*The Hollywood Bowl hosted the 2026 Blue Note Jazz Festival presented by LA Phil. The legacy of the Playboy Jazz Festival lives on under the newest brand partner The Blue Note. The nation’s most historic and coveted jazz stage is the Hollywood Bowl. It is an ever-blooming platform of artistic culture infused with both local and internationally acclaimed talent.
This year’s Blue Note two-day line up included Wyclef Jean, Robert Glaster, the Los Angeles Unified School District Beyond the Bell All City Jazz Band directed by Mr. Tony White, the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz directed by Dr. JB Dyas, Patti Labelle, Gregory Porter, Samara Joy and Cimafunk. Thousands of jazz fans crowded the arena complete with various feasts anticipating the sunset and the mesmerizing music that followed. The effervescent host was Arsenio Hall, who introduced acts onto the John Williams stage.
Among the Blue Note Jazz Festival highlights was the performance of Cimafunk. Named after their lead singer, Cimafunk was accompanied by The Tribe, an eight-piece band that blended funk, Cuban, Afro-Caribbean and Hip Hop into a potluck of musical bliss. Cimafunk’s lead vocals were reminiscent of Fela Kuti, James Brown and even George Clinton. Meanwhile, Hilaria Cacao (trombonist) and Katy Cacao (saxophonist) sizzled as two triple threat brass mavens who sang and danced while playing their horns, much to the audience’s delight.
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Samara Joy intoned the quintessence of all the jazz divas of days gone by, while effortlessly interweaving her own style. Samara glided through every musical note on the scale from sultry riffs to gritty bellows in a set list that included hits from Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. The chanteuse was flawless.
Gregory Porter was a supreme balladeer treating the audience to his signature hits “Liquid Spirit,” “Musical Genocide,” and “Take Me to the Alley.” Queen Diva Patti LaBelle closed out the night with fiery vocals, a tight band and all the fanfare and elegance befitting the six-decade legendary performer that she is.
A touching moment was Ms. LaBelle’s tribute song “You Are My Friend. The large screen showed a montage of greats that are no longer with us. All of whom were Patti’s friends. All left an indelible music imprint on the world. The short list is Quincy Jones, Phyllis Hyman, Whitney Houston, Prince, Michael Jackson, Nancy Wilson and Natalie Cole. It puts another perspective on the fact that Patti LaBelle is still performing at 82.
The Hollywood Bowl was the main stage, but jam sessions were also held at the Blue Note night club in Hollywood during the festival’s weekend.
For more on upcoming acts performing at the Blue Note visit: Blue Note Los Angeles
For more on LA Phil’s summer line up visit: LA Phil | Home
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