BRAND SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
OVERVIEW
The Brand Summer Music Series is an outdoor concert series located at the Brand Library and Art Center. Concert attendees often bring their own chairs and picnic amenities and sit on the grassy hill. Please note that alcohol is prohibited. Performances may be experienced by children and families. 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.
2025 SERIES SCHEDULE
All concerts are Friday nights at 7:00 PM. Admission is free.
Join us for eclectic live music outside on the lawn behind the Brand Library. Visitors are welcome to bring a chair or blanket and picnic on the grassy hillsides in Brand Park. Seats are not provided. Performances run 60 - 90 minutes without intermission.
Katja Rieckermann Group
Friday, July 11, 2025
Jazz Fusion
Talented Katja Rieckermann truly is a “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. Katja 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.
Ara Dabandjian Quartet
Friday, July 18, 2025
World Music
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.
Ted Falcon and the Forrozeiros
Friday, July 25, 2025
Forró
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.
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ZOS!MO
Friday, August 1, 2025
Indie Pop / Rock
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. Their 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.
Rose's Pawn Shop
Friday, August 8, 2025
Americana Folk Rock
Rose’s Pawn Shop makes Americana-Folk-Rock music inflected with the pulsing, vibrant energy of their hometown 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 4-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.
Jessica Fichot
Friday, August 15, 2025
French Chanson
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 US but Paris-raised, Jessica has charmed audiences around the world – performing her lively songs in China, Singapore, Mexico, Canada, and across the US 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.
Citizen Kitten
Friday, August 22, 2025
Jazz
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 your audience's musical experience with their innovative arrangements that transcend genres with a distinctive and sophisticated allure, perfect for all ages and musical backgrounds.
Quarteto Nuevo
Friday, August 29, 2025
World Chamber Jazz
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. Their unique instrumentation – soprano saxophone/alto flute (Damon Zick), cello (Jacob Szekely), guitar (Kenton Youngstrom) and hand percussion (Felipe Fraga) – richly colors their wide-ranging repertoire.