About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of May 31, 2021

June opens with a SoCal jazz week including Bunny Brunel, Bill Cunliffe, David Binney, Yay Yennings, John Storie, Derek Frank, Tony Guerrero, David Garfield, Jamael Dean, Jeff Babko, Stu Hamm, and Sunday’s California Jazz Foundation Give The Band A Hand Gala.

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.

Governor Gavin Newsom lifted the ban on outdoor dining throughout the state in late January. Some venues that have previously offered outdoor dining and music have begun doing so again, and more can be expected to come online shortly. Indoor dining restrictions are also being partially lifted with capacity restrictions in place. Bars in Los Angeles have been given permission to reopen with specific limits on seating capacities and times as of April 5, 2021. The LA Phil has announced they will begin offering concerts at the Hollywood Bowl beginning in July 2021. Most larger entertainment and concert venues have canceled their performance schedules for the first half of 2021. California is scheduled to reopen without restrictions on June 15, 2021, and it can be expected most entertainment venues will reopen shortly thereafter.

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 are also 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 5/31 – Bianca Love Jam Session at Sugar Bank

Trumpeter/vocalist Bianca Love hosts a jam session at Sugar Bank in Central L.A. with Mike Gurrola on bass, Luca Mendoza on keys, and Anthony Fung on drums. Vocalist Rose Mallett hosts her weekly Monday Serenade Facebook livestream from Palm Springs. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features vocalist Bogna Kicinska & pianist Jacob Cichocki.

 

Tuesday 6/1 – Yay Yennings at Second Home Hollywood

Snarky Puppy trumpeter Yay Yennings is outdoors at Second Home in Hollywood, sponsored by Sam First (livestream also) with Bob Reynolds on sax, Ross Schoedek on bass, and Anthony Fung on drums. Bassist Bunny Brunel’s CAB is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Charlie Arbelaez hosts a weekly jam session at Queen Bee’s in San Diego. Pianist Tamir Hendelman and guitarist Larry Koonse play a livestream show. Pianist Sam Hirsh hosts a livestream solo event via Instagram. Pianist Josh Nelson and drummer Kevin van den Elzen present part two of their interview with guitarist Anthony Wilson about his father, bandleader Gerald Wilson. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features pianist Haakon Graf.

 

Wednesday 6/2 – Bunny Brunel’s CAB at The Baked Potato

Bassist Bunny Brunel’s CAB is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights (Tue-Wed) with Toshi Yanagi on guitar, Mitchel Forman on keys, Virgil Donati on drums, and Kaylene Peoples on flute/vocals. Guitarist John Storie is at Sam First in West L.A. with vocalist Spencer Day. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a trio at AJ’s On The Green in Cathedral City. Colorstorm is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On la Brea in West L.A. Saxophonist Jason Fabus plays a livestream from Laguna Beach. The latest livestream concert for The Innocence Project features vocalists including Tierney Sutton and Teka Penteriche. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli.

 

Thursday 6/3 – Bill Cunliffe at The Muck

Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at The Muck in Fullerton for an outdoor show with Kye Palmer on trumpet, Brian Scanlon on sax, Jeff Ellwood on bass, Mark Ferber on drums, and Francisco Torres on trombone. Bassist Derek Frank celebrates an album release at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Ty Bailie on keys, Joshua Ray Gooch on guitar, and Randy Cooke on drums. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero & Friends are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at Sam First near LAX.   Conganas plays a livestream show for Live At Zero BPM. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Davey Miller is at Grapes & Hops in Ventura. Pianist Ron Kobayashi plays an outdoor show at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Saxophonist David Patterson is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Drummer Tyler Hammond is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features drummer Michael Stephans.

 

Friday 6/4 – Stu Hamm at The Baked Potato

Bassist Stu Hamm is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Toshi Yanagi on guitar Joel Taylor on drums. Saxophonist David Binney is at Sam First in West L.A. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Keyboardist Jamael Dean plays a livestream show from The World Stage in South L.A. Drummer Abe Lagrimas, Jr. is featured in a livestream performance from LACMA in West L.A.  Keyboardist Jeff Babko is at Johnny’s Pastrami in Central L.A.  Pianist Ron Kobayashi plays an outdoor show at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Trumpeter Michael Bolger plays an outdoor show at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Sunny Blue is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree plays an outdoor set at Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features vocalist Sherry Williams.

 

Saturday 6/5 – David Binney at Sam First

Saxophonist David Binney is at Sam First near LAX for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Luca Mendoza on piano, Eric Revis on bass and Justin Brown on drums. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist David Garfield does an afternoon livestream Zoom concert with Eric Marienthal on sax, John Pena on bass, and Gregg Bissonette on drums. Saxophonist Hugh Von Kleist leads a trio at Pietris Bakery in Long Beach. Slim Cat is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Trumpeter Michael Bolger plays an outdoor show at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features LAjazz.com Managing Editor Tom Meek.

 

Sunday 6/6 – California Jazz Foundation Give The Band A Hand Gala (Livestream Only)

The California Jazz Foundation hosts a livestream of its annual Give The Band A Hand Gala featuring Peter Erskine, John & Gerald Clayton, Billy Childs, Darynn Dean, and more. Saxophonist Will Donato is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin leads a quartet in an outdoor patio show at Michael’s On Riverside in Toluca Lake. Guitarist Josh Mellicker leads a group at Strada in downtown Los Angeles featuring guest trumpeter Mike Cottone. Drummer Mark San Filippo leads an outdoor show at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Saxophonist Anthony Ortega is at Mr. Peabody’s in San Diego. Bassist Dene Davidson leads a late afternoon jazz Vespers from St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Carlsbad. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features guitarist Jacques Lesure.

 

Monday 6/7 – Bianca Love Jam Session at Sugar Bank

Trumpeter/vocalist Bianca Love hosts a jam session at Sugar Bank in West L.A. with Mike Gurrola on bass, Luca Mendoza on keys, and Anthony Fung on drums. Saxophonist Michael Paulo is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Rose Mallett hosts her weekly Monday Serenade Facebook livestream from Palm Springs. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features trumpeter John Daversa and guitarist Justin Morell.

 

Tuesday 6/8 – Charlie Arbalez Jazz Botankia Jam session at Queen Bee’s

Saxophonist Charlie Arbelaez hosts a weekly jam session at Queen Bee’s in San Diego. Pianist Tamir Hendelman and guitarist Larry Koonse play a livestream show. Pianist Sam Hirsh hosts a livestream solo event via Instagram. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features cellist Akua Dixon.

 

Wednesday 6/9 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at the Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Bassist Billy Mohler is at Sam First near LAX with Chris Speed on sax, John Escreet on piano, and Tony Austin on drums. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a trio at AJ’s On The Green in Cathedral City. Colorstorm is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On la Brea in West L.A. Pianist Peggy Dusquenel plays a livestream from Laguna Beach. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon Facebook Hang features saxophonist and bandleader Tom Kubis.