About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of August 3, 2026

August kicks off with a SoCal Jazz Week including Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Nicole McCabe, Lalah Hathaway, Claire Martin & Mark Winkler, Rachel Eckroth, Phi-Psonics, Jason Harnell, John Proulx & Marina Pacowski, Bill Cunliffe, Brian Charette, and Amber Weekes.

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 8/3 – Stephan Moccio at Blue Note LA

Vocalist Stephan Moccio is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Logan Kane is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Bassist Lisa Mezzacappa and saxophonist Charles Sharp split a bill at Sun Space in Shadow Hills. Vocalist Elena Gilliam and guitarist George Gilliam are at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Dave Harrington is at Club Tee Gee 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 with keyboardist Sam Barsh. 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 Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 8/4 – Phi-Psonics Play Alice Coltrane at Blue Note LA

Phi-Psonics plays the music of Alice Coltrane at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Trumpeter/vocalist Byron Stripling and organist Bobby Floyd are at Bistango in Irvine. 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. The Tom Kubis Bang Band at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Nicole Kubis. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Crystal Clulee 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. 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. Pianist Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra are at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Satin Keys play a happy hour show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 8/5 – John Proulx & Marina Pacowski at Vibrato

Pianist/vocalists John Proulx and Marina Pacowski are at Vibrato in Bel Air with Roy McCurdy on drums, Kenny Wild on bass, Scott Whitfield on trombone, and Bob Sheppard on sax. Mandolinist Ian Coury is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Chris Dave is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Trombonist Francisco Torres is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego with vocalist Leonard Patton. Hagen Jazz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Leo Vigil is at the Knolls Restaurant in Laguna Niguel. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. 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. Pianist/guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura.

Thursday 8/6 – Rachel Eckroth at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Rachel Eckroth is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mike Eckroth on keys, Nir Felder on guitar, Zach Brock on violin, Logan Kane on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Vocalist Amber Weekes sings a tribute to Oscar Brown, Jr. at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Pritesh Walla and drummer Henry Godfrey celebrate an album release of their big band at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane and his Chamber Orchestra are at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Modern Motion Orchestra is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Trumpeter Nicolaus Gelin is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Keyboardist Don Preston is at Healing Force Of The Universe in Pasadena. Vocalist Matt Barber is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pianist Bobby West is at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Spencer Day is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Ella & The Bossa Beat are at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at The Merc in Temecula. Saxophonist Kasey Knudsen is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at Divina Cucina in Montrose. Four And More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. 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. 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. The Jazz Angels present a young musicians concert and jam session at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty does a happy hour show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 8/7 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band at Catalina Jazz Club

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at Catalina in Hollywood for an album release show for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at Sam First near LAX. The Los Angeles Jazz Festival kicks off with an evening featuring vocalist Lalah Hathaway and trumpeter Chief Adjuah in Leimert Park in South L.A. Bassist Trevor Ware’s Positive People are at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Theo Saunders is at LACMA in West L.A. Guitarist/vocalist Carl Verheyen is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Lia Booth. Harpist Minta Spencer is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Organist Wil Blades and saxophonist/vocalist Mae.Sun are at Healing Force Of The Universe in Pasadena. The Rebirth Brass Band is at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Mike Garson is at The Grape in Ventura. The week-long Windgrease Festival begins at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Juan de Marcos & The Afro-Cuban All-Stars are at The United Theater in downtown L.A. Bassist Mauricio Morales is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Trumpeter Nicolaus Gelin is at the Townhouse in Venice. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. The DDG19 Big Band is at the Pala Casino in Pala. Sendoff is at Sound Dhaba in downtown L.A. Pianist Stuart Elster is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Lia Booth and trumpeter Simon Drew are at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. 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 Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Rat Pack Reborn is at Golden Island in San Diego. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Allen Takatsuka is at the Luxe Restaurant in Dana Point. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 8/8 – Nicole McCabe at Sam First

Saxophonist Nicole McCabe plays the second of a two-night live recording session at Sam First near LAX with Gerald Clayton on piano, Justin Brown on drums, and Logan Kane on bass. Keyboardist Bill Cunliffe is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at Catalina in Hollywood. Organist Brian Charette is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Adam Ledbetter is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Bobby Bradford is at Healing Force Of The Universe in Pasadena. Saxophonist Ernie Watts is at The Grand On State Street in Santa Barbara. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez plays an afternoon show at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Robert Turner is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Saxophonist Richard Elliot and trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Hannah Rose Lewis is at Vibrato in Bel Air. San Lyon is at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Guitarist Cliff Brown is at the View Music Bar in Torrance. Pianist Stuart Elster is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter Ben Delgado is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Bassist Leslie Baker is at the Desert Rose in Los Feliz. The Alpha Rhythm Kings are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Howie Levine sings Sinatra and standards at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Allen Takatsuka is at the Luxe Restaurant in Dana Point. Pianist Eric Scott Reed leads an afternoon workshop at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does a brunch gig at Brightside California Kitchen in Santa Monica. Vocalist Stephanie Barone does a brunch at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 do a brunch at the Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City with guest vocalist Mayita Dinos. The Garners play a brunch at California English in San Diego.

Sunday 8/9 – Claire Martin & Mark Winkler at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalists Claire Martin and Mark Winkler are at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with keyboardist Kei Akagi. The VDE Big Band opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Louis Durra is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Kirk Whalum is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Saxophonist Alex Rashad is at Tuning Fork in Studio City. Guitarist Michael O’Neill leads a tribute to George Benson at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Flutist Lori Bell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Guitarist Alex Ciavarelli is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Julian Roel is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. 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. 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. Pianist Salvador Padilla is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. The Hard Bop Ensemble is at The Copper Room in Yucca Valley. The ESP Jazz Collective hosts an open jam at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Very Good Sunday is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. The Santa Ana Swingers play a happy hour show at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Drummer Jorg Dubin plays a jazz brunch at the Zinc Cafe in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club plays an afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Kayla & The Keepsakes do a brunch at the Vitello’s Velvet Martini Lounge in Studio City.

Monday 8/10 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue) with Tool drummer Danny Carey, plus Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Jamie Kime on guitar. Abandoned Jukebox is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood, Guitarist/vocalist Rory Glassford is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Guitarist Terry Wollman is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. 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. 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 8/11 – Logan Richardson at 2220 Arts + Archives

Saxophonist Logan Richardson hosts an evening of top saxophonists at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. featuring Bennie Maupin, Ralph Moore, Steve Lehman, and Teodross Avery.  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. The Billy Vera Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Tamela D’Amico. Guitarist Alfredo Cáceres is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. The Glenn Miller Orchestra is at the Redlands Bowl in Redlands. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Big Time Operator is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. 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. 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. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist/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 8/12 – Esteban Adame at Catalina Jazz Club

Pianist Esteban Adame leads a quartet in the music of Horace Silver at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Stanley Jordan is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Pianist Dayramir Gonzalez is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Carlo Alfonso is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Nicolaus Gelin is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The LA Jazz Society sponsors a meet and hang at at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. The Jazz Sundials are at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Christena Rich is at Vibrato in Bel Air with guitarist Laurence Juber. Drummer Tom Dante is at the Knolls Restaurant in Laguna Niguel with vocalist Lia Booth. Vocalist Elena & guitarist George Gilliam are at Mozambique in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Zaya in downtown L.A. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. 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.