About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of December 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025

2024 ends and 2025 opens with a SoCal jazz week featuring Gregory Porter, Billy Childs, Danny Janklow w/Tom Scott, Bill Cunliffe, Poncho Sanchez, Michael Ragonese, Jamael Dean, Jay Jennings, Brenna Whitaker, Teka, and Ladd McIntosh.

Please see the online version of About & Out for updated information throughout the week at lajazzpicks.com. It’s a good idea to check with venues directly for any last minute changes and/or cancellations before heading out. The LAjazz.com Quick Calendar lists shows and times three days in advance on the LAjazz.com home page.

Monday 12/30 – Dave Palmer Trio at Zebulon

Pianist Dave Palmer is at Zebulon in Silverlake with Reggie Hamilton on bass and Joey Waronker on drums. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Terrace Martin is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. Chord Four is at The High Low in Echo Park. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Dean Mora Orchestra is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic is at Riviera 31 at the Beverly Hills Sofitel Hotel. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Eddie V’s in San Diego. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 12/31 – Gregory Porter at the Dolby Theatre

Vocalist Gregory Porter is at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. The Aristocats with vocalist Andrea Miller are at The Maybourne in Beverly Hills. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Howie Levine does his “JazzNatra” show for New Year’s Eve at Hawg Heaven BBQ & Gastropub in Pasadena with a quartet lead by pianist Mike Saul and guest vocalist Paula Sargent. The Fresh Mint Pharoahs are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Veronique Forget and pianist Mikan Zlatkovich split a New Year’s Eve bill at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Eric Darius is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Ben Gottesman is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad with vocalist Jenessa Noland. The San Diego Jazz Orchestra is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarists Sam Shepherd and Brandon Bernstein are at Jack’s in Dana Point. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy plays an afternoon gig at Barley Square Brewery in Torrance. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 1/1/25 – David Eastlee at Edwin Mills

Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena with Glenn Cashman on sax, Wayne Wilentz on organ, and Matthew Gordy on drums. Vocalist Lia Booth does a New Year’s Day jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana.  Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Thursday 1/2 – Danny Janklow at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Danny Janklow plays music from Quincy Jones and Lou Donaldson at the Baked Potato in Studio City with a band including guest saxophonist Tom Scott with Dennis Hamm on keys, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Jonathan Pinson on drums. Vocalist Terrell Edwards is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Michael Ragonese celebrates an album release at Libretto in Paso Robles. Drummer Matt Smith leads a trio with vocalist Leonard Patton at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarist/vocalist Ponpon Chen is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. The Irvine Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Four and More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Meet In Paris Restaurant & Lounge in Culver City. Saxophonist David Patterson is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for instrumentalists. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist Richard Turner, Jr. is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. The West Coast Jazz Duo is at Stella’s in Dana Point.

Friday 1/3 – Bill Cunliffe at Sam First

Pianist Bill Cunliffe plays music from Nat King Cole at Sam First near LAX with Larry Koonse on guitar and Darek Oles on bass. Keyboardist Billy Childs begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Michael Ragonese is at The Grape in Ventura. Keyboardist Jamael Dean is at the View Music Bar in Torrance. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Keyboardist Ed Roth is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Guitarist Christian Hernandez is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Matt Politano is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Saxophonist JB Saxx is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in West L.A. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Bonnie Gilgallon. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Native Fields in Walnut. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. The Sunny Blue Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  LeJazzanne is at the Z Club in Joshua Tree.  Gabrielito y La Verdad is at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Saturday 1/4 – Billy Childs at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Billy Childs is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Aubrey Situmorang on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Pianist Michael Ragonese is at Sam First near LAX. The Ladd McIntosh Big Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Brazilian vocalist/guitarist Teka is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Pat Kelley is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vibraphonist Ian Harland is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park.  Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells before moving to the Thompson Hotel in Palm Springs for an evening performance splitting a bill with vocalist Sacha Boutros.  Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A.  Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Catalina in Hollywood.

Sunday 1/5 – Yayennigs Electric Band at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Greg Clark Jr. on drums, Julian Pollack on keys, Errol Cooney on guitar, and Nick Clark on bass. Pianist Mika Krstic opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park.  Vocalist Donna Deussen and guitarist Jim Fox are at the Thai Fusion Bistro in West Hills. Vocalist Joanna Wallfisch is at Catalina in Hollywood. Singers LA is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Patrick Yandall is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at the Kookaburra Lounge in Hollywood. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Irving Flores is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Bassist Ryan Cross is at Delilah in West Hollywood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at The Barkley in South Pasadena. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts the Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session. The Jelly Roll Jazz Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Guitarist Tom Collins is at the Ojai Pub in Ojai. The Hard Bop Ensemble is at The Copper Room in Yucca Valley. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a jazz jam at Z Club in Joshua Tree. Vocalist Judy Niemack has the Sunday afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Grace Fae has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 1/6 – Dechter/Frank Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Pianist Sam Hirsh and saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi are at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith.  Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A. Bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic is at Riviera 31 at the Beverly Hills Sofitel Hotel. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Eddie V’s in San Diego. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 1/7 – Marvin “Smitty” Smith at The Baked Potato

Drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Dale Fielder and Philip Whack on saxes, Chris Lowery on trumpet, Lemar Guillary on trombone, Adam Ledbetter on keys, Rene Camacho on bass, and Christian Moraga on percussion. Drummer Kyle Poole hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. The Billy Vera Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter/vocalist Chris Norton is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in West L.A. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice.  Drummer Tina Raymond hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown Los Angeles. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells.  Vocalist Rose Mallet is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Derrik Lewis plays a happy hour show at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 1/8 – Jimmy Branly at 1881

Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena with Max Haymer on keys, Aaron Janik on trumpet, and Luca Alemanno on bass. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Drummer/vocalist Roni Kaspi is at Sam First near LAX.  Vocalist Liz Gillies is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Chef George’s Picasso Lounge in Bermuda Dunes. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at the Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Keyboardist Brad Bietry hosts a happy hour open mic and jam session at The George in Pasadena. Pianist Kevin Tokarz plays a happy hour show at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Trombonist John Egizi hosts the 805 Jazz Jam at Cantina 31 in Ventura.