About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of December 14, 2015

 

Monday 12/14 – Richard Giddens Group at Blue Whale

Bassist Richard Giddens leads a group at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Matt Otto on sax, Adam Benjamin on piano, Storm Nilson on guitar, and Tomas Fujiwara on drums. Gordon Goodwin leads his Big Phat Band in a CD release event for a new holiday album. “Family Guy” vocalist Seth MacFarlane is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Geoff Stradling’s StradBand is at Typhoon in Santa Monica with vocalist Janis Mann. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Jax in Glendale. Guitarist Laurence Juber is 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., and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 12/15 – Groove Legacy at The Baked Potato

Groove Legacy celebrates a CD release at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Kirk Fletcher and Sam Meek on guitars, Billy Steinway on keys, Paulie Cerra on sax and vocals, Andrew Lippman on trombone, Travis Carlton on bass, and Donald Barrett on drums. Pianist Oscar Hernandez is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini and saxophonist Danny Janklow are at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Saxophonist Steve Coleman And The Five Elements continue their residency at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trumpeter Bijon Watson is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. The Gypsy Sound Revolution is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalists Carly Robyn Green and Dave Damiani & The No Vacancy Orchestra are at Catalina in Hollywood. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A..

Wednesday 12/16 – Jerry Vivino at The Baked Potato

“Conan” saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, plus fellow Basic Cable Band members Mike Merritt on bass and James Wormworth on drums.  Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB Big Band is at Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill in Burbank.  Drummer Sammy Miller is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Saxophonist Steve Coleman And The Five Elements continue their residency at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Percussionist/vocalist Bobby Matos is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A.. Pianist Cougar Estrada is at Jax in Glendale. Trombonist Steve Johnson is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. The Blind Lemon Peel Blues All-Stars are at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Chaka Khan begins a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at Vibrato in Bel Air (sold out). Guitarist Jacques Lesure has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Thursday 12/17 – Joe Travers & Friends at The Baked Potato

Former Zappa Plays Zappa drummer Joe Travers is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Scheila Gonzalez on sax, James Santiago on guitar, Rico Belled on keys, Kurt Morgan on bass, and Fred Kron on keys. Trombonist Francisco Torres is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist Steve Coleman And The Five Elements continue their residency at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Bruce Lett leads a trio at The Merc in Temecula with vocalist Bili Redd.  Vocalist Cat Conner, saxophonist Gene Cipriano, and guitarist John Chiodini are at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga.  Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A.. Pianist Geoge Kahn leads a quintet at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Dave Damiani and the No Vacancy Band are at Spaghettini Beverly Hills. Bassist David Ross and vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia are at the downtown L.A. Athletic Club. Pianist Max Haymer is at the Hotel Lagham Tap Room in Pasadena. The Ben Rose Band with vocalist Laura Mace is at Perch in downtown L.A..  The White Blinds are at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. The Lounge Trio is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura.

Friday 12/18 – Mike Miller at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Mike Miller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Albert Wing on sax, Walt Fowler on trumpet and flugelhorn, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Saxophonist Steve Coleman And The Five Elements continue their residency at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Rob Lockhart is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Ben Vereen opens a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Dyan Kane is at the Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City.

Saturday 12/19 – Poncho Sanchez at Typhoon

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport. James Taylor backing vocalist Arnold McCuller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Abdul Hamid on keys, Jerry Watts on bass, Josh Smith on guitar, and Gary Novak on drums.  Saxophonist Steve Coleman And The Five Elements continue their residency at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Connie Han is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Icelandic vocalist Anna Mjöll is at Spaghettini Beverly Hills.  GENR8R celebrates an EP release at Mrs. Fish in downtown L.A.. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens’ trio is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Vocalist Gregg Arthur is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Al Williams is at Spaghettini Seal Beach. Guitarist Frank Potenza is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Saxophonist Dave Koz plays a holiday show at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Pianist David Benoit plays a Christmas tribute to Charlie Brown at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Trombonist Kevin Hicks has the Saturday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Sunday 12/20 – Steve Coleman & The Five Elements at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Steve Coleman And The Five Elements play the final night of their December residency at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist John Clayton and pianist Gerald Clayton play the first of two nights (Sun-Mon) at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Sasha’s Bloc is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Angie Wells is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Lenny Stack is at Jax in Glendale. Calumette is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Max Haymer is at The Nice Guy in West Hollywood. Guitarist Steve Oliver is at Spaghettini Seal Beach. The David Ricard Big Band with vocalist Lucy Woodard is at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport. Saxophonist Dave Koz plays an afternoon holiday show at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Sunday brunch choices include pianist Jon Mayer at Post & Beam in South L.A., guitarist Frank Potenza at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, vocalist Jesse Palter at Perch in downtown L.A., vocalist Sharon Marie Cline at The Little Easy in downtown L.A., and saxophonist Cal Bennett at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood.

Monday 12/21 – John Clayton & Gerald Clayton at Bacchus’ Kitchen

Bassist John Clayton and pianist Gerald Clayton play the second of two nights (Sun-Mon) at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. The LA Jazz Unlimited Orchestra featuring guitarist Kenny Burrell is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vibraphonist Emil Richards leads his big band at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport.  Sophisticated Lady is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist/vocalist Angela Vicente is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. 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., trumpeter Jeff Elliott at SoHo in Santa Barbara, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 12/22 – Yosmel Montejo at Las Perlas

Cuban bassist Yosmel Montejo leads a group at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.. Drummer Walfredo Reyes, Jr. is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Jonathan Richards is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Jennifer Leitham plays a holiday show at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Amy Keys is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Conganas does a holiday show at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Trombonist Steve Johnson is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. The Duck Soup Trio plays Christmas music of Vince Guaraldi at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Drummer Curt Bisquera is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village.

Wednesday 12/23 – Elliott Deutsch Big Band at Blue Whale

The Elliott Deutsch Big Band presents a holiday show at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Lynne Fiddmont presents a holiday show at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Matt Cohen is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Combo Llamativo is at Jax in Glendale. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at Danny’s in Venice. Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project is at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport. Saxophonist Bobby “Hurricane” Spencer has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.