Blue Note Los Angeles will quickly become the go-to spot for you, your faves, and theirs, too.
The lounge formally opened its doors on Thursday (Aug. 14) with back-to-back jam sessions starring Robert Glasper and friends. During the second show of night one, Affion Crockett, D Smoke, and Shock G‘s protégé, Young Hump, all took to the stage to welcome guests with delightful, impromptu performances.
Crockett impersonated JAY-Z and later freestyled a few bars: “I ain’t revealing who the killer is/ And who the most responsible villain […] I ain’t wishing death on nobody/ I’m wishing remission/ That we go back to the day of Special Ed and the mission […] Need to get a respirator/ Maybe hook ’em to phonics/ So, we can clean up the bulls**t/ Hip-Hop needs a colonic…”
When D Smoke took the stage, he reminded the audience, “This is not some planned s**t by any means.” He wound up performing “Shine” and praised the brilliance of his cousin, Tiffany Gouché. Throughout the weekend, other special guests included Aja Monét, Quinta Brunson, Omar J. Dorsey, Vic Mensa, Buddy, and more.
For the famed musician and Creative Ambassador of the venue, Glasper gushed on Instagram, “I’m still floating from the grand opening of @bluenotelosangeles on Sunset! What a moment. What a MOMENT. The energy in that room was pure magic — from the first note to the last, we had something special brewing. Blue Note LA officially opened its doors on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood on Thursday, Aug. 14, and to be the one to christen this legendary space in LA? Man, that’s not lost on me.”
He continued, “The West Coast needed this. Music needed this. WE needed this. Being a creative ambassador for Blue Note LA isn’t just an honor— it’s a responsibility I take seriously. This isn’t just another venue, this is a sanctuary for the culture. Shoutout to every single soul that came through – the musicians, the lovers of music, the family, the friends. Y’all made that room LIVE. The connection was real, the vibes were immaculate, and the music… chef’s kiss. This is just the beginning, LA. We bout to do some beautiful things in this space. The lineage continues, the story keeps writing itself, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
Alex Isley kicked off the stacked lineup with four shows across two nights. Upcoming performers include Emily King, Terrace Martin, Kenyon Dixon, Tank and The Bangas, Andra Day, BJ The Chicago Kid, José James, and Kamasi Washington. The full list can be found on Blue Note LA’s official website.
Check out more highlights from Blue Note LA’s grand opening below.