About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of February 23, 2026

February closes with a SoCal jazz week including the Count Basie Orchestra w/Nnenna Freelon, Anthony Wilson, Ben Sidran, Madeleine Peyroux, Andrew Synowiec, Somi, Kelly Green, Mark Guiliana, Tamir Hendelman, Niia, Don Randi, and Kristina Aglinz.

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 2/23 – Somi at Blue Note LA

Vocalist Somi is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Genesys Project is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guitarist Peter White. The Pat Sheng Long Beach Big Band opens for the Tom Kubis Big Band at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Saxophonist Logan Hone is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist Adam Wolff 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. The SBCC Big Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. The Orange County School of Arts Jazz Quartet is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 2/24 – Ben Sidran at Vibrato

Pianist/vocalist Ben Sidran is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Julien Knowles hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. The Compcord Ensemble is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist/vocalist Rick Whitfield 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. 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.  Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. RC & Noir are at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 2/25 – Mark Guiliana at Largo At The Coronet

Drummer Mark Guiliana is at Largo At The Coronet in Beverly Hills.  Saxophonist Chuck Manning is at 1881 in Pasadena. Saxophonist Patrick Lamb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. SML is at The Loft at UCSD San Diego. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Quarteto Nuevo is at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Native Fields in Walnut. TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. 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.  Pianist Sam Ross is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.  French vocal group Paris Chansons celebrates an album release at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trombonist John Egizi leads the 805 Jazz Jam at Rocks & Drams in Ventura.  The CSU Fulleron and CSU Northridge Jazz Combos are at Sam First near LAX.

Thursday 2/26 – Andrew Synowiec at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Andrew Synowiec is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Derek Frank on bass and Blair Sinta on drums. The Count Basie Orchestra with vocalist Nnenna Freelon is at the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks. Pianist/vocalist Kelly Green is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Matt Grief is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Vocalist Freda Payne is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Trumpeter/trombonist Dan Barrett leads a tribute to Louis Armstrong and Jack Teagarden at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist Joe Rotondi is is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. 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. Saxophonist Pascal Valcasara is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. 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.

Friday 2/27 – Count Basie Orchestra w/Nnenna Freelon at Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts

The Count Basie Orchestra with vocalist Nnenna Freelon is at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Guitarist Andrew Wilson leads a nonet at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Justo Almario leads a tribute to Dexter Gordon at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Madeleine Peyroux is at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood offers a tribute to great jazz vibraphonists. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Charmaine Clamor is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Pianist Irving Flores is at the La Jolla Community Center in La Jolla. Saxophonist Paul Combs leads a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Mallett sings songs of Sarah Vaughan at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Peter Pupping is at Ki’s Restaurant in Cardiff. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Angie Whitney. 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. San Lyon is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 2/28 – Andrew Wilson Nonet at Sam First

Guitarist Andrew Wilson leads a nonet at Sam First near LAX including Danny Janklow, Bob Reynolds and Daniel Wijedasa on saxophones, CJ Camerieri on trumpet & french horn, Josh Nelson on piano, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums. Pianist Tamir Hendelman is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Brian Hargrove is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Joshua White plays the music of Nat King Cole at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Bruce Forman is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. The Aristocats are at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at the Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita. Trumpeter Cade Gotthardt is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Keyboardist Kayla Waters is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Janessa Noland is at Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. Saxophonists Ed Spillane & Mike Mays play the music of Elvin Jones at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Scotty Bramer is at the Aum Beer House in Garden Grove. Armenian guitarist Suren Arustamyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Mark Lessman is is at Ki’s Restaurant in Cardiff. 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. 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. Guitarist Daryl Darden is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The U.S. Army Field Band plays an afternoon show at the La Mirada Theatre in La Mirada. 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. The Garners play a brunch at California English in San Diego. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina.

Sunday 3/1 – Niia at Blue Note LA

Vocalist Niia is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist Kristina Aglinz is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Kevin van den Elzen opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. The Choi Cunliffe Big Band is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The George Brown Ansambel is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Vocalist Roy Firestone is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Tom Francini is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi.  The Great American Swing Band is at Big Jim’s Family Restaurant in Sun Valley. The U.S. Army Field Band plays an afternoon show at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Vocalist Slim Man is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. 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. Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist/bassist Susan Hangan does a brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza does a brunch at The Ordinaire in Long Beach.

Monday 3/2 – Graham Dechter at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Frank on bass, Jordan Siegel on keys, and Ryan Shaw on drums. The Sun Ra Arkestra is at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Guitarist Bill Frisell is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Trumpeter Zachary Finnegan is at The Mint in West L.A. The U.S Army Field Band is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin is at Sun Space in Shadow Hills. 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. Saxophonist Derek Douget leads a jazz jam at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 3/3 – Marlonious Jazz Orchestra w/Mara Kaye at Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge

Bassist Marlon Martinez leads the Marlonious Jazz Orchestra with vocalist Mara Kaye at at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Vocalist Madeleine Peyroux is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Herbie Hancock Institute hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Terrell Edwards is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Sue Palmer’s Motel Swing Orchestra is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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 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. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 3/4– Bill Frisell at Blue Note LA

Guitarist Bill Frisell is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with Luke Bergman on bass and Tim Angulo on drums. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Edward Simon leads a trio at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Pianist Bobby Lyle celebrates a birthday at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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. TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. 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. Hagen Jazz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.