About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of April 28, 2025

April ends and May opens with a SoCal jazz week including Patrice Rushen, Billy Childs, Tom Scott, Gordon Goodwin, Bernie Dresel, Ronnie Laws & Doug Carn, Lalah Hathaway, Lori Bell, Clarence Penn, Danny Janklow, Melissa Morgan, Andy Prado, and the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra.

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 4/28 – 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 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. Drummer Joel Zobrist is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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.  Drummer Jacob Wendt is at the Saddleback College McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo.  Bassist Teddy Bang is at The Washington in Culver City.  The CSUN Jazz A Band plays at the CSUN Playa Del Sol in Northridge.

Thursday 5/1 – Tom Scott at Vibrato

Saxophonist Tom Scott is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Shelly Berg on piano, Terry Miller on bass, and Gregg Field on drums. Flutist Lori Bell is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Groove Legacy is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalists Sonia Santos, Ana Gazzola, Sidney Jacobs and Princess Fortier are at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Mina Choi is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Trumpeters Tony Guerrero and Ron Stout are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Valerie Monroe is at The Merc in Temecula. Four And More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. The Aristocats are at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. 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.  Drummer Kevin Crabb hosts a musician/singer showcase and jam session at the Thai Fusion Bistro in West Hills. The CSUN Jazz B & C Bands will be at the CSUN Plaza Del Sol in Northridge. Saxophonist DeAndre Grover is at the Segerstrom Argyros Plaza in Costa Mesa. Vocalist Cobby Bzeski does a late afternoon show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 5/2 – Patrice Rushen at Walt Disney Hall

Pianist Patrice Rushen is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Pianist Billy Childs is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Brandon Sanders is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Organist Gregg Karukas is at The Grape in Ventura. Bassist Alex McLaughlin and pianist Amy Rowe lead trios at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Anita Robles is at the Garden Cafe in Sherman Oaks with guitarist Dori Amarillo. Vocalist Dan Olivo is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Leonard Patton is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Vocalist Vi Jordan is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Cobby Bzeski is at Golden Island in San Diego. The Littleton Brothers are 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 Sherry Williams. 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 Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego.  Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena.  Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.   Vocalist Janet Orsi & The Akusta Kats are at the Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita. The Woody James Legacy Band does an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 5/3 – Billy Childs at The Baked Potato

Pianist Billy Childs is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Aubrey Situmorang on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Drummer Clarence Penn is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Lalah Hathaway and saxophonist Paul Taylor are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Reginald Mobley is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Guitarist Grant Geissman is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Maria Puga Lareo is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Louie Valenzuela is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Books & Records in San Diego. Bassist Julian Vaughan is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Montalban Quintet is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Alex Mendham & His Orchestra are at Cicada in downtown L.A. 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. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a breakfast show at Jinky’s in Santa Monica.

Sunday 5/4 – Symphonic Jazz Orchestra w/Bob Mintzer & Ernie Watts at the Carpenter Center

The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is at the Carpenter Center For The Arts in Long Beach featuring saxophonists Bob Mintzer and Ernie Watts. Guitarists Jim Fox and Dean Parks are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalists Pamela Clay and Suzi Oliver are at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Bean Tones open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at the Armenian General Benevolent Union in Pasadena. Vocalist Whitney Shay is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Florence Osteria in West Hollywood. 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 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. Guitarist Mitchell Long hosts the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. The SoCal Jazz Collective has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 5/5 – Graham Dechter at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter leads a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Frank on bass, Jordan Siegel on keys, and Ryan Shaw on drums. Saxophonist Alden Hellmuth is at The High Low in Atwater Village. The San Diego Latin Jazz Collective is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego.  Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna 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. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a jazz jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 5/6 – Judy Wexler at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Judy Wexler celebrates a birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jeff Colella on keys, Danny Janklow on sax, Gabe Davis on bass, and Steve Hass on drums. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane leads his chamber orchestra at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx leads a quartet at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX.  Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  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.  The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. The CSUN Vocal & Latin Jazz Ensembles will perform at the Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall in Northridge.

Wednesday 5/7 – Marlon Martinez at Sam First

Bassist Marlon Martinez is at Sam First near LAX with Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Tristan Cappel on sax, Jake Chapman on vibes, and Marcello Carelli on drums. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.   Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom celebrates a birthday at Vine in Long Beach. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Drummer Rodolfo Zuniga is at The Stowaway 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. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Florence Osteria in West Hollywood. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.   Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura.