About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of December 26, 2022

2022 ends with a SoCal jazz week including Virgil Donati & Alex Machacek, Azar Lawrence, Gordon Goodwin, Pete Escovedo, Ruslan Sirota, Bunny Brunel, Remy Le Boeuf, Paul Peress, Brian Swartz, Gerald Clayton, Holly Hofmann & Mike Wofford, Max Haymer, Amy Keys, and Tim Rachbach.

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 12/26 – Paul Peress at The Baked Potato

Drummer Paul Peress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Dennis Hamm on keys, Brandon Fields on sax, and Ernest Tibbs on bass. Vocalist Jane Monheit begins a two-night (Mon-Tue) run at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist Billy Mohler is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.

Tuesday 12/27 – Virgil Donati & Alex Machacek at The Baked Potato

Drummer Virgil Donati and guitarist Alex Machacek lead a group at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Tue-Wed) featuring Anthony Crawford on bass and Isamu McGregor on keys. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads a jam session at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Jane Monheit is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pino Noir is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. 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. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. The Supasol Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Wednesday 12/28 – Tim Rachbach at Sam First

Drummer Tim Rachbach is at Sam First near LAX with Devin Daniels on sax, Adam Hersh on piano, and Jermaine Paul on bass. Flutist Holly Hofmann and pianist Mike Wofford are at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Virgil Donati and guitarist Alex Machacek lead a group at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum Of Art. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach.

Thursday 12/29 – Ruslan Sirota at Sam First

Pianist Ruslan Sirota is at Sam First near LAX with Mike Gurrola on bass, Gene Coye on drums, and Kira Levin on vocals. Bassist Bunny Brunel’s CAB is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Pete Escovedo & Family are at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist Carey Frank is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Brian Levy is at Dizzy’s in San Diego with pianist Mikan Zlatkovich. Vocalist Maria de la Vega & The Wayward Five are at Sorriso in Pasadena. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at The Merc in Temecula. The Jazz Cartel Quartet is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Draeh Jirnae is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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 12/30 – Pete Escovedo & Family at Catalina Jazz Club

Percussionist Pete Escovedo & Family are at Catalina in Hollywood for the second of two nights (Thu-Fri).  Saxophonist Remy Le Boeuf is at Sam First near LAX. The Cranktones are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Amy Keys is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer Justin Brown is at ETA in Highland Park.  Vocalists Matt Forbes and Jesse Goddard are at the Dresden Room in Los Feliz.  Strada Swing is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. The Jazz Cartel is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Angel Town Combo is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mika Krstic is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The Dean Mora Orchestra is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Bassist John Murray is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park with vocalist Andrea Miller. 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 12/31 – Azar Lawrence at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge

Saxophonist Azar Lawrence is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach.  Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vibrato in Bel Air offers two shows for New Year’s Eve – percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran plays the early show, while the Angel Town Combo plays the late show. Vocalists Patrick Barnitt & Sharon Marie Cline are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Howie Levine’s “JazzNatra” is at Sorriso in Pasadena for two shows with guest vocalist Paula Sargent and a quartet led by pianist Mike Saul.  Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego features pianist Tommy Gannon for a dinner set, followed by pianist Mikan Zlatkovich with vocalist Amanda Portela.  Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs.  The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. The Groovemeisters with vocalist Andrea Miller are at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park.

Sunday 1/1 – Max Haymer at The York

Pianist Max Haymer is at The York in Highland Park with Karm McComas-Reichl on bass and Rick Montalbano on drums. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Sorriso. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Shulman and keyboardist Koji Ono are at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Jazz Cartel plays a brunch at Sorriso in Pasadena.

Monday 1/2 – Jacques Lesure Jazz Jam session at the Lighthouse

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.  The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City.  Trio Renaciamento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.

Tuesday 1/3 – Danny Jonokucki Big Band at Vibrato

The Danny Jonokuchi Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza.  Saxophonist Ian Roller plays music of Weather Report at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at The York in Highland Park.   Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen and guitarist Shea Welsh split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica. 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. The Supasol Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Palm Desert.

Wednesday 1/4 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jimmy Haslip on bass, Gary Novak on drums, and Cyril Atef on percussion. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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. Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.