This post was updated Oct. 5 at 8:15 p.m.

Garden Party is growing a feel-good sound one jam at a time.

The musical group, whose sound lies at the intersection of jazz, R&B and neo-soul, consists of seven fourth-year students who met in their freshman year, said lead singer Cocona Mori. The fourth-year music industry student said the band embraces an eclectic mix of different cultural and musical influences, while sharing the same foundational background in jazz. She added that the septet’s strong bond sets it apart from other musical groups on campus.

“We never assigned any leadership roles to anyone in the group, and because of that, everybody’s opinion – all seven of us – is equally valued,” Mori said. “I think people can hear that in the music. No one’s ever leading, but everyone’s just listening to each other and trying to form this one sound.”

The band’s name of Garden Party encapsulates the positive energy the group hopes to inspire with its music, Mori added. With each member also writing their own music outside the band, she said the group performs original songs for the Westwood community.

[Related: Cocona Mori takes listeners on transformative trip with new tune ‘Tokyo Train’]

Gael Saldana, saxophonist and a fourth-year global jazz studies student, said being part of the band has allowed him to mature as a musician. When he first joined Garden Party, Saldana said he gravitated toward musical riffs that he thought sounded cool but didn’t mesh with the other members’ styles. He added that the unique voice and style of each member is one of Garden Party’s greatest strengths, resulting in music that is soulful at one turn and rhythmic at another.

Garden Party’s songwriting process eschews a strict structure, favoring more spontaneous creative bursts, Mori said. Typically, one member will bring in an original song for the group to create a jam session around, creating an environment similar to the casual playing from which the band originated, she said. In addition to the support the band’s members have for each other, Mori said the UCLA music scene is what brings Garden Party’s songs to life.

“It’s such a great energy and vibe whenever we have shows at UCLA,” Mori said. “All of us are students – we’re just young and trying to listen to good music and have a great time with their friends.”

Beyond performing in Westwood venues, Garden Party recently performed at the 2025 Shabang Music Festival in San Luis Obispo – a festival where big-name artists headline, Mori said. Saldana said playing in front of a crowd of dancing people was a very refreshing experience that encouraged him to continue inspiring joy through his performances.

Bassist Sara Gorman said Garden Party performed on the same stage as Wallows – a band she has been a fan of since high school – as they ended off the festival with an evening set. The fourth-year global jazz studies student said the majority of Garden Party’s set consisted of purely original songs – an impressive feat considering the band has not yet officially released any music. By performing her original songs with Garden Party, Gorman said she gained self-confidence in her own lyrical musical style.

“As a music major, it’s weird because you’re doing what you love as you’re studying, but it’s not always the exact music that you’re listening to or you feel particularly connected with,” Gorman said. “There’s not always the space to play original music, or even just stretch the boundaries a little bit and play in a more creative way.”

[Related: UCLA a cappella group Pitch, Please! roots harmony in teamwork, community]

Another central part of Garden Party’s style is the element of improvisation inherent in the jazz genre, Gorman added. She said bringing her lyrics to the band has encouraged her to develop new methods of composition – some of them inspired by initial mistakes in the band’s recording. Saldana’s songwriting process has also shifted after being in the band, as he said he will often be inspired to write a piece that specifically suits another member’s musical style.

With all seven members having different professional and academic priorities, Mori said the future of Garden Party after the members’ graduation remains uncertain. However, she said she prides herself on how Garden Party remained consistent in attending rehearsals and gigs despite the members’ primary role as students. Being part of Garden Party has been a means of self-discovery, Mori said, as she not only learned to attune her singing to instrumentalists but also found a community of friends.

“There’s something beautiful about us figuring ourselves out – with the group and outside of the group, as well – and being able to be by each other’s side through it all, through the thick and the thin,” Mori said.