About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 13, 2018

Monday 8/13 – Sean Harrison & Kevin Kanner at The Mint

Saxophonist Sean Harrison opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonists Hailey Niswanger and Lito Hernandez split a bill at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Tabla player Sameer Gupta is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Dolores Scozzesi is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Echoes is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. California Feet Warmers are at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Guitarist Rich Hinman is at Perch in downtown L.A. 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. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale. The monthly Blues Power jam is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Tuesday 8/14 – John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina

John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank features guest Brad Rabuchin with Bruce Lett on bass and Rod Harbour on drums. Vocalist Kenton Chen is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.Vocalist Richard Brandon at Vibrato in Bel Air. Mestizo Beat is at The Country Club in Costa Mesa. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Percussionist Jose Perez is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Bassist Tim Fenton and Echoes split a bill at The Mint in West L.A. The Close Quarters Jazz Quartet is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Jimmy McConnell 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 Mark Leggett opens for Blanco Diablo is 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. 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 8/15 – Gregory Porter at The Hollywood Bowl

Vocalist Gregory Porter is at the Hollywood Bowl with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in a program dedicated to Nat King Cole. Trumpeter Dr. Bobby Rodriguez is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. “Conan” saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Al Williams is at the LA Third Church For Spiritual Living in South L.A. with vocalist Barbara Morrison. Pianist Emmet Cohen is at the Newport Center Marriott Hotel & Spa with trumpeter Tony Guerrero. Drummer Denny Seiwell is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Vocalist Stephanie Spruill is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Matt Barber is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Flutist Libbie Jo Snyder is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Slim Man is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Joel Fleisher is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Charles Owens has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Thursday 8/16 – Hristo Vitchev at Blue Whale

Guitarist Hristo Vitchev is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jasnam Daya Singh on piano, Dan Robbins on bass, and Mike Shannon on drums. Bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb is at The Merc in Temecula. Keyboardist David Garfield is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Trombonist Francisco Torres is at Cooks Chapel in Anaheim. Saxophonist Hailey Niswanger is at the Corazon Performing Arts Center in Topanga.  Drummer Fred Dinkins is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Tiptons Sax Quartet is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood. Ranky Tanky is at the Skirball Cultural Center in Bel Air.  Vocalists Cheryl Bentyne & Mark Winkler are at Martini’s Above Fourth in San Diego.  Guitarist Greg Poree is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Pianists Bill Cantos and Mary Falcone are at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Maryanne Reall is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Guitarist/vocalist Curtis Parry is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.  Guitarist Matt Cohen is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood.  Bassist Dave Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown L.A. with vocalist Barbara Morrison.  Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at the Brack Shop Tavern in downtown L.A.   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. 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 Moontones are at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa. The Jazz Holiday Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Blues harmonica player Chef Dave Rozier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 8/17 – Frank Gambale at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Frank Gambale opens a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Joel Taylor on drums, Alex Evans on bass, Rique Pantoja on keys, Nick Kellie on guitar, and Boca Gambale on vocals. Pianist Issac Wilson is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at The World Stage in South L.A. with saxophonist Vinny Golia and drummer Alex Cline. Guitarist Frank Potenza is at Sam First in West L.A. Hiroshima is at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Guitar duo Strunz & Farah are at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Groove Sauce is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Jay Jackson is at Petra in Thousand Oaks.   Bassist Ben Shepherd is at the 1881 Club in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Hailey Niswanger is at the Del Monte Speakeasy in Venice. Bassist Paul Gormley is at Whale & Ale Pub in San Pedro.  Vocalist Maxayn Lewis 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. Guitarist Will Brahm’s Homenaje has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. The Woody James Big Band plays an early afternoon show at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Jack’s Cats are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Larry O. Williams is at the Farmers Market in West L.A. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Saturday 8/18 – Cheryl Bentyne & Mark Winkler at Vitello’s

Vocalists Cheryl Bentyne and Mark Winkler celebrate a CD release at Vitello’s in Studio City, backed by Rich Eames on piano, Gabe Davis on bass, Dave Tull on drums, and Grant Geissman on guitar. Pianist Joshua White is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Brazilian trombonist François de Lima is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalists Janis Mann and Greta Matassa team for an evening at the Sen Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center in Tarzana. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Darynn Dean does an early afternoon show at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Lee Ritenour has an early afternoon set at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach, followed by vocal group Black Market Trust. Flutist Althea Rene is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Frank Gambale is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitar duo Strunz & Farah are at Catalina in Hollywood. 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. Guitarist Bruce Forman’s Junkyard Duo has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The T Special Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. The Glenn Miller and Harry James Big Bands play afternoon and evening shows at the Clark Center For The Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande, Vocalist Andy Cowan and pianist Nina Beck are at the Tompkins Square Bar & Grill in Westchester. La Victoria & Farofa split the bill for the free Saturday Latin show at LACMA in West L.A. Saxophonist Joe Hackney plays an afternoon show at Jack’s Place at Gable House Bowl in Torrance. Saturday brunch choices include bassist Ryan Roberts at Perch in downtown L.A., saxophonist Chuck Johnson at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, and trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank.

Sunday 8/19 – Steve Lehman & Gerald Clayton at Sam First

Saxophonist Steve Lehman and pianist Gerald Clayton play an evening of duets at Sam First in West L.A. Guitarist Adam Levy is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. 4 Level Interchange plays a late afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, followed by an evening show from guitarist Mordy Ferber. Composer Alan Chan leads his orchestra in a performance with Japanese pipa virtuoso Min Xiao-Fen at the Gateway Christian Church in West L.A. Keyboardist Sabine Pothier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Calabria Foti and trombonist Bob McChesney are at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Mark Allen Felton is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Saxophonist Boney James headlines an evening of smooth jazz at the Hollywood Bowl.  All-female swing band The Lady Lucks are at Kings Road Park in West Hollywood for a late afternoon show.  Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. The Donavan/Muradian Quintet is at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Vocalist Karina Nuvo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Daniel Richardson is at Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Los 440’s are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Laura Pursell is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Sunday brunch choices include saxophonist Dan Kaneyuki 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 8/20 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Tim Lefebvre on bass, Gary Novak on drums, and Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute/rap. Pianist Justin Kauflin is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena, Saxophonist Sean Harrison is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Anne Walsh and pianist Tom Zink are at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach.  The Rolling Figs Orchestra is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.  Guitarist Rich Hinman is at Perch in downtown L.A. 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.

Tuesday 8/21 – Chad Wackerman at The Baked Potato

Drummer Chad Wackerman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mike Miller on guitar and Jimmy Johnson on bass. The Lappit-Rocha Sextet is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Connie Han is at The Country Club in Costa Mesa. John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank features guest Bruce Forman. Guitarist Jesse Bradley is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Chris Standring 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. Corcovado opens 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. 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. Vocalist Jay Jackson hosts a jam and vocal showcase at The Mixx in Pasadena.

Wednesday 8/22 – John Pizzarelli at Marriott Newport Center

Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Drummer Louie Palmer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Brandon Fields on sax, Janek Gwizdala on bass, and Luis Conte on percussion. Pianist Gerald Clayton is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Pianist Josh Nelson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Ernie Watts is at the LA Third Chirch For Spiritual Living in South L.A. The Bearstronauts are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Kendall Kay has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Lineage Trio is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Gina Saputo is at the Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Saxophonist Sean Harrison at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Trombonist Kevin Hicks is at Oeno Vino Wine Bar in Atwater Village. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Joel Fleisher is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs.