About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of January 14, 2019

Monday 1/14 – Zephyr Avalon at Blue Whale

Bassist Zephyr Avalon is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jacob Mann on keyboards, Elyadeen Anbar on guitar, and Efa Etoroma Jr. on drums. Blanco Diablo opens for Kevin Kanner’s Jazz Jam at The Mint in West 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. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A. Other Monday jam sessions include the monthly Blues Power Jamm at The Baked Potato in Studio City, the Monday jazz jam 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 1/15 – The Edge of Jazz at Walt Disney Hall

Curator Herbie Hancock presents an evening of new music with the LA Phil New Music Group at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. featuring works including pianist Billy Childs, saxophonist Kamasi Washington, and pianist Vijay Iyer among others. Catatonic is at Vitello’s in Studio City with Michael Celenza on drums, Ben Armentano on keyboards, Jeff Snow on reeds, Chris Coulter on bass, and Rob Garland on guitar. John Pisano’s guest for Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank is Brad Rabuchin. Guitarist Tim May is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Russian saxophonist Igor Butman begins a two-night (Tue-Wed) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Vocalist Annie Trousseau is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Tabari Lake is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. 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. 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 1/16 – Jerry Vivino at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Andy Langham on piano, Bernie Dresel on drums, and John Leftwich on bass. Saxophonist Henry Solomon is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble begins a monthly residency at Sam First in West L.A. Black Nile is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Alex Hahn is at the Rhythm Room in downtown L.A. Russian saxophonist Igor Butman is at Catalina in Hollywood. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is at Vitello’s in Studio City for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Guitarist Dave Askren and saxophonist Jeff Benedict are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Nopanda is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village.  Saxophonist Jeff Pifher hosts a jam session 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. Guitarist Mike Scott has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. 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. Saxophonist Shelley Yoelin is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Cody Dear is at the Milk Tavern in downtown L.A.

Thursday 1/17 – George Garzone w/Peter Erskine at Sam First

Saxophonist George Garzone begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at Sam First in West L.A. with Peter Erskine on drums, Alan Pasqua on piano, and Darek Oles on bass. Pianist Fred Hersch is at The Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Drummer Anthony Fung is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarists Rich Hinman and Adam Levy are at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Pianist Jon Mayer is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Claude Hall hosts a showcase at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Guitarist Bruce Forman is at the Hong Kong Inn in Ventura.  Drummer Kevin Kanner is at Cooks Chapel in Anaheim.  Guitarist Nili Brosh is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Matt Cohen is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. The Ken Bauer Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Bassist David Ross is at the downtown L.A. Athletic Club 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.  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 1/18 – Mike Miller at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Mike Miller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Steve Weingart on keys, Jerry Watts on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Violaist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is art Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with John Belzaguy on bass, Johnny Friday on drums, Mike Tucker on sax, Max Haymer on piano, Tiki Pasillas on percussion, and Andy Garcia on bongos.  Saxophonist George Garzone is at Sam First in West L.A. with drummer Peter Erskine. Vocalist Anna Mjöll is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Randal Fisher is at The World Stage in South L.A. The Metta Quintet offers a program devoted to Miles Davis at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Vocalist Dorian Holley is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Devyn Rush is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Jazz Zone is at The Mixx in Pasadena. California Feetwarmers have the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The Tonic Trio is at Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. Drummer Joel Taylor is at the 1881 Club in Pasadena. Bassist Paul Gormley is at Whale & Ale Pub in San Pedro. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Baltaire in Brentwood. Vocalist Jody Jaress is at the Artisan Wine & Cheese Gallery in Studio City. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at Barone’s in Valley Glen. 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 1/19 – Stanley Clarke at The Broad Stage

Bassist Stanley Clarke is at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica with Beka Gochiashvili and Cameron Graves on keyboards, Shariq Tucker on drums, Salar Nader on percussion, and Evan Garr on violin. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Guitarist Brent Canter is at No Name in Hollywood. Vocalist Mark Winkler is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center. Guitarist Peter Bernstein, pianist Larry Goldings, and drummer Bill Stewart are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Kenny Sara is at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist George Garzone is at Sam First in West L.A. with drummer Peter Erskine. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Phil Norman’s Tentet is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Bevan Manson is at the Hong Kong Inn in Ventura with vocalist Marina Pacowski.  Pianist Sabine Pothier has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Baltaire in Brentwood. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.    Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Kevin Ahart is at Mr. C in Beverly Hills. 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 for an early afternoon show. Saturday brunch choices include saxophonist Mark Isbell at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, vocalist Kristina Koller at the Federal Bar in North Hollywood,  and trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Blues guitarist/vocalist Taj Mahal is at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills.

Sunday 1/20 – Bernstein/Goldings/Stewart at Blue Whale

Guitarist Peter Bernstein, pianist Larry Goldings, and drummer Bill Stewart are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the second of two nights (Sat-Sun). Organist Brian Charette is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Joshua White is at Sam First in West L.A. Guitarist Laurence Juber is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Trumpeter Cuong Vu is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Drummer Martin Diller is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Bassist Adi Meyerson is at Battery Books & Music in Pasadena. Vocalist Douye does a late afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia does an evening house concert in Granada Hills. Pianist/vocalist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Los 440’s are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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. Sunday brunch choices include saxophonist Glenn Garrett’s 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. Vocalist Chris Pierce does an evening of blues at Vitello’s in Studio City. Blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher does a late afternoon show at Malainey’s in Long Beach.

Monday 1/21 – 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. Vibraphonist Jason Taylor is at Catalina in Hollywood. Organist Brian Charette is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  Saxophonist Sean Harrison is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Vocalist Clint Holmes is at Vitello’s in Studio City.   Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A.  This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Monday jam sessions include The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., pianist Eric Ekstrand at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, and Jazz Eclectic at the Sofitel Riviera 31 in Beverly Hills. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale.

Tuesday 1/22 – Bill Frisell at Pepperdine Smothers Theatre

Guitarist Bill Frisell is at the Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine University in Malibu with violinist/vocalist Petra Haden, Thomas Morgan on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums. Guitarist Alex Skolnick and bassist Stu Hamm lead a group at The Baked Potato in Studio City including drummer Joel Taylor and cellist Tina Guo. Cellist Artyom Manukyan and pianist Vardan Ovsepian are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank features guest John Chiodini. Drummer Joey Heredia hosts a jam session at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Bassist Mark Dresser is at The Loft at UCSD in La Jolla. Accordionist Cory Pesaturo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Tabari Lake is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. 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. The LMT Connection is at The Country Club in Costa Mesa. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans and saxophonist John Bolivar are at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. 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 1/23 – Jeff Babko at Blue Whale

Keyboardist Jeff Babko is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Kaveh Rastegar on bass and Abe Rounds on drums. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at Sam First in West L.A.  Guitarist Mordy Ferber is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Composer/arranger Nan Schwartz leads an orchestra at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Mark Dresser is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Brazilian pianist/composer Sergio Mendes is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Drummer Jerome Bryerton is at Battery Books & Music in Pasadena. Pianist Sunny Na is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Bassist Brandon Fasher is at Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Guitarist Vahagni is at The Stage in Burbank. OHM is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Jeanie Brandes is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at Pips On La Brea in West Hollywood. Vocalist Tyrone Perkins is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Elena Gilliam is at Les Amis in Fullerton. Bassist Zephyr Avalon has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa 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 Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Saxophonist Shelley Yoelin is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. Blues vocalist Rosa Lee Brooks is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.