About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of February 20, 2017

Monday 2/20 – Axiom at The E Spot Lounge

Axiom is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City with guitarist Pete Templer on guitar, Jared Stewart on keyboards, Bill Owen on bass, Frank Villafranca on sax/flute and Phil Templer on drums. The Maria Schneider Orchestra is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. The Orange County School for the Arts hosts a fundraiser at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at 118 Degrees in Tarzana. 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 2/21 – Maria Schneider Orchestra at Soka Performing Arts Center

Multiple Grammy-winning Maria Schneider Orchestra is at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Guitarist Fabiano Do Nascimento celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Stratos Ensemble is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at Tavern on Brand in Glendale. 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. The Route 66 Jazz Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank with guest Steve Cotter. Vocalist Donna Butler is at the Hotel Angeleno West Lounge in Brentwood.

Wednesday 2/22 – Sara Gazarek at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Catalina in Hollywood, backed by Josh Nelson on piano, Alex Boneham on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Vocalist Ron Boustead celebrates a CD release at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. The Maria Schneider Orchestra is at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge. Huntertones is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Meridian Trio is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez hosts a Wednesday night jam session at Monty’s in Woodland Hills. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Blues harmonica player Dave Rozier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist/vocalist Frank Stallone is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale.

Thursday 2/23 – Newport Beach Jazz Party at Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa

The four-day (Thu-Sun) Newport Beach Jazz Party kicks off with vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway, pianist Larry Fuller, trumpeter Carl Saunders, and saxophonist Scott Hamilton at the Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Vocalist Gillian Margot is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with pianist Geoffrey Keezer. Pianist Bill Cunliffe’s BACHanalia Big Band is at the EnVy Lounge in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Miguel Zenón is at The Loft at UCSD La Jolla. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB Big Band is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. The Jazz Butchers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Saxophonist Jonathan Rowden is at The Lost Bookstore in downtown L.A.. Group 5 is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. The Ben Rose Band with vocalist Laura Mace is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist Dave Paterson is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Bassist David Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. Vocalist Carolyn Martinez is at Vicky’s of Santa Fe in Palm Desert. Vocalist Teryn Re’ is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at The Tap Room at the Langham Hotel Pasadena. Pianist Andy Langham is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Patrick Stokes is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Bassist Bruce Lett is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa.  Vocalist Liz Holmes and the Retro Swing Band are at the Redondo Beach Elks Lodge.

Friday 2/24 – Anna Mjöll at The Baked Potato

Icelandic vocalist Anna Mjöll is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bill Cunliffe on keys, Brandon Fields on sax, Billy Peterson on bass, Clayton Cameron on drums, and Joe Elliot on guitar. Friday highlights at the Newport Beach Jazz Party include Gordon Goodwin, Alan Bergman, Bill Cunliffe, Jeff Hamilton, Shelley Berg, and Phil Norman at the Newport Marriott. Pianist Kait Dunton is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Ben Allison is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Lauren White is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Brazilian vocalist Thalma de Fritas and her father Laércio are at The Loft at UCSD La Jolla. Vocalist Cat Conner is at Barone’s in Van Nuys. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at the Sky Room in Long Beach. Pianist/vocalist Joey Dosik is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Jeff Robinson is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Leslie Smith is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Pianist Gary Matsumoto is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Lenny Stack is at Henri’s Back Room in Canoga Park. Jack’s Cats are at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena.

Saturday 2/25 – Diane Reeves at Royce Hall

Vocalist Diane Reeves is at CAP UCLA Royce Hall in Westwood. Bassist Bunny Brunel and vocalist/flutist Kaylene Peoples are at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro with Mahesh Balasooriya on piano, Virgil Donati on drums, and Joe Calderon on guitar. Keyboardist Don Randi celebrates his 80th birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saturday highlights at the Newport Beach Jazz Party include Steve Tyrell, Billy Mitchell, Jay Leonhart, and Tamir Hendelman at the Newport Marriott. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia celebrates a CD release at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A. with a show with multiple pianists including Otmaro Ruiz and Josh Nelson. Pianist Joshua White’s CODES are at The Loft at UCSD La Jolla. Saxophonist Kim Richmond is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Tigran Hamasyan begins a three-night (Sat-Mon) solo run at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Cuban drummer Calixto Oviedo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Molly Miller celebrates a CD release at 1642 Beer & Wine in downtown L.A.. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at The Public House in Fullerton.
Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Pianist Lincoln Cleary is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Danny Freyer is at the Sky Room in Long Beach. Saturday brunch choices include saxophonist Chuck Johnson at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and keyboardist Todd Hunter at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 2/26 – Newport Beach Jazz Party at Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa

The Newport Beach Jazz Party concludes with a day/night including the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Bill Mays, Houston Person, Anne Walsh, Annie Sellick, and Lolly Allen at the Newport Marriott. Pianist Tigran Hamasyan plays a solo show at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Goerge Kahn is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Vocalist Dee Dee McNeil is at Baci in Huntington Beach. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Keyboardist Kirk Fischer is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Vignes Rooftop Revival is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A.. Pianist Joshua White is at The White Box Theater in San Diego. Sunday brunch choices include the Mike Barone Big Band 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., saxophonist Cal Bennett at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood, vocalist Bri Sarikcioglu at the Luxe Hotel Sunset in Bel Air, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 2/27 – Tigran Hamasyan at Blue Whale

Pianist Tigran Hamasyan plays the final night of a three-night (Sat-Mon) set of solo shows at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trumpeter Stephanie Richards + Phantom Station are at The Loft at UCSD La Jolla. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at 118 Degrees in Tarzana. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. Monday jam sessions include the Kevin Kanner jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A., 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 2/28 – Mike Gurrola Trio at Blue Whale

Bassist Mike Gurrola leads a trio at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with drummer Jeff Hamilton and pianist Larry Fuller. Bassist Travis Carlton is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Welsh vocalist Iris Williams is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Peter Buck’s Buck’s Vibe is at Hoson House in Tustin.  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. The Route 66 Jazz Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank with guest Grant Geissman. The Mudberg Brass Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Boyd Cannon Big Band is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village.

Wednesday 3/1 – Tribute To Laércio de Freitas at Blue Whale

Brazilian vocalist Thalma de Freitas and guitarist Marcel Camargo lead a tribute to composer Laércio de Freitas at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with guest pianist/vocalist Catina DeLuna, guitarists Roberto Monteiro and Nando Duarte, violinist Ted Falcon, and pecussionist Clarisse Cast.  Organist Akiko Tsuruga leads a trio at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach with drummer Jeff Hamilton and guitarist Graham Dechter. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Excursion is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez hosts a Wednesday night jam session at Monty’s in Woodland Hills. Vocalist Donny Most is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City.