About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of June 13, 2016

Monday 6/13 – Gonzalo Bergara Quartet at Blue Whale

Guitarist Gonzalo Bergara celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jeffrey Radaich on rhythm guitar, Leah Zeger on violin, and Brian Netzley on upright bass. Guitarist Kenny Burrell and the LA Jazz Unlimited Orchestra are at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Ernie Andrews and the Charles Owens Big Band are at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellaneos leads the Latin Trumpet Summit at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. 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 6/14 – 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, Steve Gregory on guitar, Fred Kron on keys, and Felice Hernandez on backing vocals. Drummer Jimmy Branly fronts a trio at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Elvis Schoenberg’s Orchestre Surreal is at Typhoon in Santa Monica. Vocalist Arianna Neikrug is at Catalina in Hollywood. Knower and Hildegard split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. 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.. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank with guest Mike Anthony.

Wednesday 6/15 – Nan Schwartz at Vibrato

Vibrato in Bel Air hosts composer Nan Schwartz leading an orchestra with guest appearances including trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and vocalists Tierney Sutton and Michael Dees. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB Big Band is at Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill in Burbank. “Conan” saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Cecilia Noel and the Wild Clams are at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Chuck Manning is at La Sierra University in Riverside. The West Coast Get Down performs a benefit concert for Haiti at New Life LA Christian Church in South L.A.. Vocalist Chantae Cann is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Vocalist Jessica Jeza Vautor is at Tavern On Brand in Glendale.  The Top Hat Big Band is at Las Hadas in Northridge. Pianist Jon Mayer has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Thursday 6/16 – Al Di Meola at Canyon Club

Guitarist Al Di Meola starts a four-night SoCal run beginning at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. Pianist Nikos Syropoulos leads a group at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo in an evening of jazz and tap. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Latin percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge. Drummer Matt Gordy is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Richard Shelton is with bassist David Ross at the LA Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles.   The Ben Rose Band with vocalist Laura Mace is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Guitarist Gregory Lawrence is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Pianist David Arnay is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Cosmosquad is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. The Rhythm Future Quartet is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. The David Taylor Quartet is at Galli’s in Rancho Cucamonga. Vocalists Debbie Ebert and Elena Gilliam are at Cooks Chapel in Anaheim.

Friday 6/17 – Bennie Maupin at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Bennie Maupin is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Darek Oles on bass, Michael Stephans on drums, Munyungo Jackson on percussion, and Kirk Lightsey on piano. Trumpeter Ron King celebrates a CD release at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian leads a quintet at the Brand Library in Glendale. Percussionist/vocalist Poncho Sanchez is at The Grand in Long Beach. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at The Rose in Pasadena Saxophonist Roger Rosenberg is at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Vocalist Sharon Marie-Cline is at Aldabella Winery in Westlake Village.  Guitarist Steve Fister is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. The Jazz Butchers are at the Smoke House in Burbank. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Saxophonist Bob Mintzer and pianist Russell Ferrante lead a quartet for the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A..

Saturday 6/18 – Billy Childs Quartet at Blue Whale

Pianist Billy Childs leads a group at Blue Whale with Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, Ben Sheppard on bass, and Louis Cole on drums. Drummer Alphonse Mouzon is at Seabird Jazz Lounge in Long Beach with Ernie Watts on sax, Mahesh Balasooriya on piano, and Jeff Littleton on bass. Latin percussionist/vocalist Poncho Sanchez is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Trumpeter Herb Alpert and vocalist Lani Hall are at Thornton Winery in Temecula. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Bob Sheppard is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Flutist Tim Weisberg is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist Rachel Flowers is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills. Vibraphonist Lolly Allen is at Bar Fedora in downtown Los Angeles. Vocalist Sandra Booker is at Market Broiler in Simi Valley. Vocalist Thisbe Vos is at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens’ trio is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz with vocalist Darynn Dean. Guitarist Jay Gore is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Mongorama has the free Saturday Latin Sounds show at LACMA in West L.A.. Drummer Alex Snydman has the Saturday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, keyboardist Todd Hunter is at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 6/19 – Fabiano Do Nascimento and Airto Moreira at Blue Whale

Guitarist Fabiano Do Nascimento and percussionist Airto Moreira are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Bassist Henry Franklin is at Maverick’s Flat in South L.A..  Vocalist Sherry Williams is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Vocalist Gussie Miller is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Soul Sauce is at Seabird Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Vocalist Dyan Kane is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Flutist Nori Tani is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro for a later afternoon concert. Vocalists Barbara Morrison and Jay Jackson are at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in South L.A.. The Big Band Radio Show Big band plays an afternoon show at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Kiki Ebsen offers a Father’s Day brunch tribute to her father Buddy at Catalina in Hollywood. Other Sunday brunch choices include the Bill Cunliffe Big Band at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, saxophonist Dale Fielder at Whiskey Red’s in Marina Del Rey, 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 6/20 – Kaosz Theory at The E Spot Lounge

Bassist Karl Vincent’s Kaosz Theory is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City with Mark Gasbarro on keys, MB Gordy on drums, Crystal Starr Knighton on vocals, and Chris Woods on violin. Psych! The Unexpected Big Band is at Typhoon in Santa Monica. Afro Angular Suh-Weet + Quadruple Bari Sax Attack are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. 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 6/21 – Ethan Margolis at Blue Whale

Guitarist/vocalist Ethan Margolis is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Deron Johnson on keys, Katisse Buckingham on flute/sax, Reggie Hamilton on bass, Chris Wabich on drums, and Diego El Negro on percussion. Vocalist Sony Holland is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Sal Crocker is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Trombonist Jacques Voyemant is at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport. The White Blinds are at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Vocalist Lola Haag is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Pianist Ron Kobayashi and vocalist Peggy Perkins are at the Port Restaurant & Bar in Corona Del Mar.   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.. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank with guest Cary Denigris.

Wednesday 6/22 – Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre at Catalina

Latin pianist Oscar Hernandez is at Catalina in Hollywood with Justo Almario on sax, Walter Rodriguez on percussion, Rene Camacho on bass, and Jimmy Branly on drums. Pianist Dennis Hamm is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist/vocalist Frank Stallone is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.