About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of March 17, 2025

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Ron Carter, Anthony Wilson, Tigran Hamasyan, Maria Puga Lareo, Bokani Dyer, Bob Reynolds, Jay Jennings, Andrew Synowiec, Teryn Re’, Charles Ruggerio, Anna Butterss, and Alexis Lombre.

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 3/17 – 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 – YaYennings Quartet at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Jay Jennings at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Julian Pollack on keys, Jermaine Paul on bass, and Myles Martin on drums. 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. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The Oak and Vine in Glendale. 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 St. Barnabas 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.

Thursday 3/20 – Tigran Hamasyan at the Regent Theater

Pianist Tigran Hamasyan’s Bird Of A Thousand Voices is at the Regent Theater in downtown L.A. Bassist Ron Carter is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of four nights (Thu-Sun). Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Emiliano Lasansky is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Lauren Wild is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Nutty is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree and pianist Johannes Wallman lead a quartet at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Eric Dries is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. 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. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore has the late afternoon show at California English in San Diego. The Great Oak High School Jazz Ensemble is at The Merc in Temecula.

Friday 3/21 – Anthony Wilson at Sam First

Guitarist Anthony Wilson leads a nonet for a live recording project at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) featuring Gerald Clayton on piano, Anna Butterss on bass, Mark Ferber on drums, Nicole McCabe, Bob Reynolds and Henry Solomon on saxes, CJ Camerieri on trumpet & french horn), and Alan Ferber on trombone. Guitarist Andrew Synowiec’s CRAM is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Ron Carter is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Devin Daniels and trumpeter Julien Knowles lead a quartet at Motivo LA in Atwater Village. Pianist/vocalist Alexis Lombre is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. The Esquires Big Band is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Craig Pomranz begins a two-night run (Fri-Sat) at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. The Garners are at Books & Records 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 Lee Hartley and pianist Laurence Hobgood.  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 Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Saturday 3/22 – Ron Carter at Catalina Jazz Club

Bassist Ron Carter is at Catalina in Hollywood for the third of four nights (Thu-Sun) with Donald Vega on piano, Jimmy Greene on sax, and Payton Crossley on drums. Guitarist Anthony Wilson leads a nonet for a live recording project at Sam First near LAX. Pianists Eric Scott Reed, Helen Sung and Tyler Bullock are at the Jacobs Music Center in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air, followed by a set from vocalist Seth MacFarlane’s Chamber Orchestra. Percussionist Tito Puente, Jr. is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band is at the Brimhall Library in Thousand Oaks. The Baker Brothers Jazz Orchestra is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Bassist Emma Dayhuff is at The World Stage in South L.A. British cellist Lucy Railton, pianist Satoko Fujii and trumpeter Kappa Maki are at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Guitarist Jonathan Stout & His Campus Five are at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Michael Feinstein is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Drummer/vocalist Tony Jones is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank.  The Wiseguys Big Band Machine is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Spence Bowie is at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Craig Pomranz is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Janessa Noland is at Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Sacha Boutros. 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.  Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Drummer Izzak Weatherwax is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Lia Booth is at the Sanctuary Studio in Santa Ana.  Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a breakfast show at Jinky’s in Santa Monica.

Sunday 3/23 – Maria Puga Lareo at Vibrato

Vocalist Maria Puga Lareo celebrates an album release at Vibrato in Bel Air with saxophonist Bob Sheppard, Larry Koonse on guitar, Kevin Axt on bass, Tom Ranier on piano, and Christian Euman on drums, with strings arranged by Nan Schwartz. Vocalist Teryn Re’ leads a big band at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Ron Carter is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Guitarist Jeff Parker is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood.  Saxophonist Jonathan Christian Childress opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Julie Newsome is at Club Louie’s in Westlake Village. Guitarist Yu Ooka is at the 3355 Asian Grill in Torrance. The Melanin Horns are at the Aziz Gallerie in South L.A. for a late afternoon show and jam session.  Guitarist Davin Givhan and drummer Ben Lumisdaine are at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Bassist MacKenzie Leighton is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Keyboardist Burt Brion is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego.  Trombonist Charlie Morillas is at the Harmony Cafe in Cambria. 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. The Jazz Cartel has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Sandy Cummings has the jazz brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  Bassist Adam Cohen has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank.  The LA Jazz Society hosts its annual Bill Green Mentorship Brunch & Concert at Catalina in Hollywood.

Monday 3/24 – 1881 Fire Relief Benefit

1881 in Pasadena hosts a fire relief benefit for staff and musicians affected by the Eaton Fire with a lineup including Jimmy Branly, Joel Taylor, Quinn Johnson, Chuck Manning, Mike Gurrola, and more. Keyboardist Max Kaplan is at The High Low in Atwater Village with Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute and Alex Williams on drums. Drummer Tina Raymond is at the Hotel Covell in Hollywood with Eric Revis on bass and Vinny Golia on sax. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at Gaslamp in Long Beach. Whaleshark and Jason Achilles split a bill at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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 3/25 – Dave Slonaker Big Band at Vibrato

The Dave Slonaker Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air including Peter Erskine on drums, Bob Sheppard and Tom Luer on saxes, Wayne Bergeron and Clay Jenkins on trumpets, and Edwin Livingston on bass. Ghost-Note is at Venice West in Venice. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Daniel Meron is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock.  Trumpeter Bobby Bradford is at the Saddleback Studio Theatre in Mission Viejo.  The Sultans Of Swing are 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. The Pepperdine Jazz & Wind Ensembles are at the Smothers Theatre in Malibu.

Wednesday 3/26 – Alden Hellmuth at Sam First

Saxophonist Alden Hellmuth is at Sam First near LAX with Yakiv Tsvietinskyi on trumpet, Jon Hatimiya on trombone, Paul Cornish on piano, Jermaine Paul on bass, and Benjamin Ring on drums. Vocalist Marina Pacowski is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Harpist Brandee Younger is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. The Afro-Peruvian Jazz Combo is at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. Pianist Daniel Meron is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Guitarist Scotty Bramer is at the Aum Beer House in Garden Grove. JazzZone presents an evening of Latin jazz at Gorganson’s Vegan in Pomona. OHM is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.