Sunset Radio Daily Lineup: Live Music, All Day – Every Day & All Night Long Sunset Radio brings you the world’s most exciting all-live music experience
Friday on the Sunset Radio Network: Live Jam, JamFest, MetalMania Live, Tomorrowland Live, Dead Set Live & The Improv Café
Friday Night on the Sunset Radio Network: Live Jam, JamFest, MetalMania Live, Tomorrowland Live, Dead Set Live & The Improv Café
Sunset Radio Network: Today’s Live Music Highlights on JamFest, Live Jam, MetalMania Live, Tomorrowland Live, Dead Set Live, The Improv Cafe’
Sunset Radio Network: Today’s Live Music Highlights on JamFest, Live Jam, MetalMania Live, Tomorrowland Live, Dead Set Live, The Improv Cafe’
Live Jazz Spotlight: Blue Note Expands, New Shows Announced & Tonight’s Live at the Blue Note Broadcast on The Improv Cafe’
At The Improv Cafe’, our radio station spins nothing but the best in live Jazz, Big Band, Swing, and Vocal Jazz — every track you hear is the live version, no exceptions. That’s the magic of real jazz: the raw energy of the stage, the improvisation, the crowd’s response, and the unrepeatable magic of a moment in time. And few venues embody that spirit better than the legendary Blue Note Jazz Clubs, which continue to be a cornerstone of the global live jazz scene.
Tonight on The Improv Cafe’ — Live at The Blue Note Radio Show
Before we dive into the latest Blue Note news, don’t forget — tonight we’re bringing you the Live at The Blue Note Radio Show, a two-hour special featuring music recorded only inside the walls of the world-famous Blue Note Clubs. From New York to Tokyo to Milan and now Los Angeles, every note you’ll hear tonight comes from an authentic live performance captured at a Blue Note stage. Whether the music is sourced from official live albums or archival concert recordings, what you hear is the real thing — pure live jazz at its finest.
Blue Note Los Angeles: A New West Coast Landmark
The biggest Blue Note headline this summer is the long-awaited opening of Blue Note Los Angeles, which debuted on August 14, 2025, right on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The launch night was nothing short of historic: Grammy-winning pianist Robert Glasper headlined with surprise appearances from Ledisi and Terrace Martin, setting the tone for what promises to be a landmark venue for the LA music scene.
Upcoming performances at the new Hollywood club are already stacked with talent:
- Alex Isley
- Andra Day
- Kamasi Washington
- Charlie Puth
- Terrace Martin
- Esperanza Spalding
Adding to the excitement, Blue Note Entertainment Group has partnered with Mastercard to provide premium experiences at the new venue, cementing LA as a must-visit stop for jazz lovers.
Blue Note New York: Where It All Began
The original Blue Note in Greenwich Village (131 West 3rd Street, NYC) continues to prove why it’s the crown jewel of live jazz. Recent highlights include a six-show residency by The Roots, celebrating 30 years since their first album.
The upcoming NYC schedule is no less impressive:
- John Scofield Trio – November 24, 2025
- Keyon Harrold – September 1, 2025
- Dominique Fils-Aime – September 8, 2025
With nightly shows at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm, plus their famous Sunday Jazz Brunch, the NYC Blue Note keeps live music thriving seven days a week. The venue currently holds a 4.2-star rating from over 5,200 Google reviews, a testament to its enduring legacy.
Blue Note Worldwide: The Global Beat of Live Jazz
The Blue Note name resonates across the world, with clubs continuing to host legendary artists and rising stars alike. Here’s a snapshot of upcoming highlights:
- Blue Note Hawaii: Summer performances from Keiko Matsui, Macy Gray, and Tower of Power. Guests also enjoy a full food and drink menu alongside the music.
- Blue Note Beijing (China): Espen Eriksen Trio on September 19, 2025, and Anthony Fung Trio on November 21, 2025.
- Blue Note Tokyo (Japan): A stacked schedule featuring Hiromi, Takana Miyamoto, Pyramid, J.A.M, and Hayato Sumino. The Cecile McLorin Salvant Quartet will also perform August 20–22, 2025.
- Blue Note Columbia (Missouri): Upcoming events include comedy showcases and a special birthday bash with the Mercury Trio.
Blue Note Jazz Festival – Napa 2025
If you’re looking for a festival experience, the Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa Valley is set for August 29–31, 2025. Expect a weekend packed with world-class jazz, wine country vibes, and unforgettable live sets.
Blue Note Records: Keeping Live Jazz Alive on Vinyl
On the recording front, Blue Note Records keeps the spirit of live jazz alive with new releases:
- Horace Silver – “Silver in Seattle: Live At The Penthouse” arrives October 24, 2025.
- Kelela – “In The Blue Light”, recorded live at Blue Note NYC, dropped earlier this year on February 11, 2025.
The Improv Cafe’ Promise: Only Live Jazz, All the Time
At The Improv Cafe’, our commitment remains simple: only live music makes it to the airwaves. Every track we play — from Big Band standards to Swing, from Vocal Jazz to modern improvisations — is the real, unedited, in-the-moment version. No studio tricks, no overdubs, just the authentic sound of musicians connecting with their audience.
And tonight’s Live at The Blue Note Radio Show is the perfect example of that. Tune in and you’ll hear the clinking glasses, the applause, the energy of the room, and above all, the brilliance of live jazz that can never be replicated.
Because here at The Improv Cafe’, we believe: if it’s not live, it’s not jazz.
The Improv Café: Celebrating the Living Legacy of The Village Vanguard
At The Improv Café, every note, every solo, and every standard comes alive because we only play live recordings of Jazz, Big Band, Swing, and Vocal Jazz. No studio takes—just pure performances the way they were meant to be heard. And when you think of legendary live jazz, one venue towers above the rest: The Village Vanguard.
For over 90 years, this intimate club tucked into the heart of Greenwich Village has been the epicenter of live jazz. Its dimly lit atmosphere, red banquettes, and legendary acoustics create a space where music is not just performed, but felt. To say Live at The Village Vanguard is to summon decades of jazz history—the phrase itself has become a cultural landmark, tied to recordings and performances that continue to shape the genre today.
A Stage That Defined Jazz History
The Vanguard’s stage has hosted the greats: John Coltrane’s groundbreaking 1961 residency, captured in The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings (with a new edition arriving October 24, 2025); Bill Evans’ live trio sessions that set the standard for modern piano jazz; and legendary horn players from Sonny Rollins to Wynton Marsalis. More recently, players like Chris Potter, Jakob Bro, Marcus Gilmore, and Bill Stewart have carried the torch, proving the Vanguard is as vital in 2025 as it was in 1961.
Recent Highlights: Linda May Han Oh’s 2025 Residency
In June 2025, Grammy-winning bassist Linda May Han Oh brought her dynamic quintet to the Vanguard for a five-day run featuring Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. Critics hailed the performances as bold yet deeply lyrical, blending modern sensibility with the Vanguard’s timeless intimacy. For many, it was a reminder that the club is not a museum—it’s a living, breathing space for innovation.
Upcoming Performances at The Village Vanguard
The Vanguard calendar is as strong as ever, with a lineup that bridges tradition and forward-thinking artistry:
- Bill Frisell Trio with Thomas Morgan, Rudy Royston, and guest Ambrose Akinmusire – August 19–24, 2025
- Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet (feat. Julian Lage, Asante “Santi” Debriano, Will Calhoun) – August 28–31, 2025
- Bill Charlap – September 11, 2025
- Miguel Zenón Quartet – September 18–21, 2025
- Ravi Coltrane – October 30, 2025
- Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas Sound Prints – November 18–19, 2025
Each of these upcoming shows reflects the Vanguard’s balance of jazz’s deep roots and its ever-expanding branches.
The Vanguard’s Resilience
Like many venues, the Vanguard faced a long silence during the pandemic, closing its doors for nearly two years before reopening in September 2021. Since then, it has reemerged as strong as ever, cementing its place as one of the most important cultural institutions in New York City.
And while other places might borrow its name (such as the unrelated Japanese retail chain “Village Vanguard,” now struggling financially), there is only one Village Vanguard that defines the sound and spirit of live jazz.
Tonight on The Improv Café: Live at the Village Vanguard Radio Show
That brings us to tonight’s feature broadcast: Five continuous hours of classic live jazz recorded at The Village Vanguard. From Coltrane’s fiery improvisations to modern masters like Linda May Han Oh and Vijay Iyer, this program captures the electricity of a Vanguard set without leaving your home.
Tune in Tuesday nights at 10 PM EST for Live at the Village Vanguard Radio Show, exclusively on The Improv Café—the radio station that only plays live Jazz, Big Band, Swing, and Vocal Jazz. Every performance is authentic, every track is live, and every note carries the soul of the stage.
Why The Vanguard Matters
To experience jazz at The Village Vanguard is to feel connected to an unbroken chain of musical brilliance. It’s where experimentation is celebrated, tradition is honored, and every night offers the possibility of history being made. That same spirit is alive here on The Improv Café—where the music is never just played, it’s lived.
Tonight’s Radio Shows on the Sunset Radio Network (Tuesday, August 12, 2025): Live at the Village Vanguard is the show features live performances recorded from the legendary Village Vanguard jazz club
JamFest, Live Jam, MetalMania Live, Tomorrowland Live, Dead Set Live, The Improv Cafe’
Sunset Radio Network Update — August 10, 2025—Tonight: Singing with Swing
Tonight at 8 PM EST: Unplugged Radio Show Enjoy six hours of soul-stirring acoustic performances, heartfelt vocals, and live storytelling. Perfect for a night of musical intimacy and raw emotion.
Unwind with some of the finest vocal jazz artists, perfect for a relaxing Sunday evening filled with smooth swing and soulful melodies.
Welcome to the Friday Night Sunset Radio Network! Here’s what’s airing tonight across our stations, bringing you the best in live music.
Welcome to the Friday Night Sunset Radio Network! Here’s what’s airing tonight across our stations, bringing you the best in live music.
Here is a breakdown of what’s happening tonight, Wednesday, August 6, 2025, on the various stations of the Sunset Radio Network:
JamFest: Tonight is the NRN (New Releases Now) Radio Show. The show will feature a complete playback of the new jazz album “Elemental,” a collaborative work by vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianist Bill Charlap. The album was released on June 13, 2025. Live Jam: “Get the Led Out Live” will air tonight at 10