About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of May 27, 2019

Monday 5/27 – Randal Fisher at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Randal Fisher is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Nadav Peled on guitar, Mahesh Balasooriya on piano, Michael Alvidrez on bass, and Will Logan on drums. Bassist Pete Griffin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jamie Kime and Lee Wertman on guitars, Ty Bailie on keys, and Andy Sanesi on drums. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park. 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. The Vignes Rooftop Revival is at Eat Drink Americano in downtown L.A.  Trumpeter Lin Rountree plays an afternoon show at Harvelle’s in Long Beach.

Tuesday 5/28 – Bob Holz at Catalina

Drummer Bob Holz is at Catalina in Hollywood with Mike Miller on guitar, Brandon Fields on sax, Benjamin Shepherd on bass, and Billy Steinway on keys. Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. Bassist Jake Leckie is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Work In Progress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Brazilian vocalist Kenia is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. The Blue Rhythm Orchestra is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at The Country Club in Costa Mesa. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank with guest Brad Rabuchin. 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. The El Camino College Guitar and Vocal Jazz Ensembles are at the Haag Recital Hall in Torrance. The Boyd Cannon Big Band is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village.

Wednesday 5/29 – Steve Weingart at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Steve Weingart is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mike Miller on guitar, Renee Jones on vocals, Benjamin Shepherd on bass, and Joel Taylor on drums. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher and Socrates’ Trial are backed by a 25-piece orchestra at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc plays a solo piano performance at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Guitarist Larry Koonse and pianist David Roitstein are at Sam First in West L.A. Saxophonist Doug Webb has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Saxophonist/vocalist Paulie Cerra is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Vocalist Pete Chinelli offers a Frank Sinatra tribute at Catalina in Hollywood backed by Big band Swing Express. Drummer Dave Dumonde is at Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. 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. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Jack’s Cats are at Le Petit Paris in downtown L.A. Drummer Kevin Van Den Elzen is at Chess Park Tavern in Glendale.

Thursday 5/30 – Joe La Barbera Quintet at The Muck

Drummer Joe La Barbera is at The Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton with Bob Sheppard on sax, Bill Cunliffe on piano, Clay Jenkins on trumpet, and Jonathan Richards on bass. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist David Binney is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Justin Kauflin is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Sandra Booker offers a tribute to Sarah Vaughan at The Mixx in Pasadena. Vocalist Steve March-Torme is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Vocalist Dewey Erney and guitarist Ron Eschete are at The Merc in Temecula. Saxophonist Woody Mankowski is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Strange Jazz Universe is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Bassist David Ross is at the downtown L.A. Athletic Club 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. 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. Vocalist Annie Reiner is at Catalina in Hollywood. Percussionist Paris Escovedo is at The Rose in Pasadena. Saxophonist Ted Taforo is at Sunspace in Sunland. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 5/31 – Kenny Burrell Benefit at Catalina Jazz Club

Trumpeter Dr. Bobby Rodriguez leads a benefit for guitarist Kenny Burrell at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with numerous guest performers including Tierney Sutton, Anthony Wilson, John Beasley, Billy Mitchell, John Clayton and many more.   Snarky Puppy is at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A.   Drummer Wesley Ritenour is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Tony Tixier is at Sam First in West L.A. for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams celebrates a CD release at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Dwight Trible has the free Friday jazz evening show at LACMA in West L.A. Bassist/vocalist Alan Hampton is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Randal Fisher is at The World Stage in South L.A. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Chess Park Tavern in Glendale. The Big Butter Jazz Band is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Molly Miller is at 1642 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. Jack’s Cats are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Happiness Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Black Market Trust is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. The Vignes Rooftop Revival is at Pali Wine in downtown L.A. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Industry Cafe in Culver City.

Saturday 6/1 – Michael Ragonese at Blue Whale

Pianist Michael Ragonese celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Benjamin Shepherd on bass, Shai Golan and Daniel Rotem on saxophones, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Trumpeter Dr. Bobby Rodriguez leads a benefit for guitarist Kenny Burrell at Catalina in Hollywood. Percussionist Munyungo Jackson is at The World Stage in South L.A. Trumpeter Herb Alpert & vocalist Lani Hall are at the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Tony Tixier is at Sam First in West L.A.  Saxophonist Bob Sheppard is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Maria Pugo Lareo. Pianist Oscar Hernandez has the free Latin Saturday show at LACMA in West L.A. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Mark Z. Stevens leads a trio at Desert Rose in Los Feliz 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 drummer Alex Snydman at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Sunday 6/2 – George Benson at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach

Guitarist/vocalist George Benson is at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach to close out the two-day (Sat-Sun) Newport Beach Jazz Festival. Altered is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Chord Four is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Azymuth is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Guitarist Adam Levy is at The York in Highland Park. Vocalists Patrick Burnitt & Laura Pursell are at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air. The John Stephens Big Band is at the California Jazz & Blues Museum in South L.A. for an afternoon show. 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 saxophonist Glenn Cashman at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, vocalist Jesse Palter at Perch in downtown L.A., the V-Tones 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. The El Camino College Concert Jazz Band plays a late afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.

Monday 6/3 – Remy Le Boeuf at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Remy Le Boeuf is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Miro Sprague on piano, Karl McComas-Reichl on bass, and Malachi Whitson on drums. Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Freddy Cole is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Blanco Diablo opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s Jazz Jam at The Mint in West L.A. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A. 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. The Vignes Rooftop Revival is at Eat Drink Americano in downtown L.A. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. The UCLA Jazz Combos are at Schoenberg Music Hall in Westwood.

Tuesday 6/4 – Tom Scott & The LA Express at Vibrato

Saxophonist Tom Scott & The LA Express are at Vibrato in Bel Air with Mitchel Forman on keys, Chris Colangelo on bass, Andrew Synowiec on guitar, and Gary Novak on drums.  Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Matthew Gordy is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble fronts a jam session at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist John Stephens is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. 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. Guitarist Daniel Newheiser is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The UCLA Big Band is at Schoenberg Hall in Westwood.

Wednesday 6/5 – Daniel Rotem at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Sam First in West L.A. with Vardan Ovsepian on piano, Anna Butterss on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Trumpeter Ron King’s Big Band is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. The Brothers Of The Situation are at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Saxophonist Hitomi Oba is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West L.A. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Saxophonist Jason Fabus is at the Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs with vocalist Natalie Mendoza. Juniper Grove is at Art Share LA in downtown Los Angeles. Vocalist MishCatt is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy 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.