About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of July 2, 2018

Monday 7/2 – Zephyr Avalon & Kevin Kanner at The Mint

Bassist Zephyr Avalon opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Guitarist Jamie Kime’s jam at The Baked Potato in Studio City features Danny Carey on drums, Matt Rohde on keys, and Chris Roy on bass. Saxophonist Jasper Dutz is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Pierre Charles III is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Other Monday jam sessions include guitarist Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., guitarist/vocalist Kimberly Ford at SOhO in Santa Barbara, pianist Eric Ekstrand at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 7/3 – Javo Berrera at The Baked Potato

Drummer Javo Berrera is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Matt Rohde on keys and Anthony Crawford on bass. Bassist Marlon Martinez is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Sunny Na is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Ryan Dart is at The Country Club in Costa Mesa. The ON Ensemble is at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree opens for Blanco Diablo at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Parker Room in Hollywood. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. Guitarist Elyadeen Anbar’s trio is at The San Fernando in Glendale, followed by a jazz jam session. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans and saxophonist John Bolivar are at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Wednesday 7/4 – Matthew Yeakley at The Continental Club

Guitarist Matthew Yeakley continues his Wednesday night weekly series at The Continental Club in downtown Los Angeles, this week featuring guests Jonathan Richards on bass and Kevin Kanner on drums. Vocalist Joel Fleisher is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. The Midnight Blues Revue is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.

Thursday 7/5 – Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman at Blue Whale

Vocalist Tierney Sutton and pianist Tamir Hendelman team for an evening of duets at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Cantaluna kicks off the summer jazz series at the Festival Of The Arts in Laguna Beach. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at the Mission Playhouse in San Gabriel. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at The Merc in Temecula. Saxophonist Reginald Paul is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood.  Bassist Ryan Cross is at Preux & Proper 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. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. The Glen Roberts Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Donna Deussen and guitarist Paul Weitz are at the Thai Fusion Bistro in Woodland Hills.  Vocalist Cassia DeMayo is at Barcito in downtown L.A.   The Jazz Holiday Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Incendio is at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge. LaLa Brass is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa.

Friday 7/6 – Billy Mohler at Sam First

Bassist Billy Mohler is at Sam First in West L.A. with Nate Walcott on trumpet, Joe Berry on saxophone, and Eric Gardner on drums. Drummer Kenny Sara is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Billy McCoy is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Festival Of The Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Guitarist Michael Thompson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Jay Jackson is at Petra in Thousand Oaks. 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. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Pianist/vocalist Carol Welsman has the free Friday outdoor show at the Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa.

Saturday 7/7 – Dean Brown at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Dean Brown is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Gerry Etkins on keys, Stu Hamm on bass, Brandon Fields on sax, and Chaun Horton on drums. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trumpeter Mike Cottone is at Sam First in West L.A. Guitarist Mike Miller is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The SOJ Quintet is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Jose Rizo’s Mongorama does an outdoor show at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown L.A. Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band does an early afternoon show at the Festival Of The Arts in Laguna Beach. Brazilian pianist Marcos Ariel is at Casa Arjona in Long Beach. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz with pianist Theo Saunders and saxophonist Chuck Manning. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Andy Cowan and pianist Nina Beck are at the Tompkins Square Bar & Grill in Westchester. The Rumproller Trio has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Freddie Ravel has the free Saturday Latin show at LACMA in West L.A. Saturday brunch choices include bassist Ryan Roberts at Perch in downtown L.A., saxophonist David Sills at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, and trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank.

Sunday 7/8 – Alan Pasqua at Sam First

Pianist Alan Pasqua is at Sam First in West L.A. with Darek Oles on bass and Conor Malloy on drums. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trombonist Jon Hatamiya is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A.  Percussionist/vocalist Poncho Sanchez plays a late afternoon outdoor concert at Warner Ranch Park in Woodland Hills. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Trumpeter Dan Weinstein & The Two-Tones are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The Singers In Law are at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist/vocalist Paulie Cerra is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Saxophonist Sean Harrison is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero fronts a big band at the Festival Of The Arts in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Rodney Taylor is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Sunday brunch choices include the Jimmy McConnell Big Band at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, vocalist Jesse Palter at Perch in downtown L.A., bassist Rufus Philpot at The Springs in downtown L.A., vocalist Bri Sarikcioglu at the Luxe Hotel Sunset in Bel Air, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 7/9 – David Tranchina at Blue Whale

Bassist David Tranchina is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Gary Fukushima on piano and Trevor Anderies on drums. This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. 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. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale. Guitarist Chuck Kavooras leads the monthly blues jam at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Tuesday 7/10 – Brent Canter at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Brent Canter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on saxophone, Julian Pollack on keys, Dan Lutz on bass, and Charles Ruggiero on drums. Pianist Ruslan Sirota is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band kicks off the Tuesday night outdoor concert season at Hollywood & Highland. Bassist Logan Kane and drummer Adrian Cota lead a group at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Bruce Lofgren is at Vitello’s in Studio City. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank with guest Jim Fox. Drummer Peter Buck is at the California Jazz & Blues Museum in South L.A. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Todd Oliver is at The Country Club in Costa Mesa. Vocalist Julie Newsome is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Percussionist Jose Perez is at Las Perlas 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. The Groove Merchants open for Blanco Diablo at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Parker Room in Hollywood. Guitarist David Marcus is at Il Piccolo Verde in Brentwood. Strange Jazz Universe is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank leading their weekly jam session. Guitarist Elyadeen Anbar’s trio is at The San Fernando in Glendale, followed by a jazz jam session. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans and saxophonist John Bolivar are at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Wednesday 7/11 – Jazz Cruise All-Stars at Marriott Hotel & Spa Newport

The Jazz Cruise All-Stars kick off the Sunset Jazz At Newport summer series with Shelley Berg on piano, Christoph Luty on bass, Jeff Hamilton on drums, Rickey Woodard on sax, Ken Peplowski on clarinet, and Chuck Redd on vibraphone at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Drummer Bob Holz is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Drummer Martin Diller is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Eric Johnson is at The Rose in Pasadena. Vocalist Jamie Shew is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Frank Potenza is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. LAHO is at Oscar’s Cafe in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Tres Divas are at Vitello’s in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Kiki Ebsen is at the Festival Of The Arts in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Steve Fister is at The Baked Potao in Studio City. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Jimmy Spencer and pianist Karen Hernandez are at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Pianist/vocalist The Flight 584 Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Joel Fleisher is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. Guitarist Riner Scivally has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Swingsations begin the alternate Wednesdays summer jazz series at Casino San Clemente.