About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of March 3, 2025

March opens with a SoCal jazz week including Ann Hampton Callaway, Clay Jenkins, Allison, Cardenas & Nash, Danny Janklow, Dale Fielder, Jeff Lorber, Louie Palmer, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jason Harnell, Aaron Janik, Janis Mann, Julie Zhu, and Sharon Marie Cline.

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 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 Dave Harrington is at Club Tee Gee 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. 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 at Vibrato in Bel Air with a band led by pianist Jon Cowherd. Drummer Christian Moraga is at 1881 in Pasadena. Saxophonist Robert Kyle and guitarist Kleber Jorge are at Roe Seafood in Long Beach. 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.  Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Native Fields in Walnut.  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.  Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Thursday 3/6 – Clay Jenkins at Sam First

Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Thu-Fri) with Ivan Malespin on trombone, Larry Koose on guitar, John Clayton on bass, and Joe La Barbera on drums. Saxophonist Danny Janklow plays the music of Herbie Hancock at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra are at the Harold Miossi Hall in San Luis Obispo. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. JazzCity is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Ernie Watts fronts the CSUN Jazz A & B Bands at The Soraya in Northridge. Pianist Jeremy Siskind and trumpeter Tony Guerrero are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Estani Frizzell is at The Muck in Fullerton. Violinist Susie Hansen is at The Merc in Temecula. 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. 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. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. The Garners play a late afternoon show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 3/7 – Dale Fielder at Alvas Showroom

Saxophonist Dale Fielder has an album release show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro that also serves as a fire relief benefit for Fielder who lost his Altadena home in the Eaton fire – with Jane Getz on piano, Bill Markus on bass, and Thomas White on drums. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Pacific Jazz Orchestra features a small band behind mandolinist Eva Scow and trumpeter Aaron Janik at The Aster Club in Hollywood. Allison, Cardenas & Nash are at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Keyboardist Rique Pantoja is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra are at The Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Armenian vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Tigran Zhamkochyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Fred Benedetti is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego, followed by a late night set from bassist Doug Walker. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in San Diego. Drummer Mckenna Reeve is at Collage in San Pedro. 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 Kristi King. 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. The Esquires Small Band is at Cicada in downtown L.A.  Vocalist Morgan Delaney is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Kat Shoemaker is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Saturday 3/8 – Allison, Cardenas & Nash at Sam First

Bassist Ben Allison, guitarist Steve Cardenas & saxophonist Ted Nash are at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Janis Mann is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Guitarist Thom Rotella is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Mindi Abair is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Peter White is at The Westin Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage. The Pepper Moons are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Tiki Pasilias is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Bassist Doug Walker plays an afternoon set at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego, followed by an evening show from guitarist Louie Valenzuela. Pianist Mikan Zlatokovich is at Il Sogno Italiano 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. Pianist Eric Scott Reed leads a workshop at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 play a brunch show at The Pour House in Monrovia.  Bassist Pat Morvan is at the Artistry Wine Lounge in San Pedro.

Sunday 3/9 – Jason Harnell at The Baked Potato

Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Gary Fukushima on keys, Nicole McCable on sax, and Logan Kane on bass. Vocalist Julie Zhu opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Flutist Althea Rene and saxophonist Art Sherrod, Jr. are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Cathlene Pineda is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Pianist Adam Hersh is at The Blank Slate in San Diego. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist Lori Bell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  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. Brazilian vocalist/guitarist Teka plays a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. 2.0 has the brunch at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club has an afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Guitarist Jackson Petty plays the afternoon show at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank.

Monday 3/10 – 6 Beats Apart at The Baked Potato

6 Beats Apart is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Ed Wynne on sax, Andy Waddell on guitar, Mark Gasboro on keys, Bruce Lett on bass, Moyes Lucas on drums, and MB Gordy on percussion. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe and bassist Logan Kane lead a quartet at The High Low in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Michael Lington and vocalist/pianist Kandace Springs are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Violaist Lauren Elizabeth Baba is at the Hotel Covell in Hollywood.  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 Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Zach Tenorio is at Bub & Grandmas in Eagle Rock. JazzZone is at Gorganson’s Vegan in Pomona. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 3/11 – Pete Griffin at The Baked Potato

Bassist Pete Griffin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chad Wackerman on drums, Jamie Kime on guitar, and Isamu McGregor on keys. Saxophonist Rickey Woodard is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach with vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego with vocalist Aubrey Johnson. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Lillias White is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Vocalist Courtney Lemmon is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. 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. Brentwood Upper School’s Jazz Bands are at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Wednesday 3/12 – Robert Hurst at Sam First

Bassist Robert Hurst is at Sam First near LAX with Gerald Wilson on piano, Anthony Wilson on guitar, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Drummer Clayton Cameron is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Sullivan Fortner is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Pianist Mina Choi celebrates an album release at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with guest pianist Bill Cunliffe. Drummer Dean Koba is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Lillias White is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist 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. 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. French vocal group Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air.