About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of September 18, 2017

Monday 9/18 – Mike LeBrun + Zephyr Avalon at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Mike LeBrun and bassist Zephyr Avalon celebrate CD releases at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with LeBrun backed by Josh Johnson on sax, Nick Mancini on vibes, Daniel Szabo on piano, Anna Butterss on bass, Kevin Van Den Elzen on drums, while Avalon features Jonah Levine on trombone, Jacob Mann on keys, Efa Etomoma Jr. on drums. Guitarists Francesco Buzzurro & Richard Smith are at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Vocalist Howie Levine is at Las Hadas Restaurant in Northridge. Organist Carey Frank is at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood. 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. The Santa Barbara City College Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 9/19 – Sammy Miller & The Congregation at Largo At The Coronet

Drummer Sammy Miller & The Congregation are at Largo At The Coronet in West Hollywood. Keyboardist John Novello’s Jazz All-Stars are at Catalina in Hollywood with Brandon Fields on sax, Chris Standring on guitar, Tim Landers on bass, and Eric Valentine on drums. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at the Sheraton Gateway LAX Hotel in West L.A.. Guitarist Adam Rogers is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Pat Senatore is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. Bassist Kevin Brandon is at the Tallyrand Restaurant in Burbank. 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. Pianist Loston Harris 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 Pat Kelley and Frank Potenza. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.. Pianist Shawn Trent Morgan is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Wednesday 9/20 – Adam Rogers DICE at Blue Whale

Guitarist Adam Rogers finishes a two-night (Tue-Wed) run at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Fima Ephron on bass and Nate Smith on drums. The Vivino Brothers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Tom Kubis Big Band with vocalist Andrea Miller closes the summer Sunset Jazz series at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A.. Drummer Kevin Van Der Elzen’s LAHO Group is at The E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at Birds & Bees in downtown L.A.. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Andy Langham is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. 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. Saxophonist Danny Janklow has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Robby Fontana is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Fabus Four are at Le Petit Paris in downtown L.A..

Thursday 9/21 – Baked Potato All-Stars at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Jeff Richman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Saxophonist David Binney is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  The Creative Arts Ensemble presents a tribute to John Coltrane at Catalina in Hollywood.  Guitarists Francesco Buzzurro & Richard Smith are at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. Drummer Al Williams is at The Merc in Temecula. Latin guitarist César Mateus is at Vitello’s in Studio City.  Trombonist Francisco Torres is at Cooks Chapel in Anaheim.  Vocalist Jake Simpson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Mark Goldenberg is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Vibraphonist Bob Leatherbarrow is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith 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. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at the Brack Shop Tavern in downtown L.A.. Pianist Gary Matsumoto is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Saxophonist Javier Vergara is at Senor Fish in downtown L.A.. Saxophonist Keschia Potter is at the Industry Cafe in Culver City. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. Guitarist Duane Allen is at the Boathouse Collective in Costa Mesa. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. System VI is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa.

Friday 9/22 – Diane Schurr at Soka Performing Arts Center

Pianist/vocalist Diane Schurr kicks off the weekend’s Soka Jazz Festival at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Drummer Charles Ruggerio leads a group at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Billy Childs’ Prophecy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq is at The World Stage in South L.A.. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. Bassist Mackenzie Leighton plays the music of Charles Mingus at Dizzy’s in San Diego.  Vocalist Oleta Adams begins a three-night (Fri-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Paul Gormley is at Whale & Ale in San Pedro. Vocalist Lori Lynner is at the Loews Hotel in Hollywood. Guitarist Adam Hawley is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Donny Most is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Pianist Zach Provost is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Guitarist/vocalist James Cornelison is at Perch in downtown L.A.. Vocalist Jeff Robinson is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Drummer Matt Gordy has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A.. Pianist Nina Beck and vocalist Andy Cowan are at the Renaissance Hotel LAX in West L.A..

Saturday 9/23 – The Cookers & Gilbert Castellaneos at Soka Performing Arts Center

The Cookers are at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo featuring Billy Harper and Donald Harrison on sax, Cecil McBee on bass, George Cables on piano, Eddie Henderson on flugelhorn, David Weiss on trumpet, and Billy Hart on drums – trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos leads his group Saturday afternoon. Guitarists Allen Hinds and Scott Henderson lead a benefit for guitarist John Ziegler at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Joshua White leads a group playing the music of John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band and Sascha’s Bloc are at the Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills. Pianist/vocalist Keiko Matsui and percussionist/vocalist Poncho Sanchez split a bill at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at the Hotel Normandie in Koreatown Los Angeles. Drummer Al Williams is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Sidney Jacobs is at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A.. The SOJ Quartet plays a tribute to John Coltrane at The World Stage in South L.A.. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Vibraphonist Lolly Allen is at Camilo’s Bistro in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Oleta Adams is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalists Cristina Rebull and Candi Sosa are at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Bassist/vocalist Hannah Dexter is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at The Public House in Fullerton. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Pianist Stuart Elster is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood.  The Rumproller Trio has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Saturday brunch choices include pianist Sam Hirsh at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and keyboardist Todd Hunter at Perch in downtown L.A..

Sunday 9/24 – Patti Austin at Ford Amphitheatre

Vocalist Patti Austin celebrates the 100th birthday of Ella Fitzgerald at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood featuring Shelley Berg on piano, Nathan East on bass, and Brian Nova on drums.  Brazilian vocalist Katia Moraes celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with JP Mourão on guitar, Felipe Fraga on drums/percussion, Isaias Elpes on bass, and Uziel Colon on piano. Saxophonist Phil Norman’s Tentet plays an afternoon show at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Vocalist Oleta Adams is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Pete Escovdeo Orchestra plays the final Latin Sounds afternoon show of 2017 at LACMA in West L.A.. 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. California Feet Warmers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. OHM and the APG Trio play an afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Saxophonist Boney James is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Irish trumpeter Niall O’Sullivan is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Vignes Rooftop Revival is at Grand Central Market in downtown L.A.. Bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb is at SOhO in Santa Barbara for an early afternoon show. Sunday brunch choices include the Dave Slonaker 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 9/25 – Carol Welsman at Catalina

Pianist/vocalist Carol Welsman is at Catalina in Hollywood with special guests vocalist Denise Donatelli and percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran. Vocalist Mark Christian Miller opens an evening of jazz at The Mint in West L.A., followed by drummer Kevin Kanner’s jam session. Vocalist Judith Hill is at The Troubadour in West Hollywood. Off Cell and saxophonist Vinny Golia are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. 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., trumpeter Jeff Elliott at SOhO in Santa Barbara, pianist Eric Ekstrand at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 9/26 – Doug Webb All-Stars at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, Jamie Kime on guitar, and Danny Carey on drums. Organist Larry Goldings is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb plays a fundraiser for CalJAS at the Claremont Presbyterian Church. Gypsy guitarist Gonzalo Bergara is at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Vocalist Chris Norton is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Conganas is at Mambo’s Cafe in Glendale. The Boyd Cannon Big Band 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. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. The Route 66 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 Gene Bertoncini. The Atomic Roots Orchestra is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Wednesday 9/27 – Goldings–Bernstein–Stewart at Blue Whale

Organist Larry Goldings is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the second of two nights (Tue-Wed) with Peter Bernstein on guitar and Bill Stewart on drums. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Jacqui Naylor is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Judith Hill is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at AJ’s On The Green in Cathedral City. Vocalist Donna Deussen and guitarist Paul Weitz are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Jimmy Spencer are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Gary Herbig and drummer Bill Spoke have the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Frank Stallone is at Vibrato in Bel Air.