Live music in Milpitas, CA

Palm & Ember Restaurant features live music with performances by local artists, paired with dinner offerings from Chef Macaluso. Admission is free. Find the weekly lineup at the link below. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.

Anthony Green performs live alongside Geoff Rickly and Keith Goodwin in an all-ages show that brings these artists together on one stage.

New Orleans brass ensemble The Soul Rebels blends radio pop with the city’s brass roots, mixing funk, soul, hip hop, jazz, and rock into a contemporary sound. The eight-piece group is known for high-energy performances powered by horns and drums that create a lively, celebratory vibe. Their recording credits include work with G-Eazy, Lil Wayne, Nas, Big Freedia, and Phony Ppl, and their dynamic stage presence has sparked live collaborations with Katy Perry, DMX, Robin Thicke, Macy Gray, Robert Glasper, and a new supergroup with Wu-Tang Clan. National spotlights include two turns on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, an NPR Tiny Desk session with GZA, and a headlining appearance at the TED Conference. With momentum from the album Poetry in Motion, they have toured across Europe, Australia, China, South Korea, and Japan, staying focused on uniting precision musicianship with songs that champion peace, love, and soul.

Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport is a 19-year-old blues standout from Vicksburg, Mississippi who has already logged 165,000 Facebook views and 4,000 shares and marked his first Chicago show. Picking up harmonica and guitar at seven, he pairs a big, soulful harp sound with nimble guitar lines, strong vocals and reflective songwriting. He can accompany himself with guitar and harmonica on a rack while singing, or shift between instruments with an ensemble, carrying himself onstage with the confidence and charm of a seasoned performer. As a child he turned to music rooted in hardship for comfort, and that history comes through in sincere, high-energy performances. His easy rapport and active presence online have built a worldwide audience and fostered ties with top blues artists, with support from Billy Branch, Kingfish Ingram, Bob Margolin and Bernard Allison. Appearances 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. 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. He is a multi-instrumentalist whose energy and authenticity keep the blues moving forward.

East LA’s Thee Sinseers bring a classic soul vibe with a modern spark, guided by bandleader Joseph Quiñones, a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter. Their sound leans on a full brass section, rich harmonies and a tight rhythm section, creating a style that honors tradition while feeling current. The horn lineup features Eric Johnson on tenor sax, Steve Surman on baritone sax and Joseluis Jimenez on trombone, with Christopher Manjarrez on bass, guitars by Francisco Flores and Bryan Ponce, and vocals from Adriana Flores. The group is part of the Colemine Records roster, which released their early singles It Was Only A Dream and I Don’t Mind in 2019, followed by the full-length album Sinseerly Yours in March 2024. Their song Seems Like appears on Presenting Penrose Records, the first compilation from Daptone’s Penrose imprint, 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. Thee Sinseers have shared their music with audiences across California, Texas, New York, Chicago, Oregon and elsewhere.

Zapp brings the unmistakable talk box sound that helped reshape funk, rolling out R&B milestones such as More Bounce to the Ounce, Dance Floor, and Computer Love. Formed in 1978 by Roger, Larry, Lester, and Terry Troutman, the group laid groundwork for West Coast hip-hop and has been sampled by Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, and Jay-Z. Their run of gold and platinum releases and a reputation for high-energy performances continue to keep audiences moving while honoring the Troutman legacy. Also on the bill, Tuxedo pairs Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One, a collaboration sparked by a love of Chic, Parliament, and the broader funk tradition. With eight Grammy nominations between them and individual credits with Drake, The Weeknd, and De La Soul, they craft party-ready grooves centered on self-love and self-expression.

The Gretchen Parlato Quartet features the three-time Grammy Award–nominated vocalist whose understated delivery and Brazilian influences have made her a distinctive voice in jazz. She appears with longtime partners Mark Guiliana on drums and Alan Hampton on bass, joined by pianist and arranger Jacob Mann. Parlato’s catalog spans more than 85 guest appearances and four leader releases, with milestones that include Live in NYC earning her first Grammy nod, a 4.5‑star review from DownBeat, and a No. 1 spot on iTunes’ best music video list. The Lost and Found collected over 30 national and international honors, including top vocal album in the DownBeat Jazz Critics Poll and iTunes’ Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, while In a Dream drew high praise from Billboard. Her 2021 album Flor, a heartfelt tribute to Brazilian music, received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album, and along with Lean In has been recognized with international acclaim. Guiliana has been described by The New York Times as a drummer with a devoted following and has worked with David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, and St. Vincent. Hampton has collaborated with Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright. Mann, based in Los Angeles, has toured widely with KNOWER and performed with Jacob Collier, Moonchild, and Lee Ritenour. The quartet is also slated to appear on the SJZ Break Room Stage.

R&B music and brunch come together at Maslococantina. Complimentary tickets are available, and the event is open to all ages. For table reservations, text 510-706-1997.

Legendary drummer Mike Clark assembles a powerhouse of New York post bop and hard bop talent for a performance steeped in tradition and sparked by improvisation. Sharing the stage are saxophonist Craig Handy, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist Dave Kikoski, and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet. Clark first rose to prominence with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, where his inventive work on Thrust helped define linear drumming. His grooves have been sampled widely in hip hop, appearing on hundreds of recordings over four decades. Ever active, he champions forward-looking, hard-swinging jazz in the spirit of Art Blakey and Elvin Jones. Recent releases include Mike Clark Plays Herbie Hancock, which reached No. 5 on the Jazz Weekly chart and placed among the top 100 of 2023, and Kosen Rufu with Eddie Henderson, Skerik, and Wayne Horvitz. He also co-leads the current Headhunters with Bill Summers, whose album The Stunt Man has taken the band across the United States, Europe, and Japan. This ensemble has worked together for two years and carries a deep shared history. Oakland-born Craig Handy, a veteran of Roy Haynes and the original Headhunters, shares roots with Clark. Eddie Henderson, who received an early trumpet lesson from Louis Armstrong, has collaborated with Clark since the late 1960s. Dave Kikoski, a Grammy winner with the Mingus Big Band, brings blazing technique and fearless creativity. Essiet Okon Essiet, Art Blakey’s last bassist and one of Clark’s favored partners, anchors the group with commanding authority. Their collective journey stretches from the hard bop crucible of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers to the funk innovations of the Headhunters, promising music where history, groove, and spontaneity converge.

SJZ High School All Stars features three-time Grammy Award nominee Gretchen Parlato, a jazz vocalist celebrated for an intimate, Brazilian influenced style. Her catalog includes Flor and Lean In, both recognized by the Grammys and acclaimed internationally. Earlier highlights include Live in NYC, which brought her first nomination after strong notices from DownBeat and a No. 1 spot on the iTunes best music video list, The Lost and Found, honored with more than 30 awards including top vocal album in the DownBeat Jazz Critics Poll and iTunes Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, and In a Dream, praised by Billboard in 2009. Parlato’s career also reflects long-running collaborations with drummer Mark Guiliana and bassist Alan Hampton, with Guiliana known for work with David Bowie, Brad Mehldau and St. Vincent, and Hampton for collaborations with Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright.

Concerts on the Plaza presents a free, family-friendly performance at Niles Town Plaza with Jinx Jones and the Kingtones delivering high-energy rockabilly. Pack lawn chairs and blankets and bring the whole family for a relaxed afternoon of live music in Niles.

Afro-Cuban All Stars brings the spirit of Cuba’s golden age to the stage, a renowned orchestra that helped carry the Buena Vista Social Club to worldwide prominence and remains among the most acclaimed groups in Cuban music history. Created by producer and bandleader Juan de Marcos González, the ensemble has earned four Grammy nominations and has propelled many of its musicians to international renown. In the mid 1990s, De Marcos assembled luminaries Ruben González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo as a salute to classic Cuban sounds, igniting a worldwide revival. The orchestra later appeared in Wim Wenders’s Oscar-nominated Buena Vista Social Club documentary and other films. Today the group continues to evolve, blending contemporary Cuban styles and welcoming new generations while staying rooted in son, bolero, and guaracha. The Times of London has credited the ensemble with influencing the future of Cuban music. De Marcos, a classically trained guitarist and conductor with deep ties to Havana’s musical culture, still leads the orchestra with the vision that launched a landmark global success.

Celebrate the music of legendary duo Shankar-Jaikishan at a live musical tribute where a cast of performers reimagines classic Bollywood film melodies with a mix of soulful ballads and lively, foot-tapping rhythms. The experience blends cinematic nostalgia with fresh energy, set at ICC Milpitas in the Bay Area.

A true icon of American music takes the spotlight, celebrating a voice that has shaped R&B, pop, and gospel for six decades. The Philadelphia-born star first reached the charts in 1962 with The Bluebelles, then earned worldwide recognition with the boundary-pushing trio Labelle. Launching a solo career in the 1970s, she created enduring favorites like the R&B No. 1 "If Only You Knew" and the crossover hit "On My Own" with Michael McDonald, bringing home American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and many other accolades. The 1974 anthem "Lady Marmalade" remains a daring, influential classic that still resonates. Her work reaches beyond the stage, including appearances in film and television, New York Times bestselling books, and a food and lifestyle venture, Patti's Good Life. Few performers can match her vocal fire, versatility, and staying power across genres, and her shows continue to be powerful and electrifying.

Careless Whisper turns Britannia Arms South San Jose (Almaden) into an '80s time capsule, complete with big hair flair, throwback fashion, and detailed costumes. The show highlights the decade’s rock and pop favorites, delivered by a touring tribute group that performs nationwide for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Admission is collected at the door.

Add a little soul to summer with Soulful Sunday at Urban Sanctuary and Recovery Café in downtown San Jose, a short stroll from the San Jose Jazz Fest grounds. The program, The Art of the Protest Song, presents jazz interpretations of eight memorable protest songs performed by a quintet featuring Neil MacPherson on Hammond B3, Adam Astrup on guitar, Dan Robbins on bass, Mike Shannon on drums, and vocalist Miranda Perl. Guests can begin with coffee and a light mini brunch, enjoy a free concert, then gather for a coffee hour in the café. Before and after the music, Recovery Café San Jose next door offers a look at how the community supports people recovering from addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges. The concert and coffee hour are free, and the Sunday collection will directly benefit the programs of Recovery Café San Jose.

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra brings a sweeping, 20-piece sound built from the West Coast ska community, powered by a horn lineup roughly triple the size of a typical ska band. After fifteen years, they remain a commanding force in traditional ska, with headline appearances at major festivals and renowned stages across the United States and Europe. The ensemble features players connected to The Aggrolites, Hepcat, Gogol Bordello, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and more, and has worked with celebrated vocalists such as Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Greg Lee and Alex Desért of Hepcat, and Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers, reflecting their stature in ska and reggae. Their fifth album, Fire & Water, arrived in 2025 and marks their most expansive studio project to date, offering 16 tracks of originals and covers rooted in early 1960s Jamaican tones, arranged with rich orchestration that includes a full string section. It captures a group that honors vintage foundations while pushing the music forward.

In honor of the Miles Davis centennial, bassist and composer Marcus Shelby leads his nine-piece Bay Area nonet in a complete rendering of Birth of the Cool using the original instrumentation. Shelby’s background includes the Charles Mingus Scholarship to CalArts, composition studies with James Newton, bass studies with Charlie Haden, and leadership as Artistic Director of Healdsburg Jazz. His work spans large-scale compositions rooted in African American history and social movements, including oratorios dedicated to Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His orchestra’s album Soul of the Movement reached No. 2 on national jazz radio in 2011. He composed the score for Anna Deavere Smith’s HBO film Notes from the Field and is the voice of Ray Gardener in the Oscar-winning Disney Pixar film Soul. Birth of the Cool grew out of a collaborative circle of innovative musicians, composers, and arrangers rather than a single session. The Marcus Shelby Nonet features the Bay Area master players who also form his New Orchestra, which has five recordings. Hear one of jazz’s defining works presented as it was first imagined, interpreted by leading musicians from the region.

Alto saxophonist, MC, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin delivers a performance that stays with you. Nominated for five Grammy Awards and known for a warm, singing tone often likened to Johnny Hodges, she weaves jazz, funk, and R&B, moving from straight-ahead tradition to music with a social lens. A Washington Heights native, she refined her craft with Clark Terry and Terri Lyne Carrington and became a sought-after collaborator with Gregory Porter, Anita Baker, and Robert Glasper. Her 2020 release Pursuance: The Coltranes featured Dee Dee Bridgewater, Regina Carter, and former Coltrane sideman Reggie Workman. Phoenix followed in 2023, produced by Carrington, earning three Grammy nominations and drawing wide praise. After a serious car accident in 2021, Benjamin returned with renewed strength and curiosity, channeling resilience into bold, evolving shows. Her latest project, Phoenix Reimagined, captures Phoenix recorded live in studio at The Bunker in Brooklyn, adds three new songs, and blends spontaneous, in-the-moment energy with high-fidelity sound. Expect a set that celebrates life and ongoing growth.

Cory Wong, a Grammy Award-nominated guitarist, producer, variety show host, and podcast host, brings a high-energy show powered by the tight, rhythmic guitar voice that drives both his solo work and his roles in Vulfpeck and the Fearless Flyers. He has also built a reputation for selling out iconic venues around the world. Beyond the guitar, he highlights production, songwriting, arranging, and bandleading as central to his creative identity. His album Lost in the Wonder has drawn praise for its lush sound and expert playing, arranging, and production, arriving after his 2024 orchestral collaboration with the Metropole Orkest titled Starship Syncopation. His music reaches screens as well, from composing the theme for the CBS late-night series After Midnight to a Spy x Family Season 2 theme that reached number one in Japan. His signature gear line includes a Fender Stratocaster, compressor and overdrive pedals, guitar pickups, and an Apple Producer Pack. Audiences can anticipate a Fest set that is as entertaining as it is technically impressive.

ICC and Javanika present a large Bay Area Antakshari competition at India Community Center, moving the beloved at home music game onto the stage. Look forward to nostalgia, lively singing, and friendly competition as groups and individuals take part. Entry is $50 for a group of four and $15 for an individual, with cash prizes to be won. Even shy singers might discover hidden talent, and playful family rivalries could begin.

Instant Alter brings a forward-looking fusion sound shaped by New York saxophonist Emilio Modeste and Los Angeles vocalist Natasha Agrama, both veterans of Stanley Clarke’s band. Their music weaves jazz, rock and soul with storytelling and the vibrant character of Brazilian Tropicália for a fresh, contemporary blend. Modeste, known for his work with the late Wallace Roney, is currently touring with Stanley Clarke, Cindy Blackman Santana and Kassa Overall. His distinctive tone appears on Steve Turre’s Generations and Dezron Douglas’ Atalaya, and he is featured on Stanley Clarke’s upcoming album. A student of drummer and producer Lenny White, he brings a curious, exploratory energy to the stage. Agrama is a singer, composer, poet and multidisciplinary artist whose warm, powerful voice carries stories of love and belonging. The granddaughter of Chilean star Antonio Prieto, she has performed and recorded 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 completing the lineup, the ensemble channels a progressive spirit that feels both imaginative and restorative.

A devotional music program featuring vocalist and violinist Vivekanandan, an artist from Kerala, performing with the Bay Area Music Team. Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu melodies will be presented with a live orchestra in a peaceful, spiritual setting. The evening supports the vision of the Guruvayoorappan–Ayyappan Temple Project in the San Francisco Bay Area. Highlights include collaborative performances, interactive musical segments, and songs across multiple Indian languages. This celebration of music, devotion, and community contributes to a lasting spiritual legacy for future generations, and welcomes devotees, music lovers, and supporters of this meaningful initiative.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue bring a New Orleans sound led by Troy Andrews, who has championed his hometown’s music since childhood. He stepped onto the Jazz Fest stage at age four with Bo Diddley, led his own brass band by six, and by his early twenties was releasing acclaimed, chart-topping records while appearing at the White House, Madison Square Garden and the 2025 Super Bowl. His career includes tours with Jeff Beck and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, sets at Coachella and Lollapalooza, a Grammy Award and collaborations with Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Jon Batiste, Lenny Kravitz and Ringo Starr. Andrews founded the Trombone Shorty Foundation to expand youth music education and has written two children’s books, with the first earning a Caldecott Honor. Back home he rides a giant float in an annual Mardi Gras parade, curates the Treme Threauxdown that has welcomed guests like Usher, Nick Jonas, Mavis Staples and Leon Bridges, and has taken on Jazz Fest’s final set. His 2011 Summer Fest appearance continues to be discussed. The 2022 album Lifted, recorded live at Buckjump Studio, captures the crackling energy of his shows with sounds that are boisterous, joyful and rooted in New Orleans.

A showcase of Hawaiian slack key guitar, ukulele, and traditional songs features four-time Grammy winner George Kahumoku Jr., six-time Grammy winner Daniel Ho, and two-time Grammy winner Tia Carrere. Their music reaches audiences around the world, celebrating the islands’ sound and storytelling. George Kahumoku Jr., often called the Renaissance Man of Hawai‘i, is a vocalist, storyteller, songwriter, author, teacher, sculptor, and farmer, and a multiple Na Hōkū Hanohano Award recipient. He produces a weekly Slack Key Show on Maui that has highlighted top island musicians for more than two decades. His artistry draws on 19th century roots, when Portuguese immigrants introduced the ukulele and Mexican cowboys brought guitars and ranching traditions to Hawai‘i. Daniel Ho is a versatile multi-instrumentalist on ukulele, slack key guitar, piano, and vocals. Of his six Grammys, four recognize his work producing Kahumoku’s award-winning projects, and two came from collaborations with Tia Carrere. Carrere gained early fame in Wayne’s World and later appeared in film and television, including Lilo & Stitch and Jo Koy’s Easter Sunday. She returned to Hawaiian music with Grammy-winning albums created with Ho. Together, these artists honor tradition with exceptional musicianship and vibrant compositions, offering a performance widely celebrated for capturing the spirit of aloha.

Blue House is set for Sam's Bar-B-Que. A good time at Sam's awaits.

ACES makes a return appearance at Music on the Hill at Santa Teresa Golf Club, delivering high-energy renditions of iconic rock and dance favorites. These veteran musicians take on challenging songs that spotlight their individual skills and create a dynamic, crowd-pleasing show. The concert unfolds at the Top of the Hill outdoor setting, where panoramic views of the golf course, landscaped gardens, and a sunset-ready gazebo set the scene. Bars will offer a range of chilled beverages, and the barbecue will serve burgers, hot dogs, and a crisp green salad with chicken. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. There is no admission charge, and guests may bring lawn chairs for added comfort. Enjoy live music under the stars as part of the summer Music on the Hill series at Santa Teresa Golf Club.