About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of May 4, 2026

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Pat Metheny, John Clayton, Stacey Kent, Meshell Ndegeocello, Alan Ferber, Eric Revis, Bilal, Josh Nelson, Benny Benack III, Scott Kinsey, Danny Janklow, Peter Evans, Wycliffe Gordon, Lynne Fiddmont, and the weekend’s Santa Monica International Jazz Festival.

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 5/4 – Pat Metheny at Walt Disney Hall

Guitarist Pat Metheny is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. with Chris Fishman on keys, Jermaine Paul on bass, Joe Dyson on drums, and Leonard Patton on vocals/percussion. Bassist/vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue). Keyboardist Jordan Seigel is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Julien Knowles 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. Guitarist Peter Sprague plays a noon show at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. The SBCC Big Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 5/5 – Eric Revis at Sam First

Bassist Eric Revis plays the music of Charles Mingus at Sam First near LAX with Teodross Avery on sax, Dan Rosenboom on trumpet, Joshua White on piano, and Clarence Penn on drums. Bassist/vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Pat Metheny is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Lucia is at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach. Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Lia Booth is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Anne Walsh is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Pianist Sue Palmer is 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. Pianist Michael Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Los Compadres is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 5/6 – Bilal at Blue Note LA

Vocalist Bilal is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with drummer Kirk Covington. Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Bassist/vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello is at the Epstein Family Amphitheater in San Diego. The Adam Lee-Morgan Jazz Orchestra is at The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in South L.A. Pianist Michael Orenstein is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at The Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a jazz jam at the Z Club in Joshua Tree. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Los Compadres are at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Andrew Yanes leads a jazz jam at at new home for Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. The UCSB Jazz Ensemble leads a jam at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Thursday 5/7 – Alan Ferber Nonet at Sam First

Trombonist Alan Ferber leads a nonet at Sam First near LAX with Julien Knowles on trumpet, Alex Hahn, Daniel Rotem and Tom Luer on saxes, Anthony Wilson on guitar, Bill Cunliffe on piano, Emiliano Lasansky on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums. Saxophonist Danny Janklow plays music from Miles Davis at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Pat Metheny is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Vocalist Bilal is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach. Trumpeter Peter Evans is at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon joins the CSUN Jazz A & B Bands at The Soraya in Northridge. M Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Pino Noir is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Trumpeter Daniel Harris III is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at the Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Vocalist Elena Gilliam is at Jojo’s Hideaway in Tustin. The Susie Hansen Latin Band is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at Divina Cucina in Montrose. Four And More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Guitarist Dave Askren 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.

Friday 5/8 – Tenor Madness Tribute To John Coltrane at the Broad Stage

Saxophonists Isaiah Collier and Lakecia Benjamin lead a tribute to John Coltrane at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica with Hubert Laws on flute, Eric Scott Reed on piano, Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, Aaron Shaw and Emilio Modeste on saxes, and Stanley Clarke on bass. Keyboardist Greg Phillinganes is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist Josh Nelson plays the music from Dave Brubeck’s “Time Out” at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Guitarist Pat Metheny is at Humphrey’s By The Bay in San Diego. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist James Love is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Vocalist Meghan Murphy is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Gengis Don is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Saxophonist Salim Washington is at The World Stage in South L.A. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at LACMA in West L.A. Trumpeter Peter Evans is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Alicia Beach is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Saxophonist Dee Lucas is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Garners are at Golden Island 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 Yve Evans. Trumpeter Chris Lawrence III is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Esquires are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Guitarist Dusty Brough is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Guitarist Daryl Darden is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The 3Many Jaz Jam is at the Paradise Grill in San Diego. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 5/9 – Santa Monica International Jazz Festival at Tongva Park

Saturday’s Santa Monica International Jazz Festival at Tongva Park features saxophonist Kamasi Washington, bassist Stanley Clarke with drummer Stewart Copeland, the Miles Electric Band, and Knower. Bassist John Clayton is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse with pianist Eric Scott Reed. Vocalist Lynne Fiddmont is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Pianist Josh Nelson plays the music from Dave Brubeck’s “Time Out” at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist George Kahn is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Greg Phillinganes is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Violinist Christopher Vitas plays the music of Jean-Luc Ponty at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Chris Powe is at the Townhouse in Venice. Guitarist/vocalist Philip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Horace Bray is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Vocalist Allison Adams Tucker is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Percussionist Tito Puente, Jr. is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. 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 Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Wise Guys Big Band Machine 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 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. Vocalist Nina Lares does a brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt joins Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 for a brunch at Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City.

Sunday 5/10 – Stacey Kent at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Stacey Kent celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood. The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB Big Band is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist/vocalist Norah Jones is at Pacific Electric in downtown L.A. Vocalists Shan Potts and Alvin Reyes are at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. The Jazz Bakers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Logan Hone is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist Mitchel Campbell is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. The Jazz Core-Tet is at Tuning Fork in Studio City. The Soto Six are at Panama 66 in San Diego. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Satin Keys are 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. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers plays an early evening show at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt does a jazz brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pianist Adam Wolff does a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull does a brunch at SohO in Santa Monica.

Monday 5/11 – Adam Hersh at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Adam Hersh is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Tristan Cappel on sax, Evan Abounassar on trumpet, Max Walker on guitar, Mauricio Morales on bass, and Myles Martin on drums. Saxophonist Jason Hayashi is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Pianist Matt Politano is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. 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 with bassist Hadrien Feraud. 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 5/12 – Caroline Davis at Sam First

Saxophonist Caroline Davis is at Sam First near LAX with Julian Shore on piano, Chris Tordini on bass, and Tim Angulo on drums. Keyboardist Jeff Babko’s Session Syndicate is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Blues guitarist Josh Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Big Time Operator is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. The Kohania Trio is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. 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 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 5/13 – Lizz Wright at Blue Note LA

Vocalist Lizz Wright is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Bassist Max Gerl is at Sam First near LAX. Charged Particles are at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. with saxophonist Todd Dickow. Vocalist Elijah Rock is at Catalina in Hollywood with pianist Todd Hunter and guest vocalist Sharon Marie Cline. Guitarist Lyle Workman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Carolyn Hennesy is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Tom Dante is at Knolls in Laguna Niguel with vocalist Matt Mauser. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Los Compadres are at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a jazz jam at the Z Club in Joshua Tree. Bassist Jenelle Roccaforte leads a jam at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A.