About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of November 27, 2017

Monday 11/27 – Tessa Souter at Blue Whale

Vocalist Tessa Souter is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Josh Nelson on piano and Dave Robaire on bass. Wundergroup is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Farmer Greif on keys, Chris Wabich on drums, Ben Thomas on vocals and percussion, David Hughes on bass, and Jamie Kime on guitar. Saxophonist Steve Coleman is at UCSD Conrad Prebys Concert Hall in La Jolla. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. 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. The Saddleback College Jazz Lab Ensemble is at the McKinney Theater in Mission Viejo. The UCLA Jazz Combos perform a program at Schoenberg Hall in Westwood.

Tuesday 11/28 – Jazzmeia Horn at Blue Whale

Vocalist Jazzmeia Horn is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Alex Snydman is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Toshi Yanagi’s Buzz Wizards are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The Boyd Cannon Big Band is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village.  Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Parker Room in Hollywood. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Guitarist Elyadeen Anbar’s trio is at The San Fernando in Glendale, followed by a jazz jam session. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans and saxophonist John Bolivar are at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. The UCLA Big Bands perform a concert at Schoenberg Hall in Westwood.

Wednesday 11/29 – Danny Janklow at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Danny Janklow celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Eric Reed on piano, Benjamin Shepherd on bass, Jonathan Pinson on drums, Nick Mancini on vibes, and Jesse Palter on vocals. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Bevan Manson is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. 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 Andy Langham is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Guitarist Elyadeen Anbar is at Blue Table in Agoura Hills. Guitarist Jesse Bradley is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Bill Spoke 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 11/30 – Anat Cohen at Valley Performing Arts Center

Israeli clarinetist Anat Cohen leads her tentet including guitarist Sheryl Bailey at the Valley Performing Arts Center at Cal State Northridge. The 100th anniversary of the birth of drummer Buddy Rich is celebrated at the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. with a program featuring daughter Cathy Rich and drummers Gregg Potter and Chad Smith. Trombonist Jonah Levine is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Adam Ben Ezra is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Steve Lukather’s Nerve Bundle begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Drummer Ramon Banda is at the Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Bassist Ian Martin is at The Boardroom 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. Saxophonist Javier Vergara is at Senor Fish in downtown L.A. Drummer Ben Rose is at Perch in downtown L.A.  Saxophonist Keschia Potter is at the Industry Cafe in Culver City. Saxophonist Reginald Paul is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Drummer Denny Dennis at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa. Pianist Jimmie Dykes is at The Merc in Temecula.

Friday 12/1 – Steve Coleman & The Five Elements at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Steve Coleman & The Five Elements open a two-week residency at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jonathan Finlayson on trumpet, Miles Okazaki on guitar, Anthony Tidd on bass, and Sean Rickman on drums. Vocalist Lizz Wright begins a three-night (Fri-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood.  Nerve Bundle is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Pat Sligh is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Leslie Smith is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Guitarist Hans Ottsen is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Drummer Joel Taylor is at the 1881 Club in Pasadena. Bassist Paul Gormley is at Whale & Ale Pub in San Pedro. Guitarist/vocalist James Cornelison is at Perch in downtown L.A. Vocalist Jeff Robinson is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Industry Cafe in Culver City. The College Of The Canyons Big Band plays a holiday concert at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center. Vocalist Dyan Kane does a late afternoon set at the Whole Foods Market in Santa Monica.

Saturday 12/2 – Jeremy Pelt at Musicians Institute Concert Hall

Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt is at the Musicians Institute Concert Hall in Hollywood with Victor Gould on piano, Richie Goods on bass, Jonathan Barber on drums, and Jacquelene Acevedo on percussion. Drummer Jeff Hamilton’s trio is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & The Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Lizz Wright is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Jacques Lesure celebrates a birthday at Bar Fedora in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Sam First in West L.A. Pianist Rachel Flowers is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura.  Continuum is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Mike Wofford is at The Scripps Research Institute Auditorium in San Diego. Pink Martini is at the USCB Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. Nerve Bundle is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Mark Towns leads an evening of Brazilian music at Casa Arjona in Long Beach. Vocalist Thelma Jones is at Barone’s in Valley Glen. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz with pianist Bill Cunliffe. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Rose Mallet is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Guitarist Elyadeen Anbar is at Bar Angeles in Hollywood. Pianist Connie Han has the happy hour show at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.  Pianist Nina Beck and vocalist Andy Cowan are t the Tompkins Square Bar & Grill in West L.A. Jack’s Cats are at the Sky Room in Long Beach. Saturday brunch choices include bassist Ryan Roberts at Perch in downtown L.A.

Sunday 12/3 – Peter Bernstein at Moss Theatre

Guitarist Peter Bernstein is at the Moss Theatre in Santa Monica playing a program of music from Thelonious Monk with Gerald Clayton on piano, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums. Drummer Chris Blondal celebrates a CD release at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Composer/arranger Steve Weisberg’s Orchestra is at the Zebulon Cafe in downtown L.A. Pianist Larry Goldings is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Lizz Wright is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Peak Experience Jazz Ensemble is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Guitarist Laurence Juber is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The Thelonious Monk Institute holds a jam session at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Elan Trotman and flutist Althea Rene are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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. Bassist John Clayton and son/pianist Gerald Clayton are at The A Frame Jazz House concert with drummer Jeff Hamilton in Hollywood. Drummer Bobby Breton plays an afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. 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 12/4 – Steve Coleman & Five Elements at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Steve Coleman & The Five Elements continue their December residency at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jonathan Finlayson on trumpet, Miles Okazaki on guitar, Anthony Tidd on bass, and Sean Rickman on drums. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.
The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Monday jam sessions include drummer Kevin Kanner at The Mint in West L.A., 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 Pepperdine University Jazz Ensemble plays a Christmas Concert at the Smothers Theatre in Malibu.

Tuesday 12/5 – Ruslan Sirota at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist/vocalist Ruslan Sirota is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Gary Novak on drums, Brian Ward on bass, Mitchel Long on guitars, and Peter Korpela on percussion. Vocal group Black Market Trust is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & The Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vibrometers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Jose Perez is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Oui 3 is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Eric Ekstrand is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Parker Room in Hollywood. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Guitarist Elyadeen Anbar’s trio is at The San Fernando in Glendale, followed by a jazz jam session. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans and saxophonist John Bolivar are at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs.

Wednesday 12/6 – Marilyn Scott at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Marilyn Scott is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Michael Landau on guitar, Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Bassist Bruce Lett is at Squashed Grapes in Ventura. Vocalist Sherry Williams is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & The Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. 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.  Guitarist Elyadeen Anbar is at Blue Table in Agoura Hills.