About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 28, 2017

Monday 8/28 – Marlon Martinez at Blue Whale

Bassist Marlon Martinez is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Isaac Wilson on piano, Jacob Scesney on sax, and Cam Johnson on drums. Pianist Sam Hirsh plays a set to open an evening at The Mint in West L.A., followed by drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session. The Saddleback College Jazz Faculty play a concert at the McKinney Theater in Mission Viejo. Trombonist Mariel Bildstein is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Quattrosound is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. The Amsterdam Connection is at the Colin Fisher Studios in Cathedral City. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. Other Monday jam sessions include guitarist Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato in Studio City, guitarist Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., pianist Eric Ekstrand at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 8/29 – Tammy McCann at Catalina

Chicago vocalist Tammy McCann is at Catalina in Hollywood with Peter Smith on piano, Trevor Ware on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Work In Progress with vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Molly Miller celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Gary Fukushima is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trombonist Francisco Torres is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.. Pianist/vocalist Judith Owen is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach with bassist Leland Sklar. Latin percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Saxophonist Elliott Levin and pianist Don Preston are at Zebulon in downtown L.A.. Guitarist Adam Ratner is at ETA in Highland Park. 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 – Homenaje 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 Cary Denigris.

Wednesday 8/30 – Byron Stripling & Bobby Floyd at Marriott Newport Center

Trumpeter Byron Stripling and organist/pianist Bobby Floyd are at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Drummer Conner Malloy is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trombone Shorty is at the Hollywood Bowl. Trumpeter Bijon Watson is at the Hotel Laguna Rose Garden in Laguna Beach. Drummer Christian Euman is at Birds & Bees in downtown L.A.. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Vocalist Lynn Cardona is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trombonist Mariel Bildstein is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Vocalist Wanda Ray Williams is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A.. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at AJ’s On The Green in Cathedral City. Pianist Carey Frank is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Noah Bernstein has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Blues harmonica player Dave Rozier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Thursday 8/31 – Russell Malone Quartet at Blue Whale

Guitarist Russell Malone is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Rick Germanson on piano, Luke Sellick on bass, and Willie Jones III on drums. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Bassist Max Bennett is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Bobby Caldwell begins a four-night (Thu-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood. The LACM Quartet is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Cuban vocalist Candi Sosa is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Vibraphonist Bob Leatherbarrow is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Trumpeter Brad Black is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Guitarist Josh Jurkosky is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist David Arnay 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 with vocalist Meloney Collins. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at the Brack Shop Tavern in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist Javier Vergara is at Senor Fish in downtown L.A.. Pianist Zach Provost is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. Vocalist Alanna Vicente is at The Boardroom in downtown L.A.. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Saxophonist Edmund Velasco is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa.

Friday 9/1 – Bennie Maupin at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Bennie Maupin opens a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with David Arnay on piano, Munyungo Jackson on percussion, Darek Oles on bass, and Kenny Sara on drums. Guitarist Larry Carlton is at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Charles Owens is at The World Stage in South L.A.. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Violinist Susie Hansen’s Latin Jazz Band is at the Farmers Market in West L.A.. Vocalist Leslie Smith is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Bobby Caldwell is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Jon Stuart is at the 1881 Club in Pasadena. 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. Saxophonist Rickey Woodard has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A.. Saxophonist Ken Kawamura is at the Boathouse Collective in Costa Mesa.  Bassist Paul Gormley is at the Whale & Ale Pub in San Pedro.

Saturday 9/2 – John Daversa Big Band at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter John Daversa leads a big band for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun) at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Bennie Maupin is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Lizz Whitted Dawson is at The World Stage in South L.A.. Bassist/vocalist Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner is at The Glass House in Pomona. Latin vocalist Anita Robles is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Bobby Caldwell is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens leads a trio at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Guitarist Blake Aaron is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vaud & The Villains are at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Pianist Connie Han has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Fabian Otero & The West Coast Salsa Orchestra have the free Latin Sounds series show at LACMA in West L.A.. Saturday brunch choices include keyboardist Todd Hunter at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 9/3 – Larry Carlton at the Saban Theater

Guitarist Larry Carlton is at the Saban Theater in West L.A. with Travis Carlton on bass, Greg Mathieson on keyboards, Paulie Cerra on sax, and Gene Coye on drums. Trumpeter John Daversa leads a big band at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Pat Senatore is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Josh Nelson on piano and Mark Ferber on drums. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Levitt Pavilion Pasadena. Pianist Joshua White is at the Eagle Rock Center For The Arts. Work In Progress with vocalist Kara Grainger is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Vocalist Ariana Savalas is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer Christian Euman is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A..  Vocalist Bobby Caldwell is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood.  Bassist Ryan Cross leads a jazz night at Delilah in West Hollywood.  Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Double G’s Jazz Knights are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Pianist Cougar Estrada is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. 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, vocalist Bri Sarikcioglu at the Luxe Hotel Sunset in Bel Air, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 9/4 – Monday Night Pro Jammz at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Jame Kime leads the long-running Monday Night Pro Jam session at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chris Roy on bass, Dylan Elise on drums, Jon Greathouse on keys, and Mitch Manker on trumpet.  Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. Other Monday jam sessions include guitarist Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., pianist Eric Ekstrand at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 9/5 – John Chin at Blue Whale

Pianist John Chin leads a quartet at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo playing the music of Mose Allison with Richard Julian on vocals and guitar, Alan Hampton on bass, and Charles Ruggiero on drums. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trombonist Ira Nepus is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Pianist Connie Han is at Birds & Bees in downtown L.A.. 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. Guitarist Chuck Kavooras leads a blues jam at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Wednesday 9/6 – Quincy Jones The A&M Years at The Hollywood Bowl

Composer/arranger Quincy Jones is celebrated with a big band performance of three recordings from 1969-71 including original contributors flutist Hubert Laws and vocalist Valerie Simpson. Alabama guitarist Eric Essix leads his MOVE Trio at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Barbara Morrison and saxophonist Charles Owens are at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Adam Levy is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Nutty is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Homenaje is at Bird & Bees in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Amber Navran is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A.. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at AJ’s On The Green in Cathedral City. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist Sabine Pothier has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.