Something I’ve learned since living in LA is that anyone can get on stage and sing with a live band.
From a courtyard jazz jam in Chinatown to a cozy Sunday night vocal session, SteepLA Jazz and Worldstage Vocal Jazz Jam let you get onstage, meet musicians, and sing with a live band!
First up: SteepLA Jazz Jam Session
This amazing music event is located in a Chinatown courtyard with trees, string fairy lights, a small bar, and a lowered section where the actual jazz band plays.
SteepLA specializes in cocktail teas and collaborates monthly with vocalist Julie Zhu to host the Jam Session. The whole setup makes for a really nice atmosphere to spend an evening listening to live music.
Something I think makes this monthly jazz jam even more special is that you can sign up for free to play an instrument or to sing with the band. This experience offers the public a chance to perform without worrying about forming their own band of musical whizzes.
Each song features a different combination of musicians, with people switching between piano, bass, drums, guitar, saxophone, and vocals. One song might be completely instrumental, while the next has a vocalist leading the group.
My own experience of the environment has been one where I’ve felt genuinely welcomed. People cheered each other on, some were dancing, and others chatted between songs.
When I went, I got to meet musicians and singers of different ages and professions while seeing how people who had just met for the first time worked together to create music with one another.
I got to see how they listened to each other, took turns leading, improvising, and found ways to make the music work as a group.
I do understand that performing isn’t for everyone so even if you don’t want to get onstage, it’s a fun place to spend an evening hearing live music and meeting fellow music lovers. The jam happens monthly, so check out Julie Zhu’s Instagram (@juliemuzic) for the next session if you want to participate or just watch from the crowd.
Second on the list: WorldStage Vocal Jazz Jam
If you’re more interested in singing than playing an instrument, WorldStage’s Vocal Jazz Jam is definitely another spot to check out. The event is a little more underground and takes place late at night, but the community itself was incredibly welcoming. I’m not from LA, so I can’t really speak to the surrounding area, but I had a great experience once I was there.
Unlike SteepLA, this jam is specifically for vocalists, and you perform with the same band throughout the session. It takes place every Sunday at 8 p.m. at WorldStage (@theworldstage on Instagram), with a small stage, cute mood lighting, and a relatively small audience.
Singers can make a $5 cash donation to perform two songs, which offers singers the chance to try out a couple of different songs with a live band that’s already set in place.
The overall vibe of the music leans mostly towards the blue and the band itself threads sounds together with such incredible skill. All you have to do is tell the pianist which song you’re gonna sing along with your preferred key and then work with the band as you all perform the song. It’s an amazing opportunity to experience what it’s like to perform with an experienced band and to learn and see how the other musicians follow your lead.
My friend and I were the new faces at the jam, and some of the regulars jokingly called us “fresh meat” before we performed. Everyone was so welcoming and encouraging when we got up to sing, and you could tell how close the regulars were with one another. It was really nice seeing how naturally they brought new people into their tight-knit community and made us feel welcome too.
Which Jam Should You Try?
Both sessions are worth checking out, especially if you’re a singer or musician looking for experience or low-stake opportunities to perform around LA. SteepLA is a great option if you want to meet people, hear a mix of instrumental and vocal jazz, or play an instrument with different musicians throughout the night. WorldStage is more focused on vocalists who want to learn and sing a couple of songs a week with a consistent live band.
You can attend either session as an audience member without paying. However if you plan on performing, SteepLA’s sign-up is free, while WorldStage asks singers for a $5 cash donation.
Whether you’re looking to get more comfortable performing, meet other musicians, or just find something different to do in LA, these jam sessions are definitely worth putting on your radar. You might even leave having made a few new friends, learned something from experienced musicians, or discovered a new favorite song!