About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of November 4, 2019

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 Special Situation is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with bassist Abe Laboriel and sons Abe Jr. (drums) and Mateo (guitar) with keyboardist Patrice Rushen. Pianist Bryn Roberts is at Sam First in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Jens Kuross is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Pianist Andy Langham is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village.  Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Wang’s in the Desert in Palm Springs. Drummer Al Williams has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. 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. Pianist Karen Hernandez is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock with vocalist Irene Cathaway.

Thursday 11/7 – Sam Barsh at Sam First

Pianist Sam Barsh is at Sam First in West L.A. for the first of three nights (Thu-Sat) with Gabe Noel on bass and Greg Paul on drums (Thu only). Bassist Kaveh Rastegar is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for a CD release concert. Percussionist Pete Escovedo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Michael Feinstein is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City with guest Melissa Manchester. Pianist Tom Zink is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Annie Reiner is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Maria de le Vega is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Guitarist Steve Cotter is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Martinis Above Fourth in Hillcrest. Vocalist Nicole Preuss is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Taylor McFerrin is at UCSD The Loft in La Jolla. Vocalist Kiki Ebsen’s Joni Mitchell Project is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont. Vocalists Jeffrey Gimble and Dolores Scozzesi host their monthly vocalist showcase at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Bassist David Ross is at the downtown LA 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/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. The CSUN Jazz A Band is at The Soraya in Northridge with guest trumpeter Bobby Shew.

Friday 11/8 – Michael Landau at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jimmy Johnson on bass and Abe Laboriel, Jr. on drums. Bassist Benjamin Shepherd is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Danny Janklow and vibraphonist Nick Mancini lead a quartet at the Edye Second Space in Santa Monica. Pianist Matt Politano is at Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Michael Feinstein is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City with guest Melissa Manchester. Bassist Roberto Miranda is at The World Stage in South L.A. Drummer Al Williams has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist/pianist Daniela Spagnolo is at the Hunan Restaurant in Thousand Oaks.  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. The Big Butter Jazz Band has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.

Saturday 11/9 – Gilbert Castellanos at Blue Whale

Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos plays a tribute to Freddie Hubbard at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Willie Jones III on drums, Ralph Moore on sax, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Robert Rodriguez on piano. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Michael Feinstein is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City with guest Eric McCormack.  Saxophonist Robert Kyle is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mari Nobre is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Jeffrey Gimble is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Darren Rahn is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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 bassist Richard Simon at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The L.A. Swing Barons big band is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A.  Vocalist Pamela Clay is at Barone’s in Valley Glen.

Sunday 11/10 – Joshua Redman & The Bad Plus at CAP UCLA Royce Hall

Saxophonist Joshua Redman and The Bad Plus split a bill at CAP UCLA Royce Hall in Westwood. Trombonist Joey Sellers is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Jason Harnell celebrates a birthday with a solo show at The Baked Potato in Studio City.   Clarinetist John Tegmeyer is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Michael Feinstein is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City with guest Dick Van Dyke. 4 Level Interchange plays a late afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Keyboardist Brian Simpson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Murray Middleman plays a late afternoon show at the Filipino American Church in Eagle Rock. 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 pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant at Catalina in Hollywood, the Peter Myers Orchestra at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, pianist Jon Mayer at SOhO in Santa Barbara, organist Carey Frank at The Winery in Ventura, 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 Greg Vail celebrates a birthday with a late afternoon show at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake hosts a late afternoon concert at the Harmony Cafe in Cambria with guest saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz.  Pianist Nina Beck and vocalist Andy Cowan play an afternoon show at Rosenthal Wines in Malibu.

Monday 11/11 – Gretje Angell at The Famous

Vocalist Gretje Angell is at The Famous in Glendale with Matt Hornbeck on guitar, Brian Ward on bass, and Jose Perez 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. 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 11/12 – Bernie Dresel BBB at The Write-Off Room

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. Drummer Trevor Anderies is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Joshua Redman is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Work In Progress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Organist Carey Frank is at The York in Highland Park. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Guitarist Doug McDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Guitarist Mark Leggett is at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Cal State Fullerton and Saddleback College Jazz Bands are at Sam First in West L.A. Fullerton College’s jazz bands are at the Campus Theatre with guest vocalist Tierney Sutton and pianist Christian Jacob.

Wednesday 11/13 – Remy Le Boeuf at Sam First

Saxophonist Remy Le Boeuf is at Sam First in West L.A. with Vardan Ovsepian on piano, Karl McComas-Reichl on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Saxophonist Chuck Manning is at Pierce Street Jazz at the La Sierra Troesh Conference Center in Riverside. Saxophonist Sal Lozano’s All In is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Guitarist Ricky Z. is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Marsha Bartenetti is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Vocalist Donna Deussen and guitarist Jim Fox are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles features a screening of the documentary “Blue Note Records: Beyond The Notes”. 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. Pianist Alex Olsen has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Pianist Karen Hernandez is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock with vocalist James Arnold.