The City of West Hollywood 2025 Winter Sounds Free Indoor Concert Series will take place on select Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. between Saturday, January 25, 2025 and Saturday, February 22, 2025 at The Sun Rose at Pendry West Hollywood, located at 8430 Sunset Boulevard. Doors open at 6 p.m., and concerts begin at 7 p.m. Early arrival is suggested.
On Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 7 p.m. the Winter Sounds Concert Series will kick-off with MAE.SUN and Gengis Don and the Empire. MAE.SUN (aka Hailey Niswanger) is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer who creates immersive, meditative sonic worlds. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, she has been recognized on the DownBeat Magazine Critics Poll Rising Star saxophone list for 11 consecutive years and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, on National Public Radio (NPR), and has ranked on the Billboard charts. Her collaborations span multiple genres, including with Esperanza Spalding, Harvey Mason, Kenny Barron, Incubus, and Clairo. She has contributed her flute to Grammy Award-winning albums such as Terri Lyne Carrington’s The Mosaic Project and Beyoncé’s Black Parade.
Gengis Don is a dynamic force in today’s music scene, known for his innovative approach as a drummer, producer, songwriter, and engineer. A Brooklyn native, Gengis Don’s sound is a reflection of his deep roots in hip-hop combined with his extensive study of jazz and improvisational music. His versatility and talent have led him to work with a diverse array of artists, including Solange, Bilal, ASAP Ferg, Klein, Melanie Charles, Anna Wise, Mavi, Braxton Cook, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Marquis Hill, Christopher McBride, Pink Siifu, and many others.
On Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 7 p.m. the next concert in the series will feature Chien Chien Lu and Danny Janklow + Elevation Band. Chien Chien Lu is a vibraphonist, percussionist, and composer whose distinctive approach to contemporary jazz reflects her Taiwanese roots, classical music training, and love for groove-driven rhythms. Recognized as one of the 10 Emerging Jazz Artists of 2023 by the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) and named a “Rising Star” vibraphonist by DownBeat Magazine, she is a compelling voice in modern jazz. Lu holds a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and participated in the prestigious Banff Jazz Residency under the direction of Vijay Iyer. Currently a member of the esteemed Jeremy Pelt Quintet, she brings an intersectional perspective to jazz as a Taiwanese-born woman with deep classical and contemporary influences.
Saxophonist Danny Janklow is an influential voice in contemporary music, blending the language of jazz with elements of R&B, funk, and indie soul. His performances are deeply personal, rooted in themes of equality, justice, and love. In 2021, Danny earned a Grammy Award for his contribution to MONK’estra Plays John Beasley and has collaborated on notable hip-hop tracks such as JID’s Hereditary and EarthGang’s Cocktails. A versatile artist, Danny has shared the stage with legendary icons like Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock, cementing his place as a dynamic force in modern music.
On Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 7 p.m. the Winter Sounds Concert Series finale will feature Theo Croker. Theo Croker is a storyteller who communicates through the voice of his trumpet. As a Grammy-nominated artist, composer, and producer, he defies conventional boundaries, weaving narratives that resonate across genres. His collaborations span a diverse array of talents, including Wyclef Jean, Gary Bartz, Kassa Overall, Jill Scott, Teedra Moses, and Ego Ella May. Beyond his solo work, Croker has contributed to platinum-selling projects for artists such as J. Cole and Ari Lennox. With a global touring presence and a visionary approach to music, Croker bridges tradition and innovation, creating art that speaks to audiences worldwide.
The City of West Hollywood’s 2025 Winter Sounds Free Indoor Concert Series is organized by the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division. Winter Sounds concerts are free and guests must be 21 years of age and older to attend. RSVP is recommended. RSVP does not guarantee admittance. Seating is first-come, first-served, limited to availability. Early arrival is suggested. $15 validated valet parking at Pendry West Hollywood is available for attendees. Street parking may also be available, read local street signage. Rideshare is suggested. For additional information about the performers and to view the series, please visit www.weho.org/wintersounds
