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

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Karrin Allyson, Branford Marsalis, Chad Wackerman, Robert Hurst, Joe La Barbera, Charles Lloyd, Clayton Cameron, Sullivan Fortner, Gary Meek, Doug Webb, Mina Choi, Ronnie Foster, and Lia Booth.

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 3/10 – 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. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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 Lia Booth is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. The Pasadena Masonic Temple hosts a tribute to trumpeter Bobby Bradford. Vocalist Lillias White is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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.   French vocal group Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Thursday 3/13 – Branford Marsalis at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts with Joey Calderazzo on piano, Eric Revis on bass, and Justin Faulkner on drums. Saxophonist Dog Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Tobias Meinhart is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Aaron Janik is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. Vocalist Janet Orsi & The Akusta Kats are at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Guitarists Wayne Wilkinson and Colin McAllister are at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Terrell Edwards is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Salsa Meets Jazz is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Danny Gonzalez is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarist/vocalist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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.

Friday 3/14 – Karrin Allyson at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Karrin Allyson is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Miro Sprague on piano, Karl McComas-Reichl on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Drummer Joe La Barbera is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Charles Lloyd is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Adegoke Steve Colson and vocalist Iqua Colson are at The World Stage in South L.A. Brazilian vocalist Caro Pierotto and Brazil Beyond Samba are at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Gene Perry & His Afro-Latin Jazz Quintet are at Dizzy’s in San Diego.  Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at the Pasadena Art Center Of Design in Pasadena.  Trio de Janeiro plays the music of James Taylor at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego, followed by a late set from bassist Doug Walker. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at Collage in San Pedro. JazzZone is at the Jackie Robinson Center in Pasadena. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Vocalist Lillias White is at The Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Tasha Taylor is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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 Trish Hatley. 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 Dave Stephens Band at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Saturday 3/15 – Chad Wackerman at The Baked Potato

Drummer Chad Wackerman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jimmy Johnson on bass, Steve Hunt on keys, and Alex Machacek on guitar. Drummer Joe La Barbera is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist/pianist Karrin Allyson is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Barclay Jazz & Beyond Orchestra plays a New Orleans-themed concert at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Molly Miller is at The Grape in Ventura.   Sitarist Anoushka Shankar is at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Tom Culver is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Paul Combs plays the music of Gerry Mulligan at Dizzy’s in San Diego.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Vittorio’s in Huntington Beach.  Saxophonist Jessy J celebrates an album release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Trio de Janeiro plays the music of James Taylor at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Lillias White is at The Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist John Opferkuch is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. 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. Alex Mendham & His Orchestra are at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina.

Sunday 3/16 – Gary Meek at Vibrato

Saxophonist Gary Meek is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Marina Panzetta on sax, Adam Astrup on guitar, John Nava on percussion, Skylar Campbell on drums, Dan Robbins on bass, and Miranda and Janice Perl on vocals.   Drummer Gerry Gibbs leads a trio with keyboardists Billy Childs and Chris Fishman at the Hammer Museum in Westwood.  Guitarist Peter Sprague is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Sitarist Anoushka Shankar is at the Epstein Family Amphitheater in San Diego. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Humphrey’s By The Bay in San Diego. The Loyola Marymount Jazz Ensembles open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Donna Deussen and guitarist Jim Fox are at the Thai Fusion Bistro in West Hills. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Vocalist Whitney Shay is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Pianist Qur’an Shaheed is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Blues guitarist/vocalist Dennis Jones is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist Tommy Gannon 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. Vocalist Alvin Reyes plays the afternoon show at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Drummer John Kithcart has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 3/17 – Anna Butterss at the Hotel Covell

Bassist Anna Butterss leads a duo 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. 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. Other Delights is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. The Baked Potato in Studio City hosts a Showcase Night.

Tuesday 3/18 – Jay Jennings at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Jay Jennings at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Lia Booth is at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Corcovado is at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. The Harvard-Westlake School Jazz Bands are at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Wednesday 3/19 – Bokani Dyer at Sam First

South African pianist Bokani Dyer is at Sam First near LAX with Timothy Norton on bass, Malachi Whitson on drums, and Salim Washington on sax. Drummer Charles Ruggerio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalists Patrick Barnitt and Meloney Collins front a jazz orchestra at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Avashai Cohen is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree and pianist Johannes Wallmann are at The Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres 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. 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. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam session at Collage in San Pedro.