About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of December 10, 2018

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 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. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. 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. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. 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. The 8-Bit Jazz Heroes are at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Thursday 12/13 – Mike Stern at Catalina

Guitarist Mike Stern opens a four-night (Thu-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood with Bob Malach on sax, Tom Kennedy on bass, and Dave Weckl on drums. Pianist Laurence Hobgood is at Sam First in West L.A. Percussionist Pete Escovedo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Fred Frith is at Zebulon in Silver Lake. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Merc in Temecula. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Guitarist Molly Miller is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena.  Saxophonist/vocalist Paulie Cerra is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Vocalist Maryanne Reall is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. Bassist Michael Haggins is at The Mixx in Pasadena.  Bassist David Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown L.A. with vocalist Elaine Woodard.  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. Blues harmonica player Chef Dave Rozier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Friday 12/14 – Jeff Lorber at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Jimmy Haslip on bass and Steve Hass on drums. Pianist Daniel Szabo is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalists Denise Donatelli and Paulette McWilliams host an evening at Vitello’s in Studio City with guest vocalists Freda Payne, Nita Whitaker, and Kenya Hathaway. Saxophonist Steve Coleman & Five Elements are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the final night of their December residency. Vocalist Kurt Elling does a holiday program at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. Guitarist Mike Stern is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Michael Feinstein plays a holiday show at the Musco Center For The Arts in Orange. Brazilian vocalist Ana Gazzola is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga.  Vocalists Cathy Segal-Garcia and Aviva Diamond host a show and jam session at Sal’s on Melrose in West L.A. Vocalist Thelma Jones is at Barone’s in Valley Glen. Saxophonist Cody Dear is at the Milk Tavern in downtown 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 Vignes Rooftop Revival has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The Woody James Big Band plays an early afternoon show at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Tony Galla is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at the Burbank VFW Hall.

Saturday 12/15 – Kurt Elling at Segerstrom Center For The Arts

Vocalist Kurt Elling does a holiday program at Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa. Vocalist Diane Reeves does a holiday program at The Soraya at CSUN Northridge. Saxophonist David Binney is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Tony Tixier at Sam First in West L.A.  Guitarist Mike Stern is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Denny Zeitlin is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center in Tarzana. Pianist David Garfield is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Sabine Pothier has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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.   Vocal group Fish To Birds does a workshop and house concert at Cathy Segal-Garcia’s place in Granada Hills. Saxophonist Joe Hackney plays an afternoon show at Jack’s Place at Gable House Bowl in Torrance. Trumpeter Bob DeSena plays an afternoon show at Fisherman’s Village in Marina Del Rey. Saturday brunch choices include drummer Alex Snydman at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank.

Sunday 12/16 – Joe La Barbera Trio at Sam First

Drummer Joe La Barbera is at Sam First in West L.A. with Eric Reed on piano and Mike Gurrola on bass. Drummer Charles Ruggerio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Joshua White is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Mike Stern is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist George Kahn is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Saxophonist Jessy J is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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. Trumpeter JJ Kirkpatrick is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A.  Vocalist Patrick Burnitt is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank.  Los 440’s are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Sunday brunch choices include guitarist Riner Scivally 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 12/17 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Blanco Diablo opens for Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Joomanji is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Cortés Alexander does a holiday show at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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. 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.

Tuesday 12/18 – Cat Conner & Gene Cipriano at The Write-Off Room

Vocalist Cat Conner and saxophonist Gene Cipriano play an evening of holiday music at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills, backed by John Chiodini on guitar, Chuck Berghofer on bass, and Ray Brinker on drums. Trumpeter Frank Vardaros’ big band plays a holiday show at Catalina in Hollywood. John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank features guest Cary De Nigris. Button Masher and Plexus Play split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. 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 12/19 – Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra at Segerstrom Center For The Arts

The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra presents a holiday program at the Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Alec Shulman is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Jonathan Pinson is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Vocalist Rehya Stevens does a holiday program at Vitello’s in Studio City. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Matt Cohen is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Bassist Nick Ornelas has the happy hour gig at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. 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.