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

Monday 12/16 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band at Vibrato

Pianist/Saxophonist/Composer Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air featuring vocalist Vangie Gunn. Guitarist Mike Baggetta is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Lynne Fiddmont is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Keith David is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long 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 drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A., the Falls Lounge in downtown L.A., guitarist Kimberly Ford at SOhO in Santa Monica, 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 at Las Hadas in Northridge. Pianist Hal Ratliff is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist John Reynolds is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank.

Tuesday 12/17 – Tom Ranier at Sam First

Pianist Tom Ranier is at Sam First with Larry Koonse on guitar, Trey Henry on bass, and Ralph Humphrey on drums. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher’s Socrates’ Trial is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Violinist Mark O’Connor is at the Musco Center in Orange. Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Julie Newsome is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Pianist Ron Kobayashi and vocalist Lola Kristine 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. 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. Marigold is at Mama Lion in downtown L.A. The Magnolia Street Jazz Band plays a noon show at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Drummer Johnny Vana’s Big Band Alumni play a morning show at Las Hadas in Northridge. Guitarist Steve Lukather’s Nerve Bundle plays the first of two (Tue-Wed) sold out shows at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Wednesday 12/18 – Benjamin Shepherd at Sam First

Bassist Benjamin Shepherd is at Sam First in West L.A. for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with John Beasley on piano and Joe La Barbera on drums. Drummer Eric Harland and saxophonist Terrace Martin lead a tribute to Billy Higgins at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Bassist/vocalist Katie Thiroux is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Jennifer Leitham is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Henry Franklin has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Pianist/vocalist Marina Pacowski is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist/vocalist Paulie Cerra is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. The Rumproller Organ Trio is at Wang’s in the Desert in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Pianist Christina Galisatus is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Drummer Bryan Cabrera 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. Vocalist Laura Pursell has a happy hour gig 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 Marvin Robinson. Guitarist Steve Lukather’s Nerve Bundle is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Thursday 12/19 – Alex Hahn at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Alex Hahn is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with vocalist Michael Mayo, Jacob Mann on keys, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Bassist Benjamin Shepherd is at Sam First in West L.A. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. The Lineage Trio is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Organist Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Big Band is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at Sunspace in Sunland. Vocalist Chris Williams is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Bili Redd is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalists Don Lucas and Laura Ellis front a 17-piece big band at the James Armstrong Theatre in Torrance. The Jazz Cartel is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Jazz In The Pocket is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Vocalist Nichole Preuss is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. 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 Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.

Friday 12/20 – Wesley Ritenour at The Baked Potato

Drummer Wesley Ritenour is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Colin Cook on guitar, Jacob Mann on keys, and Nick Campbell on bass.  Drummer Christian Euman is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo.  Vocalist Diane Reeves performs a holiday show at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Pianist Bill Cunliffe celebrates a holiday CD release at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist/pianist Diane Schuur is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Cerritos Center For Performing Arts for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Byron Motley is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Ana Gazzola is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The Angel Town Combo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. California Feetwarmers have the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at Edwin Mills 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 12/21 – Gretchen Parlato at the Moss Theater

Vocalist Gretchen Parlato is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica with Marcel Camargo on guitar, Artyom Manukyan on cello, and Leo Costa on drums and percussion. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra is at the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa. Saxophonist Bennie Maupin is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Pianist Bill Cunliffe celebrates a holiday CD release at Sam First in West L.A. Pianist Eric Reed is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist/pianist Diane Schuur is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at the Ojai Art Center in Ojai. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Cerritos Center For Performing Arts. Vocalist Natalie Mendoza is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Albert Lee is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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. Saturday brunch choices include trombonist Steve Johnson at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank and pianist Sam Hirsh at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Johnny Holiday is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Gary Metz is at Hamilton’s Steakhouse in Covina.

Sunday 12/22 – Azar Lawrence at Corazon Performing Arts Center

Saxophonist Azar Lawrence is at the Corazon Performing Arts Center in Topanga with Brian Swartz on trumpet, Theo Saunders on piano, Yayo Morales on drums, Gerald Brown on bass, Jinshi Ozaki on guitar, and Robertito Melendez on congas. Drummer Simon Phillips is at the Ojai Deer Lodge in Ojai.  Vocalist Dave Damiani & The No Vacancy Orchestra are at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalists Barbara Morrison, Jame Perez, and Renee Myara lead an evening of holiday music at the Neighborhood UU Church in Pasadena. Pianist David Benoit is at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Pianist Bill Cunliffe plays an afternoon set at The Muck in Fullerton. M-Squad celebrates a CD release at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Estilo Y Gracia is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Vocalist Addie Hamilton is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Ian Buss plays a late afternoon show at the Handlery Hotel in San Diego. Guitarist Terry Wollman is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Bassist Reggie Goodjoin leads an evening of jazz at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Orange. 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 guitarist Tomas Janzon 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. Vocalist Johnny Holiday is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Keyboardist Al Pascua is at the Black and Blue Restaurant in Santa Clarita.

Monday 12/23 – Teryn Re’ at Blue Whale

Vocalist Teryn Re does a holiday show at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with a first set duet with guitarist Zach Capinger, followed by a second set fronting a big band. Blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Rolling Figs Orchestra is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. 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. Pianist Hal Ratliff is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 12/24 – Billy Mitchell at Vibrato

Pianist Billy Mitchell is at Vibrato in Bel Air with David Cowan on drums, Del Atkins on bass, Yu Ooka on guitar, Jock Ellis on trombone, Anne King on trumpet, Robert Kyle on sax and Bili Redd on vocals. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval kicks off the 60th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown L.A. Pianist Mike McKenna is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.   Pianist Derrik Lewis is at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. The DE Quartet is at the Oyster Bar in Studio City. Marigold is at Mama Lion in downtown L.A. Drummer Johnny Vana’s Big Band Alumni play a morning show at Las Hadas in Northridge.

Wednesday 12/25 – Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps at The Write-Off Room

Blues vocalist and keyboardist Teresa James is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills with Terry Wilson on bass, Billy Watts on guitar, Herman Matthews on drums, Darrell Leonard on trumpet, and Joe Sublett on saxophone. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at AJ’s On The Green in Cathedral City.