About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of January 6, 2020

Monday 1/6 – Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Toshi Yanagi on guitar, Matt Rohde on keys, Chris Roy on bass, and Danny Carey on drums. Gordon Grdina’s Nomad Trio is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. 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., guitarist Kimberly Ford at SOhO in Santa Barbara, 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 Mike McKenna is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 1/7 – Tom Luer & Adam Schroeder at Sam First

Saxophonists Tom Luer and Adam Schroeder lead a quintet at Sam First in West L.A. featuring Andy Langham on piano, Dave Robaire on bass, and Charles Ruggerio on drums. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guests Pat Kelley and Jim Fox. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Mike Garson is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble leads its monthly jam session at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Mindy Austin 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. 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. 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.

Wednesday 1/8 – Edwin Livingston at Mr. Musichead Gallery

Bassist Edwin Livingston is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood with Tom Luer on sax, Nick Mancini on vibes, Ivan Malespin on trombone, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at Sam First in West L.A. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Corey Coverstone is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Kevin O’Neal and vocalist Bobbi Wilsyn are at Catalina in Hollywood. Clarinetist John Tegmeyer is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Nutty is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Al Williams has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Wang’s in the Desert in Palm Springs. 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. Trombonist Steve Johnson plays a late afternoon show at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank, followed by the Flight 584 Big Band. 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 Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Karen Hernandez is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock with vocalist Irene Cathaway. Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz.

Thursday 1/9 – Jay Jennings with Cory Henry

Snarky Puppy trumpeter Jay Jennings begins a three-night run at Sam First in West L.A. with different guests each night – Thursday is keyboardist Cory Henry. Organist Carey Frank is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Matt Gordy is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Pianist Jon Mayer is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Kandace Lindsay is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Mari Nobre’s Latin Band is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Vocalist Laura Pursell is at Viva Rancho Cantina in Burbank. Vocalist Debbi Ebert and pianist Ron Kobayashi are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Lineage Trio is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Bassist David Ross is at the downtown LA Athletic Club. 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 Linda Peterson is at Woody’s Palm House in Palm Springs. 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 Chef Dave Rozier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Friday 1/10 – Diane Schuur at the Barclay Theatre

Pianist/vocalist Diane Schuur is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine with Ernie Watts on saxophone, Bruce Lett on bass, and Kendall Kay on drums. Pianist Bill Cunliffe plays the music of Oliver Nelson at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at Sam First in West L.A. with guest keyboardist Julian Pollack. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica. Vocalist Jack Jones is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Barbara Morrison and trumpeter Sam Hankins are at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Will Donato is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at the Industry Cafe in Culver City. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Holy Crow has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The Waxtrax Quartet is at Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room 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 1/11 – Jeff Lorber at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Jimmy Haslip on bass and Steve Hass on drums. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at Sam First in West L.A. with guest pianist Eric Reed. Bassist Jonathan Richards celebrates a birthday at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Joe La Barbera is at The Winery in Ventura. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Tom Ranier is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Saxophonist Tom Cantanzaro plays a tribute to Miles Davis at the Diamond Valley Arts Center in Hemet. Vocalists Barbara Morrison and Dante Chambers are at Catalina in Hollywood. Accordionist Cory Pesaturo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Devyn Rush is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Guitarist Mark Towns is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. The Swing Barons are at the Cicada Club in downtown Los Angeles. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Pamela Clay is at Barone’s in Valley Glen. Vocalist Dave Stephens 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 drummer Alex Snydman at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Sunday 1/12 – Jack Sheldon Memorial Concert at Catalina

Members of the SoCal jazz community come together to celebrate the life of Jack Sheldon in an evening performance at Catalina in Hollywood including Tierney Sutton, Mitchel Forman, Alan Bergman, Calabria Foti, Carl Saunders, and many more. Drummer Wesley Ritenour is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Joey Heredia is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Lenore Raphael is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Danny Green plays a late afternoon show at the Handlery Hotel in San Diego. Vocalist Angie Gamble is at the W Hotel Living Room in Hollywood.  Guitarist Adam Moezinia is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A.  Guitarist Mark Towns is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Diane Elder presents a late afternoon jazz vespers show at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. 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. 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., pianist Sunny Na and vocalist Cheryl Conley are 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 1/13 – Brandon Fansher at Blue Whale

Bassist Brandon Fansher is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jun Iida on trumpet, Jordan Leicht on sax, Will Kjeer on piano, Masami Kuroki on guitar, and Alex Snydman on drums. The Jazz Butchers open for drummer Kevin Kanner’s jazz jam at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Felice Hernandez. 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. Other Monday jam sessions include 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. The monthly Blues Power Jamm is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Tuesday 1/14 – Will Brahm at Blue Whale

Guitarist Will Brahm is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Chris Lewis on sax, Kevin Van Den Elzen on drums, and Logan Kane on bass.  Saxophonist Henry Solomon is at Sam First in West L.A.  The Skol Hamm Asylum is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Kirk Whalum is at the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A.   Dos Bros opens for guitarist Mark Leggett at TRIP in Santa Monica.  Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Walter Lakota 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. 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. Vocalists Jay Jackson and Lisa Wall-Urgero are at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. 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.

Wednesday 1/15 – Virgil Donati at The Baked Potato

Drummer Virgil Donati is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chris Clark on keys, Andre Nieri on guitar, and Junior Braguinha on bass. Vocalist Erin Bentlage is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Saxophonist David Binney and pianist John Escreet are at Sam First in West L.A. for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Multi-instrumentalist Dexter Story is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Strunz & Farah are at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Dave Damiani is at Wang’s in the Desert in Palm Springs. Bassist Bruce Lett has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Drummer Trevor Anderies is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Guitarist Dean Grech 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, followed by The Flight 584 Big Band. 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 James Arnold. Vocalist Andy Cowan and pianist Nina Beck are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.