About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of December 12, 2022

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Mike Stern, Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, Manhattan Transfer, John Escreet, Jeff Hamilton, Daniel Rotem, Gary Novak, Steve Lukather, Gerald Clayton, the VDE Big Band, Mark Turner, Oskar Cartaya, Dan Rosenboom, Christina Galisatus, and Hailey Reinhart.

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 12/12 – Gary Novak at The Baked Potato

Drummer Gary Novak is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Ruslan Sirota on keys, Bob Reynolds on sax, and Mike Gurrola on bass. Martini In The Morning offers a salute to Frank Sinatra at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest saxophonist Richard Elliott. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.

Tuesday 12/13 – Gerald Clayton Jam Session at Sam First

Pianist Gerald Clayton leads a jam session at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist George Kahn’s Jazz & Blues Revue is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Joe Rozum plays a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Kenneth Crouch is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller does a holiday show at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. Vocalist Suzy Williams is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter/vocalist 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. Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells.

Wednesday 12/14 – Nerve Bundle at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Steve Lukather’s Nerve Bundle begins a three-night (Wed-Fri) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jeff Babko on keys, Jorgen Carlsson on bass, and Gregg Bissonette on drums. The Just Jazz series ends its run at Mr. Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood with a performance by saxophonist Mark Turner. Pianist Christina Galisatus is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Uli Geissendoerfer is at The Grape in Ventura for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu). The Cranktones play their Christmas show at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield. Vocalist Holly Pyle is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Guitarist Laurence Juber is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at Urban Press Winery in Burbank with guests Natalie Jacob and Pamela Clay.  Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum Of Art. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Bassist Jake Leckie is at Three Clubs in Hollywood. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Marguaret Love & Her Lovettes are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.

Thursday 12/15 – Daniel Rotem at Sam First

Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Sam First near LAX. The VDE Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Jeff Hamilton leads a trio at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena for the first of two nights (Thu-Fri). Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at The Merc in Temecula. Guitarist Steve Lukather’s Nerve Bundle is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Uli Geissendoerfer is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Bill Ungerman is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. French vocalist Chloe Perrier is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Trumpeter/vocalist 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. 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 12/16 – John Escreet’s Seismic Shift at Sam First

Pianist John Escreet’s Seismic Shift is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Mark Turner on sax, Eric Revis on bass, and Damion Reid on drums.  Keyboardist Jeff Lorber is at The Grape in Ventura. Manhattan Transfer opens a two-night (Fri-Sat) holiday show run at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa. Vocalist Hailey Reinhart does a holiday show with Dave Damiani & The No Vacancy Orchestra at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx opens for vocalist Seth MacFarlane at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dave Koz plays a holiday show at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Drummer Jeff Hamilton leads a trio at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Saxophonist Scott Martin is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalists Jay Jackson and James Janisse lead a Jazz Wine Fundraiser at the Conference Room in Playa Vista. Drummer Tina Raymond is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Saxophonist Robert Dove is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. Guitarist Steve Lukather’s Nerve Bundle is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 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. 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. Vocalist Dave Stephens is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Saturday 12/17 – Herb Alpert & Lani Hall at The Broad Stage

Trumpeter Herb Alpert and vocalist Lani Hall do a holiday show at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Bassist Oskar Cartaya is at Verse LA in Toluca Lake. Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom’s Burning Ghosts are at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Mike Stern is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.   Pianist John Escreet’s Seismic Shift is at Sam First near LAX.  Pianist Scott Wilkie is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Keyboardist Gregg Karukas plays an afternoon show at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonists Michael Paulo & Euge Groove are at the Rancho Mirage Westin for a holiday show. Manhattan Transfer does a holiday show at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa. Saxophonist Bruce Eskovitz is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Daneen Wilburn. Saxophonist Dave Koz plays a holiday show at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Vocalist Phyllis Bailey Brooks does a holiday show at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Stephanie Spruill does a holiday show at Feinstein’s At Vitello’s in Studio City.  The Gift is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock.  Strada Swing is at Sorriso in Pasadena. Saxophonist Jessy J is at Spaghettini in Seal 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.

Sunday 12/18 – Mike Stern at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Mike Stern finishes a two-night run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Leni Stern on guitar, Bob Franceschini on sax, Hadrien Feraud on bass, and Dennis Chambers on drums. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park. The Corbin Jones Big Band plays a holiday show opening for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Ron Kobayashi & drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Scott Wilkie is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  The LA Jazz Connection is at Strada in downtown L.A.  Pianist Mike Wofford is at The Manhattan Of La Jolla. Trumpeter/vocalist 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 Novo Cafe in Westlake Village. Vocalist Liz Cole does the afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Bassist Rob Thorsen does a brunch session at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Keyboardist Jay Smith leads 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. Pianist/vocalist Freddie Ravel does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Monday 12/19 – Tina Raymond + Dan Rosenboom at Oracle Tavern

Drummer Tina Raymond opens an evening at Oracle Tavern in downtown L.A. with Joshua White on piano and Eric Revis on bass, followed by trumpeter Dan Rosenboom with Gavin Templeton on sax, John Escreet on piano, Billy Mohler on bass, and Damion Reid on drums.  Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Dave Koz plays a holiday show at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs.  Violinist Susie Hansen is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock.  Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Crystal Lewis is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood.  Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith.  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. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale.  Trio Renaciamento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.

Tuesday 12/20 – Jerry Vivino at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Rose Colella does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads a jam session at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Marco Apicella is at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  The Angel Town Combo is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.  Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.  Vocalist Amber Weekes is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock.  Saxophonist Mindi Abair does a holiday show at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego.  Vocalist Rose Colella does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air.  The Long Beach Jazz Jam celebrates its sixth anniversary at the Pike Bar in Long Beach. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Shulman and keyboardist Koji Ono are at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. 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. Guitarist Mark Leggett is at TRiP in Santa Monica.

Wednesday 12/21 – Jane Monheit at Catalina

Vocalist Jane Monheit opens a two-night (Wed-Thu) holiday run at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Denny Seiwell is at The Grape in Ventura. Bassist Emiliano Lasansky leads a quartet at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Melissa Ericco opens a two-night (Wed-Thu) run of holiday shows at Feinstein’s At Vitello’s in Studio City backed by a trio led by pianist Randy Waldman. Guitarist Ray Fuller does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Duck Soup Trio plays the music of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Mindi Abair does a holiday show at the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga.  Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock.  Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Brian Clemens is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum Of Art. Saxophonist Jerry Mandel is at Bistango in Irvine. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Bassist Jake Leckie is at Three Clubs in Hollywood.