A Podcast, A Band, A Celebration of Jazz

Welcome to West Coast Jazz Hour, a collaborative project created by Josh Nelson and Kevin Van Den Elzen — musicians, educators, record collectors, and longtime friends.

Launched during the quiet of 2020, the West Coast Jazz Hour podcast began as a way to stay connected through jazz. What started as intimate listening sessions quickly grew into a rich interview series, featuring some of the most influential voices in modern jazz — composers, performers, and producers sharing stories, sounds, and inspiration.

But the project didn’t stop at the mic. Josh and Kevin brought West Coast Jazz Hour to life on stage with a quintet, and later expanded their vision with a big band and trio, continuing their mission to honor the past while creating something entirely new.