About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of October 27, 2025

Jazz highlights across SoCal this week include John Scofield, The Pacific Jazz Orchestra w/Jane Monheit, Caity Gyorgy, Kris Davis, George Colligan, Bob Reynolds, Ernie Watts, Banned From Utopia, and Saturday’s LA Jazz Society Awards including Christian McBride, Patrice Rushen and Gretchen Parlato.

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 10/27 – 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.

Thursday 10/30 – Banned From Utopia at The Baked Potato

Banned From Utopia plays the music of Frank Zappa beginning a three-night (Thur-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with original Zappa band members Ray White on vocals, Chad Wackerman on drums, and Scott Thunes on bass, plus Jamie Kime on guitar, Nick Charin on vocals/keys, and Robbie Mangano on guitar.  The Pacific Jazz Orchestra with guest vocalist Jane Monheit is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist/trombonist Gunhild Carling is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Dirk K is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Alex Sill is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. The Pepper Moons are at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pianist Mina Choi is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at Ki’s Restaurant in Cardiff. Trumpeter Brian Watson is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Harbor & Sky in San Diego. Mark & The Nightcaps are at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. The Jazz Cartel is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Guitarist Tomas Janzon is at The Merc in Temecula. Trombonist John Egizi’s 805 Jazz Jam is at Leashless Brewing in Ventura. 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. 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. Saxophonist Billy T & The Fam are at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Vocalist Rabbi Blue is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Friday 10/31 – George Colligan at Sam First

Pianist George Colligan is at Sam First near LAX with Eric Revis on bass and Tina Raymond on drums. Saxophonist Charles Owens is at The World Stage in South L.A. Banned From Utopia is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Maiya Sykes is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia and guitarist Dori Amarillo are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga.  Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Deborah Silver is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). The Zani Quartet is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Fresh Veggies Micro Brass are at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with pianist Laurence Hobgood. Trumpeter Chris Lawrence is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Guitarist Dusty Brough is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Dean Mora & His Haunted Orchestra are at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Saturday 11/1 – John Scofield Combo 73 at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz

Guitarist John Scofield is at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz in West L.A. with Gerald Clayton on piano, Vicente Archer on bass, and Bill Stewart on drums. The LA Jazz Society’s 2025 Jazz Tribute Concert & Awards Dinner features Christian McBride, Patrice Rushen, and Gretchen Parlato at the Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. Vocalist Caity Gyorgy is at the Segerstrom Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Ernie Watts celebrates a birthday at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Banned From Utopia is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Deborah Silver is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at 1881 in Pasadena. Incendio is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Jammetry is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Bassist Julian Vaughan celebrates an album release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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 Pepper Moons are at Cicada in Downtown L.A. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch gig at Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica. Guitarist/vocalist Suren Arustamyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica.

Sunday 11/2 – Jim Fox’s Guitar Hang with Dean Parks at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Jim Fox’s Guitar Hang is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guest guitarist Dean Parks, along with Trey Henry on bass and John Ferraro on drums. Vocalist Caity Gyorgy is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at The G Spot in Highland Park for a house concert.  Pianist George Colligan is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Pianist Peter Smith’s afternoon Stained Glass Sessions at First Baptist Church of Pasadena features trumpeter John Michael Bradford. The Secret Agents are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The 7th Unit Jazz Project is at the El Cariso Golf Club in Sylmar. Highland Park Jazz opens 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.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Trumpeter Walt Johnson leads his Sinatra Tribute Band at the Grand Annex in San Pedro with vocalist Michael Falcone. 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. Drummer John Kithcart has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 11/3 – Terrace Martin at Blue Note LA

Multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Guitarist Dave Harrington is at Healing Force Of The Universe in Pasadena.  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 with drummer Mark Guiliana. 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. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 11/4 – Ghost-Note at Blue Note LA

Ghost-Note begins a two-night (Tue-Wed) run at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Lia Booth is at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Drummer Justin Brown hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX.  Guitarist Doug MacDonald and vocalist Mindy Austin are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. 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.

Wednesday 11/5 – Doug Webb All-Stars at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights (Tue-Wed) with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jamie Kime on guitar, and Danny Carey on drums. Ghost-Note is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Carolyn Hennesy is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Susan Krebs’ Trio WoRK is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Aaron Akins is at Catalina in Hollywood. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at the Z Club in Joshua Tree. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Sam First near LAX hosts jazz bands from Long Beach City College (LBCC) and Cal State Northridge (CSUN). Guitarist Pritesh Walia leads a jazz jam at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura.