About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of October 21, 2019

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. Vocalist Howie Levine is with trumpeter Richie Freedman’s Cool Blue 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. Vocalist Nicole Preuss is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

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. Vocalist Ruby Lewis is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Thursday 10/24 – LA Jazz Institute Big Band Festival at Four Points Sheraton LAX

The LA Jazz Institute kicks off its four-day Out Of This World Series Of Big Band Jazz festival at the Four Points Sheraton LAX with bands including saxophonist John Altman and trumpeter Bobby Shew.  Saxophonist George Garzone and the Peter Erskine Trio are at Sam First in West L.A.  Vocalist Laura Mace is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Larry Grenadier plays a solo concert at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. TrioKAIT is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena with guest guitarist Andrew Synowiec. Harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens is at The Winery in Ventura. This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Big Band is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Vocalist Crystal Lewis celebrates a CD release at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Michael Le Van is at The Merc in Temecula.  Bassist David Ross is at the downtown LA Athletic Club with vocalist Darynn Dean.  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. Vocalist Laura Pursell is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank for an afternoon show. Pianist Cougar Estrada is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 10/25 – Lisa Fischer & SF Jazz Collective at Segerstrom Hall

The Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa hosts a double bill featuring vocalist Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton plus the SF Jazz Collective.  Pianist Shai Maestro is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Rayford Griffin is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale.  Saxophonist George Garzone and the Peter Erskine Trio are at Sam First in West L.A.  Vocalist Rita Edmond has the free Friday jazz evening at LACMA in West L.A. The LA Jazz Institute World Series Of Big Band Jazz festival is at the Sheraton LAX. Quarteto Nuevo is at the Marsee Auditoruim in Torrance. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the La Jolla Community Center with pianist Joshua White. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Saxophonist Alex Hahn is at Bourbon Street in Fullerton. Bassist/vocalist Michael Henderson is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Liela Avila is at Baltaire in Brentwood. Holy Crow has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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. Baker’s Brew is at Sunpsace in Sunland.

Saturday 10/26 – Tom Harrell Quartet w/Hubert Laws at Soka PAC

Trumpeter Tom Harrell brings a quartet to the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo along with guest flutist Hubert Laws including Luis Perdomo on piano, Ugonna Okegwo on bass, and Adam Cruz on drums. Keyboardist Mitchel Forman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Avishai Cohen is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Cellist Artyom Manukyan and pianist Vardan Ovsepian are at Sam First in West L.A. Violinist Yvette Deveraux is at The World Stage in South L.A. Percussionist/vocalist Poncho Sanchez is at the The Canyon Montclair. The LA Jazz Institute World Series Of Big Band Jazz festival is at the Sheraton LAX. Guitarist Frank Potenza is at Casa Arjona in Long Beach. Pianist Joshua White is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Bassist/vocalist Michael Henderson is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Sylvia Brooks is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City for a CD release concert. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Down To The Bone is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist John Bolivar is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Maryanne Reall is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. 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 bassist Brandon Fansher at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Dave Stephens is at Baltaire in Brentwood.

Sunday 10/27 – Avishai Cohen at Blue Whale

Trumpeter Avishai Cohen is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the second of two nights (Sat-Sun) with Fabian Almazan on piano, Barak Mori on bass, and Ziv Ravitz on drums. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Mark Winkler and pianist Josh Nelson lead an animal rescue benefit concert at Catalina in Hollywood featuring special guest English vocalist Claire Martin. Costa Rican composer Luis Munoz is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. The LA Jazz Institute World Series Of Big Band Jazz festival is at the Sheraton LAX. Pianist Jon Mayer plays an afternoon show at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena. Pianist Roger Kellaway and saxophonist Tom Scott play an afternoon show at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Laura Pursell is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Ruby Lewis is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Vignes Rooftop Revival is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. California Feetwarmers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena.  Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at The W Hotel in Hollywood.  Drummer Ben Rose is at Perch in downtown L.A. The Jazzaholics are at the Tabula Rasa Bar in Hollywood.  Vocalist Mako leads a Halloween Jazz Party at the Industry Cafe in Culver City.  Drummer Dean Rohan is at Fellow in Westwood.  Sunday brunch choices include the L.A. Mambo All Star Orchestra 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, guitarist Mark Fitchett at Chez Melange in Redondo Beach, and vocalist Sandy Cummings at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 10/28 – Marlonious Jazz Orchestra at Blue Whale

Bassist Marlon Martinez’s Marlonious Jazz Orchestra is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with vocalist Josie James. Vocalist Josephine Beavers is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. 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., 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. Blues guitarist Carmen Grillo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Tuesday 10/29 – Scott Amendola & Wil Blades at Blue Whale

Drummer Scott Amendola and organist Wil Blades lead a quintet at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed) with Jeff Parker on guitar, Skerik on sax, and Cyro Baptista on percussion. Saxophonist David Binney and vibraphonist Nick Mancini split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica – Binney’s group includes pianist John Beasley, bassist Tim Lefebvre, and drummer Andy Sanesi. Bassist Tabari Lake is at Sam First in West L.A. Excursion is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Nellie McKay is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Hank Mehren is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Adam Gust is at The York in Highland Park. The Big Butter Jazz Band is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. The Boyd Cannon Big Band is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The CSUN Small Group Jazz Combos are at Cypress Hall in Northridge.

Wednesday 10/30 – Wolfgang Schalk at Catalina

Guitarist Wolfgang Schalk celebrates a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood, backed by Carlitos Del Puerto on bass, Andy Langham on keys, Oscar Seaton on drums, and Joey De Leon on percussion. Saxophonist Dave McMurray is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West L.A. Drummer Jonathan Pinson is at Sam First in West L.A. for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Drummer Scott Amendola and organist Wil Blades lead a quintet at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Anne Walsh is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Pianist/vocalist Aimee Nolte and guitarist Mike Scott are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Happiness Jazz Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Jay Jackson is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Ron Kobayashi has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna 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. Blues guitarist Josh Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. HBQTET is at Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Pianist Frank Weitz is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A.