Live music in Morgan Hill, CA

Palm & Ember Restaurant hosts live music with performances by local musicians, creating an inviting backdrop for dinner by Chef Macaluso. There is no admission. Outside food and beverages are not allowed. Expect a rotating lineup of artists as this series continues.

Anthony Green takes the stage at The Ritz, featuring guest appearances by Geoff Rickly and Keith Goodwin. This concert brings the three artists together for one night of live music. The event welcomes attendees of all ages.

The Soul Rebels channel New Orleans brass tradition through a modern lens, shaping a sound that blends the pop they grew up with alongside funk, soul, hip hop, jazz and rock. This eight-piece is celebrated for an exuberant live show driven by horns and drums, turning energy into groove and groove into a party. Their credits include collaborations on major releases with G-Eazy, Lil Wayne, Nas, Big Freedia and Phony Ppl, and they have shared the stage with Katy Perry, DMX, Robin Thicke, Macy Gray and Robert Glasper. Their creative bond with Wu-Tang Clan has evolved into a new supergroup project. National spotlights include two appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, NPR’s Tiny Desk with GZA and a headlining moment at the global TED Conference. Touring behind their album Poetry in Motion, they have brought their sound to Europe, Australia, China, South Korea and Japan, all while staying committed to top-tier musicianship and songs that champion peace, love and soul.

Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport brings blues talent far beyond his years. At just 19 and hailing from Vicksburg, Mississippi, he picked up harmonica and guitar at the age of seven and has quickly become a standout on today’s scene. His first Chicago show drew 165,000 views on Facebook and 4,000 shares, signaling a rapid rise fueled by skill and soul. A nimble guitarist with a warm, powerful harmonica tone, he is also an assured vocalist and thoughtful songwriter. He can hold the stage alone, singing while working a rack harmonica and guitar, or switch between instruments with a group, always performing with the confidence and presence of a seasoned act. During challenging moments in childhood, he turned to the blues, a music shaped by hardship, and found comfort and direction there. His welcoming manner and active online outreach have built an international following and opened doors to collaborations with leading blues figures. He has earned support from Billy Branch, Kingfish Ingram, Bob Margolin and Bernard Allison, and has appeared at Norway’s Notodden Blues Festival, the King Biscuit Blues Festival, both Mississippi locations of Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club, and Red’s Juke Joint in Clarksdale. Honors include two nominations from Blues Blast Magazine for the Sean Costello Rising Star Award and a nomination from SPAH for the Bernie Bray Harmonica Player of the Year Award. Expect heartfelt vocals without pretense, dynamic musicianship and an energy that points to a bright future for the blues.

Zapp brings the signature talk box sound that powered favorites like More Bounce to the Ounce, Dance Floor, and Computer Love. Formed in 1978 by Roger, Larry, Lester, and Terry Troutman, the group helped shape West Coast hip hop and has been sampled by Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, and Jay-Z. Known for high-energy performances and a legacy of gold and platinum releases, they continue to honor the Troutman spirit while keeping crowds dancing and celebrating the funk. Tuxedo joins the lineup with Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One, a duo united by a love of Chic, Parliament, and classic funk. With eight Grammy nominations between them and individual credits that include Drake, The Weeknd, and De La Soul, they deliver a modern gangster boogie built for the party and grounded in self-love and self-expression. The Boston Globe has called their sound "dance floor catnip."

Thee Sinseers bring an East LA take on classic soul guided by multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter Joseph Quiñones. Their sound blends a vintage feel with a current edge, powered by rich vocal harmonies, a tight rhythm section and a full horn ensemble. The brass 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. The group records with Colemine Records, which introduced them with the 2019 singles “It Was Only A Dream” and “I Don’t Mind,” followed by their debut album “Sinseerly Yours” in March 2024. “Seems Like” appears on Presenting Penrose Records, the first compilation from the Penrose imprint of Brooklyn-based Daptone Records, and “It Was Only A Dream” has been featured in the film Self Reliance, starring Jake Johnson, as well as the TV series Riverdale. They have performed in soul hubs across California, Texas, New York, Chicago, Oregon and beyond.

Gretchen Parlato, a three-time Grammy nominee, leads a quartet that highlights her intimate vocal style shaped by Brazilian influences and her longstanding collaboration with drummer Mark Guiliana and bassist Alan Hampton. Her discography spans more than 85 guest appearances and four albums as a bandleader. Live in NYC brought her first Grammy nomination, earned a 4.5 star review from DownBeat, and reached No. 1 on the iTunes music video chart. The Lost and Found garnered over 30 awards at home and abroad, topped the DownBeat Critics Poll for Vocal Album, and was named iTunes Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Billboard recognized In a Dream as 2009’s most alluring jazz vocal release. Flor, released in 2021 as a tribute to her Brazilian inspirations, secured a second Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album, and Lean In also received Grammy recognition and international acclaim. The band features Guiliana, noted by The New York Times for inspiring a devoted following, whose collaborators include David Bowie, Brad Mehldau and St. Vincent, along with Hampton, who has worked with Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright. Los Angeles pianist and arranger Jacob Mann rounds out the ensemble after extensive touring with KNOWER and performances with Jacob Collier, Moonchild and Lee Ritenour. The Gretchen Parlato Quartet also appears on the SJZ Break Room Stage.

Maslococantina presents an R&B-centered brunch that flows into a lively day party, creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Tickets are free, and the event is open to all ages. To reserve a table, text 510-706-1997.

Drummer Mike Clark leads a powerhouse lineup steeped in post-bop and hard bop, featuring saxophonist Craig Handy, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist Dave Kikoski, and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet. The set draws on hard-won tradition and sparks with on-the-spot creativity. Clark first rose to prominence with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, where his inventive, linear approach on the album Thrust became a touchstone for generations and a frequent source for sampling. He remains one of the music’s most active and prolific drummers, carrying forward the drive associated with Art Blakey and Elvin Jones while keeping the focus on fresh, hard-swinging ideas. Recent recordings include Mike Clark Plays Herbie Hancock, which reached No. 5 on the Jazz Weekly chart and landed among the outlet’s top 100 releases of 2023, and Kosen Rufu featuring Eddie Henderson, Skerik, and Wayne Horvitz. He also co-leads the current Headhunters with Bill Summers, whose album The Stunt Man has the group touring in the United States, Europe, and Japan. This ensemble has been performing together for two years and brings decades of shared history to the bandstand. Oakland-born Craig Handy, a veteran of Roy Haynes’s group and an early member of the Headhunters, shares deep roots with Clark. Eddie Henderson, who received an initial trumpet lesson from Louis Armstrong, has collaborated with Clark since the late 1960s. Dave Kikoski, a Grammy Award winner with the Mingus Big Band, adds high-velocity virtuosity and daring improvisation. Essiet Okon Essiet, the final bassist to work with Art Blakey and a longtime favorite collaborator of Clark, anchors the music with authority. Together they channel a sweeping lineage, from the crucible of the Jazz Messengers to the funk-charged innovations of the Headhunters.

The SJZ High School All Stars share the bill with three-time Grammy nominee Gretchen Parlato, a jazz vocalist recognized for an intimate, Brazilian-tinged style. Parlato has appeared on more than 85 recordings, with four as a leader, and her releases Flor and Lean In have earned Grammy nods and worldwide acclaim. Earlier milestones include Live in NYC, which drew a 4.5-star DownBeat review and reached the top of the iTunes best music video chart, The Lost and Found, which collected numerous national and international honors including major DownBeat and iTunes distinctions, and In a Dream, praised by Billboard as one of the most alluring jazz vocal albums of its year. Her career also reflects a longstanding collaboration with drummer Mark Guiliana and bassist Alan Hampton.

First Call performs at Bubbles & Brew in Morgan Hill, a wine bar and bistro that showcases local wines, a broad range of draft beer, and artisanal plates prepared with organic, locally sourced ingredients. Conditions are expected to be cool yet comfortable, and the venue will keep things warm with patio heaters and fire pits. The band entertains at public shows and also takes on private engagements, including parties, birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate events.

Shawn Colvin is performing live at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz. Expect a night of pop, mainstream pop, and rock with singer-songwriter and folk-leaning vibes.

Afro-Cuban All Stars, founded by producer and bandleader Juan de Marcos González, is a renowned Cuban orchestra closely linked with the Buena Vista Social Club legacy. The ensemble has earned four Grammy nominations and helped launch several of its musicians to global fame. Conceived in the mid-1990s as a salute to the golden age of Cuban music, the project united icons such as Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo, sparking a worldwide renewal of classic Cuban sounds. Their journey is highlighted in Wim Wenders’ Buena Vista Social Club documentary, which received an Academy Award nomination, along with appearances in other films. More than a look back, the orchestra has spent three decades widening its creative range, weaving contemporary Cuban styles while staying grounded in son, bolero, and guaracha. The Times in London has credited the group with helping shape the future of Cuban music. De Marcos, a classically trained guitarist and conductor with deep ties to Havana’s musical culture, continues to guide the ensemble with the vision that set its global success in motion.

Oakland native and master guitarist Jubu Smith steps into the spotlight with a tone that is warm, gritty, and grounded in church traditions, refined on major stages around the world. After an early breakthrough with Tony! Toni! Toné!, he spent over two decades as lead guitarist with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. His collaborations span icons such as Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton, and George Duke. A cofounder of The Soul Seekers, he has been recognized with the BET Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and was honored with a Living Legend Award in 2023 for his enduring impact on Black music, gospel, and soul. He also founded Legally Blynd, a band that blends funk, soul, and quartet into high-energy, instrument driven performances. In 2024 he released a self titled solo album on Little Village Foundation, produced by Charlie Hunter and featuring Eric Gales, a candid and deeply personal statement that marks a bold new chapter in his artistry.

Patti LaBelle, celebrated across R&B, pop, and gospel for more than six decades, is a two-time Grammy winner with 13 nominations whose voice has shaped American music. Her journey began in 1962 with The Bluebelles and soared to worldwide recognition with the trailblazing trio Labelle. Since the 1970s she has forged a remarkable solo career, delivering enduring favorites like the R&B chart-topper If Only You Knew and the crossover duet On My Own with Michael McDonald, while earning American Music Awards and NAACP Image Awards along the way. The bold 1974 smash Lady Marmalade remains a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate. Her influence reaches beyond the stage, with appearances in film and television, New York Times bestselling books, and her food and lifestyle line, Patti’s Good Life. Known as the Godmother of Soul, she pairs raw vocal power with extraordinary versatility, and her presence remains as commanding and electrifying as ever.

Careless Whisper brings an 80s time warp to Britannia Arms South San Jose (Almaden), complete with big hair, period fashions, and authentic costumes set to the decade’s rock and pop hits. The band tours nationwide and is known for energizing audiences at corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, anniversaries, and other special events. Cover charge at the door.

Add a soulful note to your summer with a welcoming Soulful Sunday gathering at Urban Sanctuary and the neighboring Recovery Café in downtown San Jose, near the San Jose Jazz Fest grounds. The program, titled The Art of the Protest Song, presents jazz interpretations of eight memorable protest anthems. An accomplished quintet brings the music to life with Neil MacPherson on Hammond B3, Adam Astrup on guitar, Dan Robbins on bass, Mike Shannon on drums, and vocals by Miranda Perl. The day begins with coffee and a mini-brunch, continues with a free concert, and concludes with a relaxed coffee hour in the café. Guests can also visit Recovery Café San Jose before and after the music to see 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 benefit Recovery Café’s life-changing programs.

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra packs the punch of a 20-piece ensemble rooted in the West Coast ska scene, putting a horn section on stage that is three times larger than most ska groups. More than fifteen years in, they remain a commanding force in traditional ska, headlining festivals and appearing at renowned venues throughout the United States and Europe. The roster draws talent from The Aggrolites, Hepcat, Gogol Bordello, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and more, and past collaborations have featured vocalists including 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 of originals and covers shaped by early 1960s Jamaican influences, arranged with expansive orchestration that includes a full string section. It reflects a group dedicated to honoring classic sounds while driving them ahead.

Bassist and composer Marcus Shelby honors the Miles Davis centennial by directing his nine-piece Bay Area nonet in a performance of Birth of the Cool using the original instrumentation. Shelby’s background includes the Charles Mingus Scholarship to attend CalArts in 1990, composition studies with James Newton, bass studies with Charlie Haden, and current service as Artistic Director of Healdsburg Jazz. He has created major works rooted in African American history and social movements, including oratorios for Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His orchestra’s recording Soul of the Movement rose to No. 2 on national jazz radio in 2011. He also wrote 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 was not a single session but a composite project shaped by a young visionary and innovative collaborators. The Marcus Shelby Nonet features Bay Area master musicians drawn from his New Orchestra, which has five recordings. The program presents one of jazz’s enduring works in its initial orchestration, realized by leading players from the region.

James Durbin, a singer and songwriter from Santa Cruz, California, rose to national attention with a Top 4 finish on American Idol in 2011. He has since released six solo albums and has also contributed his voice and songwriting to other work.

Alto saxophonist, MC, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin brings a warm, resonant sound that nods to Johnny Hodges while fusing jazz, funk, and R&B, moving from straight-ahead swing to music with a social voice. A five-time Grammy nominee, she refined her craft with Clark Terry and Terri Lyne Carrington and has worked with Gregory Porter, Anita Baker, and Robert Glasper. Her 2020 project Pursuance: The Coltranes featured Dee Dee Bridgewater, Regina Carter, and former Coltrane bassist Reggie Workman, and the 2023 follow-up Phoenix, produced by Carrington, earned three Grammy nominations. Her performances carry added meaning after a 2021 car accident that left her with significant injuries. She has since rebuilt her strength and confidence, stepping onstage with a drive to keep learning, get uncomfortable, and grow. The latest release, Phoenix Reimagined, captures Phoenix performed live in the studio at The Bunker in Brooklyn, adds three new songs, and blends the spark of a concert with studio-quality sound, celebrating life in the process.

Moe's Alley is hosting a rockin' Sunday matinee featuring the Gary Blackburn Band. The show is for guests 21 and older, with doors opening at 1:00 PM and the performance starting at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the show, and sales are final with no refunds.

Cory Wong brings high-energy musicianship to the stage as a Grammy-nominated guitarist, producer, variety show host, and podcast host. A key member of Vulfpeck and the Fearless Flyers, he has also built a thriving solo career defined by groove-heavy rhythm work and performances that draw sold-out crowds on renowned stages around the world. His artistry reaches beyond the guitar, with a strong focus on production, writing, arranging, and leading a band. His latest album, Lost in the Wonder, has earned praise for its rich sound and expert execution, following his 2024 orchestral collaboration with the Metropole Orkest titled Starship Syncopation. 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 includes a Fender Stratocaster, compressor and overdrive pedals, guitar pickups, and an Apple Producer Pack. Expect a performance that is lively, precise, and packed with musical firepower.

Enjoy a special afternoon filled with the timeless music of Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, and more. Pair the experience with artisanal bites, beer, and wine.

Instant Alter presents a forward-looking fusion of sounds, weaving jazz, rock, soul and narrative elements with the festive currents of Brazilian Tropicália. The quartet is co-led by New York saxophonist Emilio Modeste and Los Angeles vocalist Natasha Agrama, both alumni of Stanley Clarke’s band. Modeste, noted for work with the late trumpet great Wallace Roney, is touring with Stanley Clarke, Cindy Blackman Santana and Kassa Overall. His distinctive tone is heard on Steve Turre’s Generations and Dezron Douglas’ Atalaya, and he appears on Stanley Clarke’s forthcoming album. Mentored by drummer and producer Lenny White, he approaches the music with a spirit of exploration. Agrama is a vocalist, composer, poet and multidisciplinary artist whose voice, in her own words, carries the hard-won triumphs of love and a search for belonging in a new world. The granddaughter of Chilean singer Antonio Prieto, she has collaborated with Kamasi Washington and the West Coast Get Down, and her 2017 album The Heart of Infinite Change features Thundercat, George Duke, Austin Peralta and Stanley Clarke. With rising talents Brandon Rose, Jermaine Paul, Miguel Russell and Myles Martin adding momentum, the project affirms a vision of progressive music that is both imaginative and healing.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue bring the pulse of New Orleans to the stage in a high-energy performance. Led by Troy Andrews, who first appeared at Jazz Fest at age four with Bo Diddley and was leading a brass band by six, the group carries a history of acclaimed records and major stages. Andrews has released chart-topping albums, performed from the White House to Madison Square Garden and the 2025 Super Bowl, toured with Jeff Beck and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, appeared at Coachella and Lollapalooza, earned a Grammy Award, and collaborated with Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Jon Batiste, Lenny Kravitz, and Ringo Starr. His dedication to young musicians continues through the Trombone Shorty Foundation, and he has authored two children’s books, with the first receiving a Caldecott Honor. In New Orleans he rides a giant Mardi Gras float made in his likeness, presents the guest-filled Treme Threauxdown, and leads Jazz Fest’s finale. The feel of his 2022 album Lifted, recorded live at Buckjump Studio, captures the explosive power of the show... raw, raucous, joyful, and steeped in the city’s spirit.

Experience a gathering of acclaimed Hawaiian artists as four-time Grammy Award recipient George Kahumoku Jr, six-time winner Daniel Ho, and two-time winner Tia Carrere share slack key guitar, ukulele, and traditional songs that have resonated with audiences around the world. Kahumoku, a singer, storyteller, songwriter, author, teacher, sculptor, and farmer, is often described as a renaissance figure in Hawaiian culture. He founded and produces the long-running weekly Slack Key Show on Maui, a series that has highlighted leading island musicians for more than two decades. His music draws from traditions that took shape in the early 1800s, when Portuguese immigrants introduced the ukulele to Hawai‘i and Mexican cowboys brought guitars along with ranching know-how. Daniel Ho, a versatile multi-instrumentalist, earned four of his Grammys producing Kahumoku’s award-winning projects and is known for his work on ukulele, slack key guitar, piano, and vocals. His other two Grammys were collaborations with Tia Carrere. Carrere, recognized internationally for film and television roles from Wayne’s World to Lilo & Stitch and Jo Koy’s Easter Sunday, returned to her Hawaiian roots with Grammy-winning albums created with Ho. Together, they celebrate deep-rooted tradition and musical artistry in a performance that captures the spirit of aloha.

Catch The Beat Farmers live at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz. The show is listed with The Beat Farmers headlining and the Gill Brothers Band also on the lineup. Doors and ticket details are handled through Ticketmaster.

This event at Sam's promises fun from beginning to end.

Smoked Out Soul brings a Bay Area style that fuses the power of a live band with the flow of a DJ set. Originating as Zebuel’s mixtape concept that blended 1970s Motown and Stax with contemporary beats, it has evolved into a collaborative show where musicians, producers, and DJs perform together. Classic soul and funk meet modern elements, with horns, guitars, drums, and synthesizers driving the sound alongside up-tempo DJ segments. With past appearances at Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Lightning in a Bottle, the group delivers an energetic, genre-crossing performance that turns the plaza into a lively summer evening, rooted in soul with a forward-looking edge. This Jazz on the Plazz concert is free and open to the public, with general admission areas throughout Los Gatos Town Plaza. Guests may bring lawn chairs and picnic items, but blankets are not permitted. Reserved seating in front of the stage is available for purchase and often sells out in advance.

Free live music fills Downtown Gilroy as a summer series brings energy to the neighborhood. Stroll through downtown, enjoy the music, and visit the Town Cats booth to learn about adoptable cats, volunteering, fostering, and ways to get involved. It is an easy, relaxed way to spend an evening while connecting with the local community.

ACES returns to Music on the Hill at Santa Teresa Golf Club for another evening of high-energy classics. This veteran group focuses on faithful renditions of beloved rock and dance favorites, tackling challenging material and showcasing individual talent for a dynamic, crowd-pleasing show. The setting is the outdoor Top of the Hill space with sweeping views over the golf course and garden areas, plus a gazebo that makes a scenic sunset photo spot. On-site bars serve ice-cold beverages, and the BBQ offers burgers, hot dogs, and a crisp green salad with chicken. Admission is free. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. Lawn chairs are recommended.