Long before the 2011 opening of The Soraya, CSUN Jazz Studies was a national standard bearer – winning awards and training the next generation of artists. Since opening its doors, The Soraya has furthered CSUN’s profile with a nonstop procession of jazz greats performing in both The Soraya’s Great Hall and its innovative Jazz Club.
Now, the annual Jazz at Naz festival has been recognized as one of the best winter jazz festivals on the West Coast as well as the jazz epicenter in Los Angeles. Jazz at Naz has showcased major debuts for emerging artists such as two-time Grammy winner Samara Joy and created a home for the world’s jazz legends such as John Pizzarelli, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Chucho Valdés, and Charles Lloyd, and turned the spotlight on influential crossover artists such as Bobby and Taylor McFerrin, Diana Krall, Jon Batiste, Gregory Porter, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall.
The Soraya’s main stage with 1700 seats has become home to the Big Band sound with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, The Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks, Buena Vista Social Club, and Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Orchestra.
Its pioneering Jazz Club, a unique and intimate setting for jazz performances complete with food and drink, is built on The Soraya’s main stage and has featured a wide breadth of talent, including Terence Blanchard, Gerald Clayton, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Luciana Souza, Antonio Sánchez, Lisa Fischer, Booker T. Jones, and Vijay Iyer.
Since the inception of the festival The Soraya’s multi-camera live streaming expands availability for audiences around the world. The virtual streams feature behind-the-scenes content and backstage interviews with the artists, in addition to the complete concert.
The 2025 lineup kicks off Saturday, February 1, with Pacific Jazz Orchestra with Grammy Award-winning and two-time Tony nominated Broadway and West End star Eva Noblezada
Alto Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin and her quartet Phoenix perform at the Jazz Club on Wednesday, February 5 and Thursday, February 6.
Revered master of the upright bass Christian McBride and Ursa Major take the stage on Friday, February 7, and Saturday, February 8.
Jason Moran, pianist, will return to The Soraya for the fourth time and will play Duke Ellington with the CSUN Jazz “A” Band on Thursday, February 13.
Vocalist Kurt Elling will celebrate modern jazz act Weather Report with original band member and special guest Peter Erskine on Saturday, February 15. The double feature will also showcase L.A.’s own Yellowjackets,
Iraker brings to The Soraya two of its original band members, Chucho Valdés and Arturo Sandoval on Thursday, February 20.
All performances take place at 8 pm at The Soraya’s Jazz Club, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, on the campus of CSUN.
For tickets to Jazz at Naz or other performances visit thesoraya.org or call (818) 677-3000.
