The Long Beach Jazz & Blues Scene

Of all musical genres, most might associate Long Beach with West Coast hip hop of the ’90s, made popular by Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and others who brought the LBC to the mainstream. However, jazz and blues have deep roots in Long Beach, with two major annual jazz festivals, several venues to hear both seasoned and up-and-coming jazz and blues musicians, and the nation’s top jazz radio station.

Roscoe's Jazz Lounge

Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge (730 E. Broadway), an intimate club attached to Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles, hosts live performances Thursday through Saturday nights, with additional shows on Sunday afternoons. The cozy red velvet upholstered chairs, low ceiling, and bartenders pouring classic cocktails create an atmosphere that is somewhat of a throwback to a past era and the perfect space to enjoy local talent up close.

FAIRMONT BREAKERS LONG BEACH

With two restaurants, three bars, and a pool, Fairmont Breakers (210 E Ocean Blvd), Long Beach’s first luxury hotel, is a wonderful place for a night out or weekend getaway. Its ground-floor jazz lounge and cocktail bar, Alter Ego, harkens back to the Breakers' legacy as a 1920s-era Hollywood hotspot. Just off the lobby’s bright white marble, visitors enter the dark and moody coziness of Alter Ego. Find a romantic table for two near the stunning and dramatic floral mural or sit near the bar to enjoy live music Thursdays through Saturdays from 7 to 10 PM.

CREDIT: Fairmont Breakers

KJAZZ 88.1 FM

Jazz lovers across the country and around the world know Long Beach, as it is home to the number one full-time jazz radio station in the U.S. KKJZ 88.1 FM, known as KJAZZ, has been broadcasting from the campus of California State University, Long Beach since 1981 and also streams live on its website, kkjz.org. Funded by donor support, KJAZZ plays great jazz and blues seven days a week and fosters the music community throughout Southern California and beyond with a calendar of events on its website and by hosting a series of summer concerts on the Queen Mary.

Uptown Jazz Festival

The City of Long Beach brings live jazz performances by major musical acts to the community through the free Uptown Jazz Festival. The 14th annual event takes place on August 2, 2025, at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave) and features food and beverages available for purchase, a Kids Zone, as well as a variety of vendor and community resource booths. Past headliners have included Sheila E, Ozomatli, and Stephanie Mills–the original Dorothy from the movie The Wiz. In 2024, BJ the Chicago Kid headlined the festival, with additional performances by Katalyst, Ryck Jane, DJ Mr. Quick, and Angelo Pagan y La Candela.

NEW BLUES FESTIVAL

The Long Beach Blues Society’s New Blues Festival will be held on August 22 to 24, 2025, at ShoreLine Aquatic Park (200 Aquarium Way), featuring top local and international blues performers. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a vendor village, and views of the Queen Mary across the water at this family friendly event. Tickets will be available on the festival website.

More Venues

There are many places to hear live jazz in Long Beach throughout the year, including the Queen Mary’s Observation Bar (1126 Queens Hwy), which hosts free jazz and blues nights with KJAZZ on Thursdays from 6 to 10 PM. On Tuesdays from 7 to 9 PM, Jug Band Coffee and Tea (2771 E Broadway) hosts Jazz at the Jug, featuring a four-piece combo led by Mike Zilber on the saxophone. During the summer, the Long Beach Municipal Band performs free concerts in parks across Long Beach, with their second set after intermission usually spotlighting the studio band and vocalist performing standards.

Long Beach Jazz Festival

Held at Marina Green Park (386 E Shoreline Dr) in Downtown Long Beach, the Long Beach Jazz Festival features two stages, a health and wellness pavilion, VIP seating, food, vendors, and art installations. Attendees enjoy three solid days of music in the beautiful outdoor setting of Long Beach’s downtown waterfront. The festival is on hiatus in 2025 but will return in 2026.

About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for over 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.