The Brand Summer Music Series, an outdoor concert series located at the Brand Library & Art Center, begins on July 11. Concert attendees often bring their own chairs and picnic amenities and sit on the grassy hill. Please note that alcohol is prohibited.
Performances begin at 7 p.m. and is appropriate for children and families. Admission is free. Seats are not provided. Performances run 60 – 90 minutes without intermission.
The Brand Summer Music Series began in 2014 and is supported by the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission, through funding from the Urban Art Program, with support from Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, Glendale Community Services and Parks, and the Brand Associates.
July 11 – Jazz Fusion by the Katja Rieckermann Group
Katja Rieckermann is a true “horn star.” Born and raised in Luebeck, a small town in the north of Germany, she didn’t start playing the saxophone until she was 21. That’s also when she moved to Hamburg to study music. Restless and looking for a challenge, she eventually made it to Hollywood, California, the starting point of so many successful careers. Rieckermann continues to perform and selling out her shows with her all star band playing her original material in legendary jazz clubs like the Baked Potato and Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz. All of her music is available on all streaming outlets.
July 18 – World Music by the Ara Dabandjian Quartet
The Ara Dabandjian Quartet is a captivating ensemble founded by composer and multi-instrumentalist Ara Dabandjian, blending the sounds of accordion, cello, guitar and contrabass into a unique fusion of global musical traditions. With a sound that transcends cultural boundaries, the quartet’s performances evoke a magical atmosphere, transforming any event into a memorable experience. The ensemble’s combination of rich textures and energetic rhythms creates a powerful presence that resonates deeply with listeners. From evocative folk tunes to vibrant, modern arrangements, Ara Dabandjian Quartet’s performances are a celebration of both tradition and innovation.
July 25 – Forró by Ted Falcon and the Forrozeiros
Forró is a catch-all term for a number of different dance and music genres and styles from rural northeastern Brazil. Originally any music for a dance event with percussion and singing was called forró. The Forrozeiros were formed in 2023 and have performed throughout the Los Angeles area. In 2024, they had a year-long residency at the Harmony Room in Eagle Rock, as well as performing in city festivals in Culver City and West Los Angeles. The group features renown Brazilian musicians Mika Mutti, Clarice Cast, Natalia Spadini and Leo Nobre.
Aug. 1 – Indie Pop/Rock by ZOS!MO
ZOS!MO is the singer-songwriter moniker of award-winning Filipino American fictionist, poet, playwright and culture bearer Zosimo Quibilan. His band, also named ZOS!MO, exclusively plays original Tagalog indie pop/rock with songs from Quibilan’s rock opera “Liwanag” about the 1896 Philippine Revolution vs. Spain and the ensuing American colonization. ZOS!MO is the first Filipino American rock band to appear on NPR Music’s 2025 Tiny Desk Contest #DeskoftheDay. Its entry, “Nagbabadyang Liwanag” (“Imminent Light”) is the first Tagalog song recognized this year. ZOS!MO was a featured artist on LA Made (2023-2024) and performed in public libraries across LA County promoting Filipino American culture.
Aug. 8 – Americana Folk Rock by Rose’s Pawn Shop
Rose’s Pawn Shop makes Americana-folk rock music inflected with the pulsing, vibrant energy of the players’ hometown of Los Angeles, interwoven with strains of old-time Appalachian folk, country and bluegrass, and infused with poetic lyrics gleaned from hard lessons learned and years on the road. The band delivers folk rock strains of banjo, fiddle and four-part vocal harmonies with super-charged electric guitar, thumping stand-up bass and driving percussion. This arsenal of sound is all held together by frontman Paul Givant’s vocals and songwriting which make folk archetypes new, and bring personal experiences to life with lyrics that are alternately incisive, exuberant, whip-smart and heart-breaking.
Aug. 15 – French Chanson by Jessica Fichot
Accompanied by her accordion, toy piano and fiery band, Los Angeles-based chanteuse and songwriter Jessica Fichot draws from her multi-ethnic French/Chinese/American heritage to create an intoxicating multilingual fusion of French chanson, Shanghai jazz, gypsy swing and international folk. Born in the U.S. but Paris-raised, Fichot has charmed audiences around the world – performing her lively songs in China, Singapore, Mexico, Canada and across the U.S. and Western Europe. She also writes music for educational programs and indie video games. Featuring scorching performances from her bandmates on clarinet, upright bass and guitar, as well as her beautiful vocals in French, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and English, Fichot’s music is truly a dazzling trans-world journey.
Aug. 22 – Jazz by Citizen Kitten
Your favorite songs – completely reimagined. Citizen Kitten is a Los Angeles-based jazz group known for its bold blend of classic sophistication and contemporary edge. Founded in 2016 by drummer Paul Tavenner, lead singer Amanda Achen, bassist Jon Keenan and guitarist Matt Berger, Citizen Kitten has been delighting audiences in the greater Los Angeles area for years with their fusion of straight-ahead charm and contemporary sensibility, offering sultry renditions of hits by Led Zeppelin, Daft Punk, Soundgarden, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and more. These seasoned veterans of the studio and stage will surprise and redefine the audience’s musical experience with their innovative arrangements that transcend genres with a distinctive and sophisticated allure, perfect for all ages and musical backgrounds.
Aug. 29 – World Chamber Jazz by Quarteto Nuevo
Quarteto Nuevo merges western classical, eastern European folk, Latin and jazz with an organic feel that packs a wallop! The ensemble’s razor-sharp precision is enhanced by jazzy interludes, lightly rumbling percussion motifs and mesmerizing rhythms. They effectively meld the music of ancient worlds and faraway places with a contemporary groove that enchants audiences of all ages! Winners of the Beverly Hills National Auditions, Quarteto’s master musicians create emotionally-charged soundscapes with instruments and sensibilities that represent very different world cultures. Its unique instrumentation – soprano saxophone/alto flute (Damon Zick), cello (Jacob Szekely), guitar (Kenton Youngstrom) and hand percussion (Felipe Fraga) – richly colors its wide-ranging repertoire.
The Brand Library & Art Center is located at 1601 W. Mountain St. in Glendale.
Images provided by Brand Summer Music Series
