About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of February 24, 2025

February ends and March opens with a SoCal jazz week including Ethan Iverson, Billy Childs, Delfeayo Marsalis, Don Randi, Michael Feinstein, Bob Reynolds, Tina Raymond, Kevin van den Elzen, Eric Marienthal, Teodross Avery, Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim, and Jimmy Branly.

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 2/24 – Blanco Diablo at The Baked Potato

Blanco Diablo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Andy Sanesi on drums, Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, Jamie Kime on guitar, Matt Rhode on keys, and Dave Goodwin on bass. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at The High Low in Atwater Village. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Saxophonist Richard Elliott is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue). 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. Pianist Benny Bock is at Bub & Grandmas in Eagle Rock. The SBCC Big Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 2/25 – Don Randi 88th Birthday at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Don Randi celebrates his 88th birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Voices Of Hope does a fire relief benefit at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Logan Richardson hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX.  Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at Tavern On Brand in Glendale.  Guitarist Dave Harrington is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Richard Elliott is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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 2/26 – Tina Raymond at Sam First

Drummer Tina Raymond is at Sam First near LAX with Anthony Wilson and Andrew Renfroe on guitars and Eric Revis on bass. Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a backing group led by pianist Laurence Hobgood. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Saxophonist Rickey Woodard and trumpeter Nolan Shaheed are at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Tom Scott is at The Grape in Ventura. JazzZone does a Latin jazz show at Gorganson’s Vegan in Pomona. 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. Les Bons Garcons is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.

Thursday 2/27 – VDE Big Band at Sam First

The VDE Big Band led by drummer Kevin van den Elzen is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. BackRhoades Productions hosts a multi-act fire benefit including Bunny Brunel, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Mahesh Balasooriya, Rickey Woodard, Nolan Shaheed and more at the Gardena Cinema in Gardena. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at Limon Y Sal in Ventura. Pianist Mina Choi is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Trumpeter/vocalist Jumaane Smith is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Dave Murdy is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Danny Green is at The Merc in Temecula. JazzZone is at the African American Advisory Alliance in Pomona. Vocalist Craig Cochrane is at The George in Pasadena. 2.0 is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Kevin Tokarz is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty does a late afternoon show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 2/28 – Billy Childs at Catalina Jazz Club

Pianist Billy Childs begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood with Bob Sheppard on sax, Dan Chmielinski on bass, and Benjamin Ring on drums. Saxophonist Teodross Avery plays the music of Dexter Gordon at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Ethan Iverson is at Sam First near LAX. Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter/vocalist Jumaane Smith is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Pianist Joshua White is at the La Jolla Community Center. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Aimee Nolte is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Singer/songwriter Steve Siecek is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Paul Combs is at Golden Island in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grille in Irvine. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Joe Croyle. 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. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Garners are at Books & Records in San Diego. Bassist Doug Walker hosts a late night set at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The Holy Crow Jazz Band is at Clifton’s Republic in downtown L.A.

Saturday 3/1 – Ethan Iverson at Sam First

Pianist Ethan Iverson is at Sam First near LAX for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Darek Oles on bass and Peter Erskine on drums. Vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Michael Feinstein is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at the Saddleback McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Liz Cole is at 1881 in Pasadena. Saxophonist Justin Klunk is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Aaron Jacobs & The Swing Tones are at The Main Kitchen in Canoga Park. Vocalist Howie Levine brings his “JazzNatra” show to Hawg Heaven BBQ & Gastropub in Pasadena. Vocalist Phyllis Causey is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. The San Diego Latin Jazz Collective is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatokovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist/vocalist Andrea Lisa is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vibraphonist Ian Harland is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Dan Olivo celebrates a birthday at The Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. 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.  Hammerstein Swing is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica.  Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a breakfast show at Jinky’s in Santa Monica.

Sunday 3/2 – Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra at Vibrato

Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Organist Carey Frank is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Recovery In Rhythm presents a fire relief benefit at The Mint in West L.A. Guitarist Will Brahm celebrates an album release at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Crystal Lewis is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach backed by a big band led by trumpeter Tony Guerrero. 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. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Guitarist Matthew Greif 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 Erin Stevenson does a brunch at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.

Monday 3/3 – James Brandon Lewis at Zebulon

Saxophonist James Brandon Lewis leads a trio at Zebulon in Silverlake. Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City.   Saxophonist Gavin Templeton is at The High Low in Atwater Village.  Pianist Matt Politano is 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. 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. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 3/4 – Ann Hampton Callaway at Vibrato

Vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway is at Vibrato in Bel Air with John Proulx on piano, Trey Henry on bass, and MB Gordy on drums. Trumpeter Aaron Janik is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Saxophonist Devin Daniels hosts the weekly Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX.  The Only Sound is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. The Euphonium Brass Band is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Drummer Marcelo Bucater is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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. 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 3/5 – Louie Palmer at The Baked Potato

Drummer Louie Palmer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Aaron Janik on trumpet, Robert Rodriguez on keys, Luis Conte on percussion, and Janek Gwizdala on bass. Guitarist Ricardo Grilli is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Andy James celebrates an album release with a band led by pianist Jon Cowherd. Drummer Christian Moraga is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica.  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.  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. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura.