The experimental jazz quintet SML have members from Chicago, Australia, and New York. Migrating to LA, they became part of the resurgence of West Coast Jazz, becoming regulars at the now-defunct Enfield Tennis Academy venue. Known as a place where musicians were free to improv to their heart’s content, ETA became a linchpin of the scene until it was shuttered in 2023.

The Chicago crew comprise saxophonist Josh Johnson, synthesist Jeremiah Chiu, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann. Bassist Anna Butterss found her to way to LA from Australia, and percussionist Booker Stardrum is the New Yorker that switched coasts.

SML recorded two nights of extended jams at the venue. After cutting up into 13 separate tracks and tinkering with the recordings at their home studios, the group ultimately released the project as their debut album, Small Medium Large. Though it’s experimental, the songs settle into some deep grooves  and boasting vibrant textures courtesy of the synths, sax and guitar. The record is garnering excitement across the jazz community, though it’s hardly strictly jazz. Pitchfork raves that the record “represents the thrilling next phase of a vibrant L.A. community” while Treblezine opines, “the depths of SML’s vision feel limitless.” Spin weighs in with “strikingly original—and wildly evocative—art-fusion.” It will be fascinating to see how this group continues to develop.