About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of June 27, 2016

Monday 6/27 – TrioKAIT & Victor San Pedro at Blue Whale

Pianist Kait Dunton and guitarist Victor San Pedro split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Geoff Stradling’s StradBand is at Typhoon in Santa Monica. Vocalist Stephanie Spruill headlines a benefit for victims of the recent shootings in Orlando at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Drummer Peter Buck is at Hoson House in Tustin. Bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. 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 6/28 – Jerry Vivino at Bogie’s

“Conan” saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars kick off the summer jazz outdoor series at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood. Work In Progress with vocalist Kara Grainger is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Similar Fashion and drummer Corey Fogel split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Guitarist Marcus Nand is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Organist Carey Frank is at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at Danny’s in Venice. 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 Frank Potenza.

Wednesday 6/29 – Sal Crocker at Catalina

Tenor saxophonist Sal Crocker is at Catalina with Mahesh Balasooriya on piano, Santino Taffarelle on bass, and Ryan Shaw on drums. Tenor saxophonist Jure Pukl is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Josh Nelson on piano, Dave Robaire on bass, and Andre Simelius on drums. Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Jasper Dutz is at Art Share LA in downtown Los Angeles. Vocalist Jimmy Spencer and pianist Karen Hernandez are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Organist Carey Frank is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Guitarist Brent Canter has the Wednesday happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Thursday 6/30 – Cleto & The Cletones at The E Spot Lounge

Jimmy Kimmel Show house band Cleto and the Cletones celebrate 20 years together with Cleto Escobedo III on saxophones, Cleto Escobedo Jr. on sax, Jeff Babko on keys, Toshi Yanari on guitar, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Jonathan Dresel on drums. Bassist Brian Bromberg is at The Federal Bar in North Hollywood. Pianists Danny Green and Josh Nelson split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant is at Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge. Bassist Kevin O’Neal fronts a trio at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Gregg Arthur is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Ben Rose Band with vocalist Laura Mace is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Pianist John Campbell is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Bassist David Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles with vocalist Sidney Jacobs.  The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Bassist Sean Riddle is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Latin percussionist/vocalist Luie Cruz Beltran is at the Mission Playhouse in San Gabriel.

Friday 7/1 – Mitchel Forman at Squashed Grapes

Pianist Mitchel Forman fronts a quartet at Squashed Grapes in Ventura with Brandon Fields on sax, Gary Novak on drums, and John Leftwich on bass. Troker and Kneedalus (including Kneebody) share a bill at Grand Performances at California Plaza in downtown L.A. Guitarist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Jonathan Pinson’s Boom Clap! Is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Jazz For Love holds its annual charity event for victims of recent earthquakes in Japan at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Aldabella Winery in Westlake Village. Latin percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at the Farmer’s Market in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Danny Janklow has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A..

Saturday 7/2 – Brandon Fields at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Brandon Fields is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a band including Ian Martin on bass, Deron Johnson on keys, and Gary Novak on drums. Violaist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson’s Quartetto Fantastico is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens’ trio is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Aaron Akins is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Boogaloo Assassins have the free Saturday evening Latin show at LACMA in West L.A.. The 3rd Annual UView Media Group Honors dinner features pianist Howlett Smith’s quartet at Regency West in South L.A.. Saxophonist Mark Isbell has the Saturday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, keyboardist Todd Hunter is at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 7/3 – 1 to 3 at Grand Performances California Plaza

The Armenian trio of percussionist/vocalist Arto Tunçboyacıyan, pianist Vardan Ovsepian, and cellist Artyom Manukyan at at Grand Performances at California Plaza in downtown L.A.. Latin vocalist Anita Robles is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Carl Verheyen celebrates a CD release at Bogie’s in Westlake Village with Dave Marotta on bass, Jim Cox on keyboards, and John Mader on drums. Trumpeter Bobby Rodriguez is at Levitt Pavilion Pasadena. Vocalist Susan Krebs celebrates a birthday at The E Spot Lounge at Vitello’s in Studio City.   Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Maverick’s Flat in South L.A..  Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Sunday brunch choices include 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 7/4 – Monday Night Pro Jammz at The Baked Potato

Guitarists John Ziegler and Jamie Kime lead the Monday Night Pro jam session at The Baked Potato in Studio City with bassist Chris Roy.  Drummer Steve Hass is at Perch in downtown L.A. with Eric Sampson on guitar and Brian Lang on bass.  Pianist Eric Eckstrand’s trio gets an unusual late afternoon start for Independence Day at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. Other Monday jam sessions include guitarist Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., and bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 7/5 – Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Kim Richmond’s Concert Jazz Orchestra will be at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Otmaro Ruiz on keys, Andrew Synowiec on guitar, Gergo Borlai on drums, and Maiya Sykes and Nicki Gonzalez on vocals. Guitarists Bruce Forman and Barry Zweig are at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The Angel Town Combo is at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood. 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.. Oui 3 is at the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach.

Wednesday 7/6 – Ken Peplowski/Chuck Redd Quintet at Marriott Newport Center

The Sunset Jazz at Newport summer series kicks off at the Marriott Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center with clarinetist Ken Peplowski and vibraphonist Chuck Redd, joined by Katie Thiroux on bass, Matt Witek on drums, and Graham Dechter on guitar. Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Joey Heredia on drums, Joey De Leon on percussion, Rene Camacho on bass, and Michael Angel on guitar. Trumpeter Zack Ramacier is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Ipanema Lounge Project is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Jimmy Spencer and pianist Karen Hernandez are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Organist Carey Frank is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Chad Ra’Shun is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Adam Clark is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura.