About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of February 28, 2022

March opens with a SoCal jazz week including Joe La Barbera, Arturo Sandoval, Robert Glasper, Andy James, Poncho Sanchez, Tina Raymond, Justin Brown, Rachel Eckroth, Marcello Carelli, Rayford Griffin, Tim Berne, Samara Joy, and Oscar Peñas.

Please see the online version of About & Out for updated information throughout the week at lajazzpicks.com. It’s a good idea to check with venues directly for any last minute changes and/or cancellations before heading out.

Monday 2/28 – Rayford Griffin All-Stars at The Baked Potato

Drummer Rayford Griffin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Reggie Hamilton on bass, Hans Zermuehlen on keys, Michael Hunter on trumpet, and Keith Kelly on sax. Saxophonist Tim Berne is at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Vocalist Samara Joy is at Catalina in Hollywood with pianist Tamir Hendelman. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a straight-ahead set and jazz jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including Pete Kuzma on keys and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a Monday night jam session at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A. Bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic is at Riviera 31 at the Beverly Hills Sofitel Hotel. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Eddie V’s in San Diego. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Guitarist Kimberly Ford hosts a jazz jam at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features pianist Judy Carmichael.

Tuesday 3/1 – Oscar Peñas at Sam First

Guitarist Oscar Peñas is at Sam First near LAX with Sara Caswell on violin, Motohito Fukushima on bass, and Richie Barshay on drums. Organist Ronnie Foster is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Tina Raymond begins a March Tuesday residency at NeueHouse in Hollywood. The Jazz Butchers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Guitarist Hans Ottsen leads a jazz jam at The Grape in Ventura. Leanna & The Jazz Collective are at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Vocalist Suzy Williams is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features vocalist Vinx.

Wednesday 3/2 – Justin Brown at Mr. Musichead Gallery

Drummer Justin Brown is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood with Logan Richardson on sax, Paul Cornish on piano, and Luca Alemanno on bass. Drummer Daniel Rossi is at Sam First near LAX with Nicole McCabe on sax and Logan Kane on bass. Keyboardist/vocalist Rachel Eckroth is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Doug Webb leads a group dedicated to the music of Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Lola Kristine is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Mike Rocha is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum Of Art. The Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Saxophonist Jerry Mandel is at Bistango in Irvine. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at T’s On The Green at the Date Palm Country Club in Cathedral City. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist/vocalist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream for The Innocence Project includes vocalists Keri Kelsey and Marina Pacowski. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features vocalist Peggy Lauren-Lohr.

Thursday 3/3 – Groove Legacy at The Baked Potato

Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Paulie Cerra on sax/vocals, Sam Meek on guitar, Billy Steinway on keys, Francisco Torres on trombone, Travis Carlton on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Drummer Marcello Carelli celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist Jon Mayer is at The Merc in Temecula. Drummer Jorg Dubin is at the Harley Laguna Beach. Vocalist Rebecca Jade is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at 208 Rodeo in Beverly Hills. Guitarist Mike Hoffman does a livestream for Live At Zero BPM. Drummer Kevin Crabb is at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Davey Miller is at The Twist On Main in Ventura. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Drummer Tyler Hammond is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Four And More is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for instrumentalists. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features vocalist Kathleen Grace.

Friday 3/4 – Arturo Sandoval at Catalina Jazz Club

Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood with a band including Will Brahm on guitar and John Belzaguy on bass. Drummer Joe La Barbera is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Robert Glasper is at The Vermont Hollywood. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at the Canyon in Santa Clarita. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena with organist Gregg Karukas. Drummer David Whitman is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Amy Keys is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Ben Monder is at the Saddleback College McKinney Theater in Mission Viejo. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Keyboardist Carey Frank is at AMSTRDM in Paso Robles. 6 Beats Apart is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Anna Danes debuts a new San Diego series called “Jazz On Prospect” at Pacific Southeby’s Plaza in La Jolla. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Drummer Kevin Crabb is at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park. Pianist Ron Kobayashi plays an outdoor show at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Trumpeter Michael Bolger is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features vocalist Lauren Kinhan.

Saturday 3/5 – Joe La Barbera at Sam First

Drummer Joe La Barbera leads a live recording project at Sam First near LAX for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Bill Cunliffe on piano, Clay Jenkins on trumpet, Bob Sheppard on sax, and Jonathan Richards on bass. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is at Catalina in Hollywood. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at the Conference Room in Playa Vista. Guitarist Pat Kelley is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Howie Levine is at Sorriso in Pasadena with the Mike Saul Trio and guest vocalist Paula Sargent. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. with trombonist/violinist Dan Weinstein’s Swingaroos. Flutist Holly Hofmann is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Mallett does an early show at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features guitarists John Stowell and Jamie Findlay.

Sunday 3/6 – Andy James at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Andy James is at Catalina in Hollywood with pianist Jon Cowherd and Bill Cunliffe, percussionist Alex Acuna, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, bassist Vicente Archer, and drummer Clarence Penn. Drummer Gary Novak is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Tina Raymond’s trio opens for the Sam Hirsh Trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Trumpeter Sam Hankins is at Venice West in Venice. Guitarist Steve Oliver is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The York in Highland Park.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Keyboardist Gregg Karukas plays a noon show at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin leads a group and jam session at Michael’s On Riverside in Toluca Lake. Bassist Zephyr Avalon is at The San Fernando in Glendale. Drummer Kevin Crabb is at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park. Pianist Richard Glaser is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Vocalist Jacqui Hylton is at Nonna in Westlake Village. Vocalist Dolores Scozzesi does an afternoon show at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. The Jazz Cartel plays a jazz brunch at Sorriso in Pasadena. Bassist Rob Thorsen does a brunch session at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Vocalist Lia Booth plays an early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, followed by bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for vocalists. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features vocalist Cheryl Barnes and pianist Phillip Cabasso.

Monday 3/7 – Lineage Trio w/Larry Goldings at The Baked Potato

The Lineage Trio is joined by keyboardist Larry Goldings at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Graham Dechter on guitar, Alex Fran on bass, and Ryan Shaw on drums. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.  Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a straight-ahead set and jazz jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including Pete Kuzma on keys and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a Monday night jam session at The Falls Lounge in downtown L.A. Bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic is at Riviera 31 at the Beverly Hills Sofitel Hotel. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Eddie V’s in San Diego. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features writer Howard Mandell.

Tuesday 3/8 – Kevin O’Neal at Catalina Jazz Club

Bassist Kevin O’Neal is at Catalina in Hollywood with Nolan Shaheed on trumpet, Philip Whack on sax, Duane Benjamin on trombone, Tina Wall on vocals, Otmaro Ruiz on piano, and Aaron Serfaty on drums. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Chord Four is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Tina Raymond is at NeueHouse in Hollywood. Guitarists Thom Rotella and Shea Welsh split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica.  The A Call 2Peace Ensemble with pianist Sunnie Paxson is at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The York in Highland Park. Vocalist Barbara Morrison is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Guitarist Hans Ottsen leads a jazz jam at The Grape in Ventura. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features drummer Joel Taylor.

Wednesday 3/9 – Wayne Shorter Celebration at Walt Disney Hall

Saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter is celebrated at Walt Disney Hall with members of his last quartet and special guests including Terence Blanchard, Kenny Garrett, and Joe Lovano, with additional music from trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire.  Vocalist Stacey Kent is at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center at Pepperdine University in Malibu. Drummer Matt Gordy celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX.   Katalyst is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood.  Pianist Misha Piatigorsky is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonists David Binney and Doug Webb are at The Grape in Ventura.  Trombonist Kenton Luck is at Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village.  Trumpeter Mike Rocha is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum Of Art. The Avant Garde Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Saxophonist Jerry Mandel is at Bistango in Irvine. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at T’s On The Green at the Date Palm Country Club in Cathedral City. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The Mixx in Pasadena. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features pianist Sam Hirsh.