The Jazz Bakery Names David Robaire Executive Director
Former Sam First Artistic and Executive Director to lead the Los Angeles jazz institution
LOS ANGELES (October 22, 2026) – The Jazz Bakery Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of David Robaire as Executive Director, marking a new chapter for the celebrated Los Angeles jazz institution.
Founded in 1992 by vocalist and artistic visionary Ruth Price, The Jazz Bakery was built on a simple but powerful principle: put musicians first; create an environment where artistry is respected, creativity is encouraged, and audiences come to truly listen.
Robaire shares that philosophy, bringing deep roots in the Los Angeles jazz community and nine years of leadership at Sam First, where he transformed the intimate Los Angeles venue into one of the city’s premier destinations for jazz and creative music. His experience as both Artistic Director and Executive Director combines artistic vision with nonprofit management, fundraising and financial stewardship.
“Growing up in Los Angeles, I spent countless nights at The Jazz Bakery’s Culver City location, absorbing the music of some of the world’s greatest performers up close. Ruth Price’s commitment to presenting world-class jazz profoundly influenced me as a musician and in my role as Artistic Director of Sam First. It’s an honor to join The Jazz Bakery and work with its board, artists and community to build on that extraordinary legacy and help shape its future, in this exciting new chapter for both of us.”
David Robaire, Executive Director, The Jazz Bakery
With a thriving Los Angeles jazz scene and a revitalized board, The Jazz Bakery is preparing to expand programming, deepen artist and community partnerships, and strengthen its long-term financial sustainability. Robaire’s appointment brings together artistic vision and organizational experience to advance those ambitions.
“We’re delighted to welcome David at this important moment for The Jazz Bakery. His experience, vision and passion will help us build on the remarkable foundation Ruth established while reaching new generations of jazz audiences. Our commitment remains unchanged: championing artistic excellence, supporting musicians and ensuring that great jazz continues to thrive in Los Angeles.”
Glen Ward, Chairman, The Jazz Bakery Board of Directors
About David Robaire
A Los Angeles native, David Robaire is a bassist, record producer and arts executive with more than 20 years of performance and recording credits alongside Gerald Clayton, Gilad Hekselman, Justin Kauflin, Larry Goldings, Jane Monheit, Ben Wendel and Pat Martino, among many others.
He also helped to build and produced all the records for Sam First Records the label focused on audiophile-quality live recordings of performances at the club.
When Sam First transitioned to 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2024, Robaire stepped into the role of Executive Director as well, building relationships with major funders including GRoW @ Annenberg Foundation, Live Music Society, and the LA City Arts Council, while overseeing budgets, governance, and day-to-day operations.
Robaire holds a bachelor’s degree from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC and master’s degrees from CalArts and UCLA’s Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.
About The Jazz Bakery
Founded in Los Angeles in 1992 by vocalist and artistic visionary Ruth Price, The Jazz Bakery is dedicated to jazz performance, education and community engagement. Rooted in the legacy of Black American music, the organization champions artistic excellence, amplifies musicians’ voices and creates opportunities for audiences and artists to connect, preserving and advancing jazz for future generations.
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For further information, please contact: press@jazzbakery.org