About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of December 1, 2025

December opens with a SoCal jazz week featuring Dave Weckl, Gregory Porter, Jacky Terrasson, Marcus Miller, Derrick Hodge, Eric Reed, Scott Kinsey, Terrace Martin, Ron Stout, Alex Hahn, Benn Clatworthy, Graham Dechter w/Bob Mintzer, Pete Griffin, Peter Smith, and Nora Germain.

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 12/1 – Graham Dechter Quartet w/Bob Mintzer at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter leads a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guest saxophonist Bob Mintzer. Vocalist Lady Blackbird is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Pianist David Benoit plays a holiday show at Belly Up in Solana 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. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Izzak Weatherwax hosts a jam at Three Clubs in Hollywood.

Tuesday 12/2 – Terrace Martin at Verse LA

Multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin begins a December Tuesdays residency at Verse L.A. in Toluca Lake. Bassist Pete Griffin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chad Wackerman on drums, Jamie Kime on guitar, and Isamu McGregor on keys. Violinist Nora Germain is at Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood. Vocalists Chris Mann and Brenna Whitaker are at Catalina in Hollywood. The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble leads the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter Julien Knowles opens for keyboardist Isaiah Harwood at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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 Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. St. Paul & The Minneapolis Funk All-Stars are at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Wednesday 12/3 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Francisco Fattoruso on bass, and Justin Brown on drums. Vocalist Rufus Wainwright and arranger Chris Walden are at the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. College jazz bands from CSUN and USC are at Sam First near LAX. 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. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a jazz jam at the Z Club in Joshua Tree. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Trombonist Jon Hatamiya leads a jam at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Bassist Teddy Bang is at The Famous in Glendale.

Thursday 12/4 – Dave Weckl at The Baked Potato

Drummer Dave Weckl is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of three nights (Thu-Sat) with Oz Noy on guitar, Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Chrissi Poland on vocals. Bassist Marcus Miller begins a four night (Thu-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Alex Hahn is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Trumpeter Ron Stout leads an evening of holiday music at the La Sierra Troesh Conference Center in Riverside. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul play a holiday show at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Staci Griesbach does a holiday show at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Matt Wilson does a holiday program at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Carey Frank is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Donna Deussen and guitarist Riner Scivally are at the Thai Fusion Bistro in West Hills. 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. Saxophonist Billy T & The Fam are at The Dresden in Los Feliz. 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. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Pianist Daniele Alexander is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air. RC & Noir are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Peggie Perkins is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Mercedes Moore does a happy hour show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 12/5 – Jacky Terrasson at Sam First

Pianist Jacky Terrasson is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Luques Curtis on bass and Joe Dyson on drums. Drummer Dave Weckl is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Marcus Miller is at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Derrick Hodge is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of three nights (Fri-Sun). Pianist Eric Reed is at The World Stage in South L.A. Bassist Will Lyle is at Dizzy’s in San Diego.  Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Guitarist Terry Wollman is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The SicNarf big band is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Teodross Avery is at The View Music Bar in Torrance. Classic Noir is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Fullerton Jazz Orchestra with pianist Mina Choi will be at the Meng Concert Hall at Cal State Fullerton.  Bassist Julian Esparza is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Drummer Matt Wilson does a holiday show at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Pianist Michael Campbell is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Golden Island in San Diego. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Saxophonist Kosta Kutay is at Collage in San Pedro. The Sway Collective does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. The OC Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Guitarist Dusty Brough is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Chris Bennett. Trumpeter Chris Lawrence is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Guitarist Daryl Darden is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica.

Saturday 12/6 – Gregory Porter at The Soraya

Vocalist Gregory Porter does a holiday program at The Soraya in Northridge. Pianist Jacky Terrasson is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Marcus Miller is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Dave Weckl is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Derrick Hodge is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood.  Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy’s System 6 is at The Wende Museum in Culver City. Bassist Marlon Martinez is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Flutist Lori Bell is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego.  Vocalist Cliff Beach and guitarist Gabe Rosenn are at 1881 in Pasadena.  Pianist David Benoit plays a holiday show at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach.  The Pepper Moons are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Drummer Matt Wilson does a holiday show at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena. Native Vibe plays an afternoon set at The Grape in Ventura, followed by an evening show by the Walt Johnson Sinatra Tribute Band. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Simply Fish in Costa Mesa.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano 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. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch gig at Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica. Pianist Sue Palmer does a brunch at California English in San Diego. Vocalist Hannah Rose Lewis does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 with guest vocalist Sidney Jacobs do an afternoon brunch at Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City. The GO Jazz Big Band plays a holiday afternoon show at The Main in Newhall.

Sunday 12/7 – Marcus Miller at Catalina Jazz Club

Bassist Marcus Miller is at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Derrick Hodge is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Teryn Re’ fronts her big band at The Baked Potato in Studio City for an evening of holiday music. The Jazz Butchers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s Sunday night jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Peter Smith’s latest late afternoon Stained Glass Session is at the First Baptist Church of Pasadena. Brazilian pianist Cassio Vianna is at Collage in San Pedro. Saxophonist Erisa Nicole is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Jonathan Cohen is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul play a holiday show at Club Louie in Westlake Village. Vocalist Crystal Lewis does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Pianist Ted Case and bassist Karl McComas-Reichl are at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  Keyboardist Bryard Huggins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. 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. 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 12/8 – Poncho Sanchez at Spaghettini

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer Jason Harnell plays a holiday solo show at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Michael Islas is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon 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.  Calycos is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.  The M.O.B. Jazz Quintet is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 12/9 – Theo Croker at Blue Note LA

Trumpeter Theo Croker is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Pianist Larry Fuller is at Sam First near LAX. Multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. Vocalist Aaron Jacobs & The Swing Tones offer a Rat Pack Holiday Tribute at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Becky Moon is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Visionarium in South Pasadena.   The Aristocats are at Owa in Venice. 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. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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 12/10 – Jeff Babko’s Clam City at Sam First

Pianist Jeff Babko’s Clam City is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with Tim Lefebvre on bass and Mark Gulian on drums. Trumpeter Theo Croker is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway fronts the Barclay Jazz & Beyond orchestra in a holiday program at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. The Cranktones are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Postmodern Jukebox is at The Grove in Anaheim.  Drummer Charles Ruggiero is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.  Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.  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 Doug MacDonald leads a jazz jam at the Z Club in Joshua Tree. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Liz Gillies does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air.