About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of January 26, 2026

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Gerald Clayton, The Miles Electric Band, Billy Childs, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Larry Carlton, Robert Glasper, Steve Lehman, Brian Charette, Clayton Cameron, Aaron Parks, Matteo Mancuso, and Liz Cole.

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 1/26 – 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. Guitarist Matteo Mancuso is at The Music Box in San Diego. 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 Matteo Mancuso is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. 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. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at The Famous in Glendale. Vocalist Sienna Spiro is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood.  Organist Brian Charette is at 1881 in Pasadena.  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 Scotty Bramer is at the Aum Beer House in Garden Grove. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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.

Thursday 1/29 – Clayton Cameron at The Baked Potato

Drummer Clayton Cameron is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Grant Geissman on guitar, Edwin Livingston on bass, Andy Langham on keys, and Jacob Scesney on sax. Saxophonist Steve Lehman is at Sam First near LAX with vibraphonist Joel Ross. The Cannonball-Coltrane Project is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Alex Robinson celebrates an album release at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Bill Laurence is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Aimee Nolte and vocalist Leonard Patton are at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego.  Vocalist Crystal Lewis is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.  Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. 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. The Jazz Noir Trio is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Dr. Clyde & Friends are at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Pianist Sue Palmer does a happy hour show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 1/30 – Miles Electric Band at the Carpenter Center

The Miles Electric Band is at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach including Keyon Harrold on trumpet, Antoine Roney on sax, Darryl Jones on bass, Vince Wilburn, Jr. on drums, and more. Drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Billy Childs is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Aaron Parks is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Robert Glasper is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Organist Brian Charette is at The Grape in Ventura. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Electric Alliance is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Bassist Adam Cohen is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Stratos is at the Townhouse in Venice. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Golden Island in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull 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 Lee Hartley. 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. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Esquires Big Band is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego.  The Afrotruko Salsa Orchestra is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Guitarist Peter Pupping is at Ki’s Restaurant in Cardiff.  The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 1/31 – Gerald Clayton’s “Sacredness” at The Soraya

Pianist Gerald Clayton is at The Soraya in Northridge to present “Sacredness” honoring Duke Ellington’s concerts of sacred music with a big band and vocalists including Michael Mayo. Pianist Aaron Parks is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Robert Glasper is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Liz Cole is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Lily H. Clark is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Dylan Meek offers a tribute to Errol Garner at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Pianist Jonathan Cohen is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Keyboardist Brian Simpson and saxophonist Jackiem Joyner are at the View Music Bar in Torrance. Guitarist Mark Carter is at Azo Vino in Covina. The Pepper Moons are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Vocalist Janet Orsi & The Akusta Kats are at Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Books & Records in San Diego. 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.  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. Vocalist/pianist Holly Pyle is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Bassist Jakob Heinemann is at Collage in San Pedro. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Kevin Tokarz is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Eric Scott Reed leads an afternoon workshop at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a morning brunch gig at Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica. Bassist Jaco Kimura leads a brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena. The Garners do a brunch at California English in San Diego. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Sunday 2/1 – Dr. Bruce Eskovitz at The Mint

Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz celebrates a birthday opening for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A., backed by Mark Balling on keys, John Leftwich on bass, and Paul Kreibich on drums. Pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist Pedro Martinez are at The Conrad in La Jolla. Guitarist Greg Poree is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Guitarist Adam Hawley is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Whitney Shay is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Armenian pianist Artur Zakiyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Blues guitarist/vocalist Dennis Jones is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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. Keyboardist Bryard Huggins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Nick Gomez plays a late afternoon show at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Kendra Black does the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Lauren White does a brunch at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A.

Monday 2/2 – Keyon Harrold at Blue Note LA

Trumpeter Keyon Harrold is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Graham Dechter is 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. 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 Joshua White plays a noon show at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla.

Tuesday 2/3 – Session Syndicate at Vibrato

The Session Syndicate with keyboardist Jeff Babko is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Jazz Bakers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist Tarek Yamani is at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vibraphonist Chris Stevens is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 2/4 – Wayne Bergeron Big Band at Vibrato

Trumpeter Wayne Bergeron leads a 17-piece big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vibraphonist Joel Ross is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Keyon Harrold is at the Spanos Theatre in San Luis Obispo.  Keyboardist Quinn Johnson is at 1881 in Pasadena.  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. The Matt Perko Sextet leads a jazz jam at SOhO in Santa Barbara.