About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of April 22, 2024

April winds down with a SoCal jazz week including Luciana Souza, Joe La Barbera, Bernie Dresel, Gordon Goodwin, Angelique Kidjo, Stanley Clarke, Fred Hersch, Lori Bell, Mark Winkler, Doug Webb, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Peter Sprague, Javier Santiago, Andy Prado, and Tom Kubis.

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 4/22 – Tom Kubis Big Band at the Gaslamp

The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach with guest vocalist Meloney Collins – the CSULB Jazz Band opens. Le Combo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 6 Beats Apart is at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. Saxophonist Michael Lington is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with bassist Marcus Miller. Pianist Adam Wolff 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.

Tuesday 4/23 – Cathy Segal-Garcia at the Harmony Room

Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock with Todd Hunter on keys, John Leftwich on bass, Lyndon Rochelle on drums, and Brad Rabuchin on guitar. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Drummer Justin Brown hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Takuya Kuroda is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. The Pepper Moons are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Rick Montalbano is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. The Jive Aces are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Blues guitarist/vocalist Josh Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Keri Kelsey leads an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. The Chapman University Big Band and Jazz Combo are at the Musco Center in Orange.

Wednesday 4/24 – Bernie Dresel’s BBB at Vibrato

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Pianist Javier Santiago is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarists Brad Rabuchin and Allen Hinds are at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Joe McPhee is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Eve Elliot is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. The Colburn School Jazz Bands are at Catalina in Hollywood.

Thursday 4/25 – Lori Bell at Sam First

Flutist Lori Bell celebrates a CD releaseof the music of Joe Henderson at Sam First near LAX with Josh Nelson on piano, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Vocalist Mark Winkler is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Clarinetist/vocalist Chloe Feoranzo is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Jazz vocal impressionist Bob Anderson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist Antonio Artese is at The Grape in Ventura. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Kait Dunton is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Norma in West Hollywood. Trumpeter Joel Schnaper is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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 ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. The West Coast Jazz Duo is at Stella’s in Dana Point. Pianist Brad Bietry is at The George in Pasadena for happy hour. The Corda Project is at Catalina in Hollywood.

Friday 4/26 – Joe La Barbera at Sam First

Drummer Joe La Barbera is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Bob Sheppard on sax, Clay Jenkins on trumpet, Bill Cunliffe on piano, and Edwin Livingston on bass. Drummer Andy Prado is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Luciana Souza & Trio Corrente are at the Scripps Research Auditorium in San Diego. Saxophonist Christopher Hollyday is at the La Jolla Community Center. Drummer Mark Guiliana is at UCSD The Loft in San Diego. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The World Stage Big Band performs at The World Stage in South L.A. Black Market Trust is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Saxophonist Logan Richardson is at Little Lunch Coffee in Venice. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. The Braxton Brothers are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Jive Aces are at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. 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. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Paul Mackey. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Viva Puente is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalists Wayne Wilentz and Craig Cochrane are at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Drummer Jake Tompkins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Hearts & Flame in downtown L.A.

Saturday 4/27 – Luciana Souza & Trio Corrente at The Nimoy

Vocalist Luciana Souza & Trio Corrente are at The Nimoy in Westwood. Pianist Fred Hersch plays a solo evening at the Aratani Theatre in downtown L.A. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at the Scherr Forum in Thousand Oaks. Bassist Stanley Clarke and vocalist Angelique Kidjo headline the Dymally Jazz Festival at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. Drummer Joe La Barbera is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Ernie Watts is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Guitarist Peter Sprague plays the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Catatonic is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura.  Flutist Holly Hofmann is at Merarki in San Diego.  Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Mara Kaye and the Marlonious Jazz Orchestra play the music of Billie Holiday at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. Vocalist John Vance is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood.  Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at The Dresden in Los Feliz.  Saxophonist Michael Paulo is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Black Market Trust is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Tim Shaghoian is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at the Shit Art Club in downtown L.A. The Jive Aces are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Australian trumpeter/singer Simon Drew is at Collage in San Pedro. The Aristocats are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Phat Cat Swinger is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Dave Scott. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. 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 Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina.

Sunday 4/28 – Paul Peress at The Baked Potato

Drummer Paul Peress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Sill on guitar, Jacob Scesney on sax, Mitchel Forman on keys, and Francisco Fattoruso on bass. AFM Local 47 in Burbank presents Week Three of their Sunday afternoon Jazz Festival series featuring bands led by guitarist Mark Towns, keyboardist Adam Hersh, saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree, and trumpeter Brian Swartz. Flutist Lori Bell is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt is at Venice West in Venice. The CSUN Jazz Combo opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Julie Newsome is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village.  Vocalist Jacqui Hylton is at Wolfsglen in Westwood.  Saxophonist Chris Powe leads an open jam session at ORA in South L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. 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. Pianist Todd Hunter & The Brazilians have the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Marina Pacowski has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Pianist Melonie Grinnell and bassist Justin Grinnell do a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Mercedes Moore does a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Vocalist Sandy Cummings does a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 4/29 – Eric Marienthal w/Lee Ritenour at Spaghettini

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guitarist Lee Ritenour. Guitarist Riner Scvially is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Carlos Velasco 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. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Wally’s in Santa Monica. Blues guitarist John Geiger is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Tuesday 4/30 – Dave Slonaker Big Band at Vibrato

Composer/arranger Dave Slonaker’s big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air including Peter Erskine on drums, Wayne Bergeron on trumpet, and Bob Sheppard on saxophone.  Organist Akiko Tsuruga and drummer Jeff Hamilton are at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena. Bassist Alex Frank leads a trio at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach playing the music of composer Johnny Mercer with vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX.  Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A.  Vocalist Courtney Lemmon is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Percussionist Charlie Chavez is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Seven Grand in San Diego. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Karolyn Dudro is at The George in Pasadena.  The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 5/1 – Christian Moraga at Sam First

Drummer/percussionist Christian Moraga is at Sam First near LAX with Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, Josh Childs on piano, and Rene Camacho on bass. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Saxophonist Robert Kyle and guitarist Riner Scivally are at Roe Seafood in Long Beach.  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 Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Barb Bailey is at Vibrato in Bel Air.