Nicole McCabe (alto saxophone), Gerald Clayton (piano), Justin Brown (drums), Logan Kane (bass)

Nicole McCabe is a Los Angeles-based alto saxophonist, composer, and educator whose music moves fluidly between hard bop roots, electronic experimentation, and cinematic lyricism. A product of Portland State University and USC’s Thornton School of Music — where she studied under Vince Mendoza, Patrice Rushen, and Russell Ferrante — McCabe has quickly established herself as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary jazz. Her live performances are intimate yet expansive, drawing audiences into a sound world that feels both deeply personal and genre-defying. Her accolades speak to an artist on the rise. In 2022, McCabe’s quintet took first place at the prestigious Keep an Eye International Jazz Award competition at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where she also won Best Non-Conservatory Student Soloist. That same year, she was named the recipient of the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Jeff Clayton Memorial New Note Award. She has since performed at the Kennedy Center as part of Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead residency, studying under acclaimed pianist and producer Jason Moran, who later produced her 2026 album Color Theory.

A seasoned international performer, McCabe tours Europe two or more times a year, bringing her sound to some of the continent’s most respected stages and festivals. Her European credits include the North Sea Jazz Festival, Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Jamboree (Barcelona), G Live Lab and Logomo (Finland), Teatro Bibiena (Italy), Victoria Eugene Club, Birdland Jazz Club (Germany), Jazz Studio Nürnberg, Le Singe and Moods (Switzerland). She is the kind of artist European venues actively seek out — an artist with a distinct voice, a growing international profile, and the live command to make every room feel like a destination. McCabe’s discography reflects an artist who never stands still. From her 2020 debut Introducing Nicole McCabe to the West Coast-inspired Landscapes (Fresh Sound New Talent), the electronic solo work of A Song to Sing (Colorfield Records, 2025), and her latest Color Theory (2026) — featuring collaborators Adam O’Farrill, Christie Dashiell, and Justin Brown — each release has pushed her sound into new territory. She has shared stages with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jeff Parker, Louis Cole, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Patrice Rushen, and is a D’Addario Woodwinds artist with an active and ever-expanding presence on both sides of the Atlantic

All shows at Sam First are 21+ (no one under the age of 21 will be permitted)

Show Times: 7:30pm & 9:30pm, and a separate ticket is required for each show.

Notice of Recording: Sam First live streams and records all concerts. By entering Sam First, you understand that your image and/or voice might be included in those recordings. Sam First reserves the right to use any photography, video or audio recording taken at this event, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video.