About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of June 2, 2025

June opens with a SoCal jazz week with Michael Landau, The West Coast Jazz Hour Quintet, Danny Janklow, Scott Kinsey, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Eric Revis, Jacques Lesure, Josef Leimberg, Sasha Berliner, Pierre Bensusan, Eugenie Jones, and Brian Charette.

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 6/2 – Graham Dechter Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter leads a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Frank on bass, Ryan Shaw on drums, and Jordan Siegel on keys. Phi-Psonics is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Crystal Clulee 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 with bassist Hadrien Feraud. 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. Other Delights is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 6/3 – Benny Rietveld Orchestra at The Baked Potato

Bassist Benny Rietveld is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Scott Bell on trumpet, Ido Meshulam on trombone, Josh Childress on sax/EWI, Alex Budman on sax, Kenny Echizen on guitar, Joey Navarro on keys, Ray Brinker on drums, and Chamo Suarez on percussion. The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble leads the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at La Puglia in Santa Monica with vocalist Mindy Austin. 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 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 6/4 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Pedro Martins on guitar, Hadrien Feraud on bass, and Robert “Sput” Searight on drums. Saxophonist Tristan Cappel is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Liz Gillies is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Raul Pineda is at 1881 in Pasadena. Saxophonist Robert Kyle and guitarist Riner Scivally are at Roe Seafood in Long Beach. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. 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. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. The NYSA Jazz Quintet is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Thursday 6/5 – Danny Janklow Plays Horace Silver at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Danny Janklow plays the music of Horace Silver with keyboardist John Beasley at The Baked Potato in Studio City, also featuring John Davis on drums, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Aaron Janik on trumpet. Drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at The Muck in Fullerton. Vibraphonist Sasha Berliner is at The Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Rob Rodriguez is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Mon David is at The Merc in Temecula with pianist Josh Nelson and guitarist Larry Koonse. Drummer Ben Scholz is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Sharon Rae North is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Vocalist Typhanie Monique is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Alex Robinson is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Skip Heller’s Voodoo 5 are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. 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 Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Wildfire Brass Band plays a late show at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Mercedes Moore plays a late afternoon show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 6/6 – The West Coast Jazz Hour Quintet at Sam First

The West Coast Jazz Hour Quintet celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX with Josh Nelson on piano, Kevin van den Elzen on drums, Ron Stout on trumpet, Brian Clancy on sax, and Emiliano Lasansky on bass. Bassist Eric Revis is at The World Stage in South L.A. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at LACMA in West L.A. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Keyboardist Ed Roth is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Leslie Paula & The Latin Soul Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trombonist Joshua Brown is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Saxophonist Jeff Benedict and guitarist Dave Askren are at the Canyon Crest Winery in Riverside. The Sound Scientists celebrate an album release at Collage in San Pedro. Guitarist Daryl Darden is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Guitarist Alex Ciavarelli is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego.  The Aristocats 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 Angie Whitney. 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. French vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Garners are at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The ZZYMZZY Quartet is at Panama 66 in San Diego. The Woody James Legacy Band does an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 6/7 – Josef Leimberg at The World Stage

Trumpeter Josef Leimberg celebrates an album release at The World Stage in South L.A. Guitarist Pierre Bensusan is at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica. Vocalist Eugenie Jones is at the Kookaburra Lounge in Hollywood. Organist Brian Charette is at The Grape in Ventura with a band including Tool drummer Danny Carey. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Julius Rodriguez is at The Broad Stage Plaza in Santa Monica. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are at the Jacobs Park Rady Shell in San Diego. Vocalist Amy Keys is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Larry Goldings and tap dancer Melinda Sullivan are at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with flutist Holly Hofmann. The Jazz Cartel is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at Spring Meadow Park in Thousand Oaks. Vocalist Joe Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Keyboardist Robert Turner is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. 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. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. 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 Jerry Costanzo & His Gotham City Swingers are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Janet Orsi & The Akusta Kats are at Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Ellen Cusac is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad.

Sunday 6/8 – Michael Landau at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the last of three nights (Friday-Sunday) with Jorgen Carlsson on bass and Keith Carlock on drums. Guitarist/vocalist Maya Proulx is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Jazz Bakers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are at the Greek Theatre in Los Feliz. Bassist Jake Leckie is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Josie James is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Ted Case and bassist Karl McComas-Reichl are at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Yu Ooka is at the 3355 Asian Grill in Torrance. Saxophonist Will Donato and guitarist Blake Aaron are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera and pianist Ron Kobayashi are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Alex Ciavarelli is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Drummer Ben Scholz is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Keyboardist David Gorospe has a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club does afternoon sets at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.  Vocalist Typhanie Monique does the Sunday Terrace brunch at the El Encanto Hotel in Santa Barbara.

Monday 6/9 – Cathy Segal-Garcia at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia celebrates an album release at The Baked Potato in Studio City, backed by Carey Frank on keys, John Leftwich on bass, Steve Hass on drums, Will Brahm on guitar, and Billy Hulting on vibes. Saxophonist Tony Barba is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 6/10 – Geoffrey Keezer & Gillian Margot at Sam First

Pianist Geoff Keezer and vocalist Gillian Margot are at Sam First near LAX for an album release show. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Janis Mann and pianist Laurence Hobgood are at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam at Humphreys Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 6/11 – Paul Peress at The Baked Potato

Drummer Paul Peress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Oz Noy on guitar, Jacob Scesney on sax, Mitchel Forman on keys, and Ernest Tibbs on bass. Saxophonists Aaron Shaw and Devin Daniels lead a quintet at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Geoff Keezer and vocalist Gillian Margot are at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Armenian vocalist Araksya Amirkhanyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Maiya Sykes is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Flutist Lori Bell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Dave Murdy is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Emilio Palame is at The Guitar Merchant in Canoga Park. 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. TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Jazz Disciples are at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Kevin Tokarz plays a happy hour show at the Purple Room in Palm Springs.