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

Monday 10/14 – Stephen Kac at Blue Whale

Tubaist Stephen Kac leads a quartet at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Michael Mull on sax, Alexander Noice on guitar, and Colin Woodford on drums. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale. Monday jam sessions include the Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., the monthly Blues Power Jamm at The Baked Potato in Studio City, 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 is at Las Hadas in Northridge.

Tuesday 10/15 – Joel Ross at Blue Whale

Vibraphonist Joel Ross is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Immanuel Wilkins on sax, Jeremy Corren on piano, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass, and
Jeremy Dutton on drums. Vocalist Shoshana Bean is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Pianist Ted Howe is at The Sherman Attic in Sherman Oaks. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Mark Leggett is at TRiP in Santa Monica. 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 is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. Strange Jazz Universe is at Industry Cafe in Culver City. Pianist Derrik Lewis is at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. The DE Quartet is at the Oyster Bar in Studio City. 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. Drummer Johnny Vanna’s Big Band Alumni play a morning show at Las Hadas in Northridge. Jazz Combos from UCLA and Fullerton College are featured at Sam First in West L.A. CSUN’s Jazz Combos are at Cypress Recital Hall in Northridge.

Wednesday 10/16 – Doug Webb at Sam First

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at Sam First in West L.A. with Josh Nelson on piano, Dave Robaire on bass, and Charles Ruggiero on drums. Saxophonist Chase Baird celebrates a CD release Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Nir Felder on guitar, John Escreet on keys, Dan Chmielinski on bass, and Steve Lyman on drums. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Hearts & Minds are at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Flutist Rob Sheppard is at Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village.  Keyboardist Taylor Graves is at Apotheke in downtown L.A. The Billie Holiday play “Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar & Grill” opens a three-week run at the International City Theatre in Long Beach. 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 Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The Top Hat Big Band is at Las Hadas in Northridge. The Hot 8 Brass Band is at the Bootleg Theatre in downtown L.A. Bassist Igor Kogan has the happy hour show at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Thursday 10/17 – Count Basie Orchestra at the Musco Center

The Count Basie Orchestra is at the Musco Center at Chapman University in Orange. Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at Sam First in West L.A. with Gavin Templeton on sax, Billy Mohler on bass, and Anthony Fung on drums. Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at Cooks Chapel in Anaheim. Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant is at The Merc in Temecula. Guitarist Fabiano Do Nascimento is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Glorida Hendry sings music from James Bond films backed by the Jimmy McConnell Orchestra at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Andrea Litto is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist/vocalist Curtis Parry is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Mari Nobre is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Pianist/trombonist Charlie Ferguson is at Sunspace in Sunland. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Drummer Ben Rose is at Perch in downtown L.A. Drummer Tyler Hammond is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. Saxophonist David Patterson is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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. Blues harmonica player Dave Rozier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Friday 10/18 – Daniel Szabo at Blue Whale

Pianist Daniel Szabo is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Danny Janklow on sax, Mike Cottone on trumpet, Karl McComas-Reichl on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums.  Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom is at Sam First in West L.A.  Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Oleta Adams begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Hiroe Sekine has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Saxophonist Ralph Gibson is at The World Stage in South L.A. The Tonic Trio is at Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. Bassist Tim Fenton is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Costa Rican composer Luis Munoz is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 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. Vocalist Cynthia Thomas is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. 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. The Jazz Zone is at The Mixx in Pasadena. The Studio Jazz Ensemble is at College Of The Canyons in Santa Clarita.

Saturday 10/19 – Chucho Valdes at The Soyara

Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes is at The Soraya in Northridge. Drummer Kendrick Scott’s Oracle and flugelhornist Marquis Hill split a bill and the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in South L.A. Vocalist Kurt Elling is at Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego. Percussionist Munyungo Jackson celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Banjoist Bela Fleck, percussionist Zakir Hussain, and bassist Edgar Meyer are at UCSB Campbell Hall in Santa Barbara.  Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom is at Sam First in West L.A.  Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Carol Bach-y-Rita celebrates a birthday at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Oleta Adams is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Baltaire in Brentwood. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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. Saturday brunch choices include trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank and saxophonist Chuck Johnson at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Alex Mendham Orchestra is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Northeast L.A. Jazz Group is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Sunday 10/20 – Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer at Soka Performing Arts Center

Banjoist Bela Fleck, percussionist Zakir Hussain, and bassist Edgar Meyer play an afternoon show at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo.
Composer Alan Chan’s Jazz Orchestra is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Organist Carey Frank leads a multi-keyboard group at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Theo Bleckmann has a late afternoon show at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. Pianist Chucho Valdes is at UCSB Campbell Hall in Santa Barbara. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park. Drummer Anthony Fung is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Violinist Damien Escobar and saxophonist Eric Darius play an afternoon show at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Violinist Fabrice You is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Jazmin Ghent plays an afternoon show at Harvelle’s in Long Beach. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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 Jared Sachs 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, and guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach.

Monday 10/21 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato in Studio City for a CD release with Hadrien Feraud on bass, Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, and Gergo Borlai on drums. Saxophonist Sean Harrison is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. The Jazz Butchers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s Jazz Jam at The Mint in West L.A. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Hot Club Of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale. Other 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 is at Las Hadas in Northridge.

Tuesday 10/22 – Perry Smith at Blue Whale

Guitarist Perry Smith celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Daniel Rotem on sax, Sam Minaie on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Keyboardist Isamu McGregor is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Bassist Kevin O’Neal is is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Staci Griesbach is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City.  Vocalists Dave Damiani and Erin Boheme are at Vibrato in Bel Air.  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 is 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 10/23 – George Garzone & Peter Erskine Trio at Sam First

Saxophonist George Garzone and drummer Peter Erskine’s trio with pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles celebrate a CD release over the first of three nights (Wed-Fri) at Sam First in West L.A. Catatonic is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Nick Campbell is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Lucian Ban and saxophonist Alex Harding are at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood.  Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Drummer Ben Scholz has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach with harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens. Vocalist Margo Rey is at Wang’s in the Desert in Palm Springs. Bassist Tim Fenton 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 Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The Top Hat Big Band is at Las Hadas in Northridge. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Nina Beck and vocalist Andy Cowan are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.