Helen Sung Oracles Quartet with Bob Reynolds, Reuben Rogers & Anthony Fung
Sam First6171 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles 90045-5300
Helen Sung brings her Oracles Quartet to Sam First with Bob Reynolds, Reuben Rogers and Anthony Fung. The piano, saxophone, bass and drums group distills music from Sung’s 2026 big-band album Oracles, a tribute to the jazz mentor-teachers she studied with at the Monk Institute, alongside music by “a living oracle (or two).”
Originally from Houston and now based in New York City, Sung has performed with Clark Terry, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terri Lyne Carrington and the Mingus Big Band. The New York Times has described her playing as marked by “crisp swing and elegant invention,” while London Jazz News praised her “piano playing at a quite unbelievably jaw-dropping level.”
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.