About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of September 16, 2019

Monday 9/16 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Pedro Martins on guitar/vocals, Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Bassist Brandon Fansher is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Justin Brown is at ETA in Highland Park with a group including pianist Gerald Clayton. Guitarist Glenn Crytzer is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. 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 Riviera 31 in Beverly Hills. The Vignes Rooftop Revival is at Eat Drink Americano in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Richie Freedman’s Cool Blue with vocalist Howie Levine is at Las Hadas in Northridge.

Tuesday 9/17 – Steve Lehman at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Steve Lehman is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed) with Matt Brewer on bass and Damion Reid on drums. Vocalist Calabria Foti and trombonist Bob McChesney are at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist/composer/arranger Brent Fischer is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Corcovado and trumpeter Skip Spiro are at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Checker Hall in Highland Park. 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 DE Quartet is at the Oyster Bar in Studio City. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Drummer Johnny Vanna’s Big Band Alumni play a morning show at Las Hadas in Northridge.

Wednesday 9/18 – David Garfield at Catalina

Keyboardist David Garfield is at Catalina in Hollywood with Eric Marienthal on sax, Walt Fowler on trumpet, John Pena on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. The Odd Dogs are at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jeff Miley on guitar, Andy Suzuki on sax/keyboards, Steve Billman on bass, Billy Hulting on percussion, and Ralph Humphrey on drums. Pianist Paul Cornish is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood, Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Saxophonist Steve Lehman is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Tom Kubis Big Band closes the summer Sunset Jazz Series at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach. Bassist Munir Hossn is at Sam First in West L.A. Bassist Bruce Lett has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Ty Taylor is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. The Grandmothers are at Zebulon in Silverlake. Pianist/vocalist Marina Pacowski is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Bassist Jake Leckie is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Keyboardist Kait Dunton is at Three Clubs in Hollywood. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. Saxophonist David Patterson is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. The Flight 584 Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. The Top Hat Big Band is at Las Hadas in Northridge.

Thursday 9/19 – Kamasi Washington at the Theatre At Ace Hotel

Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at the Theatre At Ace Hotel in downtown L.A. for the first of two nights (Thu-Fri). Pianist/organist Larry Goldings begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at Sam First in West L.A. Saxophonist Alex Hahn is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trombonist Francisco Torres is at Cooks Chapel in Anaheim. Guitarist Greg Poree is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Saxophonist Tom Catanzaro and trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos lead a group at the Cuyamaca College Theatre in El Cajon. Vocalist Nicolas Bearde is at The Merc in Temecula. Bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Matt Cohen is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Drummer Steve Hass is at Brack Shop Tavern in downtown L.A. Bassist David Ross is at the downtown L.A. Athletic Club with vocalist Barbara Morrison. Drummer Ben Rose is at Perch in downtown L.A. Drummer Tyler Hammond is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. 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 Lauren Koval is at Barley Forge in Costa Mesa. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 9/20 – Werner-Hoenig-Weidenmueller at Blue Whale

Pianist Kenny Werner, drummer Ari Hoenig, and bassist Johannes Weidenmueller are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Kenny Barron is at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Pianist Joey Alexander is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Pianist/organist Larry Goldings is at Sam First in West L.A. Broken Shadows is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington is at the Theatre At Ace Hotel in downtown L.A. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. Saxophonist Teodross Avery has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Vocal group Naturally 7 is at the Pepperdine Smothers Theatre in Malibu. Vocalist Jack Jones begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalists Sherry Williams and Nicolas Bearde are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Karina Corradini is at The World Stage in South L.A. Guitarist Phillip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Violinist Amanda Lo and keyboardist Isamu McGregor are at Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. Guitarist Peter White and saxophonist Richard Elliott are at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Baltaire in Brentwood. 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. California Feetwarmers have the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.

Saturday 9/21 – Al Di Meola at The Rose Canyon

Guitarist Al Di Meola is at The Rose Canyon in Pasadena. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Kenny Werner is at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo for an afternoon set with vocalist Marilyn Maye, followed by an evening trio performance. Saxophonist Azar Lawrence plays the music of John Coltrane at Corazon Performing Arts in Topanga Canyon. Saxophonist Charles McPherson celebrates his 80th birthday in concert at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. San Francisco vocalist Nicholas Bearde performs a house concert at The G Spot in Highland Park. Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at the Industry Cafe in Culver City. Pianist/organist Larry Goldings is at Sam First in West L.A. The Divine Jazz Trio is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Jack Jones is at Catalina in Hollywood. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Swingsations offer a night of dancing at the Automobile Driving Museum in Torrance. Vocalist Beth Rohde & Vento Sul are at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. Guitarist Norman Brown is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula.  Black Market Trust is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs.  Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Saxophonist Hugh Von Kleist is at the Whale & Ale Pub in San Pedro for an early afternoon show. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Baltaire in Brentwood. Saturday brunch choices include trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank and saxophonist Ben Sachs at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Sunday 9/22 – Sara Gazarek at the Moss Theater

Vocalist Sara Gazarek celebrates a CD release at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica, backed by Larry Goldings on organ, Stu Mindeman on piano, Alex Boneham on bass, Christian Euman on drums, Lenard Simpson on sax, Ido Meshulam on trombone, Brian Walsh on bass clarinet, and Erin Bentlage on background vocals. Pianist Joey Alexander is at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Vocalist Steve Tyrell is at the Rose Canyon in Pasadena. Bassist Oskar Cartaya is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalists Josie Aiello, Lisa Donahey, Calabria Foti & Melanie Taylor share a bill at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Maria Puga Lareo and saxophonist Bob Sheppard are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Toshi Yanagi’s Buzz Wizards are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Ray Fuller is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Peter Buck is at BMPAC in South L.A. Vocalists Barbara Morrison and Sherry Williams front the John Stephens Big Band in an afternoon performance at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Pianist Marcus Johnson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Guitarist Frank Potenza is at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio for an afternoon show. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran plays a late afternoon show at Anderson Memorial Park in San Pedro. 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. Sunday brunch choices include guitarist Jacques Lesure at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, 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, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach. Saxophonist Brandon Williams plays a late afternoon show at Harvelle’s in Long Beach.

Monday 9/23 – Henry Solomon at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Henry Solomon is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with an opening set with bassist Logan Kane, followed by a second set with Kane, pianist Luca Mendoza, and Christian Euman and Benjamin Ring on drums. Saxophonist Donald Hayes celebrates a birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Jazz Butchers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. California Feetwarmers are at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A. Other Monday jam sessions include the Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., pianist Eric Ekstrand at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, guitarist Kimberly Ford at SOhO in Santa Barbara, the monthly Blues Power Jamm at The Baked Potato in Studio City, 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 Richie Freedman’s Cool Blue is at Las Hadas in Northridge.

Tuesday 9/24 – Phil Norman Tentet at Vibrato

Saxophonist Phil Norman’s Tentet is at Vibrato in Bel Air including Christian Jacob on piano, Kevin Axt on bass, Dick Weller on drums, Brad Dutz on percussion/vibes, Yarone Levy on guitar, Carl Saunders and Ron Stout on trumpets, Scott Whitfield on trombone, and Rusty Higgins on sax.  Bassist Logan Kane is at Sam First in West L.A.  Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. Excursion is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Guitarist Julian Coryell is at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Mark Hix Big Band is at Catalina in 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. 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 DE Quartet is at the Oyster Bar in Studio City. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Drummer Johnny Vanna’s Big Band Alumni play a morning show at Las Hadas in Northridge. The Boyd Cannon Big Band is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village.

Wednesday 9/25 – Josh Nelson at Sam First

Pianist Josh Nelson is at Sam First in West L.A. with Danny Janklow on sax, Karl McCormas-Reichl on bass, and Joe La Barbera on drums. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Niki Haris is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Trevor Anderies is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Ben Flocks is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Catatonic is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Accordionist Joey Pesaturo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Taylor McFerrin is at the Moroccan Lounge in downtown L.A. Guitarist Dave Askren and saxophonist Jeff Benedict are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The VDE Quartet with saxophonist Kim Richmond is at Wang’s in the Desert in Palm Springs. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Drummer Bill Spoke has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Drummer Marco Meneghin is at the 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. The Top Hat Big Band is at Las Hadas in Northridge.