Sunset Lounge reopens with Grammy-nominated saxophonist

Jennifer Roberts
5 hours ago
2 min read

Historic Sunset Lounge reopens in West Palm Beach. [Photo by the City of West Palm Beach]

The heart of West Palm Beach is about to beat to the smooth, soulful rhythms of jazz once again. The historic Sunset Lounge will reopen its doors for select cultural events beginning Wednesday, Nov. 19, with an unforgettable concert featuring four-time Grammy Award-nominated saxophonist Boney James.

The event, Soul in the City at Sunset Lounge, marks a major milestone for the city and the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Tickets are sold out but more information can be found at wpb.org/jazz.

Nestled in the Historic Northwest District, the newly reimagined Sunset Lounge stands as both a tribute to the past and a vibrant vision for the future. The two-story, 7,200-square-foot venue now features a full-service restaurant, bar, rooftop space, and event amenities designed to host live music and community gatherings.

“We are pleased to announce that the historic Sunset Lounge will once again open its doors for special events,” says West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James.

The reopening of the Lounge, long known as the “Cotton Club of the South”, is part of a broader revitalization effort that underscores the City’s dedication to economic development.

**The Sunset Lounge when in closed down in 2006. [Photo by Zuma Press]**

Headlining the reopening is Boney James, a titan of contemporary jazz whose smooth saxophone style has captivated audiences for decades. A four-time Grammy nominee and recipient of multiple NAACP Image Award nominations, James has earned four RIAA Gold Records, a Soul Train Award, and the distinction of being named one of Billboard’s top three contemporary jazz artists of the decade.

For decades, the Sunset Lounge was the soul of West Palm Beach’s African American cultural scene. In the 1940s and 1950s, its stage welcomed the likes of Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and other musical greats who transformed the Lounge into a sanctuary for artistry and self-expression at a time when segregation barred many performers from other stages.

“This transformation is a tribute to the legacy of those who paved the way before us, and a commitment to creating a dynamic space for generations to come,” says Chris Roog, Executive Director of the West Palm Beach CRA. “Together, we’ve preserved a cultural landmark where people can gather to celebrate, connect, and be inspired.”

The City’s beloved Soul in the City concert series will now call the Sunset Lounge home, providing a new, larger, and more dynamic venue for fans of live music.

“Accessible community events are essential to a thriving downtown community,” said Angela Poco, Marketing and Community Events Manager for the City of West Palm Beach. “The reopening of Sunset Lounge marks an exciting opportunity to host events starting with our popular Soul in the City concert series.”

On-site valet parking will be available.

For more information about ticket prices, upcoming events, and community programming, visit wpb.org/events or call (561) 822-1515 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

As the sun sets over West Palm Beach on Nov. 19, the sounds of jazz will once again play from the Sunset Lounge, a timeless reminder that while history doesn't repeat, it often rhythms.