Metro Art x LACMA Present: KJazz Tracks

Note: RSVP recommended but not required. Seating on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 40 visitors to present their TAP cards to the Metro Art info table will receive a free Metro Art giveaway.

In celebration of April’s Jazz Appreciation Month, Metro Art, LACMA and KJazz 88.1 FM come together for the return of KJazz Tracks at Union Station. Hosted by KJazz DJ José Rizo, the free, open-to-all concert will take place Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM inside Union Station’s iconic Ticket Concourse. The evening will feature a dynamic lineup of live jazz performances led by New Orleans legend Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, with supporting sets from music artists Emi Secrest and Merges.

Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen have spent more than three decades at the forefront of New Orleans’ ever-evolving musical landscape, delivering the grit, funk, and joy that define the city’s sound. A Grammy Award–winning pianist, vocalist, and songwriter, Cleary was born in London and moved to New Orleans before the age of twenty, where he immersed himself in the Crescent City’s musical traditions. Over the years he has performed with legends including Earl King, Johnny Adams, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Snooks Eaglin, Ernie K-Doe, Jessie Hill, and Dr. John, and later toured extensively with artists such as Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal. Backed by his acclaimed band—the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, anchored by longtime collaborators Cornell Williams and A.J. Hall and joined by an all-star lineup of musicians—Cleary delivers a rich, horn-driven sound rooted in the deep traditions of New Orleans funk and R&B, a living musical lineage shaped by generations of players and audiences alike.

Emi Secrest is a powerhouse soul singer and songwriter whose Southern roots and modern artistry have led her to stages with Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Macy Gray, and Kanye West. A 66thGrammy nominee alongside Cory Henry for Live at the Piano, Emi’s voice has been featured on national campaigns, major TV shows, and most recently on Juicy J’s Jazz Album with Robert Glasper and Keyon Harrold. In 2025, she delivered a standout performance at the Grand Opening of Blue Note Los Angeles, returned to Blue Note NYC, and continued expanding her national footprint while preparing her anticipated album The Colors of Love. With a sound that blends Tennessee soul, jazz, and modern R&B Emi Secrest is a rising force redefining contemporary soul music.

Merges is carving her own distinctive path through the alternative R&B landscape, listed by Pigeons & Planes as one of the "Artists to Watch in 2025." Drawing from a rich palette of influences, she's created a sound that defies easy categorization, blending genres with an effortless fluidity. Born and raised in South Dakota, Merges moved to Nashville at 16 before relocating to Los Angeles. She weaves intricate melodies with poetic, honest lyrics over dreamy sonic landscapes. Her breakout track "cool_v2" has amassed over 16 million cumulative streams, while a feature on Joe Kay's debut solo EP and support from BBC Radio 1Xtra have introduced her distinctive sound to wider audiences. Balancing mainstream appeal with uncompromising artistry, Merges continues to attract both critical praise and a growing audience, a combination that hints at far greater achievements ahead.

enhances the customer experience with innovative, award-winning visual and performing arts programming that encourages ridership and connects people, sites, and neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County. A diverse range of site-specific artworks is integrated into the growing Metro system, improving the visual quality of transit environments and creating a sense of place. From photography installations to onboard posters, art tours, and live performances, our multi-faceted arts programs add vibrancy and engage communities throughout Los Angeles. Learn about artworks in the Metro system at . Follow Metro Art on , , , and sign up for the Metro Art to learn about upcoming art opportunities, events, exhibitions and more.

Since its opening in 1939, has long been considered one of LA’s architectural gems and a vital portal to the promise of the California Dream. The station was designed with an innovative blend of Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival and Art Deco architecture now commonly referred to as Mission Moderne. The bustling 52-acre transportation hub sits in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles offering essential connections to destinations throughout Southern California. An iconic landmark, the Station serves as a vibrant symbol of Downtown connecting the historic fabric of the past to the present through arts, culture, transit and community. Conceived on a grand scale, Los Angeles Union Station is the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States and is often regarded as “the last of the great train stations.”For more information, visit or follow @unionstationla on social media.

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