About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of July 25, 2016

Monday 7/25 – Jessica Vautor at Blue Whale

Vocalist Jessica Vautor celebrates a birthday at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo, backed by Vardan Ovsepian on piano, Artyom Manukyan on cello, Mike Shapiro on drums, and Ian Martin on bass. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. 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., trumpeter Jeff Elliott at SOhO in Santa Barbara, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 7/26 – Euman/Boneham/Smith III at Blue Whale

Drummer Christian Euman leads a trio at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Alex Boneham on bass and Walter Smith III on sax. Guitarist Bernie Mora & Tangent are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Bryan McCann plays a tribute to Stan Getz at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Vocalist Abraham McDonald is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The New Breed Brass Band has the final free 2016 Tuesday outdoor jazz show at the Hollywood & Highland Center. Vocalists Gina Saputo and Aubrey Logan are at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach with trumpeter Tony Guerrero. Vocalist Sandra Booker and guitarist John Goux are at Delmonico’s in Encino. Vocalist Rachel Sorsa 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 Carl Verheyen.

Wednesday 7/27 – The Four Freshmen at Marriott Newport Center

The Four Freshmen are at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Trumpeter Curtis Taylor is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Colin Bailey is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Drummer Evan Stone is at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Nate Birkey is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Guitarist/vocalist Frank Stallone celebrates a birthday at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Blues harmonica player Chef Dave Rozier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Thursday 7/28 – Michael Mayo at Blue Whale

Vocalist Michael Mayo makes a final appearance at Blue Whale before an impending move to New York City, backed by Jacob Mann on piano, Alex Boneham on bass, and Andrés Salazar on drums. Vocalist James Torme is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Thew New West Guitar Group plus vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge. Cuban percussionist Calixto Oviedo is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Gregg Arthur is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Curtis Taylor is at the Athenaeum in La Jolla. Conganas is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Pianist Joe Bagg is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Cellist Matthew Keating is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa. Latin Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens in Claremont. Guitarist Phillip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Ben Rose Band with vocalist Laura Mace is at Perch in downtown L.A.. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood.

Friday 7/29 – Walter Smith III at Blue Whale

Tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo, backed by Billy Childs on piano, Darek Oles on bass, and Peter Erskine on drums. Drummer Walfredo Reyes, Jr. is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vibraphonist Justin Thomas is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Connie Han is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Vocalist Miki Howard begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood.  Saxophonist Sal Crocker is at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Pianist David Arnay is at The Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Vocalist Sara Gazarek has the free Friday jazz evening at LACMA in West L.A..

Saturday 7/30 – Thom Rotella Quartet with Ernie Watts at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Thom Rotella is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guest saxophonist Ernie Watts, joined by Mitchel Forman on keys, Kvin Axt on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Pianist Joshua White leads Epoch 5 at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Brian Bromberg is at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Ron Stout is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Mark Winkler is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. Nutty is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Vocalist Miki Howard is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens’ trio is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Guitarist Brian Hughes is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Soul Sauce Cal Tjader Tribute band has the free Latin Sounds evening show at LACMA in West L.A.. Saturday brunch choices include saxophonist David Sills at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and keyboardist Todd Hunter is at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 7/31 – Jeff Parker at Blue Whale

Guitarist Jeff Parker celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Josh Johnson on sax, Paul Bryan on bass, Makaya McCraven on drums, and Carlos Niño on percussion.. Trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom and saxophonist Gavin Templeton are at The York in Highland Park. Saxophonist Phil Norman’s Tentet is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Billy Mitchell is at the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena. Trumpeter Chris Botti is at Thornton Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Catalina in Hollywood with guest vocalist Darynn Dean. Vocalist Lauren White is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Saxophonist Edmund Velasco is at Seabird Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Latin vocalist Candi Sosa is at Maverick’s Flat in South L.A.. Latin percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Spreckels Park in Coronado. Guitarist Steve Oliver is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Blues guitarist Josh Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Sunday brunch choices include pianist Jon Mayer at Post & Beam in South L.A., saxophonist Jerry Vivino 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., bassist Rufus Philpot at The Springs in downtown L.A., and saxophonist Cal Bennett at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood.

Monday 8/1 – Mike Price Orchestra at Typhoon

Trumpeter Mike Price leads his big band at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport. The New West Guitar Group is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach with drummer Evan Stone and bassist Roger Shew. 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 8/2 – Rocco Prestia with Fred Horn’s Steady Fready Band

Tower of Power bassist Rocco Prestia makes a rare L.A. club appearance with saxophonist Fred Horn’s band including Rico Belled on keys, Lenny Coltun on guitar, and Dan Delurgio on drums. Drummer Ryan Shaw fronts a trio at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trumpeter Gregg Adams is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Vocalist Sandra Booker and guitarist John Goux are at Delmonico’s in Encino. 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.

Wednesday 8/3 – Bill Cunliffe’s Imaginacion with Carol Bach-y-Rita at Marriott Newport Center

Pianist Bill Cunliffe’s “Imaginacion” Latin ensemble with be at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center with vocalist Carol Bach-y-Rita. Guitarist Perry Smith is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The CJS Quintet is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at the Hotel Laguna in Laguna Beach. Drummer Adam Clark is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. The Urban Renewal Project is at Brea City Hall in Brea. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Blues guitarist Chuck Kavooras is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.