Jazzy nonprofit closes-out season with a bang

Brubeck Brothers Quartet headlined fancy GALA at Addison-Penzak JCC

WORLD-FAMOUS – The Brubeck Brothers Quartet performing at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center on Saturday, for the Los Gatos Music & Arts GALA. Chris Brubeck is on bass, while brother Chirs plays drums, with Chuck Lamb on keys, and Mike DeMicco on electric guitar. (Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan

What happens after Jazz on the Plazz (JoP) ends? You attend a “GALA” and wait for next summer, of course.

The producers of JoP, Los Gatos Music & Arts, held their annual GALA and sponsor recognition this Saturday. This year’s event was held at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center (the JCC) in the Fletcher, Krauss, Reinhard Auditorium.

People come to give back to the organization that has provided them with music each Wednesday evening during the summer.

It’s a chance to dress up, listen to some live, improvisational jazz and just chill out.

Many who attended this series-ender said that this had been the best series yet.

People also seemed to be really enjoying the choice of venue for the GALA, as well.

BTW, JoP has been going strong for more than two decades now.

Los Gatos hosts events with a purpose

Concerts, movies, shops benefit local causes Debby Rice
PUBLISHED: September 30, 2025 at 7:38 AM PDT

After performing with the San Jose High School Jazz All-Stars at Jazz on the Plazz, June McMahon shared the stage Sept. 20 with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet at Los Gatos Music and Arts’ annual gala. McMahon is pictured here with Chris Brubeck, son of jazz legend Dave Brubeck. (Photo by Debby Rice)

Los Gatos Music & Arts (LGMA) has produced Jazz on the Plazz for 23 years, offering free concerts funded by generous sponsors. Yet its true legacy is education: workshops and scholarships shaping future jazz leaders. San Jose high school student June McMahon embodies this mission. After performing with the San Jose High School Jazz All-Stars at Jazz on the Plazz, she participated in LGMA Brubeck Brothers Workshop, earned a spot at the prestigious Brubeck Jazz Summit and shared the stage Sept. 20 with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet at the LGMA annual gala. Her journey is one example of success.