About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of May 18, 2026

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Peter Erskine, John Daversa, Joe La Barbera, Veronica Swift, Chris Botti, Jay Jennings, Charles Ruggiero, Karl McComas-Reichl, Grace Kelly, Cameron Graves, Bren Joy, Adam Hersh, Gilbert Castellanos, Anthony Fung, and Brian Swartz.

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 5/18 – YaYennings Electric Band at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Julian Pollack on keys, Corbin Jones on bass, and Myles Martin on drums. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Vocalist Giovanna is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer Daniel Rossi is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Other Delights are at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock.

Tuesday 5/19 – Billy Vera Big Band at Vibrato

Composer Billy Vera leads a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at Bistango in Irvine. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Bayou Degradable is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Gorden Campbell celebrates a birthday at The Mint in West L.A. Guitarist Alfredo Cáceres is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Corcovado is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Hagen Jazz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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 Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Dre’ Y Aron lead a Latin Jazz jam at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 5/20 – Charles Ruggiero at The Baked Potato

Drummer Charles Ruggiero is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Andrew Renfroe on guitar. Pianist Isaiah Harwood is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Groove Nation 8 is at Dreamland in Malibu. Vocalist Stephanie Pope is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Los Compadres and guitarist Shea Welsh are at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Lyle Workman is at The Grape in Ventura. Lizzy & The Triggermen are at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. Pianist Eve Elliot is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Aurora LA in West L.A. 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. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads an open jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.

Thursday 5/21 – Karl McComas-Reichl at Sam First

Bassist Karl McComas-Reichl is at Sam First near LAX with Larry Goldings on piano, Peter Schlamb on vibes, and Christian Euman on drums. Saxophonist Grace Kelly is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Vocalist Bren Joy is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Jason Goldman’s 17 Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Derek Frank is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Staci Griesbach is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Trombonist Joey Sellers is at The Merc in Temecula. Armenian vocalist Araksya Amirkhanyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Orquesta Ritmo Alegre is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. The Fez are at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Nadav Peled is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero and vocalist Crystal Lewis are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Big Band Express is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Bassist/vocalist Hannah Rose Dexter is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. The Secret Agents with vocalist Mark Kopitzke are at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Vocalist Beth Rohde is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Vocalist Olivia Kuper Harris 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 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. Pianist Kevin Tokarz is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Mercedes Moore does a happy hour show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 5/22 – Joe La Barbera at Sam First

Drummer Joe La Barbera is at Sam First near LAX with Bill Cunliffe on piano, Clay Jenkins on trumpet, Jonathan Richards on bass, and Bob Sheppard on sax for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Trumpeter John Daversa is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Chris Botti is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer Anthony Fung celebrates an album release at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at LACMA in West L.A. Trumpeter Takuya Kuroda & The Urban Renewal Project are at Venice West in Venice. The Mina Choi Orchestra with pianist Jon Cowherd is at the Faith Lutheran Church in Anaheim. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Bassist Adam Cohen is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at the La Jolla Community Center. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Bistango in Irvine. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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 Darci Daniels. 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. Percussionist Charle Chavez is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Mad Hat Hucksters are at Golden Island in San Diego. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 5/23 – John Daversa Big Band at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter John Daversa leads his big band at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of three nights (Fri-Sun). Vocalist Veronica Swift is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun). Drummer Joe La Barbera is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Cameron Graves is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Pianist Adam Hersh is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Chris Botti is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Pianist Joshua White plays Gershwin at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos and saxophonist Karl Denson play the music of Freddie Hubbard and Stanley Turrentine at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Vocalist Dawn Clement sings the music of Blossom Dearie at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Flutist Lori Bell and pianist Josh Nelson are at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Javier Santiago is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Trumpeter Tom Browne and saxophonist Jeanette Harris are at the View Music Bar in Torrance. Harpist Minta Spencer is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Guitarist Nico Miguel is at Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita. Saxophonist Michael Paulo and keyboardist Gregg Karukas are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Chunky Hustle Brass Band is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Guitarist Alex Ciavarelli is at Bar Bacari North Park in San Diego. Vocalist Jenessa Noland is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Kaylee Daugherty. 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 Jennifer Keith is at Cicada in downtown L.A. Pete Jacobs & His Wartime Radio Revue are at the Pasadena Ballroom Danace Association. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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 Valerie Swift Bird does a brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena.

Sunday 5/24 – Peter Erskine at Vibrato

Drummer Peter Erskine celebrates an album release at Vibrato in Bel Air with Scott Colley on bass and Alan Pasqua on piano. Trumpeter John Daversa is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Veronica Swift is at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Chris Botti is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Drummer Kevin Kanner jazz jam session is at The Mint in West L.A. B-Free & Q lead the Sunday afternoon jam session at The World Stage in South L.A. Bassist Avery Scott is at The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in South L.A. Keyboardist Zach Tenorio is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Percussionist Nathan Hubbard is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Pianist Adam Wolff 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. Pro2Call is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. The Santa Ana Swingers play a happy hour show at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 5/25 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, Jamie Kime on guitar, and Danny Carey on drums. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin is at Sun Space in Sunland. Saxophonist Jack Lieberman is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Pianist Salenta Baisden is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist Lori Bell 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. Vocalist Lia Booth has a Memorial Day early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Tuesday 5/26 – Theo Croker at Blue Note LA

Trumpeter Theo Croker offers a tribute to Miles Davis at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Keyboardist Deron Johnson leads a tribute to Miles Davis at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. including trumpeter Tatiana Tate. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Greg Poree is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. British vocalist Nick Pritchard is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Alex Schwarz is at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. 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. 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. The Innervox Vocal Jazz Ensemble is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 5/27 – Chris Dave at Blue Note LA

Drummer Chris Dave opens a five-night (Wed-Sun) run at Blue Note LA in Hollywood with Pino Palladino on bass and Isaiah Sharkey on guitar. Guitarist Andrew Synowiec is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Orient Groove is at Catalina in Hollywood. Belgian harpist/vocalist Pia Salvia is at Sam First near LAX. The Sergio Mendes Band is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Vocalist John O’Hurley is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Saxophonist Ed Wynne is at Dreamland in Malibu. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The Grape in Ventura. 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. Vocalist Rebecca Jade does a late afternoon show at The Conrad in La Jolla.