About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of January 19, 2026

It’s NAMM Week in Southern California so expect clubs to be extra busy. Local jazz highlights include Stanley Clarke, Simon Phillips, Melissa Aldana, Michael Landau, David Garfield, Larry Carlton, Wesley Ritenour, Josh Nelson, Anthony Wilson, Chuck Israels, Jenny Scheinman, Roxy Cross, Oskar Cartaya, Marlon Martinez, and Poncho Sanchez.

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 1/19 – Poncho Sanchez at Spaghettini

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin is at Sun Space in Shadow Hills. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Lorin Benedict is at The High Low in Atwater Village. 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. Pianist Michael Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Other Delights is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. OHM is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Orange County School of Arts Jazz Quartet is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 1/20 – Chuck Israels Octet at Vibrato

Bassist Chuck Israels leads an octet in music from pianist Bill Evans. Saxophonist Melissa Aldana is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Brazilian mandolinist Hamilton de Holanda is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Corcovado is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. 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. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Bassist Yousef Javier leads a Latin jazz jam session at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 1/21 – Melissa Aldana at Sam First

Saxophonist Melissa Aldana is at Sam First near LAX with Glenn Zaleski on piano, Pablo Menares on bass, and Kush Abadey on drums. Trumpeter Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah is at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Drummer Wesley Ritenour is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at The Famous in Glendale. Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Genesys Project is at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. with guest saxophonist Devin Daniels. Saxophonist Shai Golan is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Drummer Gorden Campbell is at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. The Renaissance Room is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Keyboardist Quinn Johnson is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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. 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. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.

Thursday 1/22 – Simon Phillips Protocol V at Catalina Jazz Club

Drummer Simon Phillips begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run with his band Protocol V at Catalina in Hollywood featuring Otmaro Ruiz on keys, Earnest Tibbs on bass, Jacob Scesney on sax, and Alex Sill on guitar. Bassist Stanley Clarke begins a four-night (Thu-Sun) run at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Larry Carlton is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Marlon Martinez celebrates the 10-year anniversary of his Marlonious Jazz Orchestra at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Maria Puga Lareo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Rex Abassi leads a guitar trio at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at The Merc in Temecula with bassist Henry Franklin. The Urban Renewal Project is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pino Noir is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Guitarist Nadav Peled is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Trumpeter Simon Drew is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. 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. Vocalist Lena Maria Cardinale is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A.

Friday 1/23 – Michael Landau at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Tim Lefebvre on bass and Keith Carlock on drums. Saxophonist Roxy Coss is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Oskar Cartaya is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Drummer Simon Phillips’ Protocol V is at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Stanley Clarke is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Alex Harding is at The World Stage in South L.A. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at The Grape in Ventura. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Joe Rotondi 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 Melba Miller. Trumpeter Chris Lawrence III 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. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Esquires Big Band is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 1/24 – Stanley Clarke at Blue Note LA

Bassist Stanley Clarke is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the third or four nights (Thu-Sun). Pianist Josh Nelson is at Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Guitarist Anthony Wilson is at The World Stage in South L.A. Violinist Jenny Scheinman is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Simon Phillips’ Protocol V is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Ghost-Note & Katalyst share a bill at The Sun Rose as part of the city of West Hollywood’s Winter Sounds Series. Vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Apex Breed is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun and vocalist Spencer Day are at the Westin Resort in Rancho Mirage. Guitarist Dusty Brough celebrates an album release at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Bassist Jake Leckie is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. BPM is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Garners are at Books & Records in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Janessa Noland is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. 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. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. 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. Bassist Leslie Baker and pianist Brian O’Rourke lead an open mic brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski does a brunch at California English in San Diego.

Sunday 1/25 – David Garfield at Alvas Showroom

Keyboardist David Garfield is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro with Jimmy Earl on bass and Chad Wackerman on drums. Bassist Stu Hamm is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Stanley Clarke is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Keyboardist Cory Henry’s Church is at The Miracle Theatre in Inglewood. Saxophonist Gary Meek is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Aubrey Situmorang does an afternoon show and jam session at The World Stage in downtown L.A. Drummer Robert “Sput” Searight leads a NAMM Jam Session at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Keyboardist Steve Blum is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Singer Gavin Braun offers a tribute to Tony Bennett at Catalina in Hollywood. The Innervision Records NAMM Jam is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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. 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. Saxophonist Justin Chart does the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 1/26 – Larry Carlton at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Larry Carlton is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jeff Babko on keys, Paulie Cerra on sax, Travis Carlton on bass, and Keith Carlock on drums. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Saxophonist Logan Hone is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Violinist Mads Tolling is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Rickie Lee Jones is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Vocalist Lady Blackbird is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. 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 1/27 – Brian Charette at The Baked Potato

Organist Brian Charette is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Skolnick on guitar, Tim Lefebvre on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Drummer Chris Dave is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard & saxophonist Ravi Coltrane play the music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist Steve Lehman is at Sam First near LAX with vibraphonist Joel Ross. The Saddleback College Jazz Faculty led by trombonist Joey Sellers does a show at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Alison Shearer does a happy hour show at The Grape in Ventura. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 1/28 – Steve Lehman at Sam First

Saxophonist Steve Lehman is at Sam First near LAX for the second of three nights (Tue-Thu) with vibraphonist Joel Ross, Logan Kane on bass, and Damion Reid on drums Pianist Paul Cornish is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Vocalist Sienna Spiro is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Accordionist Cory Pesaturo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Jeff Walton is at The Earl in West L.A. with pianist Amy Bormet. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. RC & Noir are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. 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.