About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of April 13, 2026

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Samara Joy, Herbie Hancock, Theo Saunders, Bernie Dresel, Janek Gwizdala, Graham Dechter w/Veronica Swift, Benny Benack III, Sam Hirsh, Niki Harris, Daniel Rotem, Charles Ruggiero, Jason Harnell, and Julie Benko.

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 4/13 – 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. The Cal State Long Beach Latin Jazz Orchestra is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. 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 is 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 Matt Hornbeck is at 1881 in Pasadena. Pianist Wes Bozman is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Drummer Gengis Don is at The Famous in Glendale. 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. Vocalist Felicity Robles is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.

Thursday 4/16 – Samara Joy at Blue Note LA

Vocalist Samara Joy finishes a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Saxophonists Aaron Shaw & Devin Daniels lead a quintet at Sam First near LAX.  Nutty is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Guitarist Brad Rabuchin is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalists Sidney Jacobs and Cathy Segal-Garcia host a singer’s jam session at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Kenneth Brown II is at The Miracle Theatre in Inglewood. Pianist Robert Turner is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Vocalist Dave Damiani & The No Vacancy Orchestra are at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at The Merc in Temecula. Bassist John Urban is at Bar Bacari North Lake in San Diego. The Cardinale Trio is at the Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar in downtown L.A. Gypsy guitarist Tommy Davy is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. Guitarist/vocalist Danielle Angeloni is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Drummer James Yoshizawa is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Trumpeter Simon Drew is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Bassist Mackenzie Leighton plays a tribute to Charles Mingus 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. 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. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Garners play a happy hour show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 4/17 – Theo Saunders at The World Stage

Pianist Theo Saunders is at The World Stage in South L.A. with a septet including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Vocalist Niki Harris is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a band led by keyboardist Mitchel Forman. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Motivo LA in Atwater Village. Guitarist Larry Koonse and pianist David Roitstein are at Sam First near LAX. The USC Thornton Jazz Studies program hosts an evening at The Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. with guests Billy Childs, Just Almario, and Mark Turner. Yeah NO is at Zebulon in Silverlake. The Electric Alliance is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Pianist Carey Frank is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Bassist Mackenzie Leighton plays the music of Charles Mingus at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Julie Benko is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. The Jive Aces are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Julian Esparza is at Bar Bacari North Lake in San Diego.  Drummer Beth Goodfellow is at Healing Force Of The Universe in Pasadena. Vocalists Lily H. Clark & Gonzalo Chomat offer a tribute the Celia Cruz and Benny More at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Javier Santiago is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Drummer Perry Ostrin is at The Crush Pad in Pasadena. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. Calle 6 is at the Artistry Wine Lounge in Long Beach. Vocalist Neni celebrates an album release at Collage in San Pedro with guitarist Carlos Duran. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra are at Golden Island in San Diego. The Garners are at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Panama 66 in San Diego. 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 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. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Esquires are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 4/18 – Janek Gwizdala at Sam First

Bassist Janek Gwizdala hosts a live recording session at Sam First near LAX with drummer Peter Erskine and guitarist Nir Felder. Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Catatonic is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Guitarist/vocalist Carl Verheyen is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Mia Doi Todd celebrates an album release at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Vocalist Gina Kronstadt is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Pianist Joshua White is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Barclay Moffitt is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Keyboardist Myron McKinley is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Vocalist Emy Castro leads a tribute to the Buena Vista Social Club at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Braxton Brothers are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist John Opferkuch is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra are at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Guitarist Victor Baker celebrates an album release at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Trio Borealis isat Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Julie Benko is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. The Jive Aces are at The Grape in Ventura. 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. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at Cicada in downtown L.A. 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. Linda A. Smith hosts an open mic jazz brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena.

Sunday 4/19 – Jason Harnell at The Baked Potato

Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Matt Otto on sax, Larry Koonse on guitar, and Chris Colangelo on bass. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Guitarist Adam Hawley celebrates an album release at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Yocoya opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A.  Mae.Sun is at the Moroccan Lounge in downtown L.A. Flutist Althea Rene is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Trumpeter Skip Spiro is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Trombonist Steve Johnson is at Big Jim’s Family Restaurant in Sun Valley. Guitarist Richard Hastings is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Helena Holleran is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Drummer Brian Farrar is at Tio Leo’s Lounge 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. 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. Guitarist Matt Grief has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Pianist John Balbuena plays a jazz brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena.

Monday 4/20 – Katalyst at Blue Note LA

Katalyst is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer Andy Prado is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal 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. Other Delights is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.

Tuesday 4/21 – Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman at Vibrato

Vocalist Tierney Sutton and pianist Tamir Hendelman are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Gerald Clayton is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Ann Kelly is at the Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City.  Keyboardist Emir Isilay is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Greg Poree is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Drummer Gorden Campbell is at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Vibraphonist Chris Stevens is at Spaghettini in Seal 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. 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 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 4/22 – Gerald Clayton at Sam First

Pianist Gerald Clayton is at Sam First near LAX for the second of two nights (Tue-Wed) with a trio featuring Joe Sanders on bass and Justin Brown on drums The Electric Jazz Quartet is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Bonsera is at Dreamland in Malibu. Los Compadres is at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Afro Peruvian Jazz Combo is at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. 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. Les Bons Garcons are at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Satin Keys are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.