September closes and October opens with a SoCal jazz week including Herbie Hancock, Samara Joy, Kurt Elling, Willie Jones III, John Storie, Luis Conte, Jay Jennings, David Weiss, Charles Ruggerio, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Julian Lage, Justo Almario, Theo Croker, and Tom Kubis.
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 9/26 – 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. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at the Petroleum Club in Bakersfield. The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the Bike Brewery in Bell Gardens. 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 The Paramount in East Los Angeles. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Julian Lage is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. 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.
Thursday 9/29 – John Storie at Sam First
Guitarist John Storie is at Sam First near LAX with Rickey Woodard on sax, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Jeff Hamilton on drums. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Mike Cottone is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Willie Jones III is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Vocalist Jamie Shew is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Jon Mayer is at The Merc in Temecula. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Trumpeter and vibraphonist Bob DeSena is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Eddie Wakes is at The Citizen in Hollywood. Vocalist Jessica Allen is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Matt Shulman and keyboardist Koji Ono are at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. 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. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at the Paris Restaurant & Lounge in Culver City. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for instrumentalists.
Friday 9/30 – Luis Conte at The Baked Potato
Cuban percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alberto Salas on keys, Gilberto Torres on flute/vocals, Rigoberto Lopez on bass, and Kevin Picard on percussion. Saxophonist Justo Almario is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Bill Cunliffe is in Ojai at the Starborn Wellness Concert Hall. Keyboardist David Garfield is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Sherry Williams is at LACMA in West L.A. for the free Friday jazz show. Drummer Anthony Fung is at Libretto in Paso Robles for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). PLOTZ! Is at The Grape in Ventura. The DD Horns are at Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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. 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. Jerry Costanzo & His Gotham City Swingers are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Sorriso in Pasadena.
Saturday 10/1 – Samara Joy at Segerstrom Samueli Theatre
Vocalist Samara Joy is at the Segerstrom Samueli Theatre in Costa Mesa. Vocalist Kurt Elling is at Zebulon in Silverlake with a group led by guitarist Charlie Hunter. Drummer Willie Jones III is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist/guitarist Cristina Abaroa is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is backed by pianist Joe Alterman’s trio at Feinstein’s At Vitello’s in Studio City. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Teka is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalists Cathy-Segal-Garcia, Yve Evans, and Molly Ryan are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Anthony Fung is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Guitarist Carl Verheyen is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Irving Flores is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Liela Soder 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. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Tino Productions is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A.
Sunday 10/2 – Dave Damiani at Catalina Jazz Club
Vocalist Dave Damiani is at Catalina in Hollywood with guest vocalist Abbi Berry. Pianist Lana Drincic opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Cortex begins a three-night (Sun-Tue) run at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt is at Venice West in Venice. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Cantalinis Salerno Beach Restaurant in West L.A. Bassist Julian Vaughan is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Jumpin’ Joz is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Pianist Brian Clemens is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. 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. Bassist Michael Haggins is at Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt does the afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Bassist Rob Thorsen does a brunch session at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Saxophonist Nick Gomez 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. Chef Dave Rozier leads an evening of blues at The Baked Potato in Studio City.
Monday 10/3 – Jamey Arent at The Baked Potato
Guitarist Jamey Arent is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Steve Swatkins on keys, Corbin Jones on bass, and Sam Brawner on drums. Guitarist Gonzalo Bergara and violinist Leah Zeger are at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Cortex is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. 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.
Tuesday 10/4 – Quarteto Nuevo at Vibrato
Quarteto Nuevo is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Damon Zick on sax, Jacob Szekely on cello, Kenton Youngstrom on guitar, and Felipe Fraga on percussion. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts a jam session at Sam First near LAX. Cortex is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Brass Against is at The Troubadour in West Hollywood. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the Bike Brewery in Bell Gardens. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Matt Shulman and keyboardist Koji Ono are at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood. 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 10/5 – Monty Alexander at Vibrato
Pianist Monty Alexander is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jimmy Earl on bass, Katisse Buckingham on sax, and Gary Novak on drums. Vibraphonist Sasha Berliner is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. The Comet Is Coming is at the El Rey Theatre in Hollywood. Guitarist Dean Grech 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.
About & Out - Tom Meek's Weekly Best Bets For Live Jazz In Los Angeles And Across Southern California 