About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of September 29, 2025

September ends and October opens with a SoCal jazz week including Kamasi Washington, Branford Marsalis, Samara Joy, Nnenna Freelon, Arturo O’Farrill, Taylor Eigsti, Michael Landau, Ledisi, Henry Franklin, Ryan Roberts, Scott Kinsey, Doug Webb, Clayton Cameron, Mark Guiliana, and Gabrielle Cavassa.

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 9/29 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue) with Danny Carey on drums, Jimmy Earl on bass, Mitchel Forman on keys, and Jamie Kime on guitar. Martini In The Morning celebrates a birthday at Catalina in Hollywood with vocalists including Tierney Sutton and James Torme. Drummer Nate Smith is at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Pianist/vocalist Samora Pinderhughes is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with vocalist Lindsey Webster. Drummer Jay Bellerose is at the Hotel Covell in Hollywood. Saxophonist Logan Hone is at Bub & Grandmas in Eagle Rock. Clarinetist Matt Stubbs is at The High Low in Atwater Village. 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. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Eddie V’s in San Diego. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a jam session at the Charade Speakeasy in San Diego. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 9/30 – Kamasi Washington at Blue Note LA

Saxophonist Kamasi Washington begins a two-week run at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. The Dave Slonaker Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Kohanya Trio is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. 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. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. 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 Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 10/1 – Nnenna Freelon at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Nnenna Freelon celebrates an album and book release at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at the Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Samara Joy is at Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay in San Diego. Pianist Sam Reid is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Terrell Edwards is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Raul Pineda is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. 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. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe leads a jazz jam at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.

Thursday 10/2 – Taylor Eigsti at Sam First

Pianist Taylor Eigsti is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Thu-Fri) with Alan Hampton on bass and Jonathan Pinson on drums (Mark Guiliana on drums Friday). Vocalist Samara Joy is at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara. Drummer Clayton Cameron is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Mark Guiliana is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Drummer Kevin van den Elzen offers a tribute to the music of Billy Strayhorn at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist Bill Cunliffe’s Acid Cole Trio is at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Dave Harrington celebrates an album release at the Townhouse in Venice. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero plays the music of Chuck Mangione at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer Anthony Fung is at The Merc in Temecula. Bassist Mackenzie Leighton is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Crystal Lewis is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente.  Saxophonist Mike Whitman is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at Davina Cucina in Montrose. Four And More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. 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. Pianist Richard Turner is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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 10/3 – Arturo O’Farrill & His Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble at The Nimoy

Pianist Arturo O’Farrill & His Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble are at The Nimoy in Westwood. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Ledisi sings the music of Dinah Washington at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Bassist Henry Franklin celebrates a birthday at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Tamir Hendelman is at LACMA in West L.A. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Dave Askren and saxophonist Jeff Benedict are at the Canyon Crest Winery in Riverside. Pianist/vocalist Billy Stritch is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Golden Island in San Diego. Saxophonist Murray Middleman is at St. Bede The Venerable Church in La Canada-Flintridge.   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. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Lee Hartley.  Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Tino Productions are at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Woody James Legacy Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. The Saddleback Big Band is at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo.

Saturday 10/4 – Branford Marsalis at the Segerstrom Samueli Theater

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is at the Segerstrom Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa with Joey Calderazzo on piano, Eric Revis on bass, and Justin Faulkner on drums. Drummer Simon Phillips is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Irving Flores is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist/vocalist Billy Stritch is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Aaron Jacobs & The Swing Tones are at the Main Kitchen Bar & Grill in Canoga Park. Vocalist Donna Deussen is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Will Downing and The Braxton Brothers are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. The Buzz Maddox Octet is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Guitarist JJ Sansaverino is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Palmina By Puglia in Palm Springs. Pianist Eric Scott Reed leads an afternoon workshop at The World Stage in South L.A. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch gig at Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty does a brunch at California English in San Diego.

Sunday 10/5 – Ryan Roberts Bass Education Benefit at Catalina Jazz Club

Bassist Ryan Roberts leads a benefit evening for student music instruction at Catalina in Hollywood with Lia Booth on vocals, Ruslan Sirota on piano, and Gary Novak on drums. Vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Roy Dunlap opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at the Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant plays an afternoon show at the Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts in Ojai.  Pianist Melonie Grinnell is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Incendio is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Hebrew Hancock is at Collage in San Pedro. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 10/6 – Dechter/Frank Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Frank on bass, Jordan Seigel on keys, and Ryan Shaw on drums. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Arin Ray is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalists Genevieve Artadi and Kathryn Shuman are at The High Low in Atwater Village.  Pianist Matt Politano is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  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 10/7 – Kamasi Washington at Blue Note LA

Saxophonist Kamasi Washington begins the second week of his two-week Tuesday-Sunday residency at the Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Drummer Charles Ruggiero plays a live recording session at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. 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. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Pianist Edward Gabrielyan is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Hagen Jazz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 10/8 – Charles Ruggiero at The Baked Potato

Drummer Charles Ruggiero finishes a two-night (Tue-Wed) live recording session at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax and Mike Gurrola on bass. Pianist/vocalist Billy Stritch is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at the Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom is at Vine in Long Beach.  Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vibraphonist Chris Stevens is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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 Doug MacDonald is at the Z Club in Joshua Tree. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. RC & Noir are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.