About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of October 26, 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, in July Governor Newsom ordered indoor dining and bars to close in the most affected areas of the state including nearly all of Southern California. Outdoor seating at restaurants is so far unaffected by this latest order, and a few venues are presenting entertainment with outdoor/special seating. Restaurants in Orange and San Diego Counties were allowed to re-open limited indoor seating in mid-September.

Bars in Los Angeles generally remain closed along with nearly all major entertainment venues. Most larger concert venues including the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre have canceled their 2020 performance schedules, and some through June of 2021.

Most restaurants 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 has a limited schedule of livestream events available with showtimes and event weblinks when available.

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 10/26 – Bill Cunliffe at Bistango

Pianist Bill Cunliffe leads a trio at Bistango in Irvine, joined by trumpeter Carl Saunders and vocalist Andrea Miller. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal and guitarist Marc Antoine are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 10/27 – Hal Ratliff at The Drake

Pianist Hal Ratliff leads a duo at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Wednesday 10/28 – LA Jazz Society Virtual Awards Concert (Livestream Only)

The LA Jazz Society presents its annual awards via a livestream event featuring Hubert Laws, Tierney Sutton, Billy Childs, Gerald & John Clayton, Sara Gazarek, and many more musical talents from Southern California. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a trio in an outdoor show at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Bradley Young is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Thursday 10/29 – Vardan Ovsepian at Sam First (Livestream Only)

Pianist Vardan Ovspeian leads a trio in a livestream benefit performance for Armenia with Artyom Manukyan on cello and Jimmy Branly on drums.
Vocalist Andrea Miller appears with pianist Ron Kobayashi’s trio for an outdoor live show at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist/vocalist Jennifer Hart plays an outdoor drive-in concert at The Muck in Fullerton. The Maqui Trio is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin is at the Relm Bistro in Camarillo.

Friday 10/30 – David Garfield Unplugged (Livestream Only)

Keyboardist David Garfield leads a trio in a home evening livestream performance featuring Tony Pulizzi on guitar, Jeff Olson on drums, and Felix Nuñez on bass. Cosmosquad is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for a livestream performance with Jeff Kollman on guitar, Shane Gaalass on drums, and Corey McCormick on bass – outdoor seating with live video/audio is also available on the back patio. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Saturday 10/31 – Joe Bonamassa & Jimmy Vivino at The Baked Potato (Livestream Only)

Guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Jimmy Vivino play a livestream benefit concert for The Baked Potato in Studio City, joined by Mike Merritt on bass and James Wormworth on drums. Drummer Mark San Filippo’s trio plays an evening dinner performance outdoors at The Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena.

Sunday 11/1 – Tom Dante at Campus Jax

Drummer Tom Dante leads a quintet at Campus Jax in Newport Beach for an outdoor show. Drummer Mark San Filippo’s trio plays an evening dinner performance outdoors at The Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Monday 11/2 – Marc Lebrun at The Drake

Pianist Marc Lebrun is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 11/3 – No Live Jazz Scheduled

Wednesday 11/4 – The Innocence Project Jazz Vocalists Showcase (Livestream Only)

The Innocence Project hosts a livestream performance featuring vocalists including Gretje Angell, Carol Bach-y-Rita, Erin Boheme, and Ada Bird Wolfe. Pianist Hal Ratliff is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.