About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of October 20, 2025

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Billy Childs, Kenny Garrett, Branford Marsalis, Kandace Lindsey, Brandee Younger, Cory Henry, Nestor Torres, Alex Sill, Sasha Berliner, Bernie Dresel, Andrew Synowiec, Chris Wabich, and Michelle Coltrane.

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 10/20 – Blanco Diablo at The Baked Potato

Blanco Diablo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Dave Goodwin on bass, Matt Rohde on keys, Mike Cottone on trumpet, Katisse Buckingham on sax, Will Brahm on guitar and Andy Sanesi on drums. Saxophonist Alden Helmuth is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Bassist Billy Mohler is at the Hotel Covell in Hollywood. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Other Delights is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.

Tuesday 10/21 – Branford Marsalis at Blue Note LA

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis begins a two-night (Tue-Wed) at Blue Note LA in Hollywood with Joey Calderazzo on piano, Eric Revis on bass, and Justin Faulkner on drums. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Drummer Kyle Poole 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 Max Haymer 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 Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. Guitarist Nili Brosh is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Harvard-Westlake School Jazz Combos are at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Wednesday 10/22 – Hristo Vitchev & Jivko Petrov at Alvas Showroom

Guitarist Hristo Vitchev and pianist Jivko Petrov are at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Organist Brian Charette is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer Makaya McCraven is at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Flutist Nestor Torres is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Eve Elliot is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Saxophonist GD Henderson celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Joshua Aguiar is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The Big Band Express is at Tio Leo’s Lounge 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. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at the Z Club in Joshua Tree. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Guitarist David Holguin leads a Latin jazz jam at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A.  Keyboardist Amy Rowe is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Scotty Bramer is at Aum Beer House in Garden Grove.

Thursday 10/23 – Alex Sill & The Night Watch at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Alex Sill is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jacob Scesney on sax, Dominique Xavier Taplin on keys, Nick Campbell on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Harmonica player Roni Eytan and pianist Vardan Ovsepian are at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at the Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Guitarist Zach Caplinger is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Guitarist Nadav Peled is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Salsa Meets Jazz is at Catalina in Hollywood. Blues poet Aja Monet is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The Urban Renewal Project is at Molly Malone’s in West L.A. The Secret Agents are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist Carey Frank is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Bassist Bruce Lett is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Saxophonist Danny Gonzalez is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. 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. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Roger Espinoza is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Vocalists Al Sapienza & Deborah Rennard are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Mark Lessman is at Ki’s Restaurant in Cardiff.

Friday 10/24 – Billy Childs at Catalina Jazz Club

Pianist Billy Childs is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Aubrey Situmorang on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Vocalist Kandace Lindsey is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Guitarist Andrew Synowiec is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Kenny Garrett is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer Chris Wabich has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A with Josh Nelson on piano and Dan Lutz on bass. Drummer Gengis Don is at Sam First near LAX. Flutist Holly Hofmann is at the La Jolla Community Center in La Jolla. Vocalist Amy Keys is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalists Matt Forbes and Jesse Goddard are at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Jazz Attack is at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. The Grinnells are at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Mitchel Campbell is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Matt Smith is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Melba Miller. Guitarist Dusty Brough is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Esquires Big Band is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Woody James Legacy Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 10/25 – Kenny Garrett at Blue Note LA

Saxophonist Kenny Garrett is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the second of three nights (Fri-Sun). Pianist Billy Childs is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vibraphonist Sasha Berliner is at Sam First near LAX. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Brazilian vocalist/guitarist Teka is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The Free Agents are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pino Noir is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Maria de la Vega & The Wayward Five are at The Artsakh Paseo in Glendale. Vocalist Dan Olivo is at the Alhambra Performing Arts Center in Alhambra. The Garners are at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist David Moscoe is at The Dresden in Los Feliz. 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. The Chester Whitmore 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 Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica.

Sunday 10/26 – Brandee Younger at Sam First

Harpist Brandee Younger is at Sam First near LAX with Rashaan Carter on bass and Kewku Sumbry on drums. Saxophonist Kenny Garrett is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Keyboardist Cory Henry is at The Miracle Theater in Inglewood. Flutist Nestor Torres is at Venice West in Venice. Catatonic is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Cole Sainburg is at Tomat near LAX. Flutist Nori Tani plays a late afternoon show with vocalist Rie Takahashi at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Guitarist Marcus Machado is at Healing Force Of The Universe in Pasadena. Vocalist Julie Newsome is at Club Louie’s in Westlake Village. Vocalists Pamela Clay and Suzi Oliver are at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Christena Rich is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Teryn Re’ is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Keyboardist Patrick Bradley is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with trumpeter Evan Taylor. Trumpeter Kenneth Brown II plays a late afternoon show and jam session at the Aziz Gallerie in South L.A. CSUN Jazz Bands B & C open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi.  Saxophonist Terry Landry is at the El Cariso Golf Club in Sylmar.  Pianist John Opferkuch is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Keyboardist Scott Gilmore is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist Adam Wolff 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. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. The Santa Ana Swingers play a happy hour show at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Keyboardist Jay Smith has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Sandy Cummings has a jazz brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 10/27 – Amaro Freitas at Blue Note LA

Keyboardist Amaro Freitas is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guitarist Lee Ritenour.   The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach.  Saxophonist Alden Hellmuth is at the Hotel Covell in Hollywood.  Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Outside World is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Logan Hone is at Bub & Grandmas in Eagle Rock. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman 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. 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.

Tuesday 10/28 – Kris Davis at Sam First

Pianist Kris Davis is at Sam First near LAX with Robert Hurst on bass and Johnathan Blake on drums. Drummer Joel Taylor is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Billy Vera Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Courtney Lemmon is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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 Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells.  Hagen Jazz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  The SMC Jazz Ensemble is at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 10/29 – Pacific Jazz Orchestra w/Jane Monheit at Blue Note LA

The Pacific Jazz Orchestra with guest vocalist Jane Monheit begins a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vibraphonist Simon Moullier is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Kris Davis is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Native Fields in Walnut. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Sam Ross is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Vocalist Alicia Beach is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Matterform is at The Grape in Ventura.