About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of March 14, 2022

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Dee Dee Bridgewater, Manhattan Transfer, Cameron Graves, Daniel Rotem, Jay Jennings, Dave Robaire, Aaron Parks, Luis Conte, Benny Benack III, Jeff Babko, Mitchel Forman, Tina Raymond, and Ilya Serov.

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 3/14 – David Amran at Zebulon Cafe

Pianist David Amran celebrates collaborations with writer Jack Kerouac at Zebulon Cafe in Silverlake. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal 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. The Monday Madness jazz band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features bassist David Piltch.

Tuesday 3/15 – Benny Benack III at Bayside Restaurant

Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach with Gary Matsumoto on piano, Alex Frank on bass, and Ryan Shaw on drums. Bassist Logan Kane is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Drummer Tina Raymond is at the NeueHouse in Hollywood. Keyboardist Jay Smith is at the Petroleum Club in Bakersfield for the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop. Guitarist/vocalist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Corcovado with vocalist Natalie Jacob and Affirmation split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica.  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. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features vocalist Claudia Villela.

Wednesday 3/16 – Daniel Rotem Plays Coltrane at Sam First

Saxophonist Daniel Rotem plays the music of John Coltrane at Sam First near LAX with Billy Childs on piano, Darek Oles on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood screens the film “Jazz Nights: A Confidential Journey” including a Q&A with director Hal Masonberg. Guitarist Duane Allen is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Dante Chambers is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Brian Clemens. Saxophonist Rolf Olsen is at the Roxy Restaurant in Encinitas. 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. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream concert for The Innocence Project includes vocalists Nikki Amrstrong and Suzanne Pittson. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features vocalist Catina DeLuna.

Thursday 3/17 – Dee Dee Bridgewater at Catalina

Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood.  Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Dave Robaire celebrates a CD release of music from Herbie Hancock at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Ray Fuller is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Richard Sellers is at The Merc in Temecula. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin plays a livestream concert for Live At Zero BPM. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at 208 Rodeo in Beverly Hills. 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. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. 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 Steven Kronauer.

Friday 3/18 – Cameron Graves at The World Stage

Pianist Cameron Graves is at The World Stage in South L.A. with Ryan Porter on trombone, Max Gerl on bass, and Tony Austin on drums (also livestream). Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Aaron Parks opens a two-night (Fri-Sat) solo run at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at the Conference Room in Playa Vista. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Stephanie Amaro & The Blue Agave are at Sorriso in Pasadena. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Dave Stephens is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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 composer Nan Schwartz.

Saturday 3/19 – Manhattan Transfer at McCallum Theatre

Vocal group Manhattan Transfer is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Aaron Parks is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Jeff Babko leads a noon concert with an all-star band for the Newbury Park High School Jazz Festival. Pianist Mitchel Forman is at The Grape in Ventura.  Vocalists Nita Whitaker and Adam Aejaye Jackson are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Sorriso in Pasadena. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club.  Saxophonist Marcus Anderson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Cosmosquad is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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 vibraphonist Nick Mancini.

Sunday 3/20 – Ilya Serov at Vibrato

Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at Vibrato in Bel Air for a concert to benefit charities in Ukraine with Kay-Ta Matsuno on guitar, Carnell Harrell on keys, Jerome Randall on bass, Tony Moore on drums, Ronnie Gutierrez on percussion, and guest vocalists Ariana Savalas and Castella. The Hamilton High Jazz Band opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in Santa Monica. Drummer Eric Gugisch is at Venice West in Venice. Bruns & Bache are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach.  Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park.  Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera.  Guitarist/vocalist Suren Arustamyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin leads a group 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. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Arth Bar & Kitchen in Culver City. Vocalists Craig Cochrane and Patrick Burnett do 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. Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt plays an early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for vocalists. Chef Dave Rozier plays an evening of blues at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features pianist Russell Ferrante.

Monday 3/21 – Alan Ferber Big Band LA Edition at Second Home Hollywood

Trombonist Alan Ferber fronts the L.A. version of his big band at Second Home Hollywood.   Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park.  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. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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 singer-songwriter Lynn Colbert-Jones.

Tuesday 3/22 – Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble at Sam First

The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble is at Sam First near LAX with Darynn Dean on vocals, Matthew Stubbs on clarinet, Devin Daniels on alto sax, Art Baden on tenor sax, Julien Knowles on trumpet, Javier Santiago on piano, Emiliano Lasansky on bass, and Benjamin Ring on drums. Pianist Otmaro Ruiz is at La Puglia Restaurant in Santa Monica. Pianist Christopher Linman is at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Drummer Tina Raymond is at the NeueHouse in Hollywood.  The Angel Town Combo is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Addison Jordan is at the Townhouse in Venice.  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.  The Bakersfield Jazz Orchestra is at the Petroluem Club in Bakersfield.  Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features bassist Peter Barshay.

Wednesday 3/23 – Helen Sung at Mr. Musichead Gallery

Pianist Helen Sung is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood with John Ellis on sax/flute. Daid Wong on bass, EJ Strickland on drums, and Jenny Scheinman on violin. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Christopher McBride is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Bijon Watson is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach.  Trombonist Alan Ferber is at ETA in Highland Park.  Saxophonist Mindi Abair is at the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A.  Saxophonist Robert Kyle is at The Grape in Ventura.  The Duck Soup Trio is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Rebecca Jade is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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.  Bassist Jake Leckie is at Three Clubs in Hollywood.  Cathy Segal-Garcia’s Noon YouTube Hang features Canadian pianist Peter Tobey.