The Jazz Bakery is “the most prestigious jazz space in Los Angeles” — a serious, no-frills, seven-nights-a-week nonprofit listening room of international renown, where everybody who’s anybody has played; where iconic musicians turn up as regularly in the audience as on the bandstand; where just ascending the stage is a sure sign that you’ve made it into the music’s highest ranks.”
L.A. Times
The Jazz Bakery was founded in 1992 by jazz vocalist/educator Ruth Price, current President and Artistic Director. In 2009, the 200+ seat venue closed the permanent performance space after 17 years of concerts held exclusively in Culver City’s Helms Bakery complex. The Jazz Bakery began hosting performances in a variety of venues around the Southland, dubbed Movable Feast, including residency at The Moss Theater.
The Moss Theater is a 350-seat state-of-the-art venue with acoustics designed by world renowned Yasuhisa Toyota, designer of Walt Disney Concert Hall. Onsite dedicated parking, a spacious lobby and an intimate courtyard are details that enhance concert-goers’ experience.
In addition to hosting ongoing concerts, New Roads School and The Jazz Bakery have collaborated on a number of other musical enrichment activities offered to New Roads students and young people throughout Los Angeles, particularly those who may not have access to the arts. The Herb Alpert Foundation has provided funding for both of these organizations and sees this partnership as a means to enrich and expand a spirited and inclusive community that supports the arts. Master classes with visiting artists, a Jazz Speaker series, internships and apprenticeships are among the new activities planned by the partners. The Jazz Bakery successfully hosted the Quincy Jones Urban Jazz Camp, a summer program for aspiring musicians, in 2019 with a grant from the Quincy Jones Music Consortium.
As with all live performance venues, 2020 brought challenges to operations. A whole season of performances was canceled. Live performances were adapted to online livestreams and virtual concerts via social media. A concert at home series was produced with performances from Sam Hirsh, Larry Koonse with Darek Oles, and Hubert Laws all performing from their living rooms made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
The Jazz Bakery returned to live performance in July of 2022 with performances throughout Los Angeles in some of the most prestigious rooms: The Kirk Douglas Theatre, Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, Zipper Concert Hall at The Colburn School, Motivo LA, the UCLA Nimoy Theater, the Aratani Theatre, and the return to The Moss Theatre.
In 2024 the Jazz Bakery was asked to curate the first annual Culver City “Jazz Nights in October” concert series presented at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. This weekly performance series featured world class musicians Néstor Torres (Afro Cuban Quintet), Jeremy Pelt (Quintet), Delfeayo Marsalis (Quintet), Terry Gibbs/Shorty Rogers Centennial (19-piece Big Band with Vocalist) to sold out audiences.
Like all non-profits, the Jazz Bakery has a mission… to cultivate a new generation of jazz fans who will appreciate, preserve and grow a unique American legacy. Meeting the mission of the Jazz Bakery takes the dedication and good efforts of a lot people behind the scenes. We couldn’t do it without our great core of volunteers, who cover the box office, usher shows, and provide transportation and assistance to our visiting artists. Our devoted Board of Directors are responsible for the strategic growth of our organization, insuring the fulfillment of our mission.
