About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of February 3, 2020

Monday 2/3 – Jacob Wendt at Blue Whale

Drummer Jacob Wendt is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jun Iida on trumpet, Craig Cammell on sax, Zack Caplinger on guitar, Aaron Provisor on piano, and Kirsh on bass. Saxophonist Harry Allen is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trombonist Michael Vlatkovich is at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. 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 guitarist Kimberly Ford at SOhO in Santa Monica, 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. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 2/4 – John Storie at Sam First

Guitarist John Storie is at Sam First in West L.A. with Josh Nelson on piano, Alex Boneham on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. John Pisano’s Guitar Night is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with guest Brad Rabuchin. Fourth Floor is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Bassist Jeff Denson is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Vocalist Shoshana Bean is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Pianist Bryan Byrne is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Hugh Ragin and bassist Mark Dresser are at The Loft at UCSD in La Jolla. Organist Ty Bailie is at The York in Highland Park. Vocalist Ruby Lewis 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. 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 2/5 – Jeff Denson at the Moss Theater

Bassist Jeff Denson is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica with guitarist Romain Pilon and drummer Brian Blade. Bassist Max Gerl is at Sam First in West L.A. Cellist/vocalist Shana Tucker is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. The Brothers Of The Situation are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Jason “Slim” Gimball is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Bassist Tim Fenton and pianist Marco Apicella are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. TrioKAIT is at Wang’s In The Desert in Palm Springs. Guitarist Jacques Lesure has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Four Freshmen are at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Robert Davi is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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 Karen Hernandez is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock with vocalist Irene Cathaway.

Thursday 2/6 – Bob Sheppard & John Escreet at Sam First

Saxophonist Bob Sheppard and pianist John Escreet lead a quartet at Sam First in West L.A. with Dave Robaire on bass and Mark Ferber on drums. Drummer Walfredo Reyes, Jr. is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist/vocalist Teka is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Calixto Oviedo is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Flutist Lori Bell is at The Merc in Temecula. Sasha’s Bloc is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero and vocalist Lia Booth are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Jazz In The Pocket is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Vocalist Lola Kristine is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Baldy Mountain Jazz Band is at The Press Restaurant in Claremont.  Guitarist John Storie is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena.  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.  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.

Friday 2/7 – Gregory Porter at CAP UCLA Royce Hall

Vocalist Gregory Porter is at CAP UCLA Royce Hall. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem offers a tribute to John Coltrane featuring pianist Billy Childs at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Trombonist Ryan Porter is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at Sam First in West L.A. Pianist Joshua White plays the Edye Black Box in Santa Monica. Vocalist Maria Puga Lareo and saxophonist Bob Sheppard are at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Linda Purl fronts a big band at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Hadrien Feraud and trumpeter Phillip Lassiter are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Drummer Alex Snydman is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Vignes Rooftop Revival has the happy hour gig at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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. Vocalist Tony Galla is at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Saturday 2/8 – Jeff Richman Birthday All-Stars at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Jeff Richman leads the Birthday All-Stars for the first of two nights at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Alphonso Johnson on bass, and Simon Phillips on drums. Pianist Otmaro Ruiz is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Dr. Bruce Eskovitz celebrates a birthday at the Industry Cafe in Culver City.  Drummer Dan Schnelle is at Sam First in West L.A.  Guitarist Daryl Darden is at The World Stage in South L.A. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin is at The Winery in Ventura. Nutty is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Peter White is at the Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist/vocalist Suren Arustamyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Jessica Freedman is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Alan Chan plays an afternoon set at the Mission Playhouse in San Gabriel. 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 guitarist Jared Sachs at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Sunday 2/9 – Yellowjackets at Vibrato

Yellowjackets begin a two-night (Sun-Mon) run at Vibrato in Bel Air with Bob Mintzer on sax, Russell Ferrante on piano, Dane Alderson on bass, and Will Kennedy on drums. Black Jazz Records celebrates its 50th anniversary with a show featuring artists including Jean Carney, Doug Carn, Henry Franklin, Calvin Keys, and Michael Carvin at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at the Canyon in Montclair. Guitarist Jeff Richman leads the Birthday All-Stars at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Alex Sill is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Guitarist/vocalist Pedro Martins is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Steven Michael fronts the Paul McDonald Big Band at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Grant Levin plays a late afternoon show at the Handlery Hotel in San Diego. California Feetwarmers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Ruby Lewis is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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 guitarist Frank Potenza at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, vocalist Janis Mann at SOhO in Santa Barbara, 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.

Monday 2/10 – AmyAna at Blue Whale

Pianist Amy Bormet and drummer Ana Barreiro are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Aaron Janik on trumpet, David Wise on saxophone, and Sezin Ahmet Türkmenoğlu on bass. Yellowjackets are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Christopher Hollyday is at the Saville Theatre in San Diego. 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 monthly blues jam at The Baked Potato in Studio City, 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 at Las Hadas in Northridge. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The SBCC Jazz Bands are at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 2/11 – Paul Cornish at Blue Whale

Pianist Paul Cornish is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jon Hatamiya on trombone, Lenard Simpson on sax, Emma Dayhuff on bass, and Jonathan Pinson on drums.  Drummer Jay Bellerose is at The York in Highland Park. Farofa is at Sam First in West L.A. Vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Saxophonist Tim Berne and pianist Matt Mitchell are at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Work In Progress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Bradley Young 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. 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 2/12 – Tim Berne & Matt Mitchell at Mr. Musichead Gallery

Saxophonist Tim Berne and pianist Matt Mitchell are at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Drummer Peter Erskine is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Christian Euman is at Sam First in West L.A. Guitarist Bruce Forman is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Oud player Jimmy Mahlis is at the Corazon Performing Arts Center in Topanga. Drummer Sammy Miller & The Congregation are at the California Center For The Arts in Escondido. Vocalist Carly Robyn Green is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Anne O’Brien is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Jennifer Keith 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 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.