About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of April 7, 2025

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Poncho Sanchez, Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenon, Bill Frisell, Peter Bernstein, Terence Blanchard, Bennie Maupin, Daniel Rotem, Graham Dechter & Melissa Morgan, Anthony Fung, Benny Rietveld, Storm Large, and the Los Angeles Jazz Quartet.

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 4/7 – Peter Bernstein at Lou Lou’s

Guitarist Peter Bernstein is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego with Gilbert Castellanos on trumpet, Brian Levy on sax, Sam Hirsh on piano, Luke Little on bass, Tyler Kreutel on drums, and Joannah Sy on vocals. Guitarist Graham Dechter leads a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Sway Collective is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a new jazz jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego.

Tuesday 4/8 – Graham Dechter Quartet w/Melissa Morgan at Bayside

Guitarist Graham Dechter is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach with vocalist Melissa Morgan, bassist Alex Frank, and drummer Ryan Shaw. Drummer Joel Taylor is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Billy Vera leads a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Jun Iida is at The Stowaway in downtown L.A. 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 4/9 – Bill Frisell at Scripps Research Auditorium

Guitarist Bill Frisell is at the Scripps Research Auditorium in San Diego with Thomas Morgan on bass and Rudy Royston on drums. Guitarist Pritesh Walia is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom is at Vine in Long Beach. Work In Progress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guest vocalist Sara Niemetz. Trumpeter Jun Iida is at The Blank Slate in San Diego. Pianist Nic Jackson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Donna McKechnie is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  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. TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Thursday 4/10 – James Torme & The West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band at Vibrato

Vocalist James Torme fronts the West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Benny Rietveld is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Storm Large is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. The Cannonball-Coltrane Project is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at Casa Romantica in San Clemente.  Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at The Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Whitney Shay sings a tribute to Peggy Lee at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Jeff Colella is at The Merc in Temecula. Gypsy jazz guitarists Adrien Marco & Hugo Guezbar are at the Vivoli Restaurant in Hollywood with guitarist Tommy Davy.   Four and More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park with guest saxophonist Phillip Whack. 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. 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. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at The Old Globe in Balboa Park in San Diego. The Boyd Cannon Big Band is at Club Louie’s in Westlake Village. Vocalist Mercedes Moore has the happy hour show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 4/11 – Joe Lovano at The Conrad

Saxophonist Joe Lovano is at The Conrad in La Jolla with Julian Lage on guitar, Asante Santi Debriano on bass, and Will Calhoun on drums. Drummer Anthony Fung is at Sam First near LAX. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez celebrates the release of a new live album at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist/pianist Marina Pacowski is at The Grape in Ventura.  Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at The World Stage in South L.A.  Vocalist Lorraina Marro is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist George Kahn is at Vibrato in Bel Air. USC Thornton School Jazz and World Music Combos are at the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. under the direction of drummer Will Kennedy. Flutist Lori Bell leads a tribute to Bill Evans at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Jazz Symposium with vocalist Adryon De Leon plays the music of Nancy Wilson at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood.  Trumpeter Elliot Deutsch’s Pandemonium Big Band is at Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood.  Saxophonist Anibal Seminario is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Vocalist Allison Adams Tucker is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Erin Stevenson and saxophonist Marcus Adams are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Dreah Jirnae is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Clarence McDuffie III is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Vocalist Aaron Jacobs & The Swingtones are at the Downtown Disney Mainstage. 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 trumpeter Wayne Cobham. 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. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Tino Productions is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Zzmzzy Quartet is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego.

Saturday 4/12 – Poncho Sanchez at Catalina

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez celebrates the release of a new live album at Catalina in Hollywood for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Sam First near LAX playing the music of John Coltrane. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard & The E-Collective are at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo.  Percussionist Pete Escovedo is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Lilliana de los Reyes is at Vibrato in Bel Air for an early evening show, followed by vocalist Seth MacFarlane’s Chamber Orchestra. A quartet of musicians affected by the Altadena fires plays at the Getty Museum in Brentwood including bassist Tony Dumas, pianist Quinn Johnson, drummer Joel Taylor, and saxophonist Louis Van Taylor. Pianist Peter Smith celebrates an album release at Stained Glass Studios in the First Baptist Church Of Pasadena with a pair of afternoon and early evening shows. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez celebrates the release of a new live album at Catalina in Hollywood.  Vocalist Natalie Jacob is at Papille Gustative in Santa Monica.  Doces Bárbaros is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  The Aristocats are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  The Starbuck Jazz Quartet is at the Smoke House Restaurant in Burbank. Saxophonist Chuck Johnson is at The Barkley in South Pasadena. Guitarist Ponpon Chen is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Mar Picao is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Guitarist/vocalist Phillip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Braxton Brothers are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Gypsy jazz guitarists Adrien Marco & Hugo Guezbar are at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Keyboardist Robert Turner is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. 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. Drummer Izzak Weatherwax is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Pianist Eric Scott Reed leads a workshop at The World Stage in South L.A. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. The Swingsations are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Vocalist Carolyn Hennesy is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood.  Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 play a brunch at the Pour House in Monrovia.  Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a breakfast show at Jinky’s in Santa Monica.

Sunday 4/13 – Miguel Zenon at the Moss Theater

Saxophonist Migel Zenon is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica with pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Hans Glawischnig, and drummer Henry Cole. The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Blanco Diablo opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Bennie Maupin plays an afternoon show at the Getty Museum in Brentwood. Guitarist Greg Poree is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Sam Hirsh and saxophonist Patrick Shirioshi are at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Nothin But The Sax is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Marc Lebrun. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Slim Man is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. 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 with vocalist Kaylee Daughtery. 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 ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. 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 Jiayu Cao is at Collage in San Pedro. Keyboardist Jay Smith has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The South Bay Orleans Jazz Club does an afternoon show and jam session at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Shawn Thies does an afternoon brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  Pianist/vocalist Sonji Kimmons plays a brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank.

Monday 4/14 – Jacob Mann at Bub & Grandma’s

Pianist Jacob Mann is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock with Karl McComas-Reichl on bass and Christian Euman on drums. Guitarist Alexander Noice is at The High Low in Atwater Village with trumpeter Dan Rosenboom and drummer Max Jaffe. Saxophonist Michael Lington and vocalist Kenny Lattimore are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Phatback, Earl & Me are 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. 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. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego. The SBCC Big Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 4/15 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Francisco Fattoruso on bass, and Robert “Sput” Searight on drums.  Drummer Kevin Kanner hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Dave Damiani & The No Vacancy Orchestra are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Lia Booth is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam session at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 4/16 – Issac Wilson at Sam First

Pianist Issac Wilson is at Sam First near LAX with Marlon Martinez on bass and Christian Euman on drums. Drummer Charles Ruggerio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Session Syndicate is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Blanket Of Clouds is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Tower 12 in Hermosa Beach.  Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Saxophonist Kahlil Childs is at The Conrad in La Jolla. 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 Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.