About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of May 5, 2025

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Cecile McLorin Salvant, Tom Scott, Jane Monheit, Diana Krall, Remy Le Boeuf w/Danielle Wertz, Dave Kikoski, David Benoit, Oscar Hernandez, Judy Wexler, Marlon Martinez, Scott Kinsey, Liz Whitted Dawson, and Tatiana Tate.

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 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 Steve Hass 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. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.  Braz Jazz is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.

Thursday 5/8 – Cecile McLorin Salvant at UCLA Royce Hall

Vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant is at UCLA Royce Hall in Westwood – Gather Together In My Name opens. Saxophonist Remy LeBoeuf and vocalist Danielle Wertz celebrate an album release at Sam First near LAX over the first of two nights (Thu-Fri). Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Fullerton Jazz Orchestra is at The Muck in Fullerton with clarinetist Ken Peplowski. Trombonist Joey Sellers is at The Merc in Temecula. Saxophonist Jordan Leicht and trumpeter Michael Gutierrez lead a quintet at The Grape in Ventura.  Vocalist Jamie Shew celebrates an album release at Roost 374 in San Clemente.  Vocalist Dan Olivo is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at Semi-Tropic Wines in Costa Mesa. Vocalist Marilyn Maye begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Vocalist Andrea Miller and pianist Marc LeBrun are at Drago Centro in downtown L.A.  Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vibraphonist Ian Harland is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Paul McDonald is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs with vocalist Ines Belayouni. 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.   Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty does a late afternoon show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 5/9 – Tom Scott at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Tom Scott is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Mitchel Forman on keys, Grant Geissman on guitar, Chris Colangelo on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Pianist David Benoit is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist/vocalist Diana Krall is at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa. Saxophonist Remy LeBoeuf and vocalist Danielle Wertz celebrate an album release at Sam First near LAX Vocalist Liz Whitted Dawson is at The World Stage in South L.A. Trumpeter Tatiana Tate is at LACMA in West L.A. The Pacific Jazz Orchestra features violinist Nora Germain, pianist Noah East, and vocalist Lucy Woodward at The Aster in Hollywood. The Herbie Hancock Institute Band is at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Vocalist Marilyn Maye is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Ron Dziubla is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Golden Island in San Diego. Pianist Kat Shoemaker is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego, followed by a late set from bassist Doug Walker. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Vittorio’s in Huntington Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Pianist Theo Saunders 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 saxophonist Doug Webb. 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. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Nathan & Jessy are at Collage in San Pedro. The Woody James Legacy Band does an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 5/10 – Oscar Hernandez at Sam First

Pianist Oscar Hernandez is at Sam First near LAX with Dayren Santamaria on violin, Aaron Serfaty on drums, Oskar Cartaya on bass, and Christian Moraga on percussion. Pianist David Benoit is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Tom Scott is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Andrea Miller. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. The Aristocats are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist George Kahn is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vibraphonist Matt DiBiase is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. The Phoenyx Big Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Vocalist Marilyn Maye is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. 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 Jennifer Keith is at Cicada in downtown L.A. 6 Cents Jazz is at Collage in San Pedro. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a breakfast show at Jinky’s in Santa Monica. Guitarist Luca Pino and vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza host a Mother’s Day Tea morning concert at Veterans Memorial Park in Culver City.  Vocalist Jacqui Hylton does a Mother’s Day brunch at The Stonehaus in Westlake Village. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 play an afternoon show at the Pour House in Monrovia.

Sunday 5/11 – Jane Monheit at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Jane Monheit is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Dave Kikoski is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Jon Papenbrook’s Purple Haze Big Band opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe and bassist Logan Kane are at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Soul Sauce is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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 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. Pianist Todd Hunter & The Brazilians host the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank with vocalist Liz Cole.  Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  Pianist Ed Roth plays a Mother’s Day Brunch at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A.  Vocalist Kaylee Daughterty does a Mother’s Day Brunch at Books & Records in San Diego, followed by an early evening set at Panama 66. Saxophonist Ruben Estrada & The Martinez Brothers play a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 5/12 – Poncho Sanchez at Spaghettini

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Bassist Logan Kane and saxophonist Henry Solomon split a bill at The High Low in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Tristan Cappell and violaist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson are at the Hotel Covell in Hollywood. The Baked Potato offers a five-band showcase night including bassist Frescia Belmar. 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. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego. Pianist Aaron Otheim is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.

Tuesday 5/13 – Bill Frisell at Zebulon

Guitarist Bill Frisell is at Zebulon in Silverlake for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed) with Greg Leisz on pedal steel guitar, Tony Scherr on bass, and Kenny Wolleson on drums. The Jazz Bakers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Diana Krall is at Humphrey’s By The Bay in San Diego. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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 Derrik Lewis plays a happy hour show at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. Vocalist Giorgia Renosto is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 5/14 – Diana Krall at The Soraya

Pianist/vocalist Diana Krall is at The Soraya in Northridge.  Pianist Max Hayner is at Catalina in Hollywood with Aidan Carroll on bass and Rick Montalbano on drums. Guitarist John Storie is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Bill Frisell is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Brazilian bassist Pops Magellan celebrates an album release at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Pianist Aimee Nolte and vocalist Leonard Patton play the music of Burt Bacharach at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Florence Osteria in West Hollywood. 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.