"Drum week" Presents: Jaz Sawyer Quartet Honors 3 Kings: Art Blakey, Roy Haynes & Billy Higgins
Sam First6171 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles 90045-5300
Drum Week presents the Jaz Sawyer Quartet in a program honoring three defining jazz drummers: Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, and Billy Higgins. The billed quartet is the focus of the night, with the tribute framing the set around the musical legacies of these three figures. No additional performers or special guests are listed for the evening.
Jaz Sawyer leads the quartet, though the supplied material does not provide further biographical details, personnel, hometown, past collaborators, recordings, or critical commentary. The concert’s three honorees point to a deep jazz lineage: Blakey, Haynes, and Higgins each represent a distinct and influential approach to the drum chair, and the program is explicitly dedicated to their work. At Sam First, a Los Angeles listening room presenting modern and straight-ahead jazz, the quartet has space to explore that lineage in a setting designed for close attention to the band’s interplay.
Sam First offers a rare jazz experience where the absence of an elevated stage brings you close enough to feel the music’s pulse and the musicians’ subtle exchanges. The room’s acoustics are finely tuned, enhanced by a prized Yamaha C7x grand piano, making every note clear from any seat. The venue’s design encourages attentive listening, with seating arranged to foster connection between audience and performers. A well-stocked cocktail bar serves serious drinks alongside local beers and fine wines, complementing the music without overwhelming it. Shows run five nights a week, mostly ticketed and often live streamed, inviting both local jazz lovers and remote fans. The vibe is focused yet relaxed, perfect for an evening where the music takes center attention and conversation yields to the sound. This is a place where jazz is both tradition and innovation, inviting you to witness it up close.