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

July ends and August opens with a SoCal jazz week including Esperanza Spalding, Tom Scott, Kenny Werner, Randy Brecker, Ben Williams, Kleber Jorge & Catina DeLuna, Gilbert Castellanos, Bernie Dresel, Cory Henry, Pete Escovedo, Ernie Watts, Julian Shore, Tim Shaghoian, and Aaron Serfaty.

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 7/28 – Tim Shaghoian at The High Low

Saxophonist Tim Shaghoian celebrates an album release at The High Low in Atwater Village with Vardan Ovsepian on piano, Jonathan Richards on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Drummer Gorden Campbell is at The Mint in West L.A. Charged Particles with guest trumpeter Randy Brecker are at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with pianist David Benoit. Phatback, Earl & Me are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Tommy Gannon 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. 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. Bassist Teddy Bang kicks off a new Monday night jazz series at Mercedes Bar & Grille in Marina Del Rey.

Tuesday 7/29 – Bernie Dresel BBB at The Baked Potato

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Cory Henry is at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Joe Rozum is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Lia Booth is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Keri Kelsey hosts an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. 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. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. 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 7/30 – Aaron Serfaty at 1881

Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena with Mitchell Long on guitar, Sezin Ahmet Turkmenoglu on bass, and Jake Chapman on vibes. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Matt Politano is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. 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. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.

Thursday 7/31 – Charged Particles w/Randy Brecker at Vibrato

Trumpeter Randy Brecker is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Charged Particles and saxophonist Tod Dickow playing the music of Michael Brecker. Pianist Julian Shore is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. Pianist Kenny Werner is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at The Merc in Temecula. Guitarist Dirk K is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Rose Colella is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist/guitarist Ponpon Chen is at The Culver Steps in Culver City. Vocalist Anais St. John is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. The Soto Six are at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Guitarist Victor Baker is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Drummer Daniel Venz is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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. Drummer James Yoshizawa is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. 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. Pianist Kevin Tokarz is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.

Friday 8/1 – 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 Grant Geissman on guitar, Mitchel Forman on keys, Chris Colangelo on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Percussionist Pete Escovedo & Family celebrate his 90th birthday at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Ernie Watts is at LACMA in West L.A. Bassist Ben Williams is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Don Preston is at The World Stage in South L.A. Derrick Hodge leads an evening of music and art at The Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood titled “If I Awaken In Los Angeles”. Bassist Nick Campbell and trumpeter Mike Rocha split a bill at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Saxophonists Dennis Mitcheltree and Doug Webb are at Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Pianist Brenda Greggio offers a tribute to Keith Jarrett at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Gabrielito y La Verdad is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena.   Guitarist Horace Bray is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake.  The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grille in Irvine. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Native Fields in Walnut. Trumpeter Chris Lawrence III is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. 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. Phat Cat Swinger is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena.  Drummer Jorg Dubin is at the Lumberyard in Laguna Beach.   Guitarist Mark Carter is at the Red Lounge Cafe in Glendora.  The Woody James Legacy Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 8/2 – Esperanza Spalding at Jerry Moss Plaza

Bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding is at the Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center in downtown L.A. Bassist Ben Williams is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Kleber Jorge and vocalist Catina DeLuna are at Vibrato in Bel Air with a group including pianist Otmaro Ruiz. Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom is at Collage in San Pedro. Drummer Rayford Griffin is at The Grape in Ventura.  Drummer Roy McCurdy is at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Tom Scott is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Pete Escovedo & Family celebrate his 90th birthday at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist/vocalist Carl Verheyen is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Saxophonist Michael Lington and Jazz Funk Soul are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Keyboardist Frank McComb is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Pianist Gerald Clayton and bassist John Clayton do an afternoon talk/music performance at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Vocalist Craig Cochrane is at Visionarium in Pasadena. Pianist Brenda Greggio offers a tribute to Keith Jarrett at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Phat Cat Swinger is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Natalie Mendoza is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association in Pasadena. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Lao Tizer has the afternoon show at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano 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 Chloe Perrier is at Cicada in downtown 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 morning brunch gig at Jinky’s in Santa Monica. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty does a brunch at California English in San Diego.

Sunday 8/3 – Kenny Werner & Janis Mann at The G Spot

Pianist Kenny Werner and vocalist Janis Mann celebrate an album release at a G Spot House Concert in Highland Park. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos fronts the KSDS Jazz Orchestra in the music of Miles Davis’ Porgy & Bess at The Rady Shell in San Diego.  Drummer Michael Barsimanto opens a month-long Sunday residency at The Tuning Fork in Studio City with Michael Wolff on keys and Nedra Wheeler on bass.  The Jazz Bakers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Bassist MonoNeon is at The Echo in Echo Park. Cuban vocalist Lily H. Clark is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist/vocalist Carl Verheyen is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer Kevin Higuchi plays the music of Ahmad Jamal at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Bassist Logan Kane is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  The Smooth Jazz All-Stars with guitarist Steve Oliver play a benefit at the South Coast Winery in Temecula. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Guitarist/vocalist Andrea Lisa is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Flutist Holly Hofmann is at The Manhattan in La Jolla.  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.  Drummer Jorg Dubin is at the Zinc Cafe in Laguna Beach.  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. Drummer Parker Trent has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Carolyn Martinez has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Pianist Joshua White plays an afternoon show at the Encinitas Library in Encinitas. Pianist Larry Nash plays an afternoon show at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall in South L.A.

Monday 8/4 – Sun Ra Arkestra at Lodge Room

The Sun Ra Arkestra is at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.   Saxophonist Devin Daniels and trumpeter Julien Knowles lead a quartet at The High Low in Atwater Village.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach.  Guitarist Peter Sprague is at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue).  Vocalist Crystal Clulee 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. 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.  Bassist Taylor Blake is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.

Tuesday 8/5 – Dudamel & The LA Phil Play Ellington at The Hollywood Bowl

Gustavo Dudamel conducts the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl in a program featuring Duke Ellington’s “Harlem” and “Black, Brown & Beige”.   Clarinetist Ken Peplowski is at Bistango in Irvine with vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX.  Guitarist Peter Sprague is at the North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach.  Vocalist Kandace Lindsey is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist/keyboardist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Leslie Page is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Sue Palmer 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 Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. 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 8/6 – Deron Johnson at Healing Force Of The Universe

Keyboardist Deron Johnson is at Healing Force of The Universe in Pasadena with Aaron Steele on drums, Solomon Dorsey on bass, and Steve Blum on keyboards. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian and guitarist Vinicius Gomes are at Sam First near LAX with vocalist SongYi Jeon.   Pianist Otmaro Ruiz is at 1881 in Pasadena.  English vocalist Richard Shelton is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura.