About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of August 31, 2026

September opens with a SoCal jazz week including John Daversa, Simon Philips, Clay Jenkins, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Bernie Dresel, Brandon Coleman, Clayton Cameron, Charles Owens, Sam Hirsh, Michael Wolff, Hadrien Feraud, Deborah Silver and Aubrey Situmorang.

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 8/31 – 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. The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra plays a noon show at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center in Ventura.

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. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake 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.  Drummer Kevin van den Elzen is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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.

Thursday 9/3 – John Daversa Big Band at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter John Daversa’s big band begins a four-night (Thu-Sun) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Deborah Silver is at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Aubrey Situmorang is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Chris Powe is at the Townhouse in Venice. Bassist Blake White is at the Crush Pad in Pasadena. Guitarist Cliff Brown is at Montauk in Redondo Beach.  Guitarist Bruce Forman and flutist Holly Hofmann are at The Merc in Temecula.  Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Scott Wilkie is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vibraphonist Ian Harland leads a tribute to Cal Tjader at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist/guitarist Teka is at The Grape in Ventura.  Les Bons Garcons is at the Cascade Lounge in San Diego.  Vocalist Thisbe Vos is at the 7 Degrees Gallery in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Bryard Huggins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Roost 374 in San Clemente. Drummer James Yoshizawa is at Bar Bacari in Silverlake. 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. Keyboardist Richard Turner is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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.  Trumpeter Dave Williams is at Alder & Sage in Long Beach.

Friday 9/4 – Simon Philips & Protocol VI at Catalina Jazz Club

Drummer Simon Philips & Protocol VI are at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of three nights (Fri-Sun) with Phillip Whack on sax, Alex Sill on guitar, Otmaro Ruiz on keys, and Ernest Tibbs on bass. Drummer Clayton Cameron is at LACMA in West L.A. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Charles Owens is at The World Stage in South L.A. Trumpeter John Daversa’s big band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Efajemue Etoroma, Jr. is at Montauk in Redondo Beach. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist/pianist Aimee Nolte and guitarist Mike Scott are at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist/trombonist Gunhild Carling is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Gerald Alright and guitarist Jonathan Butler are at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Vocalist Melba Moore is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vibraphonist Jake Chapman is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at Books & Records in San Diego. Guitarist Zo Shah is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. 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. 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. Strada Swing is at Cicada in downtown L.A. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Woody James Legacy Big Band plays an afternoon show at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Saturday 9/5 – Sam Hirsh at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge

Pianist Sam Hirsh is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. with Nicole McCabe on sax, Dan Chmielinski on bass, and John Davis on drums. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Simon Philips & Protocol VI are at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter John Daversa’s big band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos leads a tribute to Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie at The Rady Shell in San Diego. Saxophonist Jason Fabus is is at Montauk in Redondo Beach.  Vocalist Liz Cole is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Vocalist Amy Keys is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Bobby Bradford is at Healing Force Of The Universe in Pasadena. The San Diego Latin Jazz Collective is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Groove Legacy is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Melba Moore is at Blue Note LA in Hollywood. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The Billie Holiday Project is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Pianist Rip Masters’ Swing Band is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Guitarist Albert Hurtado is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. The Esquires Big Band is at Cicada in downtown L.A. 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. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Drummer Izzak Weatherwax is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Vocalist Janet Orsi & The Akustakats are at Jack’s Woodside Grille in Laguna Niguel.  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 9/6 – Dominique Fils-Aimé at The Sun Rose

Vocalist Dominique Fils-Aimé is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood.  Keyboardist Brandon Coleman is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Drummer Simon Philips & Protocol VI are at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter John Daversa’s big band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Steve Rawlins celebrates an album release at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Ollie Elder is at the Birds Of A Feather Jazz Lounge in downtown L.A. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego with bassist Katie Thiroux. Vocalist Haley Reinhart is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant is at The Jazz Salon in downtown L.A. Satin Keys are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Drummer Jorg Dubin plays a jazz brunch at the Zinc Cafe in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Matt Greif has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 9/7 – Graham Dechter at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Frank on bass, Ryan Shaw on drums, and Jordan Seigel on keys. Guitarist Dave Harrington is at Club Tee Gee in Atwater Village. The Transatlantic Guitar Trio is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. 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 9/8 – Nicole Zuraitis at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Nicole Zuraitis celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Zane Carney is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. 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. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 9/9 – Ari & Cecil Alexander at Sam First

Vocalist Ari Alexander and guitarist Cecil Alexander are at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Terrell Stafford and pianist Tamir Hendelman play a tribute to Miles Davis at The Grand On State Street in Santa Barbara. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. A celebration of life for the recently passed vocalist Tom Culver will be held at at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Kevin Cordasco & The Paul McDonald Big Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Aaron Lind and vocalist Whitney Shay are at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. 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.