About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of January 9, 2023

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Otmaro Ruiz, Mike Miller, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Poncho Sanchez, Daniel Szabo, Bobby West, Brad Rabuchin & Allen Hinds, Jay Jennings, Rodolfo Zuniga, Lauren Baba, Theo Croker, Betty Bryant, Susan Krebs, Putter Smith, Arianna Neikrug, Mike Keneally, and Aaron Akins.

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 1/9 – 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. Bassist Francisco Ojeda is at ETA in Highland Park. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood.

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.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at The York in Highland Park.  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.   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. Guitarist Danny Anaya is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. 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. The Supasol Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream for The Innocence Project includes vocalist Natalia Spadini.

Thursday 1/12 – Daniel Szabo at Sam First

Pianist Daniel Szabo is at Sam First near LAX with Danny Janklow on sax, Mike Cottone on trumpet, Karl McComas-Reichl on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Organist Greg Mathieson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pete Escovedo’s Latin Jazz Orchestra is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Arianna Neikrug is at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero leads a jam session at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at The Grape in Ventura. Keyboardist Michael Ragonese hots a jam session at The York in Highland Park. Pianist Irving Flores is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Keyboardist/vocalist Kirk Covington is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Kris Tokarski is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Lola Kristine is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Dan St. Marseilles is at The Merc in Temecula. 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 Meet In 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.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Daddy Diamonds in Hollywood.  Bassist Jake Leckie is at the Dresden Room in Los Feliz.

Friday 1/13 – Otmaro Ruiz at Sam First

Pianist Otmaro Ruiz is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Larry Koonse on guitar, Sezin Ahmet Turkmenoglu on bass, and Jimmy Branly on drums. Pianist Bobby West is at The World Stage in South L.A. Bassist Putter Smith is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Pianist Michael Ragonese is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Aaron Akins is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Phoenyx Big Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Haley Reinhart hosts a benefit for bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams at Venice West in Venice. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Saxophonist Danny Gonzalez is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. 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. Saxophonist Danny Gonzalez is at Golden Island in San Diego. Cosmosquad is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Tony Galla is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Vocalists Matt Forbes and Jesse Goddard are at the Dresden Room in Los Feliz.  Saxophonist Adam Kolker is at ETA in Highland Park.

Saturday 1/14 – Mike Miller at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Mike Miller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Walt Fowler on trumpet, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums. Pianist Otmaro Ruiz is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarists Allen Hinds and Brad Rabuchin are at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Susan Krebs’ WoRK Quintet is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Brazilian drummer Marcelo Bucater is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Vibraphonist Matt Dibiase is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego.  Pianist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Recorder player Tali Rubenstein is at Libretto in Paso Robles.  Saxophonist Julian Roel is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Bassist Baba Elefante is at the Orange County Musicians Union in Santa Ana. Dolphin Hyperspace is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. 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. Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 play a brunch at The Pour House in Monrovia.

Sunday 1/15 – Poncho Sanchez at Venice West

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Venice West in Venice. Lauren Baba hosts Big Band Nights at Art Share L.A. in downtown Los Angeles including the John Hatamiya Big Band and the Joey Sellers Jazz Aggregation.  Trumpeters James Morrison and Willie Murillo are at the Colburn School Mayman Hall in downtown L.A.  Catatonic is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Robby Krieger & The Soul Savages are at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins plays a late afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park.  Vocalist Sherry Williams is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Birds open for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Elena Gilliam and guitarist George Gilliam are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Sorriso in Pasadena. 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 Erin Stevenson has a jazz brunch at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalists Cathy Segal-Garcia and Mon David have the jazz brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Rose Colella has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Jazz Cartel plays a brunch at Sorriso in Pasadena.

Monday 1/16 – Jacques Lesure Jam Session at the Lighthouse

Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith.  Vocalist Andrea Miller and keyboardist Ron Kobayashi are at Bottega Angelina in Laguna Niguel.   Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Keyboardist/vocalist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist B Thompson is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood.  Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park.

Tuesday 1/17 – Beer For Dolphins at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Rick Musallum on guitar, Pete Griffin on bass, and Joe Travers on drums. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard’s E-Collective & The Turtle Island Quartet are at the UC San Diego Price Center East Ballroom. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Ray Briz is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Organist Larry Goldings leads a trio at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. 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. Guitarist Mark Leggett is at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Long Beach Jazz Jam plays music of Horace Silver at the Pike Bar in Long Beach.  Drummer Andy Sanesi is at the Hotel Venice V in Venice.

Wednesday 1/18 – Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart at Sam First

Larry Goldings fronts an organ trio at Sam First near LAX featuring Peter Bernstein on guitar and Bill Stewart on drums. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard’s E-Collective & the Turtle Island Quartet are at the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Greg Koch is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Flutist Holly Hofmann is at at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Laila Biali begins a three-night (Wed-Fri) run at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Kira Levin is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. 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 Lia Booth is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.