About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of August 3, 2015

Monday 8/3 – John Proulx at Festival of the Arts Pageant of the Masters

Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at Festival of the Arts Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach with Alex Frank on bass and Dean Koba on drums. Sax/flute wiz Katisse Buckingham’s quartet including vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Trumpeter Nate Birkey is at SoHo in Santa Barbara. French horn player Rick Todd is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Jax in Glendale. The Mark Hix Big Band is at Typhoon in Santa Monica. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Monday jam sessions include John Ziegler and Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato in Studio City, Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 8/4 – Bob Reynolds at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Ruslan Sirota on keys, Janek Gwizdala on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Latin percussionist Paris Escovedo is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Kathleen Grace and the Josh Nelson Trio are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Dan Schnelle hosts a jam session at Blue Whale. The Lowery Brothers are at H.O.M.E. in Beverly Hills. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank features guest Jim Fox.

Wednesday 8/5 – Matt Politano Trio at Blue Whale

Pianist Matt Politano is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Dave Robaire on bass and Abe Lagrimas on drums. Drummer Andy Sanesi’s Raggedy Andy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Organist Tony Monaco has the Wednesday Sunset Jazz show with saxophonist Rickey Woodard at the Marriott Newport Beach. Saxophonist Scott Martin’s Latin Soul Band is at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Saxophonist Greg Johnson is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Saxophonist Michael Lington is at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Thursday 8/6 – Sara Gazarek at Catalina

Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Catalina in Hollywood with Josh Nelson on piano, Dave Robaire on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Pianist Kait Dunton celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Cooper Appelt on bass and Jake Reed on drums. Drummer Chris Wabich leads Thelonious Monkey at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Ross Hammer is at UCLA’s Hammer Museum in Westwood. Saxophonist Ian Roller and trumpeter Gabe Steiner debut GENR8R at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Sammy Miller is at Descanso Gardens. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith leads a trio at The Tap Room at the Hotel Langham Pasadena. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia and bassist David Ross are at the downtown L.A. Athletic Club. The Ben Rose Group with vocalist Laura Mace is at Perch in downtown L.A..

Friday 8/7 – John Beasley’s MONK’estra at LACMA

Pianist John Beasley’s MONK’estra big band has the free Friday evening jazz show at LACMA in Hancock Park/West Los Angeles. Guitarist Jeff Richman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Pianist Miro Sprague is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Samirah Evans on vocals, Josh Johnson on alto saxophone, Mike Cottone on trumpet, Dave Robaire on bass, and Jonathan Pinson on drums. Vocalist Barbara Morrison begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina. Percussionist Munyungo Jackson is at The World Stage in Leimert Park. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at Aldabella Winery in Westlake Village. Saxophonist Omar Assef is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Calixto Oviedo is at The E Spot Lounge at Vitello’s in Studio City. Pianist Rob Mullins is at the Festival of the Arts Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Jay Gore is at Spaghettini Seal Beach. Saxophonist Najee is at the Hyatt Newport Beach.

Saturday 8/8 – Pasqua/Erskine/Oles Trio at The Moss Theater

Pianist Alan Pasqua, drummer Peter Erskine and bassist Peter Erskine are at The Moss Theater at the New Roads School in Santa Monica, presented by the Musicians at Play Foundation.  Biscodini Explosion featuring drummer Curt Bisquera and guitarist John Chiodini is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Scott Healy on organ, Tom Luer on saxophone, and Brian Swartz on trumpet. Pianist Shai Maestro is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trumpeter Ron Stout is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Nutty is at Spaghettini Beverly Hills. Pianist Lao Tizer is at Spaghettini Seal Beach. The Sweet Note Quartet is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. The West Coast Salsa Orchestra has the free Saturday evening show at LACMA in West Los Angeles. Chieli Minucci & Special EFX have an afternoon show at Festival of the Arts Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach.

Sunday 8/9 – John Daversa Contemporary Big Band at The Baked Potato

Trumpet/EVI wiz John Daversa leads his 17-piece big band at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Cat Conner and saxophonist Gene Cipriano are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Greg Johnson is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Mon David celebrates a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Lenny Stack is at Jax in Glendale. Blues guitarists Laith Al-Saadi and Jerry Vivino have the free Sunday show at Levitt Pavilion Pasadena. Sunday brunch choices include vocalist Jesse Palter at Perch in downtown L.A., pianist Theo Saunders’ sextet at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, and bassist Ian Martin at H.O.M.E. In Beverly Hills.

Monday 8/10 – Christian Euman’s Drums & Symbols at Blue Whale

Drummer Christian Euman leads a group at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jonathan Pinson on drums, Josh Johnson on sax, Ido Meshulam on trombone, Miro Sprague on piano, and Dave Robaire on bass. Vocalist Anne Walsh is at the Festival of the Arts Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach.  The Paul McDonald Big Band is at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport.  Vocalist Debi Raven is at The E Spot Lounge at Vitello’s in Studio City. The Danny Green Trio and flutist Rebecca Kleinmann with the Jason McGuire Trio split a bill at SoHo in Santa Barbara. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Monday jam sessions include John Ziegler and Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato in Studio City, Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., Ian Roller at Seven Grand in downtown L.A., and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 8/11 – Chuchito Valdes at Catalina

Pianist Chuchito Valdes begins a two-night run (Tue-Wed) at Catalina in Hollywood in celebration of a new CD release. The Danny Green Trio and flutist Rebecca Kleinmann with the Jason McGuire Trio split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Lowery Brothers are at H.O.M.E. in Beverly Hills. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank features guest Mitchell Long.

Wednesday 8/12 – Jaco’s World/Wayne Shorter Quartet at the Hollywood Bowl

Saxophone legend Wayne Shorter’s Quartet (Danilo Perez – piano, John Pattitucci – bass and Brian Blade – drums) opens an evening dedicated to the music of the late bassist Jaco Pastorius with an all-star band including Herbie Hancock and bassist Felix Pastorius.  Guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli is at the Sunset Jazz series at the Marriott Newport Beach. Bassist Abraham Laboriel, Sr. is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trombonist Francisco Torres is at The Ranch in Laguna Beach.  Pianist Cougar Estrada is at Jax in Glendale. Saxophonist Doug Webb has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.