About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of March 25, 2024

March winds down with a SoCal jazz week including Alphonso Johnson, Doug Webb, Jacob Mann, Dayren Santamaria, Tamir Hendelman, Derek Frank, Tom Kubis, Teryn Re’, Steve Lehman, Jason Goldman, Lynne Fiddmont, and  Mike Keneally.  

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. The LAjazz.com Quick Calendar lists shows and times three days in advance on the LAjazz.com home page.

Monday 3/25 – Tom Kubis Big Band at the Gaslamp

The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guitarist Peter White. Buzz Wizards are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Adam Wolfe 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. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Pianist Richard Turner is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Wally’s in Santa Monica. The M.O.B. Jazz Quintet is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 3/26 – Derek Frank at The Baked Potato

Bassist Derek Frank celebrates an album release at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Aaron Janik on trumpet, Anthony King on guitar, Carey Frank on keys, Dan Boissy on sax, Demian Arriaga on percussion, Joshua Ray Gooch on guitar, and Matt Hankle on drums. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. The Aristocats are at La Puglia in Santa Monica with vocalist Elysia Biro. Trio de Janeiro is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Trumpeter David Young is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Keri Kelsey leads an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Seven Grand in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Mallett 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.  Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Bassist Marshall Hawkins is at Ferro in Idyllwild. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 3/27 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb begins a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jamie Kime on guitar, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Danny Carey on drums. Vocalist Andy James is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist/vocalist Ethan Margolis is at Sam First near LAX. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Teka is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Jack Wood celebrates a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Jim Fox is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Guitarist Ricky Z is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at the Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Jerry Mandel is at Bistango in Irvine. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Blues vocalist Marguaret Love & Her Lovettes are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.

Thursday 3/28 – Jacob Mann at Sam First

Pianist Jacob Mann is at Sam First near LAX with Jonathan Richards on bass and Christian Euman on drums. Jason Goldman’s 17-piece big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air with guest vocalists Brenna Whitaker, Natalie Hanna Mendoza, and Olivia Morreale. Vocalist Lynne Fiddmont is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Pianist Tamir Hendelman is at the Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The SicNarf Big Band is at The Grape in Ventura.  Drummer Adam Snow is at Macallans Public House in Brea.  The JazzZone Ensemble is at the Alliance Community Cultural Center in Pomona. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Matt Smith is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Jack Wood is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist Chris Dawson is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Meet In Paris Restaurant & Lounge in Culver City. Saxophonist David Patterson is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. 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. The West Coast Jazz Duo is at Stella’s in Dana Point. Pianist Brad Bietry is at The George in Pasadena for happy hour. Jerry Costanzo & His Gotham City Swingers are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.

Friday 3/29 – Alphonso Johnson at The Baked Potato

Bassist Alphonso Johnson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Simon Phillips on drums, Mitchel Forman on keys, Greg Leisz on pedal steel guitar, Alex Sill on guitar, Christian Hebel on violin, and Taku Hirano on percussion. Pianist Tamir Hendelman is at Sam First near LAX.  Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist Benny Green is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Trumpeter Tatiana Tate is at Moonwater Farm in Compton. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego. Multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Maia is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Pianist Joel Wenhardt is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Keisha D. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Tasha Taylor is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina.  Orquesta Akokán is at the Downey Theatre in Downey.

Saturday 3/30 – Give The Band A Hand Gala at the Omni Hotel

The California Jazz Foundation’s annual Give The Band A Hand Gala is at the Omni Hotel in downtown L.A. honoring bassist Rickey Minor and the late Betty Hoover of Jazz At The A Frame. Saxophonist Steve Lehman is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Stanley Clarke is at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Bassist Alphonso Johnson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Lia Booth. Saxophonist Jordan Leicht is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist Nathan East is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Saxophonist Will Donato is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist/guitarist Tigran Zhamkochyran is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Bassist Derek Frank is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Market Restaurant in downtown L.A. Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. Royal Flux is at The San Fernando in Glendale. Pianist Gary Matsumoto is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Daneen Wilburn. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. The Mob Jazz Band is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.

Sunday 3/31 – Dayren Santamaria at Catalina Jazz Club

Cuban violinist Dayren Santamaria is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Teryn Re’ celebrates a birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City with her big band. Fathers Voice opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with pianist Tommy Gannon. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Ellis Hall is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Old Town Temecula Community Theater hosts an afternoon jazz festival including Jonathan Karrant and Yve Evans. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Irving Flores is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Bassist Ryan Cross is at Delilah in West Hollywood. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Robert Turner is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The World Stage hosts the Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session. Vocalist Beth Rohde leads a jam session at Barsha in Hermosa Beach. The Jelly Roll Jazz band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Vocalists James Arnold and Gayle LaRone have the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. Guitarist David Marcus does a brunch at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Vocalist Rose Colella has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore does a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.

Monday 4/1 – Dechter/Frank Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jordan Siegel on keys and Joe La Barbera on drums.  Guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento is at Zebulon in Silverlake.  Vocalist Spencer Day is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Riner Scvially is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Irving Flores 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 Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A. 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 4/2 – Calabria Foti/John Proulx at Bayside Restaurant

Vocalist Calabria Foti and pianist/vocalist John Proulx are at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach with Mike Gurrola on bass and Dean Koba on drums. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Vocalist Rose Mallett 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. Trumpeter John Reynolds is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Seven Grand in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. The Baked Potato in Studio City features a multi-act Showcase Night.

Wednesday 4/3 – Benjamin Ring at Sam First

Drummer Benjamin Ring is at Sam First near LAX with Shai Golan on sax, Jake Chapman on vibes, Adam Hersh on piano, and Jermaine Paul on bass. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Arth Bar & Kitchen in Culver City. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Books & Records in San Diego. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at the Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Just Jazz hosts a student jazz jam at Art Share L.A. in downtown Los Angeles. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Blues guitarist Jamey Arent is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.