About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of February 25, 2019

Monday 2/25 – The Jazz Butchers + Kevin Kanner Jazz Jam at The Mint

The Jazz Butchers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist David Binney is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Ricky Z is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Rachel Kaplan is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at the Hong Kong Inn in Ventura. The Candy Jacket Jazz Band is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. The Tom Kubis Big Band is 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. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park. Other Monday jam sessions include 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 2/26 – VDE Group at Blue Whale

Drummer Kevin van den Elzen is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Bob Sheppard and Dick Oatts on saxophones, Eric Reed on piano, and Anna Butterss on bass. Drummer Javo Barrera is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. John Pisano’s Guitar Night at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank features guest Pat Kelley. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Charles McPherson is at the TSRI Auditorium in San Diego. Angel & His Mambokat Combo are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Shoshana Bean is at The Standard in West Hollywood. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips On La Brea in West 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, followed by an evening show with the Big Butter Jazz Band. The Boyd Cannon Big Band is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village.

Wednesday 2/27 – Matt Gordy at Blue Whale

Drummer Matt Gordy leads a sextet at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Ron Stout on trumpet, Rob Lockart on saxes, Ido Meshulam on trombone, Sam Hirsh on keyboards, and Karl McComas-Reichl on bass.  Vibraphonist Roy Ayers is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park.  The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble plays a show at Sam First in West L.A. with special guest saxophonist Dick Oatts. Bassist Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Guitarist Will Brahm is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Organist Carey Frank is at Three Clubs in Hollywood. Trumpeter Joel Schnaper is at Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Henry Prego is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Bill Spoke has the happy hour show at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. 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. The Happiness Jazz Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Thursday 2/28 – Jean-Michel Pilc at Blue Whale

Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc plays a solo concert at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Robert Rodriguez is at Sam First in West L.A. Vibraphonist Roy Ayers is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Guitarist Adam Levy is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Vocalist Sandra Booker is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Merc in Temecula.  Vocalists Jackie Gibson and Lorraine Marro are at Vitello’s in Studio City. JazzZone is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Sunny Blue is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Guitarist Steve Oliver is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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 Cathy Segal-Garcia. 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. 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. Pliny and The Elders are at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Vocalist Tim Gill is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa.

Friday 3/1 – Grégoire Maret & Kenny Werner at the Moss Theater

Harmonica player Grégoire Maret and pianist Kenny Werner offer a tribute to the late Toots Thielmans at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica.  Drummer Clayton Cameron is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Frank Gambale begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Oz Noy is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Josh Nelson is at Sam First in West L.A. The Mudbug Brass Band is at the Edye Second Space in Santa Monica. Vocalist Sherry Williams is is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Brenda Lee Eager is at The World Stage in South L.A. Keyboardist Greg Manning is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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 L.A. 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. Vocalist Kevin Ahart is at the Parker Room in Hollywood. The Happiness Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Vignes Rooftop Revival does a happy hour gig at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Vocalist Janet Orsi is at the Laguna Beach Brewery in Laguna Beach.

Saturday 3/2 – Oz Noy at Catalina

Guitarist Oz Noy is at Catalina in Hollywood for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Jimmy Haslip on bass and Dave Weckl on drums. Guitarist Frank Gambale is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Etienne Charles is at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Bassist Ben Shepherd is at at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at Sam First in West L.A. Harmonica player Grégoire Maret and pianist Kenny Werner are at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Drummer Jeff Hamilton is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Umphrey’s McGee is at The Wiltern in West L.A. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at the Hong Kong Inn in Ventura. Vocalist/flutist Kaylene Peoples is at the Back Bay Bistro in Newport Beach. Incendio is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Maia is at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist Jackiem Joyner is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Angelo Metz is at Casa Arjona in Long Beach.  Pianist Sabine Pothier has the happy hour show at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.   Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. 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 drummer Kendall Kay at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank.

Sunday 3/3 – Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra at Zebulon

The Pan-Afrikan People’s Arkestra (in a tribute to Horace Tapscott) splits a bill with a group led by drummer Donald Dean and bassist Henry Franklin at Zebulon in Silver Lake. The Buddy Rich Band is at The Rose in Pasadena. Vocalists Candi Sosa and Christina Rebull are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Bassist Henry Beal is at Sam First in West L.A.  Excursion is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Rob Garland is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro for a late afternoon show. Saxophonist Jackiem Joyner is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Trumpeter/vocalist Matthew Von Roderick is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.  The Vignes Rooftop Revival is at Brack Shop Tavern in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Chuck Manning plays a late afternoon house concert at Salon On Buffalo in Valley Glen. The White Blinds are at Grand Central Market 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. The Jazzaholics are at the Tabula Rasa Bar in Hollywood. Sunday brunch choices include vocalist Janis Mann 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, saxophonist Cal Bennett at Pips On La Brea in West L.A., and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 3/4 – Maksim Velichkin & Bevan Manson w/Karolina Naziemiec at Blue Whale

Pianist/cellist Maksim Velichkin and pianist Bevan Manson are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with vocalist Karolina Naziemeic. Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trombonist Jon Hatamiya is at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. 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., guitarist Kimberly Ford at SOhO in Santa Monica, 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 3/5 – David Garfield & The Cats at Bogie’s

Keyboardist David Garfield is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village with Eric Marienthal on sax, Rick Braun on trumpet, John Peña on bass, and Simon Phillips on drums. Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Drummer Chris Blondal is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena with guitarist Brad Rabuchin and bassist Steve Billman. The Jazz Butchers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Battery and Button Masher split a bill at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Tabari Lake is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. Saxophonists Theresa Grayson and Wake Campbell are at Catalina in Hollywood. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. The Mudbug Brass Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Strange Jazz Universe is at the Industry Cafe in Culver City. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Perch in downtown L.A. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips On La Brea in West 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. 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 3/6 – Eric Reed at Mr. Musichead Gallery

Pianist Eric Reed is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood with Mike Gurrola on bass and Anthony Fung on drums. Trumpeter Keyon Harrold and saxophonist Marcus Strickland are at the Lodge Room in Highland Park with the Yayennings Quartet. Saxophonist Joel Frahm is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Trombonist Michael Dessen is at Sam First in West L.A. Saxophonist Phil Norman’s Tentet is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Sammy Miller & The Congregation are at UCSD’s The Loft in La Jolla.  Saxophonist Charles Owens has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at the Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Guitarist/vocalist Phillip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio 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.