We’re thrilled to welcome acclaimed bassist and composer Emma Dayhuff to Motivo on Friday, August 14 for a very special concert.

TICKETS >>>

the Ensemble

• Emma Dayhuff — Bass

• LoloKamill — Voice

• Devin Daniels — Alto Saxophone

• Andrew Renfroe — Guitar

• Luca Mendoza — Piano

• Myles Martin — drums

Tickets:

Doors: 7:45pm

Show: 8:30 - 10:00pm

One set. Open seating.

General admission: $30.00 pre-sale | $35.00 at the door

Student Price: $15.00

Limited parking on site on first come, first serve basis. Additional parking spaces available on Casitas Ave and Minneapolis St. Lots of street parking, safe and walkable neighborhood!

About Emma Dayhuff

Emma Dayhuff is a dynamic bassist and composer renowned for her soulful playing and innovative approach. With a performance career spanning over two decades, she has shared the stage with jazz luminaries such as Herbie Hancock, David Murray, Cecile McLorin Salvant, and Patricia Barber.

Rooted in Chicago’s rich avant-garde tradition, Emma’s musical style is deeply influenced by mentors Vincent Davis, Kahil El’Zabar, and Robert Irving III. Her playing seamlessly blends elements of jazz, experimental improvisation, and contemporary music, creating a unique and captivating sonic experience. 

Emma is an educator committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians.  Her teaching philosophy, cultivated under the guidance of bass masters Ron Carter, Gerald Cannon, and Peter Dominguez, emphasizes technical proficiency, cultural understanding, musicality, and creativity. A Doctor of Musical Arts, she is an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and is on faculty at the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass and the Richard Davis Young Bassists Foundation.

Her journey, from the rugged landscapes of Montana to the vibrant heart of the global music scene, is a testament to her unwavering passion and artistic vision.

We’re thrilled to welcome duo Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruiz to Motivo on Friday, October 16 for a very special concert.

TICKETS >>>

the Ensemble

TBA

Tickets:

Doors: 7:45pm

Show: 8:30 - 10:00pm

One set. Open seating.

General admission: $30.00 pre-sale | $35.00 at the door

Student Price: $15.00

Limited parking on site on first come, first serve basis. Additional parking spaces available on Casitas Ave and Minneapolis St. Lots of street parking, safe and walkable neighborhood!

About Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruiz

Catina DeLuna and Otmaro Ruiz are two world-renowned forces in the contemporary jazz and world music scenes. Born in Brazil and raised in a musical household of overnight saraus, DeLuna is an accomplished vocalist and pianist holding a Master of Musical Arts. She spent her early career co-founding two award-winning musical groups in Brazil before moving to the United States. Venezuelan-born Ruiz is a virtuosic pianist, composer, and educator with an Honorary Doctorate, who relocated to Los Angeles in 1989. He quickly became a premier keyboardist, performing globally with legends like John McLaughlin and serving as musical director for Dianne Reeves on her 2001 GRAMMY-winning album.

Both artists are celebrated for pushing boundaries, combining deep cultural roots with extensive academic backgrounds. DeLuna masterfully fuses jazz with traditional Brazilian music, delivering evocative performances shaped by her warm timbre, emotive phrasing, and native connection to the language. Ruiz possesses a rare ability to command both the acoustic piano and electronic synthesizers, navigating seamlessly between straight-ahead jazz, salsa, and electric fusion. He has released several solo albums, scored film soundtracks, and taught at top institutions like the University of Southern California, while both continue to lead masterclasses worldwide.

Their artistic synergy reached a peak with the co-led album Catina DeLuna & Lado B: Brazilian Project featuring Otmaro Ruiz. Arranged and produced by Ruiz, the project offered a sophisticated reimagining of Brazilian music that earned a 2016 GRAMMY nomination. Ruiz followed this success with a double Latin GRAMMY nomination in 2019 for his electric fusion album Elemental. Based in Los Angeles, this powerful musical partnership continues to deliver world-class performances, bridging traditional South American rhythms and contemporary jazz on global stages.

We’re thrilled to welcome Sam Hirsh to Motivo on Friday, November 20th for a very special concert.

TICKETS >>>

the Ensemble

TBA

Tickets:

Doors: 7:45pm

Show: 8:30 - 10:00pm

One set. Open seating.

General admission: $30.00 pre-sale | $35.00 at the door

Student Price: $15.00

Limited parking on site on first come, first serve basis. Additional parking spaces available on Casitas Ave and Minneapolis St. Lots of street parking, safe and walkable neighborhood!

About Sam Hirsh

Pianist, composer and educator Sam Hirsh has been an active member of the Los Angeles jazz community for over a decade and is gaining recognition for his soulful, energetic sound.

Sadamu Samuel Hirsh was born in Kyoto, Japan. He and his family moved to Portland, Oregon, USA, when he was four years old. Sam started playing piano shortly after, and eventually acquired classical training. He began playing jazz his freshman year of high school and one year later was working professionally, leading his own piano trio and working with various local artists. 

In 2009, Hirsh moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music where he was mentored by Alan Pasqua, Russ Ferrante and Otmaro Ruiz. He can be seen playing as the leader of the Sam Hirsh Trio/ Quartet and as a sideman with John Clayton, Willie Jones III, Charles McPherson, Terrace Martin, Gilbert Castellanos, Ralph Moore, Chuck Redd and John Holiday, among others. Sam has performed at many notable venues including Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, SF Jazz Joe Henderson Lab and Mezzrow Jazz Club.

Hirsh’s debut album Quite Frankly (2020), featuring saxophone icon Ralph Moore and bassist John Webber made JazzWeek Radio Chart’s top 20. His second album Quarantine Dreams (2022), features the immense talent of various Los Angeles based artists. Hirsh aims to carry on the tradition of this art form and simultaneously create his own voice in the music.

Sam is also a dedicated educator. Along with a thriving private practice, since 2017, he has accompanied UCLA undergraduate Jazz Vocal classes with Ruth Price and Luciana Souza. Hirsh was named piano faculty at the first annual Quincy Jones Jazz Camp in the summer of 2019 and was invited to be on faculty of the COJAC Monterey Jazz Festival Summer Camp alongside Gerald Clayton and Katie Thiroux in 2020. In 2024, he accepted a faculty position at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. He has given masterclasses at several institutions internationally.