About & Out – What’s Hot in SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 7, 2017

Monday 8/7 – Sy Smith & Leonardo Amuedo at Blue Whale

Vocalist Sy Smith and guitarist Leonardo Amuedo duet at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. Vocalist Peggie Perkins is at GlowZone in Huntington Beach. 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. Monday jam sessions include 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 8/8 – Bria Skonberg at Hollywood & Highland

Trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg closes the Summer Jazz Nights series at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood. Drummer Matt Mayhall and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Cuban group Vocal Vidas is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Lola Haag is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. 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 – vibraphonist Nick Mancini opens. 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 guest Jamie Rosenn. Guitarist Chuck Kavooras leads a blues jam at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Ceiling Dweller is at ETA in Highland Park. Vocalist Linda Zulaica is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Frisson is at The Mint in West L.A.. Potluck is at Birds And Bees in downtown L.A..

Wednesday 8/9 – Jackie Ryan & Rickey Woodard at the Marriott Hotel Newport Center

Vocalist Jackie Ryan is backed by a group led by saxophonist Rickey Woodard at the Sunset Jazz Series at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Drummer Tina Raymond is at Birds and Bees in downtown L.A.. Arco Iris is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist/vocalist Michael Henderson is at Catalina in Hollywood. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Tablke & Stage in Los Feliz. Pianist Stuart Elster is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Chris Williams is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocal group The Summit is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Mike Gurrola has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Thursday 8/10 – B3PO at The Baked Potato

B3PO plays its debut show at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jay Graydon on guitar, Gregg Mathieson on organ, Ralph Humphrey on drums, and Jerry Watts on bass. Pianist Richard Sears is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Roberto Miranda is at the UCLA Hammer Museum in Westwood.  Bassist Jennifer Leitham celebrates a birthday at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at the Mission Playhouse in San Gabriel. Frisson is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Pianist Connie Han is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Guitarist Bob Boss is at The Merc in Temecula. The Vibrometers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Pianists Bill Cantor and Mari Falcone are at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Oui 3 is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Pianist Max Haymer is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena.  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. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. Pianist Carey Frank is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Palter Ego is at The Boardroom in downtown L.A.. Bassist Chris Symer is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa.     The Lounge Trio is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Trumpeter/vocalist Clora Bryant’s 90th birthday is honored with an afternoon show at The World Stage in South L.A..

Friday 8/11 – Harold Mabern at Catalina

Pianist Harold Mabern begins a three-night (Fri-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood with Mike Gurrola on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums. The three-day (Fri-Sun) Long Beach Jazz Festival kicks off with an evening featuring bassist Marcus Miller and vocalist Rachelle Ferrell at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach. Drummer Dan Schnelle is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Rodgarband is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Scotty Barnhart is at The World Stage in South L.A.. Bassist Pat Senatore is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Nutty is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Frisson is at the Farmers Market in West L.A.. Keyboardist Don Randi is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Brazilian vocalist Ana Gazzola is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Zach Provost celebrates a record release at the Boardroom in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Nicki Gonzalez is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Dolores Scozzesi is at the Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City. Vocalist Melanie Taylor is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Drummer Joel Taylor 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. Drummer Don Littleton has the free Friday show at LACMA in West L.A..  Bassist Paul Gormley is at Whale And Ale in San Pedro.

Saturday 8/12 – Diana Krall at the Hollywood Bowl

Pianist/vocalist Diana Krall plays the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) at the Hollywood Bowl with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Guitarist Dean Brown is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Gerry Etkins on keys, Chaun Horton on drums, and Hadrien Feraud on bass. The Long Beach Jazz Festival continues at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach with acts including bassist Nathan East and saxophonist Boney James. Pianist Joshua White is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Violinist Karen Briggs is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Spyro Gyra and saxophonist Vincent Ingala are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. The World Stage in South L.A. holds a benefit for drummer Cornell Fauler. Postmodern Jukebox is at The Greek Theatre in Los Feliz. Pianist Harold Mabern is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens leads a trio at Desert Rose in Los Feliz with guest saxophonist John Altman. Pianist Caili O’Doherty is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Amber Weekes is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. Vaud & The Villains are at the Boardroom in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Leslie Nesbitt is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist Greg Reitan is at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Pianist Jacquelyn Schrieber is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Keyboardist Mahesh Balasooriya has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Violinist Ted Falcon has the free Latin Sounds series show at LACMA in West L.A.. Saturday brunch choices include saxophonist Chuck Johnson at the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach and keyboardist Todd Hunter at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 8/13 – Jazz In The Pines Festival at Idyllwild Arts Academy

The Idyllwild Arts Academy hosts the two-day (Sat-Sun) 24th annual Jazz In The Pines Festival – Sunday acts include guitarist Russell Malone, pianist Tamir Hendelman, and bassist Henry Franklin. The Long Beach Jazz Festival continues at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach with pianists Ramsey Lewis and Bob James and percussionist Poncho Sanchez. Joe-Less Shoe is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian and violinist Biliana Voutchkova duet at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Icelandic vocalist Anna Mjöll is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Danny Green is at SOhO in Santa Barbara with vocalist Teka Penteriche. Pianist Harold Mabern is at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Chris Botti shares a bill with vocalist Jewel at the Hollywood Bowl. The Idiomatiques are at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi plays a late afternoon outdoor show at Gandara Park in Santa Monica. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Los 440’s are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Pianist Cougar Estrada is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Saxophonist Joe Santa Maria is at ETA in Highland Park. Little Brazil is at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Groove Lexicon plays an afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. The 24th Annual Vibe Summit afternoon will be held at the Elks Lodge in Canoga Park. Sunday brunch choices include drummer Paul Kreibich 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 8/14 – Kavita Shah at Blue Whale

Vocalist Kavita Shah is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Julian Shore on piano, François Moutin on bass, and Ferenc Nemeth on drums. 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. Monday jam sessions include drummer Kevin Kanner at The Mint in West L.A., 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 8/15 – Gretchen Parlato & Marcel Camargo at Blue Whale

Vocalist Gretchen Parlato duets with guitarist Marcel Camargo at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Vocalist Rachel Kaplan is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.. Pianist/vocalist Rachel Eckroth is at ETA in Highland Park. Guitarist Jesse Bradley is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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 guest John Storie .

Wednesday 8/16 – Jill Scott & The Robert Glasper Experiment at the Hollywood Bowl

Vocalist Jill Scott is at the Hollywood Bowl – pianist Robert Glasper opens. Pianist Alan Broadbent is at the Moss Theatre in Santa Monica. The Jazz Cruise All-Stars are at the Marriott Hotel Newport Center with clarinetist Ken Peplowski, drummer Jeff Hamilton, bassist Christoph Luty, saxophonist Rickey Woodard, and pianist Larry Fuller. Fourbits is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Graham Dechter is at the Hotel Laguna Rose Garden in Laguna Beach. The Vivino Brothers Band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Sash Aghamyan leads a group at The Stage in Burbank. Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Marla Jones is at Catalina in Hollywood. Sound Etiquette is at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A.. Pianist Zach Provost is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist Sam Hirsh has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.