About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of September 19, 2022

It’s a strong week in SoCal jazz including Chucho Valdes with John Beasley, Joshua Redman, Ravi Coltrane, The Cookers, Mike Miller, Azar Lawrence, Bill Cunliffe, Jeff Lorber, Melody Gardot, Kyle Eastwood, Ken Peplowski, Michael Wolff, Shai Maestro, Akiko Tsuruga & Jeff Hamilton, Teodross Avery, Claude Hall, and Sarah McKenzie.

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 9/19 – BABA Orchestra at the McKinney Theatre

Violinist Lauren Elizabeth Baba leads her BABA Orchestra at the Saddleback College McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. Bassist Brian Bromberg leads a quintet at Spaghettini Seal Beach.  Bayou Degradeable is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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 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. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Drummer Matt Mayhall is at ETA in Highland Park.

Tuesday 9/20 – Ken Peplowski & Chuck Redd at Bistango

Clarinetist Ken Peplowski and vibraphonist Chuck Redd are at Bistango in Irvine with a group featuring pianist Tom Ranier. Pianist/singer Sarah McKenzie is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Mathis Picard is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Genevieve Artadi & High Pulp split a bill at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Vocalist Sandra Booker is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a group with guest vocalist Sherry Williams at Hello Stranger in downtown L.A. Keyboardist Vardan Ovsepian is at Tavern On Brand in Glendale.  Vocalist Emmaline is at Catalina in Hollywood. Corcovado with vocalist Natalie Jacob and vibraphonist Nick Mancini split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Jacob Wendt leads a jam at the Pike Restaurant & Bar in Long Beach in playing music of Ornette Coleman.  The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the Bike Brewery in Bell Gardens.  Trumpeter Matt Shulman and keyboardist Koji Ono are at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The Baked Potato features a four-act Showcase Night. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. The Jazztown Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells.

Wednesday 9/21 – Chucho Valdes & The MONK’estra at the Hollywood Bowl

Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes is at the Hollywood Bowl with John Beasley’s MONK’estra. Vocalist Melody Gardot is at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown L.A. Pianist Michael Wolff is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Bassist Kyle Eastwood opens a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Jon Mayer is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist/vocalist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalists Lia Booth and Jason Goldman are at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Ladd McIntosh Big Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Guitarist Molly Miller is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Emmaline is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Greg Vail 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. 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.

Thursday 9/22 – Redman/Mehldau/McBride/Blade at The Soraya

Saxophonist Joshua Redman leads a band featuring Brad Mehldau on piano, Christian McBride on bass, and Brian Blade on drums at The Soraya in Northridge. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber begins a two-night (Thu-Fri) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Kyle Eastwood is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at Sam First near LAX. Vibraphonist Chuck Redd is at The Merc in Temecula. Guitarist Pasquale Grasso is at Libretto in Paso Robles.  Keyboardist Vardan Ovsepian is at Momed in Atwater Village.  Vocalist Amanda Castro is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Vonda Shepard is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalists Alvin Reyes and Cathy Segal-Garcia are at Kusina Filipina in Eagle Rock. Saxophonist Bill Ungerman is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Holy Crow is at Sorriso in Pasadena. Saxophonist Jordan Ferrin is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Matt Shulman and keyboardist Koji Ono are at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Vocalist Lola Kristine is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Aimee Nolte is at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica. Four And More is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. 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. Drummer Tyler Hammond is at Black Rabbit Rose in Hollywood. Vocalist Dan Olivo is at LeGrand Restaurant in downtown L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for instrumentalists.

Friday 9/23 – Ravi Coltrane at The Broad Stage

Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane plays music of his parents, John and Alice Coltrane, at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. The Cookers are at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in South L.A. Saxophonist Azar Lawrence is at the Corazon Performing Arts Center in Topanga. Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Shai Maestro is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Teodross Avery leads a birthday concert in celebration of John Coltrane at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist Dale Fielder is at LACMA in West L.A. for the free Friday jazz series. Flutist Holly Hofmann and pianist Mike Wofford are at the La Jolla Community Center. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Tritone Asylum is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Lao Tizer is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Dee Lucas is at Feinstein’s At Vitello’s in Studio City with pianist Gail Jhonson.  Organist Gregg Karukas is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga.  Guitarist Molly Miller is at AMSTRDM in Paso Robles.  Organist Carey Frank is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Drummer Jason Harnell is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. The Pepper Moons are at Sorriso in Pasadena. Vocalist Kana Shimanuki is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park with vocalist Jay Jackson. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Pianist Melonie Grinnell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Mark San Filippo is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The Hot Club of Palm Springs is at Vicky’s of Santa Fe in Indian Wells.

Saturday 9/24 – Mike Miller at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Mike Miller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Mitchel Forman on keys, Jerry Watts on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums.  Pianist Bill Cunliffe leads a trio in the music of Tommy Flanagan at Sam First near LAX. Organist Akiko Tsuruga and drummer Jeff Hamilton lead a trio at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Ron Eschete is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist  Percussionist James Yoshizawa is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Adam Aejaye Jackson is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Drummer /vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Teen multi-instrumentalist Justin Lee Schultz is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Sabine Pothier is at the Sage Granada Park United Methodist Church in Alhambra. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at ETA in Highland Park. Vocalist Liela Soder is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Flutist Holly Hofmann is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park with vocalist Andrea Miller.  Saxophonist Justin Chart plays an early evening show at the Debonair Cigar Lounge in West L.A.  Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Saxophonist Justin Chart plays an early evening show at the Debonair Cigar Lounge in West L.A.  Mambo Craze Cabaret is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A.

Sunday 9/25 – Claude Hall at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Claude Hall is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Karen Hammack on keys, Gabe Davis on bass, and Paul Kreibich on drums. Bassist Kevin O’Neal leads a tribute to Barbara Morrison at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Sam Wilkes and keyboardist Jacob Mann are at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Saxophonist Daniel Weidlein opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Ronee Martin & pianist Van-Anh Nguyen are at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Guitarist Steve Oliver and saxophonist Michael Lington are at the South Coast Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Liela Soder is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera. Violinist Susie Hansen is at the Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Matt Shulman and keyboardist Koji Ono are at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Bassist Zephyr Avalon is at The San Fernando in Glendale. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Papille Gustative in Santa Monica.  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. Mz. Val does the afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Bassist Rob Thorsen does a brunch session at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Colella does the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Sandy Cummings does a jazz brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for vocalists.

Monday 9/26 – Eric Marienthal & David Benoit at Spaghettini

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with pianist David Benoit. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Saxophonist Jordan Ferrin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Guitarist Andrew Renfroe is at ETA in Highland Park.  Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. 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. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 9/27 – Cathy Segal-Garcia at La Puglia Restaurant

Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at La Puglia in Santa Monica with Mitchell Long on guitar and John Leftwich on bass. Trumpeter Theo Croker leads a jam session at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Matthew Mallinger is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Blues guitarist Josh Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Trumpeter Matt Shulman and keyboardist Koji Ono are at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. 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 9/28 – Herbie Hancock Free Nationals at the Hollywood Bowl

Pianist Herbie Hancock is at the Hollywood Bowl with Terence Blanchard on trumpet, James Genus on bass, Lionel Loueke on guitar & vocals, Elena Pinderhughes on flute & vocals, and Justin Tyson on drums. Trumpeter David Weiss is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Steven Lugerner is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Marina Pacowski is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Terrell Edwards is at Feinstein’s At Vitello’s in Studio City. Vocalist Joanna Geragola is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Violinist Diego Mondragon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream for The Innocence Project includes vocalists Phyllis Battle and Aaron Jacobs. French vocal group Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air.