About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of December 3, 2018

Monday 12/3 – Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Danny Carey on drums, Lance Morrison on bass, Matt Rohde on keys, Toshi Yanagi on guitar, and Ben Thomas on vocals. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s Jazz Jam at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Dweezil Zappa is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. 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 Molly Miller 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, Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31, and vocalist Sandy Cummings at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale. The Pepperdine Jazz Ensemble is at the Smothers Theatre in Malibu. Vocalist Greer Gustavson is at Vitello’s in Studio City.

Tuesday 12/4 – Janis Mann at The Write-Off Room

Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills with Andy Langham on piano, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Excursion is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. John Storie is John Pisano’s guest for Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Parker Room in Hollywood. 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 Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Trombonist Steve Johnson plays a happy hour set at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Wednesday 12/5 – Josef Leimberg at Mr. Musichead Gallery

Trumpeter Josef Leimberg is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood with Matt Little on keys, Anand Bennett on guitar, Will Logan on drums, Bubby Lewis on bass, Tracy Wannomae on reeds, and Carlos Nino on percussion. The Jazz Animals are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Scott Martin’s Latin Soul Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Marsha Bartenetti sings a holiday program at Catalina in Hollywood. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. 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 Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Vocalists Kate Campbell and Michael Holmes are at The Purple Room in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Shelley Yoelin is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Organ Donors are at Perch in downtown L.A.

Thursday 12/6 – Steve Gadd Band at Catalina Jazz Club

Drummer Steve Gadd begins a four-night (Thu-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood with Walt Fowler on trumpet/flugelhorn, Michael Landau on guitar, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Kevin Hays on keyboards. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Chico Pinhiero is at Sam First in West L.A. TrioKAIT is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Nutty is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Wes Smith is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Keith Droste is at The Merc in Temecula. Banjo masters Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn are at CAP UCLA Royce Hall in Westwood. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Elizabeth Lamers sings a holiday program at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Trumpeter Greg Adams is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Bassist David Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown L.A. with vocalist Barbara Morrison. 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. Guitarist Steve Oliver is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Vocalist Cassia DeMayo is at Barcito in downtown L.A. Trombonist Steve Johnson plays a happy hour set at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. The Jazz Holiday Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Friday 12/7 – The Baked Potato All-Stars at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Jeff Richman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Brian Bromberg on bass, Chad Wackerman on drums, and Jeff Beal on trumpet.  Drummer Steve Gadd is at Catalina in Hollywood. Constant Stranger celebrates a CD release at Sam First in West L.A. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Joe Rozum is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist/vocalist Sheree Brown is at The World Stage in South L.A. 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. The Woody James Big Band plays an early afternoon show at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. The Big Butter Jazz Band has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Randi Cee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Saddleback Jazz Combos are at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. Trumpeter Greg Adams is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.

Saturday 12/8 – John Beasley at Sam First

Pianist John Beasley is at Sam First in West L.A. with Theo Crocker on trumpet, Benjamin Shepherd on bass, and Anthony Fung on drums.
Guitarist/vocalist Anthony Wilson is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Organist Akiko Tsuruga is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro with Graham Dechter on guitar and Jeff Hamilton on drums.  Drummer Steve Gadd is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Charles Owens is at The World Stage in South L.A.  Trombonist Andy Martin is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert.  Postmodern Jukebox is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Vocalist Lynne Fiddmont offers a Christmas show at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Lisa Donahey launches a new holiday CD over the first of two nights (Sat-Sun) at Vitello’s in Studio City. Pianist George Kahn is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Justin Kauflin plays an afternoon of solo pianio at Contrapuntal Hall in Brentwood. Guitarist Molly Miller has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Michael Lington and guitarist Steve Oliver are at the Westin Mission Hills in Indian Wells. As Iz is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Along For The Ride does a holiday show at Casa Arjona in Long Beach. Guitarist Zach Caplinger is at the Diamond Valley Arts Center in Hemet. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens is at Desert Rose in Los Feliz. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips on La Brea in West Hollywood. Drummer Ben Rose is at Perch in downtown L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett has the happy hour show at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Saxophonist Joe Hackney plays an afternoon show at Jack’s Place at Gable House Bowl in Torrance. The Saddleback College Big Band is at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. Trumpeter Greg Adams is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saturday brunch choices include saxophonist Chuck Johnson at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank.

Sunday 12/9 – Justin Kauflin at Alvas Showroom

Pianist Justin Kauflin is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro with Katie Thiroux on bass and Matt Witek on drums. Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Steve Gadd is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Thelonious Monk Institute’s new ensemble is at Sam First in West L.A.  Vocalist Lisa Donahey launches a new holiday CD at Vitello’s in Studio City. Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Brazilian vocalist Mari Nobre is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Drummer Ben Rose is at Perch in downtown L.A. Keyboardist Scott Wilkie 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., vocalist Bri Sarikcioglu at the Luxe Hotel Sunset in Bel Air, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 12/10 – Steve Coleman & Five Elements at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo as they begin the final week of their December residency with Jonathan Finlayson on trumpet, Kokayi on vocals, Anthony Tidd on bass, and Sean Rickman on drums. 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 Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A.  Monday jam sessions include the Thelonious Monk Institute at The World Stage in South L.A., guitarist Matthew Yeakley at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., pianist Eric Ekstrand at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, the monthly Blues Power Jam at The Baked Potato in Studio City, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale.

Tuesday 12/11 – Sam Hirsh at The Write-Off Room

Pianist Sam Hirsh is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills with Ralph Moore on sax, Alex Boneham on bass, and Kevin Kanner on drums. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Gina Saputo is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Carl Verheyen is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist David Tranchina is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A. The Makers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Parker Room in Hollywood. 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 Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Trombonist Steve Johnson plays a happy hour set at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Wednesday 12/12 – Alfredo Rodriguez & Cameron Graves at Mr. Musichead Gallery

Pianists Alfredo Rodriguez and Cameron Graves share a bill at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Arianna Neikrug is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Tamara Gabriel is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Chris Standring and vocalist Kathrin Shorr offer a holiday program at Vitello’s in Studio City. Trombonist Kevin Hicks has the happy hour show at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Trombonist Terrance Taplin is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. 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 Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Vocalists Kate Campbell and Michael Holmes are at The Purple Room in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Shelley Yoelin is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs.