About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of January 2, 2023

2023 opens with a SoCal jazz week including Brandon Fields, Bob Reynolds, Scott Kinsey, Erin Bentlage, Luis Conte, George Colligan, Danny Jonokuchi, Ian Roller, Ben Williams, Jacques Lesure, Jimmy Branly,  Jason Harnell, and Janis Mann.

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 1/2 – Jeff Parker at ETA

Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park with Josh Johnson on sax, Anna Butterss on bass, and Jay Bellerose on drums.  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 is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at The York in Highland Park.  Bassist Ben Williams hosts a jazz jam session at Sam First near LAX. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen and guitarist Shea Welsh split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Drummer Rick Montalbano is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A.  The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand 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. 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. Saxophonist Devin Daniels is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Avery Scanlon is at Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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.

Thursday 1/5 – Bob Reynolds at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Ruslan Sirota on keys, Janek Gwizdala on bass, and Gene Coye on drums.  Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Rachel Avalon is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at Libretto in Paso Robles. California Honeydrops are at the Teragram Ballroom in downtown L.A. Bassist Bruce Lett is at The Merc in Temecula with vocalist Meloney Collins. Guitarist Robby Kreiger & The Soul Savages are at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Vocalist Rachel Avalon is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach.  The Jazz Cartel Quartet is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Keyboardist/vocalist Kirk Covington is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pino Noir 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.  Saxophonist David Patterson is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A.  The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for instrumentalists. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Friday 1/6 – Erin Bentlage at Sam First

Vocalist Erin Bentlage is at Sam First near LAX with Paul Cornish on piano, Anna Butterss on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Janis Mann is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Pat Kelley is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at Catalina in Hollywood. Blanco Diablo is at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Guitarist Tom Rizzo is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Peter Cincotti is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Spings. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at La Cave in Costa Mesa.  The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine.  Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park. 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. The Jazz Cartel Trio is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Vocalist Dan Olivo is at 208 Rodeo in Beverly Hills.  The Cookies are at 1881 in Pasadena.  Trio Gadjo is at Golden Island in San Diego.

Saturday 1/7 – Brandon Fields at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Brandon Fields is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a band including Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, Chad Wackerman on drums, and Lenny Castro on percussion. Pianist George Colligan is at Sam First near LAX with vocalist Anna Meyer, bassist Darek Oles, and drummer Steve Hass. Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist/vocalist Peter Cincotti is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Dan Olivo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Dolphin Hyperspace is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia hosts a jam at the Conference Room in Playa Vista. Vocalist Lois Mahalia and guitarist/vocalist Teka are at the Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park.  Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A.  Vocalist Liela Soder is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Flutist Holly Hofmann is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Pianist Brian Clemens and vocalist Andrea Miller are at Sabatino’s in Mission Viejo.  Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at Les Amis in Fullerton.

Sunday 1/8 – Jason Harnell at The Baked Potato

Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a dual keyboard group featuring Josh Nelson and Gary Fukushima along with saxophonist Michael Mull.  Saxophonist Glenn Cashman opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Pianist Jon Mayer is at Dizzy’s in San Diego.  Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Drummer Dan Schnelle is at The York in Highland Park.  Pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session is at The Mint in West L.A. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Drummer Michael Carvin continues his monthly residency series at the El Portal Theatre Monroe Forum in North Hollywood with an afternoon show.  Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt is at Venice West in Venice. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Sorriso. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Shulman and keyboardist Koji Ono are at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale.  Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood.  Vocalist Linda A. Smith has the jazz brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Jill Sargeant has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Jazz Cartel plays a brunch at Sorriso in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Dave Victorino plays a brunch at Club 23 in Covina.  Pino Noir is at The Stowaway in downtown L.A.

Monday 1/9 – Isamu McGregor at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Isamu McGregor is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Deen Anbar on guitar, Anthony Crawford on bass, and Christian Euman on drums. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Bassist Francisco Ojeda 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 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.  Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 1/10 – Mavin “Smitty” Smith at The Baked Potato

Drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chris Lowery on trumpet, Dale Fielder and Ralph Moore on saxes, Adam Ledbetter on keys, and Edwin Livingston on bass. Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Theo Croker hosts a jam session at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Thom Rotella and Caspian Express split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Antonio Artese is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. 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. 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. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a new weekly jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown Los Angeles.  Vocalist Keri Kelsey hosts an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood.   Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A.

Wednesday 1/11 – Jay Jennings at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Ross Schodek on bass, and Jose Perez on drums. Drummer Rodolfo Zuniga is at Sam First near LAX.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at The York in Highland Park.  Vocalist Arianna Neikrug is at Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The Idiomatiques are at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist/vocalist Kiki Ebsen sings music from Joni Mitchell at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Danny Anaya 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.  Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at Urban Press Winery in Burbank.