About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week of July 24, 2017

Monday 7/24 – Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band at LACM Garage

Pianist/saxophonist Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Bassist Andy McCauley is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Shai Golan on sax, Michael Ragonese on piano, Zach Ramcier on trumpet, Victor San Pedro on guitar, and Andres Salazar and Christian Euman on drums. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at the 1221 Lounge in Burbank. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at 118 Degrees in Tarzana. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. Other Monday jam sessions include 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 7/25 – Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra at Hollywood & Highland

Percussionist Pete Escovedo leads his Latin Jazz Orchestra at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood including saxophonist Justo Almario. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trombonist Andy Martin is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Bassist Martin Nevin is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Los Jaraneros is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Vocalist Natalie Douglas is at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Parker Room in Hollywood. Guitarist Julian Coryell is at TRiP in Santa Monica. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at Viva Cantina in Burbank. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank with guests Riner Scivally and Barry Zweig. Blues guitarist Josh Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Nate Lepine is at ETA in Highland Park.

Wednesday 7/26 – Carl Saunders at Marriott Hotel Newport Center

Trumpet veteran Carl Saunders leads a sextet at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center for the Sunset Jazz Series including Scott Whitfield on trombone, Doug Webb on sax, Otmaro Ruiz on piano, Chuck Berghofer on bass, and Steve Schaefer on drums. Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Bassist Igor Kogan leads a big band at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Cesar Mateus’ Latin Jazz Group is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Bassist Mike Gurrola is at Birds & Bees in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at the Station Square Park in Monrovia. Pianist Connie Han is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter Nate Birkey is at SOhO in Santa Monica. Guitarist Andy Waddell is at the Silverlake Lounge in downtown L.A.. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A.. Pianist Lincoln Cleary is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Frank Stallone is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Sam Hirsh has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Moana A. is at Le Petit Paris in downtown L.A.. Barbara Brighton’s Young Artists Jazz Series presents the Fernando Collum Community Arts Center Band at Catalina in Hollywood.

Thursday 7/27 – Babaganoush at LACM Garage

Babaganoush is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena with Katisse Buckingham on sax, Jimmy Mahlis on guitar, Jerry Watts on bass, and Ralph Humphrey on drums. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Michael Mayo is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Rayford Griffin plays a tribute to trumpeter Clifford Brown at Catalina in Hollywood. Triple Scale is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. The Jazz Butchers are at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Guitarist Rob Garland is at The Mint in West L.A. along with drummer Evan Stone’s Translucent Ham Sandwich Band. Percussionist Joey DeLeon is at Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A.. Drummer Homero Chavez & Una Noche are at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Vocalist Paulette McWilliams is at The Merc in Temecula. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Bassist Jennifer Leitham is at The Edison in downtown L.A.. The Ben Rose Band with vocalist Laura Mace is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Bassist David Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles with vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia.  Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. Pianist Jordan Siegel is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Joe Bagg is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Alanna Vicente is at The Boardroom in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Spencer Day is at Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge. Vocalist Lola Lennox is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Todd Hunter is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena.

Friday 7/28 – Miguel Atwood-Ferguson at The World Stage

Violist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is at The World Stage in South L.A. with Josh Johnson on sax, Gabe Noel on bass, Jamael Dean on piano, Jamire Williams on drums, and Carlos Nino on percussion. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Icelandic vocalist Anna Mjöll is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Logan Kane is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Tritone Asylum is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Vocalist Mon David is at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). The Vibrato All-Stars are at Vibrato in Bel Air.  The Altadena Quartet is at the 1881 Club in Pasadena.  Pianist Gary Matsumoto is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Lenny Stack is at Henri’s Back Room in Canoga Park. 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. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Paulette McWilliams has the free Friday show at LACMA in West L.A.. The T Special is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at the Bon Vivant Market & Cafe in Atwater Village.  Bassist Paul Gormley is at the Whale and Ale Pub in San Pedro.

Saturday 7/29 – Poncho Sanchez at The Ford Amphitheatre

Latin percussionist/vocalist Poncho Sanchez plays an outdoor concert/picnic event at The Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. The two-day (Sat-Sun) Central Avenue Jazz Festival in South L.A. kicks off with a Saturday including the Pan African People’s Arkestra, Dayren Santamaria, and Darynn Dean. Guitarist Jeff Richman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Al Williams is at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Vocalist Michael Feinstein is at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia with the Pasadena Pops. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens’ leads a trio at Desert Rose in Los Feliz with guest saxophonist John Altman. Brazilian group Nobresil is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Trumpeter Bob DeSena is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Angelo Metz is at Casa Arjona in Long Beach.  Pianist Richard Turner is at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in South L.A.. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Palter Ego is at The Boardroom in downtown L.A.. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. The Po’ Boy Trio has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Chino Espinoza has the free Latin Sounds series at LACMA in West L.A.. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran plays a late afternoon show at Heritage Square in Oxnard. Saturday brunch choices include saxophonist Doug Webb at the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach and keyboardist Todd Hunter at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 7/30 – WeSpark Cancer Support Center Benefit at Catalina

Vocalist Sandra Booker hosts at benefit for the WeSpark Cancer Support Center at Catalina in Hollywood with guests including Jeff Goldblum, Steve Tyrell, and Susan Anton. Saxophonist David Sanborn is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Saxophonist Braxton Cook is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Hefti Plays Hefti is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Isamu McGregor celebrates a CD release at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The BBB with drummer Bernie Dresel is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The Central Avenue Jazz Festival in South L.A. features The West Coast Get Down, Ernie Andrews, and Billy Mitchell. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Grand Central Market in downtown L.A.. Keyboardist Jonathan Fritzen celebrates a CD release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Stephanie Spruill is at The Rose in Pasadena. Vocalist Kiki Ebsen is at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center in Simi Valley. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. California Feetwarmers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A..   Bassist Christy Smith plays a late afternoon show at The World Stage in South L.A.. Pianist Danny Green plays a late afternoon show at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Guitarist Rob Garland plays an afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Judith Hill performs with the Cal Phil Orchestra in an afternoon concert at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A.. Sunday brunch choices include saxophonist Benn Clatworthy 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 7/31 – Adam Ratner at Blue Whale

Guitarist Adam Ratner is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Darek Oles on bass and Matt Mayhall on drums. Vocalist Jamie Shew has the early show at The Mint in West L.A., followed by drummer Kevin Kanner’s Jazz Jam session. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at 118 Degrees in Tarzana. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at the 1221 Lounge in Burbank. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. Other Monday jam sessions include 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 Jazz Angels play a fundraiser at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.

Tuesday 8/1 – Josh Johnson at Hollywood & Highland

Saxophonist Josh Johnson is at Hollywood & Highland with Josh Nelson on piano, Anna Butterss on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Vocalist Natasha Agrama is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Pianist Jeremy Siskind is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Parker Room in Hollywood. Guitarist Julian Coryell is at TRiP in Santa Monica. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at Viva Cantina in Burbank. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Matt Barber is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Chris Speed is at ETA in Highland Park.

Wednesday 8/2 – Alex Acuna at Catalina

Drummer Alex Acuna is at Catalina in Hollywood with Ramon Stagnaro on guitar, Aníbal Seminario on sax, Joe Rotondi on piano, Eddie Resto on bass, and Walter Rodríguez on drums and percussion. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jimmy Earl on bass, Gary Novak on drums, and Katisse Buckingham on sax and flute. Bassist Ben Williams is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at the Birds & Bees in downtown L.A.. Bassist Bruce Lett is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. The Four Freshmen are at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Parlor Social is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Leslie Lewis is at the Rose Garden of the Hotel Laguna in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A.. Pianist Lincoln Cleary is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Katharine McPhee is at Vibrato in Bel Air.