About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of March 2, 2020

Monday 3/2 – Matt Gordy at Blue Whale

Drummer Matt Gordy is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Ron Stout on trumpet, Rob Lockart on sax, Ido Meshulam on trombone, Sam Hirsh on piano, and Chris Colangelo on bass. Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Ryan DeWeese 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 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 Taryn Donath is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 3/3 – Lee Ritenour & John Pisano at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Lee Ritenour leads a celebration of John Pisano’s Guitar Night, followed by a session featuring guitarists Thom Rotella, Mitch Holder, and Tim May. Pianist Roberto Fonseca is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Sam Hirsh celebrates a CD release at Sam First in West L.A. Saxophonist Kim Richmond’s Jazz Orchestra is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Pianist Justin Kauflin is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Curtis Parry & The Jazz Cartel are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Setsuko is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Dean Grech 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 3/4 – Roberto Fonseca at Blue Whale

Pianist Roberto Fonseca is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for the second of two nights (Tue-Wed) with Yandy Martinez on bass and Ruly Herrera on drums. Drummer Anthony Fung is at Sam First in West L.A. for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). The Brothers Of The Situation are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Bruce Forman is at the Hook & Spear Restaurant at the Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach. Guitarist Mark Letteri is at The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa. Vocalists Erin Boheme and Dave Damiani are at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Pink Martini opens a five-night (Wed-Sun) run at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Vocalist Debbie Joyce is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Christopher Turner is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy has the happy hour gig at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Organist Jeff Young is at Molly Malone’s in West Hollywood. Violinist Benny Brydern 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 Karen Hernandez is at Colombo’s in Eagle Rock.

Thursday 3/5 – Herbie Hancock at Walt Disney Hall

Pianist Herbie Hancock plays with the LA Phil led by conductor Gustavo Dudamel at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Pianist Jon Mayer and guitarist Jacques Lesure lead a quartet at Blue Guitar in South Pasadena. Drummer Anthony Fung is at Sam First in West L.A. Pianist Sullivan Fortner and vibraphonist Kyle Athayde are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Bijan Taghavi is at The Merc in Temecula. Trumpeter Ron Stout is at Cooks Chapel in Anaheim. Vocalist Valeria Mason is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. The Jazz Cartel is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Mari Nobre is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Pink Martini is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs.  Bassist David Ross is at the downtown LA Athletic Club with vocalist Barbara Morrison.  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.  Blues harmonica player Chef Dave Rozier is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Friday 3/6 – Graham Dechter at Blue Whale

Guitarist Graham Dechter is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Tamir Hendelman on piano, Alex Frank on bass, Jeff Hamilton on drums. Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist John Escreet is at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Nicolas Bearde is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Steve Smith and Vital Information are at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Nancy Kelly is at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. Pianist Judy Carmichael is at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. Guitarist Mark Towns is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pink Martini is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Vocalist Jimetta Rose is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Dave Stephens is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Chuck Manning is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Mitchell Long is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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 3/7 – Mitchel Forman at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Mitchel Forman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Eric Marienthal on sax, Chad Wackerman on drums, Lenny Castro on percussion, and Jerry Watts, Jr. on bass. Three bands are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo for a club fundraiser, led by vocalist Kathleen Grace, saxophonist Daniel Rotem, and guitarist Marcel Camargo. Chilean vocalist/guitarist Camila Meza is at The Soraya in Northridge. Pianist Greg Spero is at Sam First in West L.A. Drummer Steve Smith and Vital Information are at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Theo Saunders is at The World Stage in South L.A. Guitarist Russell Malone is at Pete Carlson’s in Palm Desert. Thundercat is at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia performs a house concert at The G Spot in Highland Park.  Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena.  Pink Martini is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun is at the Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Martin Diller is at Perch in downtown L.A. 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 saxophonist Mark Isbell at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Sunday 3/8 – Steve Smith & Vital Information at Catalina

Drummer Steve Smith and Vital Information are at Catalina in Hollywood for the last of three nights (Fri-Sun) featuring Manuel Valera on keys, Vinny Valentino on guitar, and Benjamin Shepherd on bass. Trombonist Nick Finzer celebrates a CD release at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Jackie Ryan plays an afternoon show at Campus Jax in Newport Beach backed by a trio led by pianist Jon Mayer.  Guitarist Alex Sill is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood.  Vibraphonist Chuck Redd plays a late afternoon show at the Handlery Hotel in San Diego.  The Cranktones are at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Pink Martini is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Thundercat is at The Observatory in Santa Ana. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Work In Progress is at Joe’s Great American in Burbank. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Debbi Ebert. Saxophonist Tom Braxton is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Judy Wexler does an afternoon show at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena. Saxophonist Dee Lucas plays an afternoon show at Harvelle’s in Long Beach. The Old Town Temecula Theater hosts an afternoon jazz festival including Jonathan Karrant, Doug MacDonald and Yve Evans. Vocalist Angie G is at the W Hotel Living Room in Hollywood. 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 Lisa Donahey at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City, drummer Al Williams 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, and vocalist Bri Sarikcioglu at the Luxe Hotel Sunset in Bel Air.  Jazzy Ash & The Leapin’ Lizards play an afternoon show at the Soka Black Box Theatre in Aliso Viejo.

Monday 3/9 – Jasper Dutz at Blue Whale

Saxophonist Jasper Dutz is at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo with Jake Chapman on vibes, Marlon Martinez on bass, Anthony Fung on drums, and Brad Dutz on percussion. Online radio program Martini In The Morning does a live broadcast from Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City featuring vocalists Laura Dickinson, James Tormé, Aaron Akins, Dolores Scozzesi and more. System VI is at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo.  TrioKAIT is at the LACC Alpert Recital Hall in downtown L.A.  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 Marc Lebrun is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 3/10 – Jacob Szekely & Artyom Manukyan at Sam First

Cellists Jacob Szekely and Artyom Manukyan are at Sam First in West L.A. with Christopher Allis on drums and Michael Ragonese on keyboards. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher & Socrates’ Trial are at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Vocalist Janis Mann is at The Write-Off Room in Woodland Hills. Vocalist Daniela Spagnolo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pink Martini is at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center. Bassist Jonny Flaugher is at The York in Highland Park. Corcovado and guitarist Mark Leggett are at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Lola Kristine is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Janet Orsi is at The Port Restaurant in Corona Del Mar. The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays an evening show at West Ranch High School in Stevenson Ranch. 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.  Drummer Johnny Vana’s Big Band Alumni play a morning show at Las Hadas in Northridge.

Wednesday 3/11 – Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead at Sam First

Drummer Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead are are at Sam First in West L.A. for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Paul Cornish on piano, and Matt Dwonszyk on bass. Bassist Marlon Martinez leads the Marlonious Jazz Orchestra at Blue Whale in Little Tokyo. Pianist Adegoke Steve Colson and vocalist Iqua Colson are at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Catatonic is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trombonist Nick Finzer is at Wang’s in the Desert in Palm Springs. Guitarist Buddy Guy is at The Canyon Montclair. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Saxophonist Melissa Aldana is at the TSRI Auditorium in San Diego. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Drummer/vocalist 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. 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.

NOTE:  For a list of jazz shows by Date, Time, Artist, Venue and City – please visit the  Quick Calendar updated every day on the Home page at LAjazz.com.