A fresh jazz event just kicked off in one of Los Angeles’ cultural hubs.
On Thursday, June 25, 2026, Somerville in Windsor Hills launched their Sessions on Slauson series with “A Conversation Between Eras.” The restaurant cleared its tables to make room for a crowd to dance, drink, and intimately interact with the performers. The inaugural event was hosted by singer and Oliver Award-winning artist Amber Riley with performers from Gabriel Garzón-Montano, Aziza Love, and Brandon Rose.
Issa Rae, Somerville co-owner and star of Insecure, was in the audience for the event. The energy in the building was electric and alive. At one point in the evening, Aziza Love performed an acoustic rendition of Yung Miami’s “Spend Dat” on her guitar, and the crowd lit up and sang along while Rae whipped out her phone to record.
“Somerville was inspired by the history of the jazz scene on Central Ave that started 100 years ago. When we learned what transpired during that period, we wanted to recreate the intention through the experience we’ve built on Slauson,” said Ajay Relan, co-founder and co-owner of Somerville, in a statement.
Riley seconded the statement during the event, noting that the restaurant takes its name from the original Hotel Somervile, or Dunbar Hotel, which is a cultural institution not just of the jazz scene, but of L.A. History.
“Built in 1928 by John and Vada Somerville, the Dunbar became the heart of Central Avenue’s legendary jazz scene, welcoming artists including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Lena Horne, and countless others whose contributions shaped American music,” reads a press release. “Today, Somerville carries that legacy forward as a commitment to creating contemporary spaces where culture can continue to thrive.”
Another session is expected to be announced soon.
📍Somerville, 4437 W. Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
