About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of August 11, 2025

Blue Note LA opens with Robert Glasper in a SoCal jazz week also featuring Brad Mehldau, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Charles Altura, Nir Felder, Wackerman & Childs, Wayne Escoffrey, The LA Jazz Quartet, Bobby Bradford, The Stinkfoot Orchestra, Hadrien Feraud, Brian Hargrove, Karl Denson, and Julie Zhu.

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 8/11 – 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. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Forbits is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. 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.

Thursday 8/14 – Robert Glasper at Blue Note LA

Pianist Robert Glasper begins a two-night (Thu-Fri) run to open the new Blue Note LA in Hollywood.  Trumpeter Bobby Bradford is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood. The Stinkfoot Orchestra with vocalist Napoleon Murphy Brock plays the music of Frank Zappa at Venice West in Venice.  Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at Sam First near LAX.  The West Coast Jazz Hour Trio is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Guitarist Alex Sill is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Pianist Tamir Hendelman is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Drummer Al Williams is at The Merc in Temecula. Drummer Ed Smith is at The Grape in Temecula. Guitarist Mark Carter is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Donna Deussen and guitarist Jim Fox will be at the Sunland Vintage Winery in Thousand Oaks.  Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Drummer Tom Dante is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mark Kopitzke is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Teryn’ Re is at Bottega Angelina in Laguna Niguel. 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. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Kevin Tokarz is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.

Friday 8/15 – LA Jazz Quartet at Sam First

The LA Jazz Quartet is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Larry Koonse on guitar, Chuck Manning on sax, Darek Oles on bass, and Jason Harnell on drums. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Robert Glasper is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Grant Geissman is at LACMA in West L.A. Saxophonist Fuasi Abdul Khaliq is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist George Kahn is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Gregg Karukas is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Keyboardist Larry Goldings is at Motivo LA in Atwater Village with tap dancer Melinda Sullivan. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at the Pasea Hotel in Huntington Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano 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. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Hollywood Canteen Swing Band is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. The Woody James Legacy Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 8/16 – Cecile McLorin Salvant at The Conrad

Vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant is at The Conrad in La Jolla with a band including pianist Sullivan Fortner. The LA Jazz Quartet is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Brian Hargrove’s Jazz Chamber Ensemble is at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Robert Glasper is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Alex Isley is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun). PSG is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun). Guitarist Jonathan Stout & His Campus Five are at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Visionarium in Pasadena. Trombor is at Hancock Park in West L.A. Saxophonist Kahlil Childs is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. 6 Cents is at Collage in San Pedro. Liz Ajuzie & The Mood Swings are at Golden Island in San Diego. Harpist Minta Spencer is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Vocalist Hannah Rose Lewis is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. The Grinnells are at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist John Opferkuch is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Humphrey’s Backstage 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 Alpha Rhythm Kings are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch gig at Jinky’s in Santa Monica. The Jazz Angels play an afternoon show at the Jewish Community Foundation in Long Beach.

Sunday 8/17 – Wackerman & Childs at The Baked Potato

Wackerman & Childs are at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Sophia Wackerman on vocals/guitar, Aaron Childs on vocals/keys, Billy Childs on keys, Aubrey Situmorang on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Vocalist Julie Zhu celebrates an album release at The Mint in West L.A., followed by drummer Kevin Kanner’s jam session. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem and pianist Vardan Ovsepian are at Tomat near LAX. Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Ben Dabiri is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist Joshua White is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Trumpeter Skip Spiro is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Vocalist Alex Isley is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Keyboardist Brian Culbertson is at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Guitarist Adam Hawley is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Tom Braxton, vocalist Rebecca Jade, and guitarist Andrea Lisa are at the South Coast Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Ronee Martin and pianist Van-Anh Nguyen are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Drummer Michael Barsimanto is at the Tuning Fork in Studio City. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Guitarist Leon Karagoezian is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Ben Sachs has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Bassist Lisa Mezzacappa plays an afternoon show at Healing Force Of The Universe.

Monday 8/18 – Andy Prado at The Baked Potato

Drummer Andy Prado is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Sill on guitar, Max Gerl on bass, and Cole Riddle on keys. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Matt Politano is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  Saxophonist Max Kaplan is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Jordon DeTiege is at The World Stage in South L.A.  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. The Boss Cats are at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 8/19 – John Pizzarelli at Bistango

Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at Bistango in Irvine for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed) with drummer Kevin Kanner. Bassist Pete Griffin’s Lab Rats are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist/keyboardist Terrace Martin is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Saxophonist Devin Daniels hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. The Buddy Rich Big Band Machine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Marshall Hawkins is at Ferro in Idyllwild. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Greg Poree is at Visionarium in Pasadena. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Black Market Trust is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach.  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. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. 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 8/20 – Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl

Pianist Herbie Hancock is at the Hollywood Bowl with Terence Blanchard on trumpet, James Genus on bass, Lionel Loueke on guitar/vocals, and Jaylen Petinaud on drums. Saxophonist Tom Luer is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at Catalina in Hollywood with a backing band led by pianist Todd Hunter. Drummer Charles Ruggerio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Saxophonist/keyboardist Terrace Martin is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at Bistango in Irvine. Bassist Frescia Belmar is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty sings the music of Norah Jones at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. 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. Bassist Yousef Javier leads a Latin Jazz jam at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.