Charlie Puth Brought Jazz, Soul and Intimacy to a Stunning Los Angeles Finale
Charlie Puth closed out his special run of jazz-inspired shows at the Blue Note Los Angeles on Oct. 19 with a performance that felt equal parts masterclass and love letter to jazz, to musicianship and to his fans. It was a full-body experience in sound, tone and connection.
Charlie's ad-libs and perfect pitch were front and center from the jump, so effortless it almost felt unreal. His piano playing carried the show's heartbeat, weaving in and out of arrangements that turned familiar hits into smoky, late-night jazz sessions. Every song had its own intro and outro, extending the groove to let the band breathe.
Speaking of the band, they were phenomenal. The live instrumentation, paired with the background singers' harmonies, creating layers of warmth that filled the room. It was a celebration of jazz music through and through, proving Charlie's deep respect for the genre and its roots.
(Photo credit: Hunter Moreno)
Vocally, he was flawless, with high notes, riffs and runs that reminded everyone that, with Charlie, there's no studio magic required. His "Patient" outro was particularly stunning, stretched and reimagined into something almost cinematic.
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He also debuted a new song, "Beat Yourself Up," which fit seamlessly into the set's jazzy mood, raw, emotional, and rhythmically alive.
Highlights included a reworked version of "Attention" that completely outshone the original and "Suffer," which hit deep nostalgia mode, instantly taking us back to 2016 when we first saw him live at the Joy Theater in New Orleans. "Cheating on You" also sounded incredible in this stripped, soulful format.
(Photo credit: Hunter Moreno)
The setlist felt intentional, and it sparked ideas of what could come next. We think songs like "Left Right Left," "River," "I Warned Myself," and "If You Leave Me Now" would fit perfectly in this reinterpreted, jazzier world.
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Above all, what made the night special was the intimacy—the closeness between Charlie, the band, and the audience. In a world of massive LED screens and overproduced pop shows, this was a rare and refreshing experience. More artists should absolutely do shows like this.
(Photo credit: Hunter Moreno)
Did you know that Charlie Puth just announced his upcoming album, Whatever's Clever? Learn more about what's to come HERE.