About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of October 28, 2019

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. 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.

Thursday 10/31 – Hadrien Feraud & Phil Lassiter at The Baked Potato

Bassist Hadrien Feraud and trumpeter Phil Lassiter lead a group at The Baked Potato in Studio City including Wallace Walker on drums, Dennis Hamm on keys, and Erick Walls on guitar. Saxophonist David Binney is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Jonathan Pinson is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Amy Keys is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Carolyn Martinez is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Saxophonist/vocalist Woody Mankowski is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Drummer Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Sax Offenders are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Laura Pursell does an early evening set at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Bassist David Ross is at the downtown LA Athletic Club with vocalist Elaine Woodard. 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. Dean Mora & His Haunted Orchestra are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 11/1 – Anthony Wilson at Blue Whale

Guitarist/vocalist Anthony Wilson is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with pianist Matt Rollings, Joshua Crumbly on bass, and Jay Bellerose on drums. Guitarist Andrew Synowiec is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Tim Lefebvre is at Sam First in West L.A. Pianist Masumi Yamamoto and saxophonist Trevor Lawrence lead TLQ Plus at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at the Edye Black Box in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Theo Croker is at UCSD The Loft in La Jolla. Vocalist Thelma Houston is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Ann Kelly is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. The Fresh Rhythm is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Sandra Stephens is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Quinn Johnsonummer 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.

Saturday 11/2 – Michael Feinstein at Feinstein’s At Vitello’s

Vocalist Michael Feinstein at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun) with guest Christine Ebersole. Keyboardist/vocalist Rachel Eckroth is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Sam First in West L.A. Bassist Henry Franklin and trumpeter Nolan Shaheed are at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Aaron Neville is at CAP UCLA Royce Hall in Westwood. Vocalist Thelma Houston is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Tom Scott opens for vocalist Betty Buckley at the Canyon Saban in Beverly Hills. Guitarist Anthony Wilson is at the TSRI Auditorium in San Diego. Pianist Amina Figarova is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Guitarist Dean Brown is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Lia Booth. Trumpeter Matt Von Roderick and pianist Koji Ono are at The Winery in Ventura. The Jazz Cartel is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Saxophonist Phillip Martin, Jr. plays an afternoon show at Harvelle’s in Long Beach.

Sunday 11/3 – Rotem / Eytan / Sprague at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Roni Eytan on harmonica, Miro Sprague on piano, Alex Boneham on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Vocalist Andy James is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Michael Feinstein at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City with guest Christine Ebersole. Clarinetist John Tegmeyer is at The York in Highland Park. Bassist Sam Wilkes and keyboardist Jacob Mann are at the Moroccan Lounge in downtown L.A. Pianist David Benoit is at the South Coast Winery in Temecula. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero leads a big band at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist James Torme is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Maria Shafer is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Organist Carey Frank is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Vocalist Laura Pursell is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. 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. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at the Industry Cafe in Culver City. Drummer Dean Rohan is at Fellow in Westwood. Sunday brunch choices include vocalist Janis Mann 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. Keyboardist Adam Hersh helps lead the monthly Los Angeles Jazz College Jam Night at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Monday 11/4 – Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble at The World Stage

The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble hosts a performance and jam session at The World Stage in South L.A. including Roni Eytan on harmonica, Aidan Lombard on trumpet, Lenard Simpson and Chris Lewis on saxophones, Paul Cornish on piano, Emma Dayhuff on bass, and Malachi Whitson on drums. Gypsy guitarist/violinist Dorado Schmitt is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Ruby Lewis is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Bassist Billy Mohler 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 drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A., the Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., pianist Eric Ekstrand at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock, guitarist Kimberly Ford at SOhO in Santa Barbara, 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 at Las Hadas in Northridge. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 11/5 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band at Catalina

Composer/pianist/saxophonist Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Brent Canter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Alex Snydman is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Robert Rodriguez leads his monthly Latin jazz and jam session at Sam First in West L.A. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Yuki Bird is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Bassist Jonny Flaugher is at The York in Highland Park. Guitarist Dean Grech and saxophonist Greg Vail are 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. 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 11/6 – Azar Lawrence at The Grammy Museum

Saxophonist Azar Lawrence is at the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. with Theo Saunders on piano, Gerald Brown on bass, Jinshi Ozaki on guitar, Yayo Morales on drums, Brian Swartz on trumpet, Robertito Melendez on percussion, and Tiffany Austin on vocals. Pianist Alan Pasqua is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Vocalist Michael Feinstein at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City with guest Alan Bergman. The Brothers Of The Situation are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Bryn Roberts is at Sam First in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Jens Kuross is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Wang’s in the Desert in Palm Springs. The Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. 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.