About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of February 10, 2025

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Kurt Elling, Larry Goldings, Terri Lyne Carrington, Josh Nelson & Anthony Wilson, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Judy Wexler, Poncho Sanchez, Brandon Coleman, Kei Akagi, Veronica Swift, Brian Swartz, Ottmar Liebert, and Benny Rietveld.

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 2/10 – Joey Navarro at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Joey De Leon on percussion, Augtion Mario Quiroga on guitar, Chris Trujillo on drums, and Rene Camacho on bass. Saxophonist Ted Taforo is at The High Low in Atwater Village. 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. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 2/11 – Benny Rietveld at The Baked Potato

Bassist Benny Rietveld is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Aaron Janik on trumpet, Joakim Toftgaard on trombone, Alex Budman and Phillip Whack on saxes, Kenny Echzien on guitar, Joey Navarro on keys, Chamo Suarez on percussion, and Makani Eliot on drums. Composer/pianist Kris Bowers is at The Wallis’ Lovelace Studio Theater in Beverly Hills. Guitarist Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra are at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Saxophonist Devin Daniels leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Veronica Swift is at the Music Box in San Diego. Pianist Joshua White is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith is at Monk Space in Downtown L.A. The Dresden in Los Feliz hosts a benefit for fire victims. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Jennifer Leigh Warren is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Adam “Aejaye” Jackson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Derek Douget is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Keri Kelsey hosts an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Crystal Clulee.  Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A.  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.  Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 2/12 – Brian Swartz at Sam First

Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Sam First near LAX with Keith Fiddmont on sax, Steve Cotter on guitar, Chris Colangelo on bass, and Kendall Kay on drums. Vocalist Veronica Swift is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist/keyboardist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Musical Theatre Guild holds a fire benefit at Catalina in Hollywood.  Guitarist Scotty Bramer and vocalist Maria Schafer split a bill at Aum Beer House in Garden Grove.  Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  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.  Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Drummer Tom Dante is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach.  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.  TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana.  Guitarist Kay-Ta Matsuno hosts a jam session at View Music Bar in Torrance.  Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Thursday 2/13 – Judy Wexler at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Judy Wexler celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood, backed by Larry Koonse on guitar, Jeff Colella on piano, Jay Jennings on trumpet, Jacob Scesney on sax, Gabe Davis on bass, and Steve Hass on drums. Pianist Jason Moran plays the music of Duke Ellington with the CSUN Jazz “A” Band at The Soraya in Northridge.  Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at The Muck in Fullerton. Keyboardist Herman Jackson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble is at Sam First in West L.A. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Al Williams is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at the Parc Bistro-Brasserie in San Diego. 2.0 is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Bassist Julian Vaughan is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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 2/14 – Larry Goldings at Sam First

Keyboardist Larry Goldings celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Karl McComas Reichl on bass and Christian Euman on drums. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Keyboardist Brandon Coleman is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Kurt Elling performs the music of Weather Report with Yellowjackets and former Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Pianist Kei Akagi is at the UCI Winifrid Smith Hall in Irvine for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat).  Pink Martini begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa with the Pacific Symphony. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Steve Tyrell is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Trumpeter Mike Bolger is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena with vocalist Jessie Payo. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Lia Booth is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Urban Press Winery in Burbank offers Valentine’s Day shows from vocalist Patrick Barnitt and The Hot Club Of Los Angeles. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Golden Island in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Michael Falcone is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Jamie Shew is at the OC Fish Grille in Irvine. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at the Giracci Vineyards in Silverado. Vocalists Ed Romero and Jackie Gibson are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Andrea Marcovicci is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Beverly Jensen. 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.  Drummer Peter Buck is at the Queensview Steakhouse at Parker’s Lighthouse in Long Beach.  The Sunny Blue Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A.  LeJazzanne is at the Z Club in Joshua Tree. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego.  Saxophonist Kahlil Childs is at Panama 66 in San Diego.  Trumpeter Skip Spiro is at Pocock Brewing in Santa Clarita.  The Pepper Moons play a noontime lunch concert at the LA Central Library Maguire Gardens in downtown L.A.

Saturday 2/15 – Kurt Elling w/Yellowjackets & Peter Erskine at The Soraya

Vocalist Kurt Elling performs the music of Weather Report with Yellowjackets and former Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine at The Soraya in Northridge including Bob Mintzer on sax, Russell Ferrante on piano, Dane Alderson on bass, and Will Kennedy on drums. Pianist Josh Nelson and guitarist Anthony Wilson are at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. Drummer Terri Lyne Carrington is at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Keyboardist Larry Goldings celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX. Guitarists Allen Hinds and Brad Rabuchin are at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Steve Tyrell is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pink Martini is at the Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa with the Pacific Symphony. Pianist Kei Akagi is at the UCI Winifrid Smith Hall in Irvine. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Flutist Lori Bell plays the music of Joe Henderson at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pink Martini is at the Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa with the Pacific Symphony.  Guitarist Ottmar Liebert is at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. Vocalist Candi Sosa is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Carolyn Martinez kicks off a new monthly vocalist series at 1881 in Pasadena.  Percussionist Tito Puente. Jr. is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Alex Nester is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Paul Combs plays the music of Tadd Dameron at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at Basil Brazil in San Juan Capistrano.  Drummer Peter Buck is at the Queensview Steakhouse at Parker’s Lighthouse in Long Beach.  Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The Esquires are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Pianist Kat Shoemaker is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski does a Saturday brunch show at The LOT in La Jolla.  Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 do a brunch at Pour House in Monrovia.  Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch at Jinky’s in Santa Monica.

Sunday 2/16 – Larry Koonse/Jim Fox Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarists Larry Koonse and Jim Fox lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City featuring Ken Wild on bass and Steve Hass on drums.  The Jazz Bakers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  The Chad Willis Orchestra is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with vocalist Maria Schafer. Guitarist Fabiano Do Nascimento and drummer Julien Cantelm are at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarist Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra are at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Brenda Lee Eager is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Donna Deussen is at the Thai Fusion Bistro in West Hills with guitarist Riner Scivally. Pianist Ted Case is at Bub & Grandmas in Eagle Rock with bassist Karl McComas-Reichl. Humphrey’s Backstage offers a President’s Day Smooth Jazz Festival. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Chunky Hustle Brass Band is at Panama 66 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 with vocalist Andrea Miller. 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.  Guitarist Peter Sprague plays an afternoon show at the Mission Theater in Fallbrook.  Vocalist Logan Johnson has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Slide F/X has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  Vocalist Lia Booth has the brunch at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair.  Vocalist Anita Robles does an afternoon set at RioZonas Acai in North Hollywood.  The Wildfire Brass Band does an afternoon show at Lucky Luke Brewing in Santa Clarita.

Monday 2/17 – Jacques Lesure Jam Session at The Lighthouse

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. The Long Beach Big Band plays a fire benefit at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. 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. Keyboardist Lee Pardini is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Pianist Lori Bell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Other Delights is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. The Baked Potato in Studio City hosts a five-act Showcase Night.

Tuesday 2/18 – Gerald Clayton Tuesday Happenings at Sam First

Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley 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 Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Dennis Gittens is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. 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 2/19 – Yayennigs Band at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jermaine Paul on bass, Sam Barsh on keys, and Myles Martin on drums. Bassist Hannah Marks is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Christena Rich is at Vibrato in Bel Air with guitarist Laurence Juber. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Eve Elliot is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. 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. Drummer Tom Dante is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Collage in San Pedro hosts an open jazz jam.