About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of August 4, 2025

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Simon Phillips, The Sun Ra Arkestra, Ruslan Sirota, Jeff Ellwood, Deron Johnson, Scott Kinsey, Jeff Lorber, Nicole McCabe, Ethio Cali, Betty Bryant, Wil Blades, Ken Pepolowski, and Steve Blum.

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 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.

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. The Fresh Mint Pharaohs are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. 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. RC & Noir are at Visionarium in Pasadena. Vocalist Natalie Mendoza celebrates a birthday at The Ordinaire in Long Beach.  Jumpin’Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Thursday 8/7 – Simon Phillips Protocol V at Catalina Jazz Club

Drummer Simon Phillips’ Protocol V begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood with Otmaro Ruiz on keys, Jacob Scesney on sax, Alex Sill on guitar, and Ernest Tibbs on bass. Saxophonist Jeff Ellwood is at Sam First near LAX with Alan Pasqua on piano, Darek Oles on bass, and Joe La Barbera on drums. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood. Keyboardist Steve Blum is at Solarc Brewing in Eagle Rock. Work In Progress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Roy McCurdy is at The Merc in Temecula. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Teryn Re’ begins an August Thursdays residency at Bottega Angelina in Laguna Niguel. Guitarist Nadav Peled is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Visionarium in Pasadena. Vocalist Donna Deussen and guitarist Jim Fox are at the Thai Fusion Bistro in West Hills. Vocalist Elena Gilliam is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Pianist Roy Dunlap is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Alex Mendham & His Orchestra are at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Dave Williams is at Alder & Sage in Long Beach. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at Davina Cucina in Montrose. 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.   Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Pianist Kevin Tokarz is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Mercedes Moore does a late afternoon show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 8/8 – Ruslan Sirota at Sam First

Pianist Ruslan Sirota is at Sam First near LAX with Mike Gurrola on bass and Gene Coye on drums. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Ethio Cali is at The World Stage in South L.A. Drummer Simon Phillips’ Protocol V is at Catalina in Hollywood. Organist Wil Blades is at Healing Force Of The Universe in Pasadena. Drummer Gengis Don is at LACMA in West L.A. The SicNarf big band is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at Ki’s Restaurant in Cardiff. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. 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. Guitarist Dusty Brough is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. 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. XThe Zzymzzy Quartet is at Golden Island in San Diego. Guitarist Dayl Darden is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Woody James Legacy Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 8/9 – Jeff Lorber at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jimmy Haslip on bass, Gary Novak on drums, and Lenny Castro on percussion.  Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at Sam First near LAX.  Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at The Grape in Ventura.  Drummer Simon Phillips’ Protocol V is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Bassist Max Gerl is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake.  Jose Rizo’s Picoso is at Hancock Park in West L.A.  Polish vocalist Aga Zaryan is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. The Altadena Jazz Collective will be at the Folly Bowl in Altadena.  Pino Noir is at Bar Bacari in Culver City.  Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The SoCal 7 are at Lou Lou’s in San Diego.  Saxophonist Najee and guitarist Adam Hawley are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Black Market Trust is at the Studio Channel Islands Gallery in Camarillo. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at the Curtis Theatre in Brea. Harpist Minta Spencer is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Vocalist Adam “Aejaye” Jackson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association in Pasadena. 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. The Esquires Big Band is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch gig at Jinky’s in Santa Monica. Keyboardist Brian Simpson has the afternoon show at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalists Angela O’Neill and Bill A. Jones front the Outrageous 8 at Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City for an afternoon show.

Sunday 8/10 – The Ithaca Trio at The Baked Potato

Drummer Jason Harnell’s Ithaca Trio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Adam Benjamin on keys and Storm Nilson on guitar.  Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Drummer Michael Barsimanto is at The Tuning Fork in Studio City. Vocalist Charlo Crossley and pianist Sunnie Paxson are at Catalina in Hollywood.  Trumpeter Ron Francis Blake opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Dolores Scozzesi celebrates a birthday at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Lady Parts are at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. The Soto Six are at Panama 66 in San Diego. Guitarist Lemek celebrates an album release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Will Donato is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Mike Wofford 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. The Jazz Cartel has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club does an afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Trumpeter Jeff Elliot does a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  Pianist Todd Hunter does the afternoon brunch at the Urban press Winery in Burbank.

Monday 8/11 – Brad Mehldau at Largo At The Coronet

Pianist Brad Mehldau is at Largo At The Coronet in West L.A. with Chris Thile on mandolin, Felix Moseholm on bass, and Matt Chamberlain on drums. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Miro Sprgaue is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Pianist Josh Nelson is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Flutist Lori Bell 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. Bassist Teddy Bang is at Mercedes Bar & Grille in Marina Del Rey.

Tuesday 8/12 – Charles Altura at Sam First

Guitarist Charles Altura is at Sam First near LAX with Vardan Ovsepian on piano, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Anthony Fung on drums. Excursion is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Kokoroko is at the Epstein Family Amphitheater in San Diego. Vocalist Melanie Taylor and guitarist Terry Wollman are at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Phat Cat Swinger is at the Redlands Bowl in Redlands. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Big Time Operator is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Forbits is at Ferro in Idyllwild. 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 8/13 – Nir Felder at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Nir Felder is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Hadrien Feraud on bass and Gary Novak on drums.  Saxophonist Wayne Escoffrey is at Sam First near LAX.  Guitarists Allen Hinds and Brad Rabuchin are at 1881 in Pasadena.  Vocalist Liz Gillies is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Kokoroko is at the Regent Theater in downtown L.A. Guitarist Ken Song is at Visionarium in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.