About & Out – What’s Hot – The Week Of April 10, 2017

Monday 4/10 – Nick Finzer at Blue Whale

Trombonist Nick Finzer celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with John Beasley on piano, Danny Janklow on sax, Alex Boneham on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington and vocalist Ernie Andrews are at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in South L.A.. Guitarist Allan Holdsworth is at 1020 Prime in San Marcos. Saxophonist Beth Schenck is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist Roberta Piket and saxophonist Virginia Mayhew play a late afternoon duo show at Saddleback College’s McKinney Theater in Mission Viejo. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at 118 Degrees in Tarzana. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. Monday jam sessions include Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint, 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. The Santa Barbara College Jazz Combos are at SOhO in Santa Barbara. The McAuliffe Middle School Jazz Band holds a fundraiser at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.

Tuesday 4/11 – Joey Heredia’s Drum Party at The Baked Potato

Drummer Joey Heredia leads a 17-piece Latin/Salsa band at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guests including Gabriel Gonzalez on vocals, Joey Navarro on keys, Melena on congas, and Alfredo Lopez on bass. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Izela celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Drummer Christian Euman is at ETA in Highland Park. The Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. offers a program dedicated to big band legend Count Basie. 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 Cary Denigris. Guitarist Julian Coryell is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Latin percussionist Joey DeLeon is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A..

Wednesday 4/12 – Bill Cunliffe’s BACHanalia at Meng Concert Hall

Pianist Bill Cunliffe leads his BACHanalia Big band at the Meng Concert Hall at Cal State Fullerton with guest vocalists Dawn Bishop and Denise Donatelli. Keyboardist Sabine Pothier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Cuban vocalist Candi Sosa is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Vocalist Elizabeth Lamers is at La Sierra University in Riverside. Drummer Peter Buck is at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in South L.A.. Guitarist Hans Ottsen is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero closes the Laguna Beach Live jazz series at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Pianist Stuart Elster is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. 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 Don Littleton has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  New Orleans-style Mudbug Brass Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Mater Dei HS Red Hot Jazz band holds a fundraiser at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.

Thursday 4/13 – Doc Severinsen Big Band at Valley Performing Arts Center

Trumpeter Doc Severinsen celebrates his upcoming 90th birthday with a concert at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge. Cellist Artyom Manukyan is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Jeff Babko is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with drummer Zach Danziger. Pianist Mike Garson and vocalist Gaby Moreno are at Squshed Grapes in Ventura. Drummer Javo Barrrera is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist/vocalist Paulie Cerra celebrates a birthday at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.  Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena.  Pianist Michael LeVan is at The Merc in Temecula. Excursion is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Vibrometers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Percussionist Joey DeLeon is at Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A.. Little Brazil is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Pianist Joe Bagg is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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. Pianist Carey Frank is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Alanna Vicente is at the Boardroom in downtown L.A..

Friday 4/14 – Charles Lloyd & The Marvels at CAP UCLA Royce Hall

Saxophonist Charles Lloyd is at CAP UCLA Royce Hall with Eric Harland on drums, Reuben Rogers on bass, Greg Leisz on pedal steel guitar, and guest vocalist Lucinda Williams. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Anthony Fung is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with a group including saxophonist George Falzone. Vocalist Ada Bird Wolfe is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A. with a program dedicated to Charles Mingus. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Brazilian vocalist Mari Nobre is at Aldabella Winery in Westlake Village. The Urban Renewal Project is at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Drummer Alex Snydman is at The Main in Santa Clarita. Pianist/vocalist Joey Dosik is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Jeff Robinson is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Pianist Gary Matsumoto is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Laura Mace is at the Boardroom in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Shoshanna Bean is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Daryl Darden is at BMPAC in South L.A.. Jack’s Cats are at the Sky Room in Long Beach. Pianist Lenny Stack is at Henri’s Back Room in Canoga Park. Pianist Teddy Bang is at Industry Cafe in Culver City.

Saturday 4/15 – Jeff Lorber at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Jimmy Haslip on bass, Gary Novak on drums, and Michael Thompson on guitar. Guitarist Russell Malone is at the Moss Theatre in Santa Monica. Drummer Jonathan Pinson is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at the Wine Cave in Montrose.  Vibraphonist Lolly Allen is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert.  The Brazilian Violin Trio is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. Keyboardist Dan Reckard is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Brazilian vocalist Mari Nobre is at BMPAC in south L.A..  Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Boardroom in downtown L.A.. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens’ trio is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Pianist Carey Frank is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Anne Farnsworth is at the Paradise Bar in Long Beach. Saturday brunch choices include guitarist Jacques Lesure at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and keyboardist Todd Hunter at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 4/16 – Alex Machacek at The Baked Potato

Austrian guitarist Alex Machacek is at the Baked Potato in Studio City with Anthony Crawford on bass and Gergo Borlai on drums. Pianist Kei Akagi is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Baba Orchestra is at the Bootleg Theater in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist Charles Owens’ Big Band is at BMPAC in South. L.A. Bassists James Leary, Richard Simon and Nedra Wheeler offer a tribute to Ray Brown at the California Jazz & Blues Museum in South L.A.. Drummer Alex Snydman is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. MAST is at ETA in Highland Park. The Vibrato All-Stars are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Sunday brunch choices include drummer Kevin Kanner 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, the Javier Trio at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 4/17 – Hedgehog Swing at Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill

Gypsy jazz band Hedgehog Swing is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. 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 4/18 – Tom Luer & Project Popular at Vibrato

Saxophonist Tom Luer & Project Popular are at Vibrato in Bel Air with Andrew Synowiec on guitar, Andy Langham on piano, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Harmonica player Ross Garren and guitarist Brady Cohen are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist David Piltch is at ETA in Highland Park. The Afro Peruvian Jazz Project is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Cuba L.A. is at the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts in Whittier. 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 Pat Kelley. Guitarist Julian Coryell is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Jose Perez is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.. Barbara Brighton’s Young Artists Jazz Series features jazz bands from the Colburn School of Music at Catalina in Hollywood. The Long Beach City College Big Band is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.

Wednesday 4/19 – Juan de Marcos & The Afro-Cuban All Stars

Cuban guitarist Juan de Marcos and The Afro-Cuban All Stars begin a four-night (Wed-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Kei Akagi is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine with guest flutist James Newton. “Conan” saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Alekos Syropoulos is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. L.A. Transfer is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Bossa Zusu is at Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A.. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at redwhite+bluezz in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. 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. Saxophonist Dan Kaneyuki has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Saxophonist Gary Herbig and drummer Bill Spoke are at Squashed Grapes in Ventura.