
Monday 9/21 – Sophisticated Lady at Blue Whale
Sophisticated Lady featuring pianist Misha Abair is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with J.J. Kirkpatrick on trumpet, Gary Wicks on bass, and Andrew James Boyle on drums. 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 9/22 – John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Viva Cantina
John Pisano’s Guitar Night celebrates its 19th anniversary with guitarists Jim Fox and Bob Bain, bassist Chuck Berghofer, and special guests at Viva Cantina in Burbank. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, Danny Carey on drums, and John Ziegler on guitar. Vocalist Laura Dickinson leads a ten-piece band at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Guitarist Will Brahm is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village with special guest Eric Marienthal. Keyboardist and vocalist Frank McComb is at Catalina in Hollywood. Excursion is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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..
Wednesday 9/23 – Raya Yarbrough at The Baked Potato
Vocalist Raya Yarbrough is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Joe Travers on drums, Pete Griffin on bass, Jamie Kime on guitar, Stuart Elster on keys, and Felice Hernandez on backing vocals. Vento em Madeira is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Laura Dickinson fronts a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Combo Llamativo is at Jax in Glendale. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage. Drummer Alex Snydman has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.
Thursday 9/24 – Denise Donatelli at Catalina
Vocalist Denise Donatelli celebrates the release of a new CD at Catalina in Hollywood, backed by Geoffrey Keezer on piano, Peter Sprague on guitar, Alex Boneham on bass, Duncan Moore on drums, and Walter Rodriguez on percussion. Saxophonist Bob Sheppard is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Otmaro Ruiz on keys, Chris Colangelo on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Keyboardist David Garfield celebrates a birthday at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Pianist Eric Reed is at the Temecula Community Theater. Drummer Walfredo Reyes, Jr. is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Bassist Benjamin Sheppard and vocalist Terra Deva are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Gregg Arthur is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Pianist Joe Bagg is at The Tap Room at the Hotel Langham Pasadena. Snarky Puppy and Kneebody are at UCLA Royce Hall (sold out).
Friday 9/25 – Josh Nelson & Sara Gazarek at Soka Performing Arts Center
Pianist Josh Nelson and vocalist Sara Gazarek duet to begin the three-day (Fri-Sun) Soka Jazz Festival at the Soka Perfoming Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom leads a quintet at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Azar Lawrence and guitarist Rob Garland split a bill at The Mint in West L.A.. Pianist Justin Kauflin is at SoHo in Santa Barbara for an early evening show. Vocalist Kaylene Peoples is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Catalina in Hollywood. Fish To Birds with vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Vocalist Sandra Booker and pianist Sabine Pothier are at Mr. C in Beverly Hills for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Jay Jackson is at the Aldabella Winery in Westlake Village. Saxophonists Peter White, Euge Groove & Richard Elliot are at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. Violist Miguel-Atwood-Ferguson’s Ensemble has the free Friday show at LACMA in West L.A., which also kicks off the 2015 Angel City Jazz Festival.
Saturday 9/26 – Lisa Mezzacappa & Mark Dresser at REDCAT
The Angel City Jazz Festival presents bassists Lisa Mezzacappa and Mark Dresser in a split bill at REDCAT at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist Azar Lawrence is at the Seabird Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Guitarist Ron Eschete has an afternoon performance at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo, followed by an evening show featuring vibraphonist Reuben Estrada. Violinist Dayren Santamaria is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Carmen Lundy is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Josh Nelson is at Curve Line Space in Eagle Rock. Bassist Ryan Cross is at Spaghettini in Beverly Hills. Pianist Bruce Baker is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Mark Copeland is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist/vocalist Daniel Crawford is at H.O.M.E. In Beverly Hills. Latin trumpeter Bob DeSena is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Brazilian vocalist Louise Lucena is at Casa Arjona in Long Beach. Saxophonist Will Donato is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer/singer Dave Tull is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Saxophonist Kim Richmond has the Saturday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, and also appears Saturday evening with drummer Mark Z Stevens’ trio at Desert Rose in Los Feliz.
Sunday 9/27 – Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra at The Baked Potato
The 17-piece Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for its debut performance with a band including Jeff Driskill, Paul Young, Andy Martin, and Andrew Synowiec. Vocalist Jasmine Tomasso is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Latin percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Lenny Stack is at Jax in Glendale. The LA Jazz Orchestra with guitarist Kenny Burrell wraps the 2015 Soka Jazz Festival with an afternoon performance at the Soka Performing Arts Center. Pianist Justin Kauflin plays a house concert as part of the Jazz at the A Frame series in the Hollywood Hills. Sunday brunch choices include vocalist Jesse Palter at Perch in downtown L.A., pianist Sam Hirsh at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, vocalist Sharon Marie Cline at The Little Easy in downtown L.A., and saxophonist Call Bennett at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood.
Monday 9/28 – Hiromi at The Broad Stage
Japanese pianist Hiromi returns to The Broad Stage in Santa Monica with bassist Anthony Jackson and drummer Simon Phillips – pianist Justin Kauflin opens. Drummer Matt Mayhall leads an ensemble including keyboardist Jeff Babko and trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom in music from the 1966 film “Blow-Up” at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Martini In The Morning celebrates its 9th anniversary with a show featuring Ron Jones and his Influence Jazz Orchestra along with vocalists Steve Tyrell, Deana Martin, Sara Gazarek and Rick Braun at Catalina in Hollywood. 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 9/29 – Kevin O’Neal & Patrice Quinn at Catalina
Bassist Kevin O’Neal and vocalist Patrice Quinn are at Catalina in Hollywood. The Urban Renewal Project is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Katalyst is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Blues guitarist Chuck Kavooras is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trombonist Steve Johnson is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. 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 features guest Riner Scivally at Viva Cantina in Burbank.
Wednesday 9/30 – Roy Hargrove at Catalina
Trumpeter Roy Hargrove opens a four-night (Wed-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Cougar Estrada is at Jax in Glendale. OHM is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Denny Dennis has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.