LA County: Jazz Jam Brings the Heat to DTLA

Every week a New Orleans-themed joint tucked onto a side street in Downtown LA's Art District attracts Jazz cats from all over the city for their Monday night jam. NOLA's has become a long overdue haven for musicians of different backgrounds and levels of experience looking to hone their chops. 

Jacques Lesure, a guitarist from Detroit who’s played with big names like Les McCann and George Benson, is the man behind it all. 

photo courtesy of: Craig Johnson, http://illtakeyourpicture.com/

He wanted to create a place where Jazz musicians could support one another in cultivating their craft. Everyone from college students to longtime players who have recorded with legends like Theolonious Monk can be seen sitting together on stage. Jacques' only rule is that everyone who performs has to take themselves and their fellow musicians seriously. Everyone is expected to give each tune their all. They always do. 

If you just stumbled upon it you'd never know that most of the musicians have never played together before. The talent is extraordinary and the diverse crowd always makes for an interesting show. 

It's also a great spot to grab some dinner. Their Cordon Bleu-trained chef Edric Ocampo whips up mouth-watering Big Easy specialties like jambalaya and shrimp etouffee. Take a bite and close your eyes, you might just think for a minute you're sitting in the French Quarter.