Next Generation Jazz Artists: Adam Kabaretti on Guitar & Lucien Dempsey on Piano
Sat Oct 24, 2026
Bar and Lounge $5 · Classic $10 · Reserve $15 · Preferred $20 · Premium $25
- Adam Kabaretti Guitar
- Lucien Dempsey Grand Piano
The future of jazz is still in high school, and it is already winning awards. Adam Kabaretti (guitar, San Marcos High) and Lucien Dempsey (piano, Santa Barbara High) both took top soloist honors at the 2026 Dos Pueblos Jazz Festival. Saturday at 6:00 they share our Steinway stage for an evening celebrating where jazz is going.
Then walk next door: Adam's father, Nir Kabaretti, conducts the Santa Barbara Symphony at the Granada at 7:30. Dinner with us first, or come back after the concert for The Grand Band until 11.
Adam Kabaretti is a Santa Barbara multi-instrumentalist and San Marcos High School junior. He began playing violin at age four and has performed with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony; he also plays jazz guitar, bass, keyboard, and saxophone. In 2026, he received the Outstanding Guitar Soloist award at the Dos Pueblos Jazz Festival and a jazz-guitar solo award at the New Orleans Heritage Festival. He is the son of Santa Barbara Symphony Music and Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti.
Lucien Dempsey is a Santa Barbara High School jazz pianist and one of the area’s most promising student musicians. He was named Best in Festival Soloist at the 2026 Dos Pueblos Jazz Festival and also received its Outstanding Rhythm Soloist award. He has performed at prominent community events and was recently featured at the Pianos on State kickoff.
The Grand On State, 1218 State Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101