About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of December 14, 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. Restaurants in Orange and San Diego Counties were allowed to re-open limited indoor seating in mid-September, but indoor seating was suspended again in Mid-November. On November 22, 2020, Los Angeles County suspended all indoor and outdoor restaurant seating for a minimum of three weeks beginning Wednesday, November 25, 2020. Beginning Monday, December 7, 2020, all leisure travel in Southern California has been prohibited because of rising hospitalization rates related to COVID-19.

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 remaining 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, and most have ended live music indoors or out to comply with the latest order from Governor Newsom. 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 12/14 – Central Avenue Jazz Festival Documentary (Cable TV and Livestream)

South L.A.’s landmark Central Avenue Jazz Fest kicks off a four-night series of events available on LA Cityview Cable Channel 35 and online via livestream, beginning with a broadcast of the 1996 documentary on the festival and its history.

Tuesday 12/15 – Central Avenue Jazz Festival w/Barbra Morrison (Cable TV & Livestream)

Vocalist Barbara Morrison is on LA Cityview Cable Channel 35 and online livestream performance with Peter Buck on drums, Charles Small on guitar, Michael Saucier on bass, and Sam Hankins on trumpet. Pianist Tamir Hendelman and bassist John Clayton present a livestream concert of original music. Guitarist Will Brahm plays a livestream solo show.

Wednesday 12/16 – Central Avenue Jazz Festival w/Robert Glasper & Terrace Martin (Cable TV & Livestream)

Keyboardist Robert Glasper and saxophonist Terrace Martin are featured on LA Cityview Cable Channel 35 and livestream online broadcast with Dominic Sanders on bass and Justin Tyson on drums. Pianist Jon Mayer plays an afternoon live set via The Merc in Temecula. Pianist Josh Nelson plays a home livestream solo set via Facebook. The Innocence Project presents an evening livestream with a variety of singer/songwriters including Melanie Taylor with guitarist Terry Wollman.

Thursday 12/17 – Central Avenue Jazz Festival w/The Jazz Classics (Cable TV & Livestream)

The four-night online Central Avenue Jazz Festival anniversary commemoration concludes with a performance from the Jazz Classics featuring Patrice Rushen on piano, Ernie Watts on saxophone, Reggie Hamilton on bass, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, available on LA Cityview Cable Channel 35 and livestream. Vocalist Barbara Morrison and saxophonist Rickey Woodard headline a livestream performance from the LA Athletic Club. Vocalist Rose Colella offers a Facebook livestream concert of holiday music with Michael Bluestein on piano and Rick Shaw on bass. Vocalist Melissa Morgan and pianist John Beasley play a livestream duet show from Sam First in West L.A.

Friday 12/18 – Charles Owens at The World Stage (Livestream Only)

Saxophonist Charles Owens leads a livestream concert from The World Stage in South L.A. featuring Theo Saunders on piano, Henry Franklin on bass, and Don Littleton on drums.

Saturday 12/19 – Tamior Hendelman Holiday Music Solo (Livestream Only)

Pianist Tamir Hendelman plays a home livestream solo concert of holiday music.

Sunday 12/20 – Mark de Clive-Lowe Live From The Lab (Livestream Only)

Keyboardist Mark de Clive-Lowe presents an afternoon livestream featuring music and conversation from his music studio.

Monday 12/21 –

Tuesday 12/22 –

Wednesday 12/23 –