About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of December 22, 2025

SoCal jazz standouts this week include Tierney Sutton, Billy Childs, Maurice Brown, John & Gerald Clayton, Mohini Dey, Daniel Rotem, Keyon Harrold, Katalyst, Terrace Martin, Nolan Shaheed & Rickey Woodard, and Dave Tull.

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 around holidays. The LAjazz.com Quick Calendar lists events and showtimes three days in advance on the LAjazz.com home page.

Monday 12/22 – Mohini Dey at Blue Note LA

Indian bassist Mohini Dey is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. The Mannerisms Quartet is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Bassist John Clayton and pianist son Gerald Clayton are at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue) for a holiday show. The Duck Soup Trio plays “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. The Black Market Trust does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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 with drummer Bian Collier. 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. Vocalist Rose Colella is at Via Rodeo in Beverly Hills.

Tuesday 12/23 – Maurice Brown at Blue Note LA

Trumpeter Maurice “Mobetta” Brown is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin is at Verse L.A. in Toluca Lake. Bassist John Clayton and pianist son Gerald Clayton are at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena for a holiday show. Tablula Rasa is at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Pianist Brenda Greggio offers a holiday tribute to Oscar Peterson at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Adam Aejaye Jackson does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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 Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Colella is at Via Rodeo in Beverly Hills. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 12/24 – Dave Tull at Eddie V’s El Segundo

Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter Maurice “Mobetta” Brown is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Ellis Hall does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Rose Colella is at Via Rodeo in Beverly Hills.

 

Thursday 12/25 – No Jazz Events Scheduled

Friday 12/26 – Billy Childs at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Billy Childs is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Aubrey Situmorang on bass, Andrew Renfroe on guitar, and Christian Euman on drums. Trumpeter Keyon Harrold is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are 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. Drummer Brian Collier is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Vocalist Mara Kaye is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Vocalist Howie Levine’s “JazzNatra” is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Dusty Brough is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Gregg Marx. Trumpeter Chris Lawrence is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Saturday 12/27 – Tierney Sutton at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Tierney Sutton is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun) – tonight’s show features the music of Marilyn & Alan Bergman with pianist Shelley Berg. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Billy Childs is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Nolan Shaheed and saxophonist Rickey Woodard lead a quintet at Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Charlie Arbelaez is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. The Alpha Rhythm Kings are at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Braxton Brothers are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Saxophonist Kahlil Childs is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Irving Flores is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Jenessa Noland is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Simply Fish in Costa Mesa. 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 Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch gig at Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica. Keyboardist/vocalist Wayne Wilentz and drummer/vocalist Dave Tull do a brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena.

Sunday 12/28 – Brandon Fields at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Brandon Fields celebrates a birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Walt Fowler on trumpet, Mitchel Forman on keys, John Pena on bass, Lenny Castro on percussion, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Vocalist Tierney Sutton is at Catalina in Hollywood with pianist Christian Jacob.  Katalyst is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Patrice Morris is at Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Kenneth Brown II is at the Aziz Gallerie in South L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Keyboardist Taylor Blake is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Big Band is at the El Cariso Golf Club in Sylmar. Saxophonist Tony Exum, Jr. is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Drummer Austin Beede is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. 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. 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 12/29 – Joey Navarro at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Fred Schreuders on guitar, Brandon Fields on sax, Lenny Castro on percussion, and Rene Camacho on bass. Vocalist/saxophonist Kenneth Whalum is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Chord Four is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Logan Hone is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman 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. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 12/30 – 25 Years Of Phatness at Fred Kavli Theatre

Vocalist Vangie Gunn leads a tribute to the late bandleader Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band featuring Take 6, Eddie Daniels, Lee Ritenour, Eric Marienthal, Wayne Bergeron and numerous others at the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks. Trumpeter Keyon Harrold is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Blanco Diablo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Pete Escovedo & Family are at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Doug MacDonald and vocalist Mindy Austin are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. 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. 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 Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Dean Mora Orchestra is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 12/31 – Ghost-Note at The Mint

Ghost-Note is at The Mint in West L.A. with drummer Robert “Sput” Searight. Keyboardist Don Randi is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Pete Escovedo & Family are at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. The Matt Hall Jazz Orchestra w/guest trumpeter Jon Faddis is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Richard Shelton is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Aristocats are at The Maybourne in Beverly Hills with vocalist Andrea Miller. Vocalist Adryon de Leon is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Saxophonist Eric Darius is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Jordan Bush & The Packrats are at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena. Blues vocalist Marguaret Love will be at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez will be at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana.