About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 24, 2020

During the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, LAjazz.com will continue to do its best to update you as to the status of live jazz events across Southern California.

Due to rising infection rates of COVID-19 across much of California, on Wednesday, July 1 Governor Newsom ordered indoor dining and bars to close across 19 counties in the state including Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino and Santa Barbara counties – San Diego County has issued its own similar restrictions. Outdoor seating at restaurants is so far unaffected by this latest order, and a few venues are presenting entertainment with outdoor/special seating.

As of June 15, 2020 a few mostly restaurant venues had begun to reopen which also present live music across Southern California. Bars in Los Angeles generally remain closed beyond July 1, 2020, along with nearly all major entertainment venues. Most larger concert venues including the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre have canceled their Summer 2020 performance schedules. Most regular jazz club venues in Greater Los Angeles were expected to reopen sometime in July 2020, but on June 28, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom issued a three-week long temporary close order for bars and nightspots in Los Angeles County and some other areas in California because of an increase in COVID-19 cases. This order does not apply to restaurants, but will likely further delay the opening of nightclub venues in Los Angeles County and most of Southern California. This order has now been extended until further notice.

Most of the restaurant venues that had reopened have implemented new rules designed to comply with the need for social distancing and are operating at 50% (or less) capacity. Some are offering music in an outdoor-only or option seating arrangement. Most have also implemented an advance reservations policy to help comply with seating and social distancing needs. Please check with any venue listed below for exact times and information regarding music and reservations before heading out. Some venues and musicians have begun offering livestream events – please visit your favorite club and artist websites for more information about livestream events.

LAjazz.com highly recommends wearing a mask whenever possible in music venues (and generally in public) out of respect for musicians, staff, and your fellow patrons. If you’re not feeling well, please stay home.

Be smart and help your local musicians, venues, and neighbors during this period – LAjazz.com will do its part to keep you up to date and informed throughout the week. Stay safe out there, and remember what a gift live music is to all of us.

Please see the Quick Calendar at LAjazz.com and the online version of About & Out for the latest updates – both are updated on a regular basis throughout the week.

NOTE:  The LAjazz.com Quick Calendar contains showtimes and links (whenever possible) to livestream events. 

Monday 8/24 – Brandon Coleman at Grand Performances (Livestream Only)

Keyboardist/vocalist Brandon Coleman presents a livestream sponsored by downtown LA’s Grand Performances series.

Tuesday 8/25 – Bernie Pearl & Barbara Morrison at BMPAC (Livestream Only)

Guitarist/vocalist Bernie Pearl and vocalist Barbara Morrison duet in a new weekly Tuesday livestream series from BMPAC in South L.A.

Wednesday 8/26 – The Innocence Project (Livestream Only)

Vocalists including Kate McGarry, Sumitra Nanjundan, Viva Vinson, and Ana Gazzola team for a livestream benefit concert for The Innocence Project.

Thursday 8/27 – Max Haymer at Sam First (Livestream Only)

Pianist Max Haymer offers a solo session via Sam First. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with a tribute (outdoors) to Peggy Lee with Miles Jensen on guitar, Will Lyle on bass, and Izaak Weatherwax on drums. Vibraphonist Billy Hulting leads a trio in a Live At Zero BPM streaming concert with Larry Steen on bass and Chris Wabich on drums.

Friday 8/28 – Doug Webb All-Stars at The Baked Potato (Livestream Only)

Saxophonist Doug Webb leads a livestream benefit for The Baked Potato with Danny Carey on drums, Mitchel Forman on keys, Jamie Kime on guitar, and Kevin Axt on bass. Keyboardist Nick Smith does a livestream for The World Stage with Edwin Livingston on bass and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums.

Saturday 8/29 – Leimert Park Jazz Festival (Livestream Only)

The Leimert Park Jazz Festival presents a noon Facebook livestream event including sets from percussionist Munyungo Jackson, guitarist Jacques Lesure, guitarist Michael O’Neill, and vocalists Sy Smith and Dwight Trible.  Vocalist Ana Robles does an outdoor set at the Garden Cafe in Sherman Oaks with Rico Belled on bass and Richie Gajate Garcia on percussion.

Sunday 8/30 – Otmaro Ruiz & Larry Koonse (Livestream Only)

Pianist Otmaro Ruiz and guitarist Larry Koonse team for a evening Facebook livestream music/interview event. The Barrelhouse Wailers offer an afternoon live show via the Facebook page for the Basin Street Regulars. Vocalist Allison Adams Tucker offers an evening livestream poolside event from San Diego.

Monday 8/31 – Eric Marienthal & Michael Lington at Spaghettini (Outdoor)

Saxophonists Eric Marienthal and Michael Lington team for an patio show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach,

Tuesday 9/1 – Bernie Pearl & Barbara Morrison at BMPAC (Livestream Only)

Guitarist/vocalist Bernie Pearl and vocalist Barbara Morrison duet in a weekly Tuesday livestream series from BMPAC in South L.A.

Wednesday 9/2