Devin Daniels/Julien Knowles Quartet with Jermaine Paul & Christian Euman
Sam First6171 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles 90045-5300
Devin Daniels and Julien Knowles bring their co-led Now Then project to Sam First as a quartet with bassist Jermaine Paul and drummer Christian Euman. The alto saxophone and trumpet partners, classmates turned collaborators, lead a two-horn group that honors jazz history while looking toward a new generation.
Both are Los Angeles-based figures in the city’s creative-music scene, with Daniels from Inglewood. They forged their frontline partnership at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, studying with Billy Childs, Walter Smith III and Hancock, and have performed or toured with artists including Gerald Clayton, Terence Blanchard, Lionel Loueke, Chris Potter and Louis Cole. MetalJazz heard “fast unisons” and “tight harmonies” in their music, calling Daniels’s playing “light, flexible and extremely articulate.”
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.