About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of June 9, 2025

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stanley Clarke, Joe Lovano, Julian Lage, Bill Charlap, Ben Williams, Geoffrey Keezer & Gillian Margot, Harold Land, Jr., John Escreet, David Garfield, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Paul Cornish, Marcello Carelli, and Paul Peress.

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 6/9 – 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. Pianist Edward Gabrielyan is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. 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. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Pianist Geoff Keezer and vocalist Gillian Margot are at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Trumpeter Dan Rosenbom is at Vine in Long Beach. 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. Vocalist Joanna Gerolaga is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.

Thursday 6/12 – Harold Land, Jr. at The Grape

Pianist Harold Land, Jr. is at The Grape in Ventura with vocalist Dwight Trible, bassist Michael Alvidrez, and drummer Lyndon Rochelle. Drummer Marcello Carelli celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX with Barclay Moffitt on sax, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Adam Hersh on piano. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Grant Geissman is at The Muck in Fullerton. The Arsenio Rodriguez Project plays a tribute show to the Buena Vista Social Club at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Trumpeter Nolan Shaheed is at the La Siera University Troesh Conference Center in Riverside. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at The Original Farmers Market in West L.A. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vibraphonist Ian Harland is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Drummer Matt Smith is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego with vocalist Leonard Patton. Pianist Javier Santiago is at The Stowaway in downtown L.A. 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. Ritmo de Plebes is at Dizzy’s in San Diego.

Friday 6/13 – John Escreet at Sam First

Pianist John Escreet is at Sam First near LAX with Henry Solomon on sax, Logan Kane on bass, and Benjamin Ring on drums. Pianist Paul Cornish is at Motivo LA in Atwater Village. Vocalist Gloria Hendry is at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at LACMA in West L.A. Drummer Jacob Wendt is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Drummer Marco Carelli is at The Grape in Ventura. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist George Kahn is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Crystal Lewis is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Guitarist Fred Benedetti is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. 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 vocalist Kari Kirkland. 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 Pepper Moons are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Woody James Legacy Band does an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 6/14 – Blue Note Jazz Festival Day One at the Hollywood Bowl

Day One of the Hollywood Bowl’s Blue Note Jazz Festival includes vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, pianist Bill Charlap, trumpeter Keyon Harrold, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin and percussionist Pedrito Martinez. Bassist Ben Williams is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Don Randi is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Oskar Cartaya & The Enclave are at Hancock Park in West L.A. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarists Carl Verheyen and John Jorgenson are at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Brazilian vocalist/guitarist Teka is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Blake Aaron, saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, and The Braxton Brothers are at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Sunnie Paxson is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Montalban Quintet celebrates an album release at Panama 66 in San Diego. Ashley Anne & The Carnations are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association in Pasadena. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with saxophonist Tripp Sprague. 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. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Cicada in downtown L.A. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Catalina in Hollywood. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. Pianist Allen Takatsuka is at Luxe in Dana Point.

Sunday 6/15 – Blue Note Jazz Festival Day Two at the Hollywood Bowl

Day Two of the Hollywood Bowl’s Blue Note Jazz Festival includes bassist Stanley Clarke, saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Asante Santi Debriano, drummer Will Calhoun, and bassist Mohini Dey. Keyboardist David Garfield plays a Father’s Day celebration gig at Catalina in Hollywood with an all-star group including drummer Simon Phillips. Drummer Jason Harnell leads a quartet of CSUN Jazz Faculty at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Adam Hersh opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Liliana De Los Reyes is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Carl Verheyen is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist Logan Hone is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  The Free Agents are at the El Cariso Golf Club 19^th Hole Bar & Grill in Sylmar.  Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Pianist Todd Hunter & The Brazilians have 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 6/16 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb begins a four-night (Mon-Thu) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Danny Carey on drums, Mitchel Forman and Brian Charette on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Jamie Kime on guitar. Bassist Dave Holland and guitarist Lionel Loueke are at the Scripps Research Auditorium in San Diego. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with bassist Nathan East. Bassist Logan Kane is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Guitarist Matteo Mancuso is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Andrea Miller. Pianist Diego Gaeta is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. 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 pianist Ruslan Sirota. 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. Vocalist Adelaide is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 6/17 – Choi/Cunliffe Orchestra at Vibrato

Pianists Mina Choi and Bill Cunliffe lead a jazz orchestra at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Matteo Mancuso is at The Lodge Room in Highland Park – Dolphin Hyperspace opens. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Lia Booth is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick 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. 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. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown. Pianist Edward Gabrielyan is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. 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 6/18 – Max Haymer at Catalina

Pianist Max Haymer is at Sam First near LAX with Luca Alemanno on bass and Rick Montalbano on drums. Bassist Nathan East and son/keyboardist Noah East are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Flutist Lori Bell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Eve Elliot is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Bassist Antar Martin is 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. Guitarist Scotty Bramer is at the Aum Beer House in Garden Grove. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.