Lou Lou's's Upcoming Shows

*GENERAL ADMISSION | 21+ | ALL SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED | NO DINNER SERVICE | DOORS @ 7PM*

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ Brazilian Jazz Night brings together a group of standout Southern California musicians for an evening celebrating the rhythm, warmth, and beauty of Brazil’s musical tradition. At the center is vocalist Lexi Pulido, whose expressive voice and natural feel for the music bring elegance and soul to classic bossa nova and samba repertoire. Leading the ensemble on drums, Matthew Elton Smith brings a deep sense of groove and musical direction to the group, blending jazz sensibility with the subtle pulse and flow of Brazilian rhythms. His playing helps guide the ensemble while leaving space for the kind of spontaneous interaction that makes live jazz exciting. The band also features vibraphonist Ian Harland, whose shimmering sound and melodic improvisations add a unique color to the group. Guitarist Aaron Lind provides the harmonic foundation with the smooth, rhythmic feel that is central to Brazilian music, while bassist Harley Magsino anchors everything with warm tone, lyrical lines, and an effortless pocket. Rounding out the ensemble, Gabe Carson on saxophone brings expressive melodies and dynamic improvisation to the mix.

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ POCKETCANDY is a nu-funk and jazz group from San Diego lead by guitarist/ producer/ composer Ian Patrick Cler and tenor saxophonist/ composer Ross Rizzo. Their mission is to bring people together with music. The night will feature original compositions and their favorite arrangements. The night will feature Ian Patrick Cler on guitar, Ross Rizzo on saxophone, Noah Williams on bass, and Rashaad Graham on drums.

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ Earl Thomas is an American soul, blues, and roots rock singer-songwriter known for his powerful gospel-influenced voice and deeply emotional songwriting. giving him a strong following among fans of traditional American roots music. Anthony Cullins is a young musician/songwriter whose guitar playing ability is years beyond his age. Anthony's musical influences include R&B, funk, soul, rock, jazz, and blues prominently displayed in his eclectic improvisational style he calls "psychedelic soul music", ranging from Eddie Hazel and Jeff Beck to George Benson and Eric Johnson with dozens of influences in between. Anthony recently put out a live record, working on two studio albums, and won "Best Blues Artist" in the 2023 and 2024 San Diego Music Awards.

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ What's Golden is Southern California's only Golden Era live-performance band. Paying homage to Tupac, Dre, Biggie, Jurassic 5, Wu Tang, and more, as well as Mary J. Blige, Salt n Pepa, and many more, this is a night of the tracks you know by heart and wish were still pumping on the radio. This is a live band with rappers, and DJ, and all the OG funk from the days when hip-hop was golden.

This evening, Lou Lou’s will be closed for a private affair—an intimate celebration tucked beneath the chandeliers and velvet glow. We know evenings out are special, and we never take it lightly when we must turn you away. Please accept our heartfelt apologies for the inconvenience. Nights like these are rare, but sometimes the room asks for a little secrecy. For your next night out, we invite you to check our calendar for upcoming dates featuring live music, good company, and the kind of evenings you won’t soon forget. With love and gratitude, Lou Lou’s at The Lafayette Hotel

*Doors open at 6pm | 21+ | Seatings available between 6pm & 7pm Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in Fresno, California, Gilbert’s musical career was preordained; the only son to his eponym father, a touring Cumbia band leader, singer and arranger, Gilbert was strongly influenced by his predecessor’s deep appreciation for classical composers and big band jazz ensembles, broadening young Gilbert's horizons from an early age. Gilbert Sr. strongly encouraged Gilbert toward the Jazz genre when at first he showed an interest in trumpet at age 6. By age 11, Gilbert’s intensive training and education provided the context to begin playing professionally, and at age 15 he preformed with mentor and icon Dizzy Gillespie at the Monterrey Jazz Festival. A fierce advocate of formal jazz education, Gilbert held the position of Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music from 2001 to 2013. Thereafter, he served as the Artistic Director of the International Academy of Jazz San Diego from 2014-2016, during which time he began conducting high school workshops and developing a more proactive role in mentorship. During his time visiting Title I schools, he recognized a need for increased accessibility to formal education, noting that many truly gifted students were deprived the opportunities to further their education due to monetary constraints. Thusly, in 2016 Castellanos founded the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory based in San Diego, California. Using his influence in a burgeoning Jazz community, one he is credited in large with establishing, Gilbert began successfully soliciting donations for and supporting thousands of dollars of scholarship to finance Conservatory Education Equity for economically disadvantaged students of promise. To date, the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory has graduated hundreds of bright musicians of diverse backgrounds with Gilbert serving as personal mentor and advocate for each, often writing college recommendation letters and offering every one of his students "real world" experience each Wednesday evening at ensemble performances For more information on our supperclubs, please visit https://www.loulousclub.com/dinnerandashow

*21+ | NO DINNER SERVICE* ~SONGS OF WILLIE NELSON~ 7PM Two Step into the world of country music legend Willie Nelson with ZB Savoy's "Songs of Willie Nelson" show. Celebrating the remarkable career and enduring legacy of the "Red Headed Stranger," this performance is a journey through the heart and soul of American music. ZB Savoy is a veteran singer, songwriter and performer out of California and has been a forever fan of Willie’s life and music. His show celebrates both the wide breadth of music Nelson has recorded and the classic country genre that he and his pals forged in the early 70s. ZB delves into the rich history and profound impact of this timeless music blending entertainment, education, and good ole fashion honky tonkin’. ZB’s all-star band features Bobby Furgo on piano and fiddle (Leonard Cohen, Dolly Parton), Danny Campbell on drums (Bob Weir, Phyllis Diller), bassist Patrick McClory (The Red Headed Strangers, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash) and Ben Zinn (Earl Thomas, Stacey Antonel) on pedal steel and electric guitar. The ensemble promises an unforgettable performance. Join us for a night of music, memories, and reverence for the one and only Willie Nelson.

TWO SHOWINGS | 7PM & 10PM | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ Considered one of the nation’s top-call jazz trumpeters, Gilbert Castellanos is a renowned musician, composer, educator and arranger. Skilled with impressive dexterity and control, his clarity of expression and improvisational fluency moves audiences with a seemingly profound effortlessness and complexly emotive affect. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in Fresno, California, Gilbert’s musical career was preordained; the only son to his eponym father, a touring Cumbia band leader, singer and arranger, Gilbert was strongly influenced by his predecessor’s deep appreciation for classical composers and big band jazz ensembles, broadening young Gilbert's horizons from an early age. Gilbert Sr. strongly encouraged Gilbert toward the Jazz genre when at first he showed an interest in trumpet at age 6. By age 11, Gilbert’s intensive training and education provided the context to begin playing professionally, and at age 15 he preformed with mentor and icon Dizzy Gillespie at the Monterrey Jazz Festival. After completing his formal music education at two of the nation’s most renowned music conservatories, Berklee College of Music in Boston and Cal Arts in Los Angeles, Castellanos quickly gained international acclaim as a member of the celebrated band Black/Note, with whom he recorded three albums: L.A. Underground (Red Records), Jungle Music (Columbia Records) and Nothin' But the Swing (Impulse Records). His solo recording career since Black/Note has seen Castellanos thrive as a player, bandleader, composer and arranger on three acclaimed albums: 1999’s self-titled debut release The Gilbert Castellanos Hammond B3 Quartet, followed by 2006’s Underground (Seedling Records) and 2013’s The Federal Jazz Project (Dobie Music). Castellanos is currently in post-production for his next album, Espérame en el Cielo, an homage to both his Mexican heritage and his championing over adversity. In 2009, Castellanos was highlighted on internationally acclaimed DownBeat Magazine’s “25 For The Future” list, firmly establishing him as one of the nation's most inventive Jazz trumpeters. With a proven reputation for improvisation, Gilbert has toured extensively as a former member of the Tom Scott Quintet, the Anthony Wilson Nonet, Charles McPherson Quintet and Willie Jones III Quintet; he remains a recording member of the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, and of course as a headliner under his own name. As a proponent for West Coast Jazz, Gilbert works tirelessly to build San Diego as an internationally recognized hub for Jazz. Partnering with several San Diego institutions, Castellanos has been a dynamic force in establishing a committed fan-base served by a growing number of dedicated venues, all of which defer to his artistic curation. Through it all, recording, studio work, touring, curating, performing, Gilbert has maintained his dedication to “keeping Jazz alive” and continues his work promoting and growing the potentials of his creativity, the genre and his peers as a respected Godfather of sorts across the West Coast. A fierce advocate of formal jazz education, Gilbert held the position of Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music from 2001 to 2013. Thereafter, he served as the Artistic Director of the International Academy of Jazz San Diego from 2014-2016, during which time he began conducting high school workshops and developing a more proactive role in mentorship. During his time visiting Title I schools, he recognized a need for increased accessibility to formal education, noting that many truly gifted students were deprived the opportunities to further their education due to monetary constraints. Thusly, in 2016 Castellanos founded the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory based in San Diego, California. Using his influence in a burgeoning Jazz community, one he is credited in large with establishing, Gilbert began successfully soliciting donations for and supporting thousands of dollars of scholarship to finance Conservatory Education Equity for economically disadvantaged students of promise. To date, the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory has graduated hundreds of bright musicians of diverse backgrounds with Gilbert serving as personal mentor and advocate for each, often writing college recommendation letters and offering every one of his students "real world" experience each Wednesday evening at ensemble performances through a partnership with San Diego Museum of Art and affiliate venue Panama 66. Partnerships: Jazz @ The Jacobs, Artistic Curator The San Diego Symphony, Artistic Jazz Curator The San Diego Ballet, Resident Composer KARL DENSON - KDTU has electrified audiences around the world for over 25 years from the fields of Naeba in Japan at the infamous Fuji Rock Festival to the hallowed stage of Madison Square Garden where they previously joined the Dave Matthews Band and The Godfather of Soul, James Brown. From performing as Sexual Chocolate (Karl was in the original band in the movie Coming To America and its sequel) at the Outside Lands Music festival in San Francisco, to being the first late night act at the inaugural Bonnaroo festival, KDTU have been a dominating force in music for the past 25 years. All-night, sold-out concerts during Jazzfest in New Orleans have featured sit ins by everyone from Lenny Kravitz & Steve Winwood (with whom Karl has recorded and toured) to avant garde luminaries Marc Ribot &; Boyfriend. Chuck Leavell and Bernard Fowler (Karl’s bandmates in The Rolling Stones where Karl replaced the great Bobby Keys as saxophonist in 2014) have joined onstage and on record, as have Lukas Nelson, John Oates, Michael Franti, Warren Haynes, Ivan Neville, Anders Osborne, Big Daddy Kane, Roy Hargrove, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Joshua Redman, Marcus King, and Bernie Worrell, among others. Touring the country with the Allman Brothers, My Morning Jacket, D’Angelo, The Roots, Public Enemy, Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead, Parliament Funkadelic, Slightly Stoopid, Widespread Panic, very few concert goers have been untouched by the Tiny Universe live. In addition to KDTU, Karl Denson aka “Diesel” is a founding member of the seminal groove act The Greyboy Allstars.

This evening, Lou Lou’s will be closed for a private affair—an intimate celebration tucked beneath the chandeliers and velvet glow. We know evenings out are special, and we never take it lightly when we must turn you away. Please accept our heartfelt apologies for the inconvenience. Nights like these are rare, but sometimes the room asks for a little secrecy. For your next night out, we invite you to check our calendar for upcoming dates featuring live music, good company, and the kind of evenings you won’t soon forget. With love and gratitude, Lou Lou’s at The Lafayette Hotel

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ NY OH: Born in Worcestershire, UK, and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand, Ny Oh is now based in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles. Despite being early in her career, she’s already taken on a range of high-profile musical projects. She fronts the eccentric jazz outfit Neon Gru, has toured the world as a backing vocalist and multi-instrumentalist for Harry Styles’s record-breaking stadium shows, and has collaborated with artists like Margo Price and Madison Cunningham. As a solo artist, her work has earned praise from NME, Rolling Stone, BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, and more. For an Aotearoa artist, listening to nature is of godly importance, and Ny Oh’s connectedness with it is something that feels as effortless as her poetic songwriting style. Nature teaches you the “art of waiting”, and though Ny Oh has spent her adult life exploring various ways of spiritual existence, nature has always been her way of connecting with the depths of the world. Now, after years of quiet observation and creative exploration, she is ready to share a body of work that reflects this journey. Mia Wilson: Mia Wilson is a Southern California singer-songwriter who blends piano and guitar based compositions with lush orchestral arrangements, introspective lyrics and captivating mezzo-soprano vocals. Her self-titled debut album was released in November, 2025 by Royal Oakie Records.

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ Mackenzie Leighton is a bassist and composer from San Diego, CA. He has performed with jazz legends such as Pat Metheny, Donald Brown, and Geoffrey Keezer, and works regularly with Southern California jazz heroes Peter Sprague, Gilbert Castellanos, and Kamau Kenyatta. He has two albums as a leader ‘I Remember’ and ‘MLTRIO”, and his compositions have been featured on recordings by San Diego State University and themattsmithneujazz trio. He is a lecturer at CSU San Marcos where he directs the Jazz Ensemble and is studio faculty at a number of colleges in the San Diego and Orange county area. He holds a Masters in Music from San Diego State University.

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ King Taylor Project is a San Diego-based soul band founded by married touring and recording artists Sandi King and Joshua Taylor, in collaboration with some of San Diego's most highly regarded players and contributors to the original music scene. Sandi King - Vocals Joshua Taylor - Guitars/Vocals Harley Magsino - Bass Abe Majors - Drums Kevin Lum - Keys Jonny Tarr - Sax/Vocals @kingtaylorproject

*GENERAL ADMISSION | 21+ | ALL SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED | NO DINNER SERVICE | DOORS @ 7PM* A Live Album Documentation Session featuring - Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, w/ Divina Jasso opening set The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble is a 9 piece, heavy, mostly instrumental funk band from San Diego, CA. Their influences are vast and include Hip Hop groups like Wu- Tang Clan and De La Soul, as well as funk and soul masters like Isaac Hayes, The Meters, and James Brown. Two of their last three studio LPs debuted in the top 15 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. SFSE is equally at home in the studio as they are on the stage, where their original songs transform and take on new life through live performance. They have shared the stage with Kamasi Washington, Quantic, Lee Fields, Monophonics, Jungle Fire, The Family Stone, and most recently served as backing band for Hip Hop legend, Big Daddy Kane. The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble are definitely still on a roll coming off of their fourth studio LP for Colemine Records, Step Down, which debuted at #14 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. They released a live album in 2023 on All-Town Sound. The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble's 5th studio album, Gemini, was released on March 28, 2025 via Colemine Records.

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ Imagine a regular San Diego music community super session where the musicians (both in the house band and sitting in) include members of Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, The Greyboy Allstars, The Original Wailers, B-Side Players, Jungle Fire, Tiny Universe, Mitchum Yacoub's band, Spacehall Sound Machine, The Neighborhood Kids, Gypsy Sally, Hether, Band of Gringos, The Jazz 88 Allstars, Big Daddy Kane's band, and more. Rising from the ashes of the legendary Adams Gone Funky, Lou Lou's is proud to present: The Funky Resurrection - first Wednesday of every month.

*Doors open at 6pm | 21+ | Seatings available between 6pm & 7pm Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in Fresno, California, Gilbert’s musical career was preordained; the only son to his eponym father, a touring Cumbia band leader, singer and arranger, Gilbert was strongly influenced by his predecessor’s deep appreciation for classical composers and big band jazz ensembles, broadening young Gilbert's horizons from an early age. Gilbert Sr. strongly encouraged Gilbert toward the Jazz genre when at first he showed an interest in trumpet at age 6. By age 11, Gilbert’s intensive training and education provided the context to begin playing professionally, and at age 15 he preformed with mentor and icon Dizzy Gillespie at the Monterrey Jazz Festival. A fierce advocate of formal jazz education, Gilbert held the position of Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music from 2001 to 2013. Thereafter, he served as the Artistic Director of the International Academy of Jazz San Diego from 2014-2016, during which time he began conducting high school workshops and developing a more proactive role in mentorship. During his time visiting Title I schools, he recognized a need for increased accessibility to formal education, noting that many truly gifted students were deprived the opportunities to further their education due to monetary constraints. Thusly, in 2016 Castellanos founded the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory based in San Diego, California. Using his influence in a burgeoning Jazz community, one he is credited in large with establishing, Gilbert began successfully soliciting donations for and supporting thousands of dollars of scholarship to finance Conservatory Education Equity for economically disadvantaged students of promise. To date, the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory has graduated hundreds of bright musicians of diverse backgrounds with Gilbert serving as personal mentor and advocate for each, often writing college recommendation letters and offering every one of his students "real world" experience each Wednesday evening at ensemble performances For more information on our supperclubs, please visit https://www.loulousclub.com/dinnerandashow

*COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+* Zak Najor is a drummer with Grammy participation and is a founding member of The Greyboy Allstars as well as a tenured drummer for Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. He is join by San Diego’s finest jazz musicians including Steve Haney (Jungle Fire), Alex Ciavarelli (guitar), Ian Harland (vibes), Antar Martin (bass), Nakul Tiruviluamala (keys) & Derek Cannon (trumpet).

*GENERAL ADMISSION | 21+ | ALL SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED | NO DINNER SERVICE | DOORS @ 7PM* 'A Full Crate Jam' From Yerevan to Amsterdam, now based in LA, Full Crate is an artist whose sound embodies cultural diversity, emotional honesty, and musical craftsmanship. He draws inspiration from his international journey, blending Indie, R&B, and Modern Pop with timeless songwriting.He first captured international attention with “A Storm on a Summer’s Day,” a heartfelt anthem and career-defining track that set the tone for his genre-bending style. Since then, he has collaborated with Syd (The Internet), D Smoke, and Shakka; made remixes for Beyoncé, Jessie J, and Jungle; and most recently has been creating with Lekan, Ogi, Sabri, K Quick (Team J. Cole), DK the Punisher, and Jaden B Gray, just to name a few.In 2023, Full Crate released his debut album, A Kid From Yerevan, a deeply personal exploration of identity, love, and belonging inspired by his immigrant journey, solidifying his mark as both a storyteller and producer with global reach. His remixes of Jungle’s “Back on 74” and Masego & FKJ’s “Tadow” highlight his instinct for reimagining music with warmth and precision. Through his sold-out shows around the globe, Full Crate has built a community that mirrors his music: soulful, honest, and beautifully human. Instagram: @fullcrate

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ ElectricLouieLand Presents: Sunday Sermons // 1st Sunday of the month jazz night led by Louie V. featuring San Diego and LA’s best players. MAY 3rd is featuring NICOLE McCABE from Los Angeles on alto saxophone. Nicole McCabe is a genre-defying saxophonist and composer bringing the expressive power of modern jazz into dialogue with the sonic worlds of electronic, indie, and experimental music. Through her work as a bandleader, collaborator, and composer, Nicole McCabe continues to expand the possibilities of the saxophone in contemporary music. With a voice that honors the tradition while pushing boldly into new sonic territory, she represents a new generation of artists redefining what modern jazz can be.

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ The Sam Ross Trio brings together three distinct voices from Southern California’s thriving jazz scene, united by a shared commitment to groove, interaction, and modern expression. Led by pianist and composer Sam Ross, the group blends original music with fresh interpretations of the jazz tradition. Ross, a Long Beach native, has performed with artists such as Marcus Miller and John Daversa, and earned national recognition through the Jazz Education Network’s Young Composer Showcase and a 2023 DownBeat Student Award. On bass, David Reynoso anchors the trio with a deep, swinging feel rooted in both tradition and exploration. Reynoso has collaborated with respected figures including Benn Clatworthy and Ron Stout, developing a reputation for his fluid, Mingus-inspired approach. Drummer Matthew Elton Smith completes the trio with a dynamic and expressive voice on the instrument. A performer, educator, and composer, Smith brings a wide stylistic range shaped by his studies at CalArts and work with leading artists across the jazz spectrum. Together, the Sam Ross Trio delivers an engaging, high-level musical conversation rooted in swing, spontaneity, and creativity