About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of June 30, 2025

July opens with a SoCal jazz week including Alan Pasqua & Darek Oles, Danny Janklow w/Roy McCurdy, Scott Kinsey, The Session Syndicate, Will Brahm, Kenny Washington, Jim Fox & Ron Eschete, Max Gerl, Devin Daniels, Katalyst, Andy Prado, and Mauricio Morales.

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, especially on holidays. The LAjazz.com Quick Calendar lists shows and times three days in advance on the LAjazz.com home page.

Monday 6/30 – Zona 818 at The Baked Potato

Drummer Andy Prado’s Zona 818 celebrates an album release at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The West Coast Jazz Hour Trio will be at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Guitarist Alexander Noice will be at The High Low in Atwater Village. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano 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. 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. Saxophonist J. White is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.

Tuesday 7/1 – The Session Syndicate at Vibrato

The Session Syndicate is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Shane Theriot on guitar, Steve Ferrone on drums, Freddie Washington on bass, Jeff Babko on keys, Mark Pender on trumpet, and Scott Mayo on sax. Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Devin Daniels hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. 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 7/2 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Hadrien Feraud on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Bassist Mauricio Morales is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Mark Ferber is at 1881 in Pasadena. Armenian pianist Artur Zakiyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Aimee Nolte is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Phatback, Earl & Me is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Jumpin Joz’ 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. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Drago Central in downtown L.A. with pianist Marc LeBrun.

Thursday 7/3 – Danny Janklow Plays Cannonball Adderly at The Baked Potato

Alto saxophonist Danny Janklow plays the music of Cannonball Adderly with former Adderly drummer Roy McCurdy at The Baked Potato in Studio City featuring Tamir Hendelman on keys, Jermaine Paul on bass, Alonzo Demetrius on trumpet, and Ben Flock on tenor sax. Bassist Max Gerl is at Sam First near LAX. Afro-Cuban percussionist Lazarro Galarraga is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Eric Wortham II hosts a vocalist showcase at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Kenny Sara is at The Original Farmers Market in West L.A.  Vocalist Amanda Castro is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach.  Trombonist Joey Sellers is at Roost 374 in San Clemente.  Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at The Merc in Temecula.  Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.   The Free Agents are at The Grape in Ventura.  Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Guitarist Matt Hornbeck is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar 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 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. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski does a late afternoon show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 7/4 – Katalyst at LACMA

Katalyst is at LACMA in West L.A. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grille in Irvine.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Vittorio’s in Huntington Beach. Pianist Stuart Elster is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Vocalist Jeff Robinson is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego.

Saturday 7/5 – Alan Pasqua & Darek Oles at Sam First

Pianist Alan Pasqua is at Sam First near LAX with bassist Darek Oles. Vocalist Kenny Washington is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Stu Hamm is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Brian Bromberg does an afternoon show at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Brian Simpson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Very Good Brass does a live recording at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Elle Cusac is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Jenessa Noland.  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. Hammerstein Swing is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica.  Vocalist Jacqui Hylton does an afternoon show at Stonehaus in Westlake Village.

Sunday 7/6 – Will Brahm + Kevin Kanner at Sam First

Guitarist Will Brahm leads a trio featuring Emilio Lasansky on bass and Benjamin Ring on drums in opening for drummer Kevin Kanner’s Jazz Jam at The Mint in West L.A. Guitarist Jim Fox hosts a Guitar Hang at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guest Ron Eschete. Pianist Michael Ragonese is at Tomat near LAX. Trumpeter Curtis Taylor is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Drummer Tamir Barzilay celebrates an album release at Healing Force of The Universe in Pasadena. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Kira Morrison & The Major 3 are at Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Bassist Aneesa Strings does a late afternoon show at Plummer Park in West Hollywood.  Pianist Steve Blum is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. 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. The Santa Ana Swingers play a happy hour show at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Pianist Todd Hunter hosts an open mic brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Saxophonist Nick Gomez has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Guitarist Tony Ybarra does a jazz brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  Vocalist Melody Collins does a brunch at the El Encanto Hotel in Santa Barbara.

Monday 7/7 – Graham Dechter Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter’s quartet is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guest saxophonist Joel Frahm, plus Alex Frank on bass, Ryan Shaw on drums, and Jordan Seigel on keys.   Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Bassist/vocalist Daryl Johns is at Zebulon in Silverlake. 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. The Laguna Beach Concert Band is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.  Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Bassist Seth Ford-Young is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.

Tuesday 7/8 – Calabria Foti at Bistango

Vocalist/violinist Calabria Foti is at Bistango in Irvine with pianist Josh Nelson, Mike Gurrola on bass, Kendall Kay on drums, and Kye Palmer on trumpet. Trombonist Ryan Porter hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. The Jazz Bakers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Billy Vera leads a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air.   The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Vocalist Slim Man is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Big Time Operator is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. 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.   Guitarist Louis Valenuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego.   Pianist Edward Gabrielyan is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Kohanya Trio is at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Guitarist Brendan Coyle 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 7/9 – John Tegmeyer at Sam First

Clarinetist John Tegmeyer is at Sam First near LAX with Vardan Ovsepian on piano, Jake Leckie on bass, and Tina Raymond on drums. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Annette Warren celebrates her 103rd birthday at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Dorian Harewood sings the music of Nat King Cole with pianist Randy Waldman at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Scott Wilkie plays Brazilian jazz at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach.    Flutist Lori Bell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  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.  Hagen Jazz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.