Aaron Akins lands Catalina Jazz Club and LA Jazz Festival dates

Aaron Akins will headline Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on June 18, 2026, then join the Los Angeles Jazz Festival’s “Jazz After Dark” showcase on August 8, 2026. The two appearances put the Chicago-born, Los Angeles–based vocalist alongside major crossover acts and spotlight his growing profile in jazz and contemporary R&B.

Why it matters: - Aaron Akins is adding two marquee Los Angeles dates as he pushes deeper into the jazz and contemporary music scene. - The bookings pair Akins with a festival lineup that includes John Legend, Janelle Monáe, Raphael Saadiq, and Parliament-Funkadelic. - The shows also give Akins a larger platform for his new production, “Into the Cole: A Tribute to Nat King Cole.”

What happened: - Aaron Akins will perform at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Thursday, June 18, 2026. - Akins will also appear at the Los Angeles Jazz Festival’s signature “Jazz After Dark” event on Saturday, August 8, 2026. - The Catalina show will debut “Into the Cole: A Tribute to Nat King Cole” at the venue. - Doors open at 7:00 PM, and showtime is 8:30 PM.

The details: - The Los Angeles Jazz Festival says “Jazz After Dark” will feature John Legend, Janelle Monáe, Raphael Saadiq, and Parliament-Funkadelic. - Festival organizers describe the showcase as a bridge between jazz traditions and contemporary soul, R&B, and funk. - Tickets for Catalina Jazz Club are available through the venue’s box office and TicketWeb. - Priority seating goes to online ticket purchasers. - Festival schedules, artist updates, and passes for the main stages and “Jazz After Dark” are available through the festival’s digital hub. - Aaron Akins directs followers to Spotify, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Linktree for updates. - More information and exclusive updates are available on Aaron Akins’ official website.

Between the lines: - The announcement positions Akins as an artist working across jazz, soul, and R&B while leaning into a classic tribute format. - The festival billing suggests organizers want “Jazz After Dark” to attract both traditional jazz listeners and a broader crossover audience. - Akins said he is honored to join the festival lineup and called it “a powerful celebration of musical expression across generations.”

What’s next: - Akins will take the Catalina Jazz Club stage first, then return to the Los Angeles spotlight at “Jazz After Dark” in August. - His upcoming dates may help build momentum around his latest single, “When Do We Love,” featuring Walter and Wallace Scott of The Whispers. - Akins is continuing to expand his reach across live performance, streaming, film, and television.

The bottom line: - Aaron Akins is using two high-visibility Los Angeles bookings to strengthen his profile as a contemporary jazz vocalist with crossover appeal.