Shows - Lou Lou's

JUSTIN JOYCE - "ALMOST FAMILIAR" & MORE

Thu, Aug 27

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+

Justin Joyce is a versatile drummer/vibraphonist, composer, and educator based in San Diego, California. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University, where he honed his skills in drum set and vibraphone performance. Over the past decade, Justin has performed and recorded with various artists, including Hether, Teagan Taylor, Doug Walker, and After Ours. In 2022, he released his debut album as a bandleader, Story Tales, featuring all original compositions. His work earned him a nomination for "Best Jazz Artist" at the 2023 San Diego Music Awards and he has become a very familiar and friendly face in San Diego’s various music scenes. He released his second album as a leader, Almost Familiar, in late-2025 on Earslime Records and is bringing the band back to Lou Lou’s! Joining him will be the same musicians you hear on the record; Batya MacAdam-Somer (Violin), Bradley Nash & Travis Klein (Flutes), Paul Castelluzzo (Guitar), Ed Kornhauser (Piano/Organ), Sean Hicke (Bass), Steve Haney (Percussion), and some SPECIAL GUESTS. Come join the party, hear Almost Familiar and More LIVE, and immerse yourself in melodies and grooves that will make you feel déjà vu.

Joining him will be the same musicians you hear on the record; Batya MacAdam-Somer (Violin), Bradley Nash & Travis Klein (Flutes), Paul Castelluzzo (Guitar), Ed Kornhauser (Piano/Organ), Sean Hicke (Bass), and Steve Haney (Percussion) & special guests. Come join the party, hear Almost Familiar LIVE, and immerse yourself in melodies and grooves that will make you feel déjà vu.

CHARLIE CHAVEZ Y SU AFROTRUKO

Fri, Aug 28

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+

Afrotruko takes its name from two powerful ideas: Afro, representing the deep African roots at the heart of Latin music, and Truko — the trick, the magic. Just as African rhythm has always been the hidden force beneath the melody, the "truko" speaks to the alchemy of live performance — that unpredictable moment when musicians transform the unexpected into something extraordinary, an improvised and transcendant expression. When a band member can't make the show, you don't panic. You make magic. That's the Afrotruko spirit. Founded around 2003 by Carlos "Charlie" Chávez, Roberto Wence, and Magui Morales, Afrotruko is a binational orchestra rooted in both Tijuana and San Diego, bringing together an extraordinary cast of musicians from across the Americas — horn players, a Cuban bassist (Ignacio Arango), and percussionists from Puerto Rico, Panamá, Venezuela, and Perú. At the helm is Musical Director Charlie Chávez — a virtuoso percussionist born in Juchitán, Oaxaca, and shaped by the rich Cuban and Caribbean rhythms of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. A graduate of the Conservatory of Music at the University of Xalapa, Charlie has shared the stage with legends including Celia Cruz, Paquito D'Rivera, and Poncho Sanchez, and is widely regarded as one of Southern California's most important Latin percussionists. His deep reverence for the classic tradition drives Afrotruko's sound and soul. That sound is inspired by and rooted in the golden era: 1970s salsa, Cuban contemporary style, Palladium-era mambo, romantic bolero, and chachachá — honoring the giants who came before while keeping the music alive and electric on stage today. Influences: Ray Barretto · Rubén Blades · Willie Colón · NG La Banda · Fania All-Stars · Típica 73 · Orquesta Coatzacoalcos · Celia Cruz · Tito Puente Afrotruko has opened concerts for Rubén Blades (2012, 30th Anniversary of CECUT), Óscar D'León (2012, 4th & B), and Grupo Niche (2013), and has performed in the Organ Pavilion as part of the City of San Diego's summer concert series for over 10 years.

THE PURPLE THRILLER: PRESENTED BY THE B LINE (vol. 2)

Sat, Aug 29

*GENERAL ADMISSION | 21+ | 2 SHOWS - 7PM & 10PM | NO DINNER SERVICE*

The B Line are a San Diego funk collective that pays tribute to the titans of classic funk and soul. Coming off of their Earth Wind and Wonder tribute night at Lou Lous, The B Line returns with a fresh new double tribute experience honoring the timeless grooves of Michael Jackson and Prince. Iconic hits, tight pocket, and good grooves guaranteed to keep the dance floor packed

KARLOS PAEZ

Sun, Aug 30

COMPLIMENTARY ENTRY | NO RESERVATION REQUIRED | SEATING ON A FIRST-ARRIVAL BASIS | NO DINNER SERVICE | 21+ Karlos Paez was born July 22, 1972 and raised in Tijuana, Mexico by his mother Refugio Mujica from Tecate, MX and Father Ezequiel Paez from El Recodo, Sinaloa. His father Ezequiel Paez is a world-renowned trombone player and musical arranger who spent 17 years in Los Moonlights from Tijuana and 10 years in La Banda El Recodo. Paez, Sr. composed and arranged music for Banda El Recodo, Los Recoditos, La Arrolladora Banda Limon de Rene Camacho, Diana Reyes, Rey Sanchez, Nico Flores, Ezequiel Peña, Banda Astilleros, Banda el Recreo, Banda Carnaval, Pedro Infante, El Coyote, Patricia Navidad, Banda La Costeña, & Marisela.  While he was still in grammar school, Karlos heard the music of Bob Marley & Carlos Santana; he started playing guitar, trombone, trumpet, and began to write songs. He met the musicians that would become the first incarnation of The B*Side Players in an African Drumming class at Southwestern Community College in San Diego in 1994. “We were all playing with bands in the local funk, punk rock, and acid jazz scene in the early 90s,” Paez recalls. “When we started playing together, our sound was different because we brought an Afro-Latin edge to the music.”  Karlos Paez has recorded and collaborated with Akwid, Poncho Sanchez, Fred Wesley, Big B, War, Ozomatli, Quetzal, Brian Jordan, Harold Todd, Mike Clark & The Headhunters, P.O.D., DJ Unite, Elijah Emmanuel & The Revelations, Hyena & Gilbert Castellanos. After 31 years, Karlos Paez is still touring and recording with the B*Side Players but has made time to produce and create many other musical projects. As the lead singer and songwriter of Maiz, Chula Vista Soldier Club, Black Market Disciples, Sonido De La Frontera and Solrak and the New Aztec Empire, Karlos Paez has also recorded his own solo record Music, Culture, Love. With the help of San Diego’s most talented musicians and producer/musician Bryan Stratman, the record delivers organic, soulful, cosmic grooves with conscious lyrics inspired by the MUSIC, CULTURE, and LOVE of Karlos Paez.

THE FUNKY RESURRECTION

Wed, Sep 02

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.

Lou Lou's's Upcoming Shows