About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of April 6, 2026

It’s a busy week in SoCal jazz with shows from Fred Hersch, Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane, Emmet Cohen, Michael Landau, Joe Lovano & Melissa Aldana, Oz Noy, Edgar Meyer & Christian McBride, Tyshawn Sorey, Chris Botti, Scott Kinsey, Katie Thiroux, Aubrey Situmorang, Aneesa Strings, and Anthony Fung.

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 4/6 – Oz Noy at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Oz Noy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Janek Gwizdala on bass and Clarence Penn on drums. Pianist Emmet Cohen is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Drummer Don Brown is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Keyboardist Javier Santiago is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Guitarist Dave Harrington is at Club Tee Gee in Atwater Village. Pianist Matt Politano is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. The Hot 8 Brass Band is at Belly Up in Solana 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. 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 Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 4/7 – Emmet Cohen at The Conrad

Pianist Emmet Cohen is at The Conrad in La Jolla with saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Joe Farnsworth. The Jazz Bakers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Arin Ray is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra are at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. 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. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Lori Bell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 4/8 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Francisco Fattoruso on bass, and Danny Carey on drums. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane are at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara. Bassist/vocalist Katie Thiroux is at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Alexis Lombre is at Sam First near LAX. Percussionist Pete Escovedo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Keyboardist Quinn Johnson is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin is at Dreamland in Malibu. Saxophonist Chuck Johnson is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Saxophonist John Valentino leads The Winelight Band in a tribute to Grover Washington, Jr. at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills 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. 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.

Thursday 4/9 – Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane at The Conrad

Trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane are at The Conrad in La Jolla with Charles Altura on guitar, Eden Ladin on piano, David Ginyard Jr. on bass, and Oscar Seaton on drums. Saxophonist Kazemde George is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Danny Janklow plays the music of Charlie Parker at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Chris Botti is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Thi-Fri). Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist Josh Nelson leads his USC Jazz Combo at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. The Afro-Latin Syndicate plays an an evening of Cuban jazz at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Nadav Peled is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Brazilian drummer Lucio Vieira is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. John & Maya Proulx are at The Merc in Temecula. The Big Band Express is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Shylah Ray is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Lia Booth is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Howie Levine’s “JazzNatra” show is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Tori Paige is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Harbor & Sky in San Diego. Drummers Richard Sellers and Rhydian Marshall are at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The Jive Aces are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at Divina 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 4/10 – 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. Drummer Tyshawn Sorey is at The Nimoy in Westwood. Bassist Aubrey Situmorang is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Percussionist Christian Moraga is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Gary Bias is at The World Stage in South L.A. Trumpeter Chris Botti is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Blanco Diablo is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Joshua White is at San Diego City College. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalists Matt Forbes and Jesse Goddard are at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Pianist Alex Bugnon is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Adam “Aejaye” Jackson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Gregg Marx. 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. Guitarist Daryl Darden is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Danny Freyer is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Guitarist Louie Valenzuela is at Bar Bacari North Park in San Diego. Vocalist Nikki Rose is at the Artistry Wine Lounge in Long Beach. Rat Pack Reborn is at Golden Island in San Diego. Saxophonist Brian Levy plays a late afternoon show at The Conrad in La Jolla. Saxophonist Doug Earley is at Azo Vino in Covina. The 3Many Jazz Jam is at the Paradise Lounge & Grill in San Diego.. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 4/11 – Fred Hersch at the Moss Theater

Pianist Fred Hersch is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica with Drew Gress on bass and Johnathan Blake on drums. Pianist Emmet Cohen is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Saxophonists Joe Lovano and Melissa Aldana are at The Conrad in La Jolla. Bassists Edgar Meyer and Christian McBride are at the Segerstrom Samueli Theatre in Costa Mesa. Drummer Anthony Fung is at Boston Court in Pasadena. The California Jazz Foundation’s annual Give The Band A Hand Gala features pianist Dave Grusin at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Aubrey Situmorang is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Rique Pantoja is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist/guitarist Teka. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. John & Maya Proulx are at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Harpist Minta Spencer is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Saxophonist Joshua Christian Childress is at Collage in San Pedro. Keyboardist Harry Terrell is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Jazzy Rita is at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in South L.A. Saxophonist Jessy J is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Todd Hunter is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Alex Mendham Jazz Orchestra is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. 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.

Sunday 4/12 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band at Catalina Jazz Club

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band celebrates their 25th anniversary at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Aneesa Strings is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Pianist Emmet Cohen is at UCSB Campbell Hall in Santa Barbara. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Vibrato in Bel Air. CSUN Jazz Combos open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Soul Sauce is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. The 7th Unit Jazz Project is at Big Jim’s Family Restaurant in Sun Valley. The Jazz Butchers are at Tuning Fork in Studio City. Saxophonist Will Donato is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Vocalist Whitney Shay is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Drummer Brian Farrar is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Satin Keys is at The Drake in Laguna 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. 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 Ben Sachs has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Susan Krebs plays a brunch at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline does a brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena. The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club plays an afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 play an afternoon brunch at the Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City.

Monday 4/13 – Graham Dechter at The Baked Potato w/Veronica Swift

Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with vocalist Veronica Swift, keyboardist Tamir Hendelman, bassist Alex Frank, and drummer Ryan Shaw. Vocalist Julie Benko is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Anne Walsh is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Antonio Artese is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. F.mph is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Guitarist Carlos Velasco 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 4/14 – Herbie Hancock at Walt Disney Hall

Keyboardist Herbie Hancock is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown Orlando with Terence Blanchard on trumpet, James Genus on bass, Lionel Loueke on guitar/vocals, and Jaylen Petinaud on drums. Vocalist/pianist John Proulx is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Vocalist Liz Gillies is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Herbie Hancock Institute hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Big Time Operator is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Tommy Davy leads a trio of gypsy guitarists at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center. Guitarist Riner Scivally 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. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Satin Keys is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Baked Potato in Studio City hosts a four-act Showcase Night. Trumpeter Aron Adame and keyboardist Dre Elijah host a jazz jam at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 4/15 – Bernie Dresel BBB at Vibrato

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Samara Joy begins a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Charles Ruggiero plays the music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 6 Beats Apart is at Dreamland in Malibu. Drummer Fred Dinkins is at Catalina in Hollywood. Los Compadres is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. 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. Vocalist Teri Bond is is at Visionarium in South Pasadena.