Live sound & PA
Jazz sound engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area
Live sound for jazz and jazz-adjacent bands, mixed by a working musician, with a full PA available for events.
At a glance
- Niel Levonius is a live sound engineer for jazz and jazz-adjacent bands in the San Francisco Bay Area, and a working trumpet player.
- Mixes regularly at Local Edition and the Dawn Club in San Francisco; has also mixed at Keys Jazz Bistro.
- Regularly does sound for The Art Khu Trio and Rob Dehlinger's Alpha Rhythm Kings.
- Can bring a full PA system and run sound for events, for his own bands or yours.
- Engineered the Local Edition Jazz Orchestra's live recording of “The Swizzle” (January 2026).
Sound engineering
A player's ears behind the board
Niel mixes regularly at two San Francisco jazz clubs, Local Edition and the Dawn Club, and has also mixed at Keys Jazz Bistro.
Because he plays in horn sections and leads a big band himself, he knows how acoustic horns, upright bass, and drums should balance in a room, and how to get a singer over a band without making it loud.
For events he can bring a full PA system and run sound, so a planner gets the band and the engineer from one contact. See corporate events.
Artists mixed include
- The Art Khu Trio
- Rob Dehlinger's Alpha Rhythm Kings
- Aly & AJ
- TANK
- Cosmo Alley Cats
- Mitch Polzak & the Royal Deuces
- Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums
- Fog City Swing
- Hellafitzgerald
- and many more
Engineered by Niel
Live big band, mixed in the room
“The Swizzle” by the Local Edition Jazz Orchestra, recorded live at Local Edition in San Francisco on January 20, 2026, with Niel as audio engineer.
The Swizzle
Benny Carter's “The Swizzle,” arranged by Greg Johnson, recorded live at Local Edition in San Francisco on January 20, 2026. Niel plays trumpet and was the audio engineer.
Can you bring a PA and run sound for our event?
Yes. Niel can bring a full PA system and run sound himself, for his own bands or for another band at your event.
What kinds of bands do you mix?
Jazz and jazz-adjacent bands: big bands, small groups, swing and jump blues, vocal groups, and Latin. Artists mixed include Aly & AJ, TANK, Cosmo Alley Cats, Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums, and Fog City Swing.
Where do you mix regularly?
At Local Edition and the Dawn Club in San Francisco. He has also mixed at Keys Jazz Bistro.
Need sound for a jazz show or event?
Tell Niel about the band, the room, and the date.
Ask about sound