About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of September 26, 2016

Monday 9/26 – Richard Sears + Cathlene Pineda at Blue Whale

Pianists Richard Sears and Cathlene Pineda split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trombonist Jacques Voyemant leads his 22-piece Watermark Jazz Orchestra at Typhoon in Santa Monica. The Santa Barbara City College Jazz Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. 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 09/27 – Bill Cunliffe Big Band with Denise Donatelli at Vibrato

Pianist Bill Cunliffe leads his BACHanalia big band at Vibrato in Bel Air with guest vocalist Denise Donatelli. The Jazz Butchers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Late Night Jazz Orchestra is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Conganas is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Vocalist Alison Lewis is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. 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.. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank with guest Barry Zweig.

Wednesday 9/28 – Ron Stout Quartet at the Lighthouse Cafe

Trumpeter Ron Stout leads a quartet for the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Knower is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Raffia is at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Sean Riddle is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Guitarist/vocalist Frank Stallone is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock.

Thursday 9/29 – Randy Weston’s African Rhythms Trio at UCLA Fowler Museum

Pianist Randy Weston celebrates his 90^th birthday with a show at UCLA’s Fowler Museum in Westwood including bassist Alex Blake and percussionist Danny “Big Black” Rey. Vocalist/pianist Anne Hathaway offers a program dedicated to Sarah Vaughan at the Barclay Theater in Irvine. Vocalist Sandra Booker presents a Natalie Cole tribute at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Icelandic vocalist Anna Mjöll is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at The Reef Restaurant in Long Beach. Vocalist Julie Kelly is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist George Kahn is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Saxophonist Scott Martin’s Latin Soul Band is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at the Blue Guitar Club at Arroyo Seco Golf Club in South Pasadena.  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. Bassist David Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles. Vocalist Danny Freyer’s big band is at McCormick & Schick’s in Irvine. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 9/30 – Ben Wendel Group at Blue Whale

Kneebody saxophonist Ben Wendel is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Gerald Clayton on piano, Joe Sanders on bass, and Henry Cole on drums. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Justo Almario is at The World Stage in South L.A.. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Vocalist Kathryn Bostic is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City.  Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at Aldabella Winery in Westlake Village.  Keyboardist Jay Smith is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura.  Vocalist Lorraina Marro is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Pianist Lenny Stack is at Henri’s Back Room in Canoga Park. Vocalist Will Downing as at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Pianist David Arnay is at The Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Joey Dosik is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Jack’s Cats are at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Guitarist Larry Koonse leads the LA/Chicago Project along with the Angel City Jazz Festival Young Artists winners at the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in west L.A.  The Woody James Big Band plays a Friday afternoon show at Viva Cantina in Burbank.

Saturday 10/1 – Jazz At Drew at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

The all-day Jazz At Drew festival features Karen Briggs, Ndugu Chancler, Poncho Sanchez, Terrace Martin and Rickey Minor among others at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South L.A.. Saxophonist Azar Lawrence is at Seabird Jazz Lounge in Long Beach with Theo Saunders on piano, Nolan Shaheed on trumpet, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums. Kneebody saxophonist Ben Wendel is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at LACC Clausen Hall in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist Rob Lockhart is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. Guitarist Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens’ trio is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Incendio is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalists Mark Winkler & David Basse are at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Guitarist Todd Sharp is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saturday brunch choices include keyboardist Todd Hunter at Perch in downtown L.A. and bassist Mike Gurrola at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Sunday 10/2 – Pharoah Sanders & The Gurrisonic Orchestra at Ford Amphitheatre

Saxophonist Pharoah Sanders and Jose Gurria’s Gurrisonic Orchestra split a bill at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Pianist Brad Mehldau and saxophonist Joshua Redman duet at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Dori Caymmi plays a final show before his return to Brazil at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. Drummer Gene Coye is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Organist Carey Frank is at Three Clubs in Hollywood with special guests saxophonist Bob Mintzer and guitarist Frank Potenza. Saxophonist Phil Norman’s Tentet is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Allison Adams Tucker celebrates a CD release at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City.  Vocalist Cat Conner & saxophonist Gene Cipriano are at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. The LA Jazz Collective monthly jam session is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer Doc Huckabuck is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Spyro Gyra and guitarist Lee Ritenour play a late afternoon show at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Drummer Peter Buck is at Hoson House in Tustin. Oui 3 plays an afternoon show at Rosenthal Winery in Malibu. 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., bassist Rufus Philpot at The Springs in downtown L.A., saxophonist Cal Bennett at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 10/3 – Brent/Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band at Typhoon

Brent Fischer leads the Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band in a CD release concert at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport. Pianist/cellist Maksim Velichkin and poet Roksana Zeinapur are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. 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 10/4 – Chuchito Valdes at Catalina

Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdes begins a two-night (Tue-Wed) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Galactic Booty Company is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Boyd Cannon Big Band is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The Thelonious Monk Institute Ensemble leads their monthly jam session 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.. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank. Oui 3 is at the Sofitel in Beverly Hills. Saxophonist Fred Horn is at The Oyster House in Studio City.

Wednesday 10/5 – Navarro at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Michael Angel Alvarado on guitar, Joey De Leon on percussion, Rene Camacho on bass, and Joey Heredia on drums. Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdes is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Scott Amendola and drummer Wil Blades are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Adam Hawley Leads the Celebrity Jazz Jam Fest at the Woodhaven Country Club in Palm Desert. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist John Mayer has the happy hour show at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.