About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 8, 2022

Trumpeter Terence Blanchard’s E-Collective headlines a SoCal jazz week that includes Gary Bartz & Theo Croker, Scott Kinsey, Byron Stripling & Bobby Floyd, Thom Rotella, Tom Luer, Trombone Shorty, Bob Reynolds, Sidney Jacobs, Tina Raymond, Vardan Ovsepian, Adam Benjamin, Justo Almario, and the weekend’s Long Beach Jazz Festival.

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. The LAjazz.com Quick Calendar lists shows and times three days in advance on the LAjazz.com home page.

Monday 8/8 – Byron Stripling/Bobby Floyd Quartet at Bistango

Trumpeter Byron Stripling and organist Bobby Floyd lead a quartet at Bistango in Irvine for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue) with guitarist Bruce Forman and drummer Joe La Barbera. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a straight-ahead set and jazz jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Guitarist Dave Harrington is at ETA in Highland Park. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A. 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. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Blues guitarist/vocalist Artur Menezes is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Tuesday 8/9 – Terence Blanchard & The E-Collective at Ford Amphitheatre

Trumpeter Terence Blanchard & The E-Collective are at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood with the Turtle Island Quartet. Vocalist Lia Booth and the VDE Big Band are at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull and pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Natalie Jacob and guitarist Shea Welsh with guest vocalist Michelle Coltrane split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Byron Stripling and organist Bobby Floyd lead a quartet at Bistango in Irvine. Drummer Kevin Kanner leads a jam session at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Ed Roth is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Irving Flores is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park.

Wednesday 8/10 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Hadrien Feraud on bass, Bob Reynolds on sax, and Ronald Bruner, Jr. on drums. Trombone Shorty leads a night of music from New Orleans at the Hollywood Bowl. Pianist Luca Mendoza is at Sam First Near LAX. Brazilian guitarist Teka is at The Grape in Ventura. Former Doors guitarist Robby Kreiger & The Soul Savages are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams is at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Mara Kaye is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Keyboardist/vocalist Kirk Covington is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter Mike Rocha is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum Of Art. 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. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach with vocalist Andrea Miller. Bassist Jake Leckie is at Three Clubs in Hollywood. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale.

Thursday 8/11 – Tom Luer at Sam First

Saxophonist Tom Luer is at Sam First Near LAX with Otmaro Ruiz on piano, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Anthony Fung on drums. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Tina Raymond is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood. Vibraphonist Joel Ross and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis are at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Bill Cunliffe plays an evening of solo piano at AMSTRDM in Paso Robles. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Luke Carlsen is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Kleber Jorge is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Leonard Patton is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego for the first of two nights (Thu-Fri). Saxophonist Javier Vergara and pianist Camara Kambon are at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Allyson Briggs sings the music of Burt Bacharach at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City for the first of two nights (Thu-Fri). Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Keyboardist/vocalist Kirk Covington is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Phat Cat Swinger is at the Cascade Lounge in San Diego. Drummer Paul Kreibich does a livestream for the Los Angeles Jazz Society. Saxophonist Bill Ungerman is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Jumpin’ Joz is at The Original Farmers Market in West L.A. Vocalist Sherwood Sledge is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist Aimee Nolte is at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica. Four And More is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park with vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at ASH in Hollywood. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. Drummer Davey Miller is at A Twist On Main in Ventura Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Pianist Michael Ragonese leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. Drummer Tyler Hammond is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Vocalist Dan Olivo is at LeGrand Restaurant in downtown L.A. The Kings Quartet is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for instrumentalists.

Friday 8/12 – Long Beach Jazz Festival At Rainbow Lagoon Park

The three-day Long Beach Jazz Festival kicks off with keyboardists Robert Glasper and Justin-Lee Schultz at Rainbow Lagoon Park. Keyboardist Adam Benjamin leads a trio at Sam First Near LAX. Vocalist Sidney Jacobs debuts a CD at a house concert at The G-Spot on Mount Washington. Drummer Don Littleton leads a tribute to Eddie Harris for the free Friday jazz series at LACMA in West L.A. Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist Brian Bromberg begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarists Allen Hinds and Brad Rabuchin are at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Devyn Rush is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Saxophonist Julien Roel is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Javier Vergara and pianist Camara Kambon are at NAMBA in Ventura. Vocalists Dolores Scosezzi and Mark Winkler lead an evening of singers at The Gardenia in Beverly Hills for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Producer/vocalist Aaron Jacobs & The Swing Tones kick off three nights of swing jazz and dancing at Summer Swing Nights at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. Vocalist Allyson Briggs sings the music of Burt Bacharach at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s in Studio City. The Angel Town Combo is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Leonard Patton is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist John Proulx is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Drummer Mark San Filippo is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena.

Saturday 8/13 – Thom Rotella at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Thom Rotella is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chuan Horton on drums, Ernest Tibbs on bass, Dave Witham on keys, Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, Ido Meshulam on trombone, and Michael Stever on trumpet. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at Sam First Near LAX. Saxophonist Justo Almario is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Bassist Brian Bromberg is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Long Beach Jazz Festival features vocalist Ledisi and saxophonist Gerald Albright at Rainbow Lagoon Park. Flutist Lori Bell and pianist Mikan Zlatkovich are at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Violinist Karen Briggs is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer Tina Raymond is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Lisa Donahey is at Feinstein’s At Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Aaron Jacobs & The Swing Tones lead a night of swing jazz and dancing at Summer Swing Nights at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. Vocalists Dolores Scosezzi and Mark Winkler lead an evening of singers at The Gardenia in Beverly Hills. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Hancock Park in West L.A. Phat Cat Swinger is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Leslie Page is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Saxophonists Mindi Abair and Euge Groove are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Saxophonist Logan Richardson is at ETA in Highland Park. Holy Crow is at Sorriso in Pasadena. Vocalist Liela Avila is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Flutist Holly Hofmann is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park. The Wiseguys Big Band Machine is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Los Vecinos are at Azo Vino in Covina.

Sunday 8/14 – Gary Bartz & Theo Croker at the Lodge Room

Saxophonist Gary Bartz and trumpeter Theo Croker are at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Long Beach Jazz Festival concludes with acts including Sergio Mendes and drummer Al Williams at Rainbow Lagoon Park. Eumajia opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Tom Zink is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Aaron Jacobs & The Swing Tones lead a night of swing jazz and dancing at Summer Swing Nights at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. Pianist Ron Kobayashi and drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Sharron Moore is at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Zephyr Avalon is at The San Fernando in Glendale. The Aristocats are 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. The LA Jazz Connection is at Strada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Sherry Williams does an afternoon brunch at Ferro in Idyllwild. Pianist Todd Hunter does the afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Trumpeter Jeff Elliott does a Sunday brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Bassist Rob Thorsen does a brunch session at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Saxophonist Ben Sachs does the 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. The Gypsy Fireballs are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A.  Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale.

Monday 8/15 – Larry Goldings & Melinda Sullivan at The Stowaway

Keyboardist Larry Goldings and tap dancer Melinda Sullivan are at The Stowaway in downtown L.A. Pianist Brian Clemens and vocalist Andrea Miller are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Four Freshmen are at Bistango in Irvine for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue).  Drummer Mark Ferber is at ETA in Highland Park.  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. Keyboardist/vocalist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Tuesday 8/16 – Dmitris Mahlis at The Baked Potato

Oud/guitar player Dmitris Mahlis is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jerry Watts on bass, Chris Wabich on drums, and Dan Rosenboom on trumpet. Pianist Billy Mitchell is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Organist Akiko Tsuruga and drummer Jeff Hamilton are at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Saxophonist Terrace Martin’s Curly is at ETA in Highland Park for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed). Pianist Paul Cornish leads a jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Andrea Miller and pianist Ron Kobayashi are at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Four Freshmen are at Bistango in Irvine. California Feetwarmers are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.  Pianist Marc LeBrun is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Elisa Fiorillo is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Mark Leggett is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Kimberly Ford leads a jazz jam at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Leanna & The Jazz Collective are at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Wednesday 8/17 – David Garfield at Catalina

Keyboardist David Garfield is at Catalina in Hollywood with Brandon Fields on sax, Jimmy Earl on bass, Gary Novak on drums, and Tony Pulizzi on guitar. Drummer Charles Ruggerio leads the Slide Hampton Octet at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Erin Bentlage is at Sam First Near LAX. Organist Akiko Tsuruga and drummer Jeff Hamilton are at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Violinist Lauren Elizabeth Baba leads her orchestra at The Paramount in East L.A.  Vocalists Lorraina Marro and Patrick Barnitt are at Feinstein’s At Vitello’s in Studio City. Trumpeter Josh Welchez and saxophonist Matt Otto are at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Guitarist Peter Curtis is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Terrace Martin’s Curly is at ETA in Highland Park.  Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams is at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Trumpeter Mike Rocha is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum Of Art. 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. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Bassist Jake Leckie is at Three Clubs in Hollywood. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Trumpeter Steve Wade is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream for The Innocence Project includes vocalists Lynne Fiddmont and Ronee Martin.