About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of August 24, 2026

August closes with a SoCal jazz week including Brad Mehldau, Jeff Goldblum, Keyon Harrold w/Macy Gray, John Beasley, Jeff Parker, Paul Peress, Dan Rosenboom, Mina Choi, Marloinous Martinez, Sam Barsh, Andrew Synowiec, Syndee Winters, and Don Randi.

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 8/24 – Jeff Parker ETA IVtet at Lodge Room

Guitarist Jeff Parker celebrates an album release for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue) at Lodge Room in Highland Park with Josh Johnson on sax, Anna Butterss on bass, and Jay Bellerose on drums. Drummer Andy Prado & Zona 818 are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sy Smith is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. The Galecstacy Quartet is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Guitarist Lemek is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Satin Keys is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The New Lighthouse All-Stars host a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. 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 8/25 – Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at Blue Note LA

Pianist/vocalist Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Blue Note LA in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Guitarist Joey Delgado is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Devin Daniels hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Jeff Parker celebrates an album release at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Guitarist Greg Poree is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Trombonist Joey Sellers leads the Saddleback College Jazz Faculty at the McKinney Theater in Mission Viejo. 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. 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 8/26 – Steve Lehman & Garden of Klōns at Sam First

Saxophonist Steve Lehman & Garden of Klōns are at Sam First near LAX with Cory Smythe on piano, Chris Tordini on bass, and Jacob Porter on drums. Pianist/vocalist Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Saxophonist Chuck Johnson is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. The Ladd McIntosh Big Band is at Dreamland in Malibu. Pianist Quinn Johnson is at 1881 in Pasadena. The Idiomatiques are at The Grape in Ventura. Think:X is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Phatback, Earl & Me are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Sam Ross is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. 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.

Thursday 8/27 – Keyon Harrold w/Macy Gray at Blue Note LA

Trumpeter Keyon Harrold is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood with vocalist Macy Gray. Guitarist Andrew Synowiec is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Brad Mehldau is at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego.  Vocalist Syndee Winters sings the music of Lena Horne at Sam First near LAX.  Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Montauk in Redondo Beach.  Pianist Harold Land, Jr. is at The Merc in Temecula. Saxophonist Sam Gendel and bassist Sam Wilkes are at the Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge in Hollywood.  Vocalist Estani Frizzell is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trombonist Joey Sellers is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Linda Purl is at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura. The three-day (Thu-Sat) Blue Jay Jazz Festival opens in Lake Arrowhead with Carl Verheyen and 6 Beats Apart. Guitarist Nadav Peled is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Trumpeter Clarence McDuffie III is at Bar Bacari North Park in San Diego. Guitarist Rory Glassford is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Matt Barber is at Monopole by WineRx in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Jim Leslie is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Drummer James Yoshizawa is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. 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 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. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Friday 8/28 – Brad Mehldau at the Orpheum Theatre

Pianist Brad Mehldau is at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A. with Chris Thile on mandolin, Matt Chamberlain and John Davis on drums, and Blake Mills on guitar.  Bassist Marlonious Martinez celebrates a birthday at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. The Afro Latin Syndicate is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights with Icelandic vocalist Geir Olafson. Vocalist Janis Mann is at LACMA in West L.A. Pianist Daniel Paik is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Trumpeter/vocalist Chris Norton is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Saxophonist Mike Monford is at The World Stage in South L.A. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Charlie Arbelaez is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalists Matt Forbes and Jesse Goddard are at The Dresden in Los Feliz. Spaceship is at the Townhouse in Venice. Percussionist Charlie Chavez is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Vocalist Mindy Austin and guitarist Doug MacDonald are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Clifford Morin is at Bar Bacari North Park in San Diego. Vocalist Cynthia Gonzalez is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Zo Shah is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. 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. Jumpin’ Joz is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 8/29 – Leimert Park Jazz Festival at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

The 7th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival at Crenshaw Plaza in South L.A. includes vocalist Jose James, pianist Bobby West and the West Coast Get Down playing a tribute to the late Ryan Porter.  Pianist John Beasley is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Mina Choi is at Montauk in Redondo Beach with drummer Jeff Hamilton. Drummer Peter Erskine is at The Grand On State Street in Santa Barbara. Place Is The Space is at The Nimoy in Westwood.  Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski brings her Vintage Girl In A Modern World band to the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. The Arsenio Rodriguez Project offers a tribute to the Buena Vista Social Club at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Icelandic vocalist Geir Olafson. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Mike Garson is at the Cerritos College Performing Arts Center in Norwalk. Guitarist Michael Grange is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Saxophonist Grace Kelly does an afternoon show at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. The Cymatics Trio is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Bassist Luther Hughes is at the Truffle Bistro in Orange.   Guitarist Molly Miller is at 1642 in Echo Park.  Bassist Ryan Roberts is at Bar Bacari in Sherman Oaks. Keyboardist Dylan Meek is at Bar Bacari in Culver City. Trumpeter John Reynolds is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Jessy J is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Bassist Philip Chuah is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. Bassist Evona Wascinski is at Bar Bacari North Park in San Diego. Pianist Irving Flores is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. 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. Guitarist Daryl Darden is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. 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.

Sunday 8/30 – Paul Peress at The Baked Potato

Drummer Paul Peress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jacob Scesney on sax, Toshi Yanagi on guitar, and Francisco Fatturoso on bass. Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom is at Bar Bandini in Echo Park. Guitarist Matt Greif is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Alex Baird opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Sylvia Brooks does an album release show at Catalina in Hollywood.  Pianist Larry Nash is at Maverick’s Flat in South L.A. with special guest vocalist Betty Bryant for an afternoon show. Saxophonist Boney James and percussionist Sheila E. are at the Hollywood Bowl. Trumpeter Skip Spiro is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz In Culver City. Guitarist Adam Hawley is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarists Adam Levy and Chris Bruce play an afternoon show at Healing Force Of The Universe in San Diego. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Drummer Daryl Moore hosts a new monthly jam session at the Aziz Gallerie in South L.A. Vocalist Maricar is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at The Jazz Salon in downtown L.A. The Free Agents are at Big Jim’s Family Restaurant in Sun Valley. Keyboardist Zach Tenorio is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. 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. 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. The Santa Ana Swingers play a happy hour show at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Keyboardist/vocalist Freddie Ravel is is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Jorg Dubin plays a jazz brunch at the Zinc Cafe in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Ben Sachs has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 8/31 – Eric Marienthal w/Marcus Miller at Spaghettini

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest bassist Marcus Miller. Drummer Gary Novak and keyboardist Adam Hersh are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Adam Hernandez is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The New Lighthouse All-Stars host a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. 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 Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 9/1 – Bernie Dresel BBB at The Baked Potato

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Jackie Ryan and vocalist/pianist John Proulx are at Bistango in Irvine. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Visionarium in South Pasadena. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallet is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. 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. Vibraphonist Chris Stevens plays a happy hour show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Slim Man is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 9/2 – Michael Wolff at Sam First

Pianist Michael Wolff is at Sam First near LAX with Danny Janklow on sax, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Syndee Winters is is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Braxton Cook is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Hagen Jazz 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. 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.