About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of September 17, 2018

Monday 9/17 – R+R = NOW at the Fonda Theatre

Keyboardist Robert Glasper’s R+R = NOW project is at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood with Derrick Hodge on bass, Terrace Martin on sax and keyboards, Christian Scott on trumpet, Justin Tyson on drums, and Taylor McFerrin on keyboards. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute/rap, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at the Arcwood Restaurant & Wine Bar in Tarzana. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina 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 9/18 – GE Stinson at Blue Whale

Shadowfax guitarist GE Stinson is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Steuart Liebig on bass and Jim Black on drums. John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank features guest Grant Geissman. Vocalist Maria De La Vega & The Wayward Five are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Blanco Diablo is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at The Country Club in Costa Mesa. 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. Pianist Eric Ekstrand is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. The Gin Lang Jazz Project and jam session is at General Lee’s in Chinatown. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Wednesday 9/19 – Donny McCaslin & Kneebody at the Regent Theatre

Saxophonist Donny McCaslin is at The Regent Theatre in downtown L.A. with Jason Lindner on keys, Tim Lefebvre on bass, Zach Danziger on drums, and Jeff Taylor on vocals – Kneebody opens. Pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Flutist Nicole Mitchell is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Chico Boro Boro and His Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra are at Catalina in Hollywood. “Conan” saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The summer Sunset Jazz at Newport series closes with the Tom Kubis Big Band at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Center. Vocalist Carolyn Richardson is at Vitello’s in Studio City.  Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter/vocalist Tim Gill is at the Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. 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. Bassist Bruce Lett has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Thursday 9/20 – Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at Hollywood Bowl

Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra is at the Holllywood Bowl – The Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra opens. Guitarist Robben Ford is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.  Guitarist Roni Ben-Hur and bassist Harvie S are at Vitello’s in Studio City with drummer Sylvia Cuenca. Pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Keyboardist David Garfield is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Latin keyboardist Carlos Rodgarman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Mark Towns is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Vocalist Andy James is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Maryanne Reall is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Pianist Kait Dunton is at The Merc in Temecula. The LALA Brass is at Cooks Chapel in Anaheim. The Angel Town Combo is at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood. Bassist Dave Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown L.A. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at the Brack Shop Tavern in downtown L.A. The Organ Donors are at Seven Grand 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.   Guitarist Matt Cohen is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Guitarist Matt Heath is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa. The Jazz Holiday Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 9/21 – Robben Ford at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz

Guitarist Robben Ford is at the Theatre Raymond Kabbaz in West L.A. Saxophonist Will Vinson and pianist Bryn Roberts are at Sam First in West L.A. for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with bassist Dave Robaire and drummer Christian Euman. Guitarist Oz Noy is at Catalina for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Madeline Peyroux is at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at The Canyon in Santa Clarita with a group including pianist Jordan Rudess. Pianist/vocalist Jon Batiste is at the Musco Center in Orange. Saxophonist David Binney is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Mike Garson is at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Pianists Bill Cunliffe and Jeremy Siskind duet at the Meng Concert Hall in Fullerton. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Dwight Trible offers a tribute to John Coltrane for the free early evening concert at LACMA in West L.A., followed by a later performance at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Anne Walsh is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Kenny G is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Vocal Group Fish To Birds is at Sun Space in Sunland.  Vocalist Laura Pursell is at Barone’s in Valley Glen. Keyboardist Brian Culbertson is at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Guitarist Jamey Arent is at Americana At Brand in Glendale. Vocalist Tony Galla is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Big Chiefs have a happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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. The Woody James Big Band plays an early afternoon show at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank.

Saturday 9/22 – Vijay Iyer and Teju Cole at The Theatre At Ace Hotel

CAP UCLA’s 2018-19 jazz series kicks off with pianist Vijay Iyer and author Teju Cole’s collaboration “Blind Spot” at The Theatre At Ace Hotel in downtown L.A. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills with a group including pianist Jordan Rudess. Vocalist Veronica Swift is at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center. Guitarist Roni Ben-Hur plays an afternoon show at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo, followed by an evening performance with vocalist Sara Gazarek and pianist Josh Nelson. Vocalist Steve Tyrell is at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. Drummer Anthony Fung is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Will Vinson and pianist Bryn Roberts are at Sam First in West L.A. Guitarist Will Brahm’s Homenaje is at Americana At Brand in Glendale. Long-time James Taylor backing vocalist Arnold McCuller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Oz Noy is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonists Peter and Will Anderson are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Cliff Brown is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Joshua White is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz with saxophonist John Altman and keyboardist Theo Saunders. Guitarist Bruce Forman’s Junkyard Duo plays the happy hour show at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Elan Trotman is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. The Bastards Of Belleville are at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Vocalist Andy Cowan and pianist Nina Beck are at the Tompkins Square Bar & Grill in Westchester. Vocalist Sandra Booker does an early afternoon show at Art Share LA in downtown Los Angeles. Percussionist Louie Cruz Beltran plays an afternoon concert at the Sun Valley Branch Library. 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., guitarist Mike Scott at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, and trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank.

Sunday 9/23 – Fred Hersch at the Moss Theater

Pianist Fred Hersch is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica with John Hebert on bass and Eric McPherson on drums. Trombonist Michael Dessen is at Sam First in West L.A. with Anna Butterss on bass, Joshua White on piano, and Nicole Mitchell on flute. Saxophonist Miguel Zenon plays an afternoon show at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Vocalists Johnaye Kendrick and Sara Gazarek are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalists Clairdee and Nicole Henry are at Catalina in Hollywood. The Elie Jazz Ensemble offers a tribute to violinist Michael White at Zebulon in downtown L.A. Oui’ 3 is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Woody Mankowski is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Pianist Cougar Estrada is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Saxophonist Kenny G is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Guitarist John Storie is at Americana At Brand in Glendale. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Vocalist Laura Pursell is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. The Roll Call Quartet is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Double G’s Jazz Knights are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Sunday brunch choices include guitarist Jacques Lesure 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 9/24 – Meshell Ndegeocello at Blue Whale

Bassist/vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Cuban guitarist San Miguel is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Flutist Jamie Baum is at the McKinney Theater at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. Bassist/vocalist Katie Thiroux is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at the Arcwood Restaurant & Wine Bar in Tarzana. Guitarist Rich Hinman is at Perch in downtown L.A. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Monday jam sessions include drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A., guitarist Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., pianist Eric Ekstrand at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31, and the monthly Blues Power Jam at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale.

Tuesday 9/25 – Julian Lage at the Lodge Room

Guitarist Julian Lage is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park Flutist Jamie Baum leads a quintet at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads an evening of jazz at Hangar 18 at the Marriott LAX with a lineup including saxophonist Rickey Woodard and drummer Roy McCurdy. Guitarist Ricky Z is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sal Valentinetti is at Catalina in Hollywood with Dave Damiani’s No Vacancy Orchestra. Vocalist Ellis Hall is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Laurence Juber is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank features guest Barry Zweig. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. The Funky Blue Quartet is at The Country Club in Costa Mesa. The Boyd Cannon and CSUN big bands are at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini opens for Blanco Diablo at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. 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 Gin Lang Jazz Project and jam session is at General Lee’s in Chinatown. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Wednesday 9/26 – Armen Nalbandian at Mr. Musichead Gallery

Pianist Armen Nalbandian is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood with Eric Revis on bass and Nasheet Waits on drums. Pianist/vocalist Norah Jones is at The Theatre At Ace Hotel in downtown L.A.  Bassist Sekou Bunch’s Mu Mu is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Isamu McGregor is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Ed Vodicka is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at Pips On La Brea in West 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. 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. Drummer Bill Spoke has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Cassia DeMayo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Andy Cowan and pianist Nina Beck are at Le Petit Paris in downtown L.A.