About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of January 18, 2016

Monday 1/18 – Trumpetology at Blue Whale

Trumpetology is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with with trumpeters Walter Simonsen, James Blackwell, Tim Gill, and Brian Owen, along with Kait Dunton on piano, Cooper Appelt on bass, and Jake Reed on drums. Pianist Jon Mayer is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. The Paul McDonald Big Band is at Typhoon in Santa Monica with vocalists Jay Jackson, Lee Hartley, and special guest Les McCann. Guitarist Bruce Forman is at Seven Grand in downtown Los Angeles.  Guitarist Brent Canter is at Harlowe in West Hollywood.  Vocalist Howie Levine and Cool Blue are at Las Hadas in Northridge. 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 1/19 – Virgil Donati’s Bass Experience at King King

Drummer Virgil Donati is at King King on Hollywood with a quartet of bassists including Hadrien Feraud, Ben Shepherd, Braguinha, and Anthony Crawford, with Dennis Hamm on keys and Andre Nieri on guitar. Drummer Andy Sanesi and guitarist Julian Coryell lead a group at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Alex Skolnick is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Stu Hamm on bass and Joel Taylor on drums. Guitarist Brandon Bae is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Paris Chansons are 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..

Wednesday 1/20 – Dean Brown at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Dean Brown is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a band including Brandon Fields on sax, Gerry Etkins on keys, Hadrien Feraud on bass, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Pianist Giorgi Mikadze is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Paulette McWilliams is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Combo Llamativo is at Jax in Glendale. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Trumpeter Bijon Watson’s Latin Jazz Syndicate is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Trombonist Paul Young has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach with vocalist Gina Saputo.

Thursday 1/21 – Lee Ritenour at Catalina

Guitarist Lee Ritenour begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood with John Beasley on piano, Ben Shepherd on bass, and Wesley Ritenour on drums.  Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill in Burbank.  Keyboardist David Garfield is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village with a group including trumpeter Walt Fowler. Pianist Alexander Anderson is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Ingrid James and bassist David Ross are at the LA Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles. The Ben Rose Band with vocalist Laura Mace is at Perch in downtown L.A.. The Jazz Butchers are at Jax in Glendale. Pianist Max Haymer is at the Hotel Langham Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Dave Damiani is at Spaghettini in Beverly Hills.

Friday 1/22 – Justin Kauflin at the Wallis Annenberg Center

The Wallis Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts in Beverly Hills hosts pianist Justin Kauflin and a screening of the Clark Terry documentary film “Keep On Keepin’ On.”, in which Kauflin is featured.  Guitarist Scott Henderson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Drummer Jamison Ross is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Guitarist Lee Ritenour is at Catalina in Hollywood. Organist Brian Charette is at Vibrato in Bel Air with saxophonist Doug Webb. Vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert.  Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at the Ebell Lounge in downtown L.A..

Saturday 1/23 – CAB at The Baked Potato

Bassist Bunny Brunel’s CAB is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Machacek on guitar, Dennis Hamm on keys, and Virgil Donati on drums. Drummers Zach Danziger and Louis Cole team at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Former “Family Guy” arranger Ron Jones leads his Influence Jazz Orchestra at Typhoon in Santa Monica with vocalist Matt Forbes. Saxophonist Tom Scott is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Drummer Alphonse Mouzon is at the Seabird Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Vocalist Cheryl Barnes is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. Guitarist Lee Ritenour is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens’ trio is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. OHM is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist Connie Han is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Saxophonist Jessy J is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Gregg Arthur is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Cheryl Conley is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Bassist Ryan Cross is at Spaghettini in Beverly Hills. Latin trumpeter Bob DeSena is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Pianist Justin Kauflin leads a trio in an afternoon performance at Contrapuntal Hall in Bel Air. The San Gabriel Seven are at Boathouse on the Bay in Long Beach for an afternoon show. Trombone tentet Slide FX has the Saturday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Sunday 1/24 – Michael Landau at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Reggie Hamilton on bass and Gary Novak on drums. Vocalist Cathy Rich and drummer Gregg Potter lead the Buddy Rich All-Star Alumni Band at Typhoon in Santa Monica. Pianist Justin Kauflin is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane is at Vibrato in Bel Air (Sold Out). Pianist Lenny Stack is at Jax in Glendale. Pianist Max Haymer is at The Nice Guy in West Hollywood. The San Gabriel Seven play a late afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro with guests Nick Mancini and Ingrid James. Vocalist Madeline Eastman and pianist Randy Porter play a house concert in Hancock Park. Sunday brunch choices include pianist Jon Mayer at Post & Beam in South L.A., saxophonist Doug Webb 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., vocalist Mari Nobre at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, and saxophonist Cal Bennett at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood.

Monday 1/25 – FORQ at The Moss Theater

Snarky Puppy spinoff FORQ is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica with Michael League on bass , Henry Hey on keys, Chris McQueen on guitar, and Jason “JT” Thomas on drums. The Ron Jones Influence Orchestra is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Saxophonist Charles Owens leads his big band at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport. Drummer Jens Kuross is featured in two groups presented by the LA Jazz Collective at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at the Newport Beach Tee Room.  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., Jeff Elliott at SoHo in Santa Barbara, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 1/26 – Cathlene Pineda at Blue Whale

Pianist Cathlene Pineda is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Kris Tiner on trumpet, Tina Raymond on drums, and David Tranchina on bass. Organist Brian Charette is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Doug Webb on sax, Will Bernard on guitar, and Andy Sanesi on drums. Calamari is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Vocalist Candi Sosa is at Catalina in Hollywood. Trombonist Steve Johnson is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. 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..

Wednesday 1/27 – David Garfield at Catalina

Keyboardist David Garfield is at Catalina in Hollywood with a group including saxophonist Eric Marienthal, bassist John Pena, guitarist Oz Noy, and drummer Gary Novak. Cellist Artyom Manukyan is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Michael Mayo is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Cougar Estrada is at Jax in Glendale. Blues guitarist Ray Brooks is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist John Stephens has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.