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

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 Tom Kubis Big Band plays a holiday show at the Gaslamp in Long 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. 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.

Thursday 12/20 – Billy Childs at Blue Whale

Pianist Billy Childs is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Ben Shepherd on bass, Joey Heredia on drums, and Shai Golan on alto sax. Saxophonist Bob Sheppard is at Sam First in West L.A. Trumpeter Herb Alpert & vocalist Lani Hall are at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Drummer Simon Phillips is at the Ojai Deer Lodge in Ojai. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist David Garfield leads a fire benefit at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Trombonist/vocalist Aubrey Logan begins a two-night (Thu-Fri) run at Vitello’s in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Ellis Hall is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist VR Smith is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Bassist Bruce Lett leads a trio at The Merc in Temecula with vocalist Bili Redd. The Organ Donors are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Bassist David Ross is at the LA Athletic Club in downtown L.A. with vocalist Barbara Morrison. 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. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 12/21 – Walter Smith III at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Walter Smith III opens a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Anthony Wilson on guitar, Josh Nelson on piano, Anna Butterss on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval leads a big band at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Guitarist Marcel Camargo, pianist Gerald Clayton, and vocalist Jessica Vautor are at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Diane Schurr begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Guitarist Michael Landau begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Michael Stinholme is at Catalina in Hollywood. Trombonist/vocalist Aubrey Logan is at Vitello’s in Studio City.  Guitarist Blake Aaron is is at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Vocalist Jeffrey Gimble is at the Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City. 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. California Feetwarmers have 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. Studio Ghibli Jazz is at the Milk Tavern in downtown L.A.

Saturday 12/22 – Dayren Santamaria at Catalina

Cuban violinist Dayren Santamaria is at Catalina in Hollywood with Oscar Hernandez on piano, Joey De Leon on congas, Luis Conte on timbales, Jorge Perez Sawa on bass, and vocalists Alfred Ortiz and Iris Sandra Cepeda. Trumpeter Tim Hagans plays the music of Ornette Coleman at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Saxophonist Walter Smith III is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band plays an afternoon show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, followed by an evening performance from trombonist/vocalist Aubrey Logan. Vocalist Dianne Schurr is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Larry Goldings’ comic alter-ego Hans Groiner is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Richard Shelton is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocal group Fish To Birds is at Sun Space in Sunland. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Bill Ungerman is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts for the first of two nights. The Jazz Zone is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Vocalist Judy Wolman leads a sing-a-long at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. The Hot Club of Orange County is at the Boathouse Collective in Costa Mesa. 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 Hugh Von Kleist is at the Whale & Ale Pub in San Pedro. Saxophonist Joe Hackney plays an afternoon show at Jack’s Place at Gable House Bowl in Torrance. Saturday brunch choices include saxophonist Glenn Cashman at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank.

Sunday 12/23 – Christian Euman at Blue Whale

Drummer Christian Euman is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Michael Mayo on vocals, Shai Golan on alto sax, Josh Nelson on piano, and Dave Robaire on bass. Vocalist Claude Hall is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Drummer Kevin Yokota is at Grand Central Market in downtown L.A.   Guitarist Ray Fuller is is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Terry Wollman is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Keith Borden is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Vocalist Laura Pursell is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. 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.   Los 440’s 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., vocalist Bri Sarikcioglu at the Luxe Hotel Sunset in Bel Air, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 12/24 – Carey Frank at Vibrato

Organist Carey Frank is is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Woody Mankowski on saxophone/vocals, Gretje Angell on vocals, and Martin Diller on drums. 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, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Beverly Hills Riviera 31.

Tuesday 12/25 – Christmas Day – No Live Jazz Events Scheduled

Wednesday 12/26 – Paul Peress at The Baked Potato

Drummer Paul Peress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Bill Cantos on keys/vocals and Ric Fierabracci on bass. Vocalist Niki Harris and pianist Tamir Hendelman are at Vitello’s in Studio City. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull has the happy hour gig at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Bassist Corbin Jones is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarists Strunz & Farah are is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Debbie Joyce 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.