About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of April 21, 2025

April winds down with a SoCal jazz week including Hiromi, John Faddis, Nnenna Freelon, Adam Hersh, Lynne Arriale, Ben Wendel, Jerry Vivino, Munyungo Jackson, Will Brahm, Aaron Janik, Alan Chan, Syndee Winters, Larry Goldings, the AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival, and Saturday’s Give The Band A Hand Gala.

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 4/21 – Will Brahm at Club Tee Gee

Guitarist Will Brahm celebrates an album release at Club Tee Gee in Atwater Village, backed by Francisco Ojeada on bass and Chris Wabich on drums – bassist Jake Leckie opens. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Todd Hunter & The Brazilians are at The High Low in Atwater Village with vocalist Liz Cole. Pianist Matt Politano is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist Antonio Artese is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Drummer Nic Koven leads a tribute to the music of Joni Mitchell 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 Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a jazz jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego.

Tuesday 4/22 – Aaron Janik at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Aaron Janik is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Cole Riddle on keys, Colin Cook and Colin Moser on guitars, Chase Jackson on vibes, Max Gerl on bass, and Lang Zhao on drums. The Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Scotty Bramer and bassist Marlon Martinez split a bill at the Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Nubya Garcia is at UCSD’s The Loft in San Diego. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Andrea Miller. The NYSA Jazz Quintet is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. 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. Hagen Jazz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 4/23 – Jonathan Karrant at Vibrato

Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Vibrato in Bel Air, backed by a trio led by pianist Joe Alterman. Keyboardist Herman Jackson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Emily Braden is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Mario Wells is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Eve Elliot is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. 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. Pianist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Florence Osteria in West Hollywood.

Thursday 4/24 – Hiromi’s Sonicwonder at the Irvine Barclay Theatre

Pianist Hiromi Uehara’s Sonicwonder is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine with Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, Hadrien Feraud on bass, and Gene Coye on drums. Pianist Adam Hersh is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Saxophonist Ben Wendel is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Percussionist Pete Escovedo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Kevin Sun celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX. Drummer George Brown is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Trumpeter Ryan DeWeese and his RAD Jazz Orchestra are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Guitarist Steve Gregory is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Lamont Van Hook is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Rose Colella is at the Hotel Biltmore in downtown L.A.  Vocalist Janis Mann is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Vocalist Dave Damiani & The No Vacancy Orchestra are at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Taylor Roberts is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Pianist Markus Berger is at The Merc in Temecula. Lizzy & Her Contraband are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Four And More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park with guest saxophonist Jerry Vivino. The Aristocats are at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. 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. The Colburn School Jazz Ensembles are at Catalina in Hollywood. Trombonist John Egizi hosts the 805 Jazz Jam at Leashless Brewing in Ventura.  Drummer Kevin Crabb begins a weekly new musician/singer showcase and jam session at the Thai Fusion Bistro in West Hills.

Friday 4/25 – John Faddis Plays Dizzy Gillespie at Catalina Jazz Club

Trumpeter John Faddis plays a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Munyungo Jackson is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Hiromi Uehara’s Sonicwonder is at UCSB Campbell Hall in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Syndee Winters sings the music of Lena Horne at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist David Garfield is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at the La Jolla Community Center in La Jolla. Guitarist Taylor Roberts is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Bassist Julian Esparza is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego.  Guitarist Steve Gregory 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 pianist Laurence Hobgood. Chris Bennett. 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. Pianist Anthony Smith is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Santino Sgambelluri. The Woody James Legacy Band does an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 4/26 – Give The Band A Hand Gala at the Omni Hotel

The California Jazz Foundation’s annual Give The Band A Hand gala is at the Omni Hotel in downtown L.A., honoring flutist Hubert Laws, pianist Les McCann, and photographer Bob Barry. Trumpeter John Faddis plays a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Larry Goldings is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Lynne Arriale is at The Grape in Ventura. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Day One of the afternoon Local AFM 47 Jazz Festival in Burbank includes vocalist Gina Kronstadt and pianist Geoff Stradling. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos leads a program in tribute to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn at the Jacobs Music Center in San Diego. The 6th Annual Dymally Jazz Festival is at Cal State Dominguez Hills Dignity Health Tennis Stadium. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air, followed by a late show from vocalist Seth MacFarlane and his Chamber Orchestra.  Cosmic Vibrations featuring vocalist Dwight Trible is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Clarinetist Joe Di Fiore leads a big band at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with guest vocalist Eva Mikhailovna. Vocalist Kandace Lindsey is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist JJ Sansaverino is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Jenessa Noland is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. 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. Hammerstein Swing is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a breakfast show at Jinky’s in Santa Monica.

Sunday 4/27 – Nnenna Freelon at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center

Vocalist Nnenna Freelon is at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in South L.A. Bassist Del Atkins is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse with tap dancer Channing Holmes in Sierra Madre. Day Two of the afternoon AFM Local 47 Jazz Festival in Burbank includes Six Beats Apart and bassist Jennifer Leitham. Guitarist/vocalist Carl Verheyen is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Corbin Jones Big Band opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Eve Elliot is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Guitarist Aaron Lind is at Lou Lou’s 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 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. Keyboardist John Balbuena hosts the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Saxophonist Nick Gomez has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart plays a brunch at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Vocalist Sandy Cummings has a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara, followed by an evening show from the UCSB Jazz Ensemble.  Bassist Weldon Scott hosts a late afternoon show and jam session at Aziz Gallerie in South L.A.

Monday 4/28 – Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band at Salit Conservatory Of Music

Composer Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band is at the Salit Conservatory of Music in Burbank in an event sponsored by the Musicians At Play Foundation. Drummer Andy Prado leads the 818 Zona Fusion Squad at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guitarist Lee Ritenour. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Bassist Karl McComas-Reichl is is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock with pianist Miro Sprague. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The San Diego Jazz Orchestra is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. 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 Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego.  Vocalist Natasha Agrama is at the Hotel Covell in Hollywood.

Tuesday 4/29 – Bernie Dresel BBB at Vibrato

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarists Allen Hinds & Brad Rabuchin are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band is at the Coil School For The Arts at Riverside Community College in Riverside. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX.  The Sultans Of Swing are at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Vocalist Coco Lamarr is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  The Shafter Big Band is at The Phoenix at Sundale Country Club in Bakersfield.  Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 4/30 – Ronnie Laws & Doug Carn at The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center

Saxophonist Ronnie Laws and pianist Doug Carn lead a celebration of International Jazz Day at The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in South L.A. with a live album recording. Trombonist Nick Finzer is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Bobby Lyle is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Mark Towns is at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Charlie Arbelaez is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano is at The Grape in Ventura. JazzZone is at Gorganson’s Vegan in Pomona. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Les Bons Garcons 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. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Florence Osteria in West Hollywood.