Six Saturdays of Sunset Sessions You Won’t Want to Miss
Jazz, a golden-hour sky and the Newport Beach breeze on your skin create a recipe for the kind of summer plan that doesn’t require a second invitation. Fashion Island’s beloved Live on the Lawn series is back. This year, it’s bringing the full weight of the Los Angeles jazz scene straight to the Neiman Marcus – Bloomingdale’s Lawn.
Curated by ETA Presents, a collective of LA’s most forward-thinking musicians, the series runs every Saturday from June 13 through Aug. 1, presenting six evenings of live music that blurs the line between concert and experience. Expect musicians ranging from Grammy winners and Monterey Jazz Festival veterans to artists who have toured with everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Jason Mraz. The lawn opens at 3 p.m., music kicks off at 4, and the whole event runs until 7, giving locals the chance to unwind and enjoy for a few hours. Come hungry and make sure to bring a blanket.
The season opens June 13 with A Tribute to Dr. Lonnie Smith. The performance will be led by acclaimed Hammond B-3 organist Wil Blades, a musician the late Dr. Lonnie Smith himself called “the future,” along with era-defining guitarist Jeff Parker, who has recently toured with Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and percussionist John Davis. It’s a masterclass in groove, and it’s happening outdoors in one of Orange County’s most gorgeous open-air settings.
On June 20, welcome Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Danny Janklow and his Elevation Band to the lawn for a high-energy set that pulls from funk, modern jazz and fearless improvisation. Janklow has collaborated with John Legend, Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington, and his band’s performances are the kind that make you forget you’re standing in a shopping center. On June 27, watch guitar duo Millstone Reverie showcase a singular sound that merges Americana storytelling with the freedom of modern jazz. Millstone Reverie features Molly Miller, principal guitarist for Jason Mraz’s touring band, and Adam Levy, whose work appears on Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason.”
July delivers two more must-see nights. On July 18, LA bassist and rising voice Alex Schwarz will lead her trio through original compositions and sharp modern improvisation. With a debut album dropping in fall 2026, this is a set you’ll want to say you witnessed first. Then on July 25, drummer Shawn Baltazor leads an all-star quintet in a tribute to legendary pianist James Williams, drawing deep from the New York jazz tradition while keeping every note of it present and alive.
The series wraps up Aug. 1 with saxophonist Daniel Rotem and his quintet, a performance that captures the full exploratory spirit of the current LA jazz movement. Rotem has played the Hollywood Bowl, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts and the Monterey Jazz Festival, and his band brings together some of the most compelling contemporary voices in the game, including LA alto saxophonist Nicole McCabe, a Herbie Hancock Institute fellow, and trumpeter Juliet Knowles.
Between sets, the music doesn’t stop just because the band takes a break; rather, vinyl DJ sets keep the vibe going with rare grooves and curated jams. Grab-and-go food options will be available from Mendocino Farms, Scratch Bakery Cafe and Bloomingdale’s 59th & Lex Cafe. Drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are also available through Bloomingdale’s 59th & Lex Cafe.
Reservations are required and available through Eventbrite. Plan accordingly for maximum comfort, as blankets are welcome, but lawn chairs are not permitted. Fashion Island’s Live on the Lawn will take place every Saturday from June 13 through Aug. 1, 4–7 p.m.
Ever since she was a child, Ashley Ryan knew she wanted to write. After working on her high school newspaper and college magazine, she graduated with a degree in journalism and anthropology, eager to tell the stories of people and places in Orange County and around the world. Her prolific career as a writer, editor and photographer has led her to write about travel, culture, art, home design and so much more. When not working on her latest piece, she enjoys visiting new places, going to concerts, hiking, doing yoga on the beach, reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams and spending time with beloved friends and family.
