Golden Hour Music Comes to Pasadena’s Norton Simon Museum

Golden Hour: Music in the Garden fills select Friday hours at Norton Simon Museum’s Sculpture Garden (Photo – nortonsimon.org)

Ah, golden hour, that gorgeous transition from afternoon to evening, when the sunlight softens, shadows stretch and cool breezes begin to roll in. Add live music and art tucked throughout a sculpture garden, and you’ve got the Norton Simon Museum’s newest attraction.

By Melanie Hooks

Held on select Fridays from May through August, the casual outdoor program features performances curated by musician Masatoshi Sato and showcases a variety of musical styles in the Museum’s newly renovated sculpture garden.

Guests can purchase light bites and beverages from the Garden Café, pick up drawing supplies and relax among the garden’s artwork and greenery. The event is free with Museum admission and recommended for all ages. Seating at the Garden Café is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The series begins Friday, May 29, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm with a jazz quartet featuring Joe Santa Maria on saxophone, Jamie Rosenn on guitar, Sato on bass and Trevor Anderies on drums.

Additional performances include:

• Friday, June 26, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Verbena Quartet featuring Ji Young An, Mona Tian, Carson Rick and Mia Barcia-Colombo.
• Friday, July 31, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: North Indian Ensemble featuring Indradeep Ghosh, Chris Votek and Neelamjit Dhillon.
• Friday, Aug. 28, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: A jazz trio featuring David Tranchina, Santa Maria and Anderies.

Questions about the program can be directed to educate@nortonsimon.org.

>Friday, May 29, 2026, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
  Jazz Quartet
Joe Santa Maria (saxophone)
Jamie Rosenn (guitar)
Masatoshi Sato (bass)
Trevor Anderies (drums)

>Friday, June 26, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
   Verbena Quartet
Ji Young An (violin)
Mona Tian (violin)
Carson Rick (viola)
Mia Barcia-Colombo (cello)

>Friday, July 31, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
   North Indian Ensemble
Indradeep Ghosh (violin)
Chris Votek (cello)
Neelamjit Dhillon (tabla)

>Friday, August 28, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
   Jazz Trio
David Tranchina (bass)
Joe Santa Maria (saxophone)
Trevor Anderies (drums)

For more information on the art collections, gift shops and more, visit Norton Simon’s website and plan your visit.