About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of January 5, 2026

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Ethan Iverson, Nick Smith, Mitchel Forman, Janis Siegel & Cheryl Bentyne, Bernie Dresel, Jose James, Danny Janklow, Doug Webb, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Jimmy Branly, David Binney, Graham Dechter, Sheila E, Christian Euman, Tatiana Tate, and Scott Kinsey.

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 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. Saxophonist Tristan Cappel is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Guitarist Dave Harrington is at Club Tee Gee in Atwater Village. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest Boney James. Pianist Zach Tenorio is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Guitarist Ron Eschete 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. Pianist Michael Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano 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. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  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 Langham 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). Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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/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 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. Pianist Lori Bell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a jazz jam at the Z Club in Joshua Tree.

Thursday 1/8 – Danny Janklow Plays Freddie Hubbard at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Danny Janklow plays the music of Freddie Hubbard at The Baked Potato in Studio City with John Beasley on keys, Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, Luca Alemanno on bass, Alonzo Demetrius on trumpet, and Ralph Moore on sax. Trumpeter Tatiana Tate is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane and his Chamber Orchestra are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Percussionist/vocalist Sheila E. & The E-Train are at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Lua De Morais is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Bassist Sienna George is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Guitarist Scott Pemberton is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Mario Wells is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Polly Campagna and guitarist Michael Campagna are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Drummer Matt Smith leads a trio at Lou Lou’s in San Diego with vocalist Leonard Patton. 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. Drummer James Yoshizawa is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. The Irvine Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. 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 Kevin Tokarz is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.

Friday 1/9 – Knick Smith Trio Plays McCoy Tyner at Catalina Jazz Club

Pianist Nick Smith plays the music of McCoy Tyner at Catalina in Hollywood with Weldon Scott on bass and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Pianist Ethan Iverson is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Bobby West is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Jose James is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of three nights (Fri-Sun). Guitarist/vocalist Carl Verheyen is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Gypsy guitarist John Jorgenson is at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. The Jazz Butchers are at Tuning Fork in Studio City. Saxophonist Julian Roel is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Guitarist Michael Campagna is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalists Matt Forbes and Jesse Goddard are at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Guitarist Adam Moezinia is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The Pyramids are at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Eve Holmes. 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. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. The Esquires are at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 1/10 – Ethan Iverson at Sam First

Pianist Ethan Iverson is at Sam First near LAX for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Jermaine Paul on bass and Jonathan Pinson on drums. Keyboardist Mitchel Forman celebrates a birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalists Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne are at the James R. Armstrong Theatre in Torrance. Drummer Christian Euman is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Jose James is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Lia Booth. Guitarist Scott Pemberton is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Harpist Minta Spencer is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Ashley Anne & The Carnations are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at the Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist Marc LeBrun 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. Guitarist Daryl Darden is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Keyboardist Chris Potter is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Vocalist Holly Pyle is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake.  Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch gig at Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica. Vocalist Keri Kelsey does an afternoon brunch with Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 at Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City.

Sunday 1/11 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Sun-Mon) with Danny Carey on drums, Jimmy Earl on bass, Mitchel Forman on keys, and Jamie Kime on guitar. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Organist Wil Blades is at the United Theater in downtown L.A. Vocalist Sacha Boutros opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Jose James is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Brandon Bae is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Alex Ciavarelli is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. 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. The SoCal Jazz Collective does the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Lee Hartley does a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club does an afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.

Monday 1/12 – Laura Karpman’s Music From “American Fiction” at Blue Note LA

Composer Laura Karpman leads a performance of music from “American Fiction” featuring flutist Elena Pinderhughes and trumpeter Keyon Harrold at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Matt Politano is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Bassist Joseph Davancens is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Michael Lington is at Spaghettini in Seal 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.

Tuesday 1/13 – Aneesa Strings at Blue Note LA

Bassist/vocalist Aneesa Strings is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Syndee Winters sings the music of Lena Horne at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Alex Skolnick is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Jonathan Pinson hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Greg Poree is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Big Time Operator is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 1/14 – Sinne Eeg at Vibrato

Vocalist Sinne Eeg is at Vibrato in Bel Air with pianist Josh Nelson in an evening featuring songs from the “007” movie series. Guitarist Will Brahm is at Sam First near LAX. Beledo Mechanism is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Saxophonists Tristan Cappel and Nicole McCabe are at The Famous in Glendale.  Saxophonist Chuck Johnson is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Arin Ray is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. 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. Keyboardist Bryard Huggins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.