About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of April 29, 2024

April ends and May opens with a SoCal jazz week including Jacky Terrasson, Steve Smith, Etienne Charles, Russell Ferrante, Stanley Jordan, The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet, Pierre Bensusan, Ben Williams, Kenny Washington, Dave Slonaker, Akiko Tsuruga & Jeff Hamilton, Scott Kinsey, Derek Sherinian & Simon Phillips, and Tim Lefebrve.

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 4/29 – 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.  Violinist Nora Germain is at Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood.  Vocalist Courtney Lemmon is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Percussionist Charlie Chavez is at the Senses Bistro 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 Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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.  Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena.  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. Pianist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Just Jazz and Sound Dhaba host a youth jazz jam at Art Share LA in downtown Los Angeles.

Thursday 5/2 – Etienne Charles at the Townhouse

Trumpeter Etienne Charles is at the Townhouse in Venice with Axel Tosca on piano, Ben Williams on bass, John Davis on drums, Godwin Lewis on saxophone, and Alex Wintz on guitar. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Simon Phillips are at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Bassist Benny Rietveld is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Harold Land, Jr. is at The Merc in Temecula. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Annie Reiner is at Catalina in Hollywood.  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.

Friday 5/3 – Steve Smith & Vital Information at The Baked Potato

Drummer Steve Smith’s Vital Information is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of three nights (Fri-Sun) with Manuel Valera on keys and Janek Gwizdala on bass. Bassist Ben Williams is at The World Stage in South L.A. Guitarist Stanley Jordan is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat).  Saxophonist Bob Mintzer’s Big Band opens the 2024 free Friday Jazz Series at LACMA in West L.A.  Bassist Tim Lefebvre is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane fronts a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. The SicNarf big band is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Niki Harris is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs.  Bassist Steve Billman is at the Eagle Rock Community Church in Los Angeles.  Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Anthony Smith is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Santino Sgambelluri. Vocalist Claude Hall is at the Butcher’s Daughter in West Hollywood. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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 Angie Whitney. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Books & Records in San Diego. Drummer Darrell Voss is at Libretto in Paso Robles.

Saturday 5/4 – Russell Ferrante at Sam First

Yellowjackets pianist Russell Ferrante is at Sam First near LAX with Michael Valerio on bass and Steve Schaeffer on drums. Guitarist Pierre Bensusan is at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica. Drummer Steve Smith’s Vital Information is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Stanley Jordan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Kenny Washington is at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Pianist Michael Wolff is at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo.  Flutist Lori Bell is at Books & Records in San Diego. Trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Steve Tyrell is at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Phat Cat Swinger is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Vocalist/guitarist Steph Johnson is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Blake Aaron celebrates a CD release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Anita Robles celebrates a birthday at the Garden Cafe in Sherman Oaks. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Saxophonist Ari Silberman is at the Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Azo Vino in Covina.

Sunday 5/5 – Jacky Terrasson at the Moss Theater

French pianist Jacky Terrasson leads a trio at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Drummer Steve Smith’s Vital Information is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Vocalist Jacqui Hylton is at Wolfsglen in Westwood. 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. Guitarist Mitchell Long has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Josie Lavalle does a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.

Monday 5/6 – Graham Dechter w/Joe La Barbera at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a quartet including drummer Joe La Barbera. Vocalist Crystal Lewis is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Amanda Portela sings the music of Peggy Lee at the Senses Bistro 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. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. The SBCC Jazz Combos are at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 5/7 – Gerald Clayton w/Michael Mayo at Sam First

Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX with guest vocalist Michael Mayo. Vocalist Lanie Kazan is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Alanna & These Fine gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Liela Avila is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. The Baked Potato hosts a six-act Showcase Night including vocalist Mer Sal. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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.  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.

Wednesday 5/8 – Benny Benack III at Vibrato

Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Larry Goldings and trumpeter John Sneider celebrate a CD release at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Bijon Watson is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Blanket Of Clouds is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist/vocalist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  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.  Vocalist Amanda Portela is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.  The Garners are at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.