About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of December 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026

2025 ends and the New Year opens with a SoCal jazz week including Jane Monheit, Clay Jenkins, Ghost-Note, Kamasi Washington, Keyon Harrold, Don Randi, Pete Escovedo, Judy Wexler, Sinne Eeg, Groove Legacy, and Tuesday’s tribute in Thousand Oaks to the late bandleader Gordon Goodwin.

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 12/29 – 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 with bassist Hadrien Feraud. 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). Saxophonist Terrace Martin is at Verse L.A. in Toluca Lake. 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. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at The World Stage in South L.A. 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. Vocalist Debi Raven is at Ubuntu in Long Beach. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. 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 for an early show, followed by pianist Mikan Zlatkovich. 

Thursday 1/1 – Doug MacDonald at Edwin Mills

Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Friday 1/2 – Jane Monheit at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Jane Monheit begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Terrell Edwards is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Guitarist Victor Baker plays a tribute to Pat Metheny at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego over the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist David Cultura is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Trish Hatley. Trumpeter Chris Lawrence is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at the Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.

Saturday 1/3 – Clay Jenkins at Sam First

Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is at Sam First near LAX for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Ivan Malespin on trombone, Larry Koonse on guitar, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Joe La Barbera on drums The Dirty Projectors Trio is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun). Vocalist Jane Monheit is at Catalina in Hollywood. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez and Soul Sauce are at the Music Box in San Diego. Groove Legacy is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sidney Jacobs is at 1881 in Pasadena. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Teka is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarist Ken Song is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Guitarist Peter White is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Victor Baker plays a tribute to Pat Metheny at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego – vocalist Jonathan Karrant plays an afternoon show at The Jazz Lounge. 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 Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch gig at Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica.

Sunday 1/4 – Judy Wexler at Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge

Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. with Jeff Colella on piano, Steve Cotter on guitar, Ken Wild on bass, and Steve Hass on drums. Guitarist Jim Fox’s Guitar Hang features guitarist Larry Koonse at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sinne Eeg is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. The George Brown Ansembel is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Dirty Projectors Trio is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Molly Miller is at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica. Rhythm Tribe is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Rebecca Jade is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pacific Standard Time is at Campus Jax in Newport 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.  Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at Cafe Tondo in Chinatown.  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 Judy Niemack does a brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena.

Monday 1/5 – Graham Dechter Quartet w/Bob Reynolds at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter’s quartet is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guest saxophonist Bob Reynolds along with Alex Frank on bass, Jordan Seigel on keys, and Ryan Shaw on drums. Saxophonist Logan Richardson is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest Boney James. 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 Brian 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.

Tuesday 1/6 – David Binney’s Action Trio at Blue Note LA

Saxophonist David Binney’s Action Trio with drummer Louis Cole and bassist Pera Krstajic are at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Bassist Nathan East and keyboardist son Noah are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Devin Daniels hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vibraphonist Chris Stevens is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Sue Palmer’s Motel Swing Orchestra is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. 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. RC & Noir are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 1/7 – Jimmy Branly Trio w/Justo Almario at Sam First

Drummer Jimmy Branly is at Sam First near LAX with guest saxophonist Justo Almario, Rene Camacho on bass, and Andy Klangham on piano. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Larry Goldings and vocalist Dannielle De Andrea celebrate an album release at Vibrato in Bel Air. Percussionist/vocalist Sheila E. & The E-Train are at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Gypsy guitarist John Jorgenson is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Guitarist Peter Sprague and vocalist Rebecca Jade do an evening show at the Cardiff Public Library in Cardiff. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Native Fields in Walnut. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a jazz jam at the Z Club in Joshua Tree.