About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of May 6, 2019

Monday 5/6 – Kira Kira at Blue Whale

Kira Kira is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Satoko Fujii on piano, Kappa Maki on trumpet, Al Martin on keys, and Alex Cline on drums. Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Blanco Diablo opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Violinist Benny Bryden is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park. 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 Kimberly Ford at SOhO in Santa Barbara, 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. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at Les Amis in Fullerton. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 5/7 – Frank Vardaros Big Band at Catalina

Trumpeter Frank Vardaros leads a big band in tribute to Maynard Ferguson at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Matthew Gordy is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. Bassist Miller Wrenn is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Excursion is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarists Robin Noland and Howard Alden are at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank with guest Dan Sawyer. 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. Strange Jazz Universe is at Industry Cafe in Culver City. Trombonist Steve Johnson plays a happy hour set at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Pianist Derrik Lewis is at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Wednesday 5/8 – Kevin Kanner at Sam First

Drummer Kevin Kanner is at Sam First in West L.A. with Matt Von Roderick on trumpet, Danny Janklow on sax, Ross Margitza on piano, and Nick Clark on bass. Drummer Gene Coye is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian’s Chamber Ensemble is at the MiMoDa Studio in West L.A. Guitarist Bruce Forman is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Blood & Chocolat is at Resident DTLA in downtown L.A. Pianist Kait Dunton and trumpeter John D’earth are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist James Torme is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Sharing Skies is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Clarinetist John Tegmeyer is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A.  Vocalist Liela Avila is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Pianist Bevan Manson and vocalist Marina Pacowski are at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Bassist Zephyr Avalon has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Organist Carey Frank is at Three Clubs in 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. 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. The DE Quartet is at the Oyster Bar in Studio City. Vocalist Sydney Kovacs is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Thursday 5/9 – Kait Dunton & John D’earth at Blue Whale

Pianist Kait Dunton and trumpeter John D’earth celebrate a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Dane Alderson on bass, Jake Reed on drums, and guest saxophonist Bob Mintzer. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at Sam First in West L.A. Trumpeter Doc Severinsen is at The Muck in Fullerton. Pianist Joshua White is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia & The Moment are at Sunspace in Sunland. Guitarist Yu Ooka is at Catalina in Hollywood with vocalist Barbara Morrison. Vocalists Lorraina Marro and Jackie Gibson are at The Mixx in Pasadena. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Woody Mankowski & Rumproller are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Jeff Kollman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Niki Crawford is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Cana Rum Bar in downtown 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 Maria Howell. Saxophonist Javier Vergara is at Senor Fish in downtown L.A. Drummer Ben Rose is at Perch in downtown L.A. Drummer Tyler Hammond is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Vocalist Cassia DeMayo is at Barcito in downtown L.A. Pianist Derrik Lewis is at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. The Jazz Holiday Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. The 8-Bit Jazz Heroes are at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 5/10 – Billy Childs at Blue Whale

Pianist Billy Childs’ jazz/chamber ensemble is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the first of two nights with Judith Hill and Alan Hampton on vocals, Peter Sprague on guitar, Carol Robbins on harp, Lenard Simpson on sax, Pamela Vliek Martchev on flute, Alex Boneham on bass, Marvin “Smitty” on drums, plus the Lyris Quartet. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval opens a three-night (Fri-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Vijay Iyer leads a sextet at The Soraya in Northridge for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Latin pianist Eddie Palmieri is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist Steven Lugerner is at Sam First in West L.A. Composer Alan Chan’s Orchestra is at the Marsee Auditorium in Torrance. Vocal group The Fresh Rhythm is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Greg Reitan has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. California Feetwarmers have the happy hour show at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Baltaire in Brentwood. Drummer Joel Taylor is at the 1881 Club in Pasadena. Bassist Paul Gormley is at Whale & Ale Pub in San Pedro. 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. Guitarist/vocalist Val McCallum is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Ann Cusack is at Vitello’s in Studio City. The College of The Canyons jazz bands are at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center. Vocalist Andy Cowan and pianist Nina Beck are at Burgers ‘N Brews in Santa Monica.

Saturday 5/11 – Vijay Iyer Sextet at The Soraya

Pianist Vijay Iyer leads a sextet at The Soraya in Northridge for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Graham Haynes on cornet and flugelhorn, Steve Lehman and Mark Shim on sax, Stephan Crump on bass, and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Billy Childs is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Vitello’s in Studio City for a CD release event. The Lineage Trio is at Sam First in West L.A. Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Lia Booth. The Sean Stackpoole Quartet is at The Edison Theatre in Mammoth Lakes. Keyboardist Brian Simpson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Electones have the happy hour show at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist/vocalist Phillip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens leads a trio at Desert Rose in Los Felix with guest trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallet 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 trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank and saxophonist David Sills at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Dave Stephens is at Baltaire in Brentwood. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock.

Sunday 5/12 – Arturo Sandoval at Catalina

Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is at Catalina in Hollywood for the last of three nights (Fri-Sun) with Max Haymer on piano, Will Brahm on guitar, Mike Tucker on sax, John Belzaguy on bass, Johnny Friday on drums, and Tiki Pasillas on percussion. Guitarist Marcel Camargo appears with five women vocalists including Kathleen Grace and Jessica Vautor at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Scott Jeppesen is at Sam First in West L.A. Pianist Bevan Manson does an afternoon show at NAMBA in Ventura. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber does a pair of early shows at Harvelle’s in Long Beach. The afternoon/evening San Pedro Music Festival features saxophonist Azar Lawrence and Jazz In Pink at the Warner Grand Theatre. Jason Harnell celebrates a CD release for his new solo drum project at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Douye does a late afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist Bill Cunliffe plays an early afternoon show at the Ojai Art Center in Ojai. The Sean Stackpoole Quartet is at The Edison Theatre in Mammoth Lakes for an afternoon show.  Estilo Y Gracia is at Grand Central Market in downtown L.A.  Yeti is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalists Laura Pursell and Patrick Burnitt are at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Slim Man is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys do an afternoon show at the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo. 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.  Guitarist Angelo Metz is at the Industry Cafe in Culver City.  The Vignes Rooftop Revival plays a happy hour show at Brack Shop Tavern in downtown L.A. Sunday brunch choices include pianist Jon Mayer at Vibrato in Bel Air, the Jimmy McConnell Big Band at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, vocalist Estani Frizzell & Ascension at The Mixx in Pasadena, vocalist Jesse Palter at Perch in downtown L.A., pianist Sunny Na and vocalist Cheryl Conley at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, 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 5/13 – Sam Harris at Blue Whale

Pianist Sam Harris is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Martin Nevin on bass and Craig Weinrib on drums. Vocalist Jean-Paul Mignon is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park.  Monday jam sessions include the Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., the monthly blues power jam at The Baked Potato in Studio City, 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. Holy Crow is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Tuesday 5/14 – Sam Hirsh at The Write-Off Room

Pianist Sam Hirsh leads a quartet at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills with Ralph Moore on sax, Alex Boneham on bass, and Kevin Kanner on drums.  The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble hosts a jam session at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Keyboardist David Garfield & The Cats are at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith is at the UCLA Fowler Museum in Westwood. Organist Carey Frank is at The York in Highland Park. The Jazz Butchers celebrate a CD release at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker hosts a birthday celebration for Eden Alpert at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Big Butter Jazz Band is at Joe’s Great American In Burbank. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank with guest Mitchell Long.  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. Strange Jazz Universe is at Industry Cafe in Culver City. Trombonist Steve Johnson plays a happy hour set at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Pianist Derrik Lewis is at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Vocalist Cassandra G is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Mark Leggett is at TRiP in Santa Monica.

Wednesday 5/15 – Terrell Stafford at Sam First

Trumpeter Terrell Stafford is at Sam First in West L.A. with Bill Cunliffe on piano, Chris Lewis on sax, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Joanna Wallfisch celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Catatonic is at Vitello’s in Studio City. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at the Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs.  Saxophonist Isaiah Collier is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood.  Vocalist Chico Boro Boro is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A.  Organist Carey Frank is at Three Clubs in Hollywood. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. 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. The DE Quartet is at the Oyster House in Studio City. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Sunny Blue has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Happiness Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.