The GFBLA Jazz Band is a traditional Big Band which showcases an array of musical genres. From vibrant pop to sophisticated swing, each piece performed by this group is a celebration of the diversity and excitement present both in jazz music and the musicians that perform it.
Formed to provide a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ musicians, GFBLA’s jazz ensemble has evolved over the years, showcasing the talents of its members and breaking down barriers through music. United by a passion for jazz, the Jazz Band continues to play a crucial role in fostering acceptance, celebrating diversity, and spreading the joy of music throughout Los Angeles and beyond.
Join us as we present a peek into the world of jazz music from its roots to today!
UPCOMING performances
- Sunday Blues | Sunday, May 12th, 2024 @ 2PM in Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) Arts and Recreation Center
- Boston Court Pasadena | Saturday, June 1st, 2024
Interested in joining the GFBLA Jazz Band?
If you have more questions, please reach out to membership@gfbla.org
Jazz Directors
Jodi Gladstone, Jazz Director
Jodi Gladstone (she/her) has taught music to the students of Los Angeles and Long Beach Unified Public Schools for 37 years. She is a freelance trumpet player in Los Angeles and still educates others in jazz and classical music. She got her BME from The Ohio State University and MME from North Texas State University where she was awarded a Trumpet Teaching Assistantship.
Moving to Los Angeles in the early 80’s, she played in the all woman jazz band Maiden Voyage. They played various jazz festivals including the Playboy Jazz Festival. Later on, she became director of the Great American Swing Band playing venues such as Paramount Studios, Beverly Hilton, The Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas, House of Blues in West Hollywood, as well as many others and private events. In her retirement, she still teaches part time after retirement for Jazz Empowers, whose mission is to transform the lives of youth in underserved schools through jazz education.
Jodi has been a member of GFBLA steadily the past 10 years and off and on before that since the early 80’s. Jodi describes directing the GFBLA Jazz Band as “a wonderful experience full of great musicians and great people.”
Adam Dib, Assistant Jazz Director
Adam Dib (he/him) is an award winning Los Angeles-based composer and musician whose work has spanned film, television, and the concert stage. Originally from Detroit, MI; Adam received his Bachelor’s in Jazz Saxophone Performance at Wayne State University before moving to Chicago to receive his Master’s in Music Composition for the Screen from Columbia College.
In the television world, Adam is a regular collaborator with industry veteran Michael Kramer, providing the soundtrack to many beloved franchises including Ninjago Dragons Rising, He Man and the Masters of the Universe, Lego Star Wars, The Ghost and Molly McGee, and many more.
When he is not composing, Adam can be found performing and recording on saxophone and woodwinds as well as actively engaging with local and international musical organizations including the Pride Bands Alliance, Society of Composer and Lyricists, Composer Diversity Collective, and the Los Angeles Live Score Film Festival. Most recently, Adam was chosen as a Fellow in the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive 2023, where he conducted the Hollywood Studio Orchestra in a recording session of his original piece at the Clint Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Brothers Studios.
No matter the medium, Adam strives to create music that is both unique and inviting to all. He is especially excited to be working alongside Jodi Gladstone and GFBLA Jazz Band in their triumphant return!