while keeping a restorative heart. Modeste, noted for his work with the late trumpet great Wallace Roney, is currently touring with Stanley Clarke, Cindy Blackman Santana and Kassa Overall. His distinctive horn can be heard on Steve Turre’s Generations and Dezron Douglas’ Atalaya, and he is featured on Stanley Clarke’s upcoming album. Mentored by drummer and producer Lenny White, he brings a restless creative drive to every project. Agrama is a vocalist, composer, poet and multidisciplinary artist whose singing, in her words, carries the triumph of love and the journey of finding belonging in a new world. The granddaughter of Chilean crooner Antonio Prieto, she has performed and recorded with Kamasi Washington and the West Coast Get Down. Her 2017 release The Heart of Infinite Change features Thundercat, George Duke, Austin Peralta and Stanley Clarke.

This performance unites four-time Grammy recipient George Kahumoku, Jr., six-time Grammy winner Daniel Ho, and two-time Grammy honoree Tia Carrere in a showcase of Hawaiian slack key guitar, ukulele, and traditional songs shared with audiences around the world. Kahumoku, a Na Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, is a vocalist, storyteller, songwriter, author, teacher, sculptor, and farmer who also curates a weekly Slack Key Show on Maui that has highlighted the islands’ leading musicians for more than two decades. His artistry draws on roots that reach back to the early 19th century, when Portuguese immigrants introduced the ukulele to Hawai‘i and Mexican cowboys brought guitars along with ranching traditions. Ho, a multi-instrumentalist, produced four of Kahumoku’s Grammy-winning projects and performs on ukulele, slack key guitar, piano, and vocals. His other two Grammys were earned alongside close friend Tia Carrere. Carrere, an international star known from Wayne’s World and later roles in film and television including Lilo & Stitch and Jo Koy’s Easter Sunday, reconnected with her Hawaiian heritage on Grammy-winning albums created with Ho. Together, they blend time-honored tradition, virtuosity, and radiant original work, a combination praised by PopMatters for capturing the spirit of aloha.

Blue House appears at Sam's Bar-B-Que. Attendees can expect the kind of good time people associate with Sam's.

ACES returns to Music on the Hill at Santa Teresa Golf Club with a powerhouse set of classic rock and dance favorites. This veteran group focuses on faithful renditions of challenging songs, showcasing sharp musicianship and a lively stage presence that keeps the energy high throughout a set that spans eras and styles. The performance unfolds in an open-air, hilltop setting with sweeping views of the golf course and beautifully kept gardens. Sunset photos by the gazebo add a scenic touch to the evening. Full bars will serve chilled beverages, the grill will be cooking burgers and hot dogs, and a crisp green salad with chicken will be available. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. Admission is free, and lawn chairs are welcome. The Music on the Hill series also highlights upcoming performances by The Factory, RJ Haas Band, The Mixx, and Hit Collective, with Lyin Eyes on the schedule and a brief pause for Labor Day.

Cupertino Parks and Recreation presents a free outdoor Summer Concert Series filled with live performances throughout the season. Settle on the grass with a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an evening of music, community, and summer fun. The 2026 schedule spans symphonic sounds, classic rock, Latin rhythms, funk, soul, pop, and dance favorites, featuring performances by 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.