About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of February 27, 2023

February ends and March opens with a SoCal jazz week including Maria Schneider, Simon Phillips & Jeff Babko, Azar Lawrence, Theo Croker, Roy McCurdy, Bob Reynolds, Kevin Hays, Alan Ferber, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Marlon Martinez, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Thom Rotella, Teryn Re’, Kait Dunton, and Sandra Booker.

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 2/27 – Theo Croker at the Moroccan Lounge

Trumpeter Theo Croker is at the Moroccan Lounge in downtown L.A. with Michael Shekwoaga Ode on drums, Eric Wheeler on bass, and Michael King on keys. Pianist Kait Dunton is at Three Clubs in Hollywood. Vocalist Kristina Aglinz is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trombonist Alex Iles is at the Saddleback McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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. Pianist Richard Turner, Jr. is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park.

Tuesday 2/28 – Sandra Booker at La Puglia

Vocalist Sandra Booker is at La Puglia in Santa Monica with Brad Bietry on piano and Ernie Nunez on bass. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Brandon Coleman is at the UCSD The Loft in La Jolla. The band George is at The Paramount in East L.A. Vocalist Sara Niemietz is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Marc LeBrun 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. The Supasol Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Palm Desert. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown.

Wednesday 3/1 – Marlon Martinez at Sam First

Bassist Marlon Martinez leads a sextet at Sam First near LAX with Jacob Scesney and Tristan Cappel on saxes, Alex Williams on piano, Jake Chapman on vibes, and Tim Rachbach on drums. Vocalist Sherry Williams is at the La Sierra University La Sierra University Troesh Center in Riverside.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Guitarist Jim Fox is at The Grape in Ventura. Keyboardist Brandon Coleman hosts the youth jazz jam at the Artbug Gallery in downtown L.A. Guitarist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter Mike Cottone leads the Brentwood School Jazz Band at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Thursday 3/2 – Bob Reynolds at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at Catalina in Hollywood with the No Vacancy Orchestra. Vocalist Angie Wells is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Kevin Hays begins a two-night (Thu-Fri) run at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Dori Amarillo is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood.  Guitarist Gonzalo Bergara is at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Saxophonist Braxton Cook is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter/vocalist Gunhild Carling is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Rebecca Jade is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Daddy Diamonds in Hollywood. 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. 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.

Friday 3/3 – Maria Schneider Orchestra at The Broad Stage

Composer Maria Schneider’s orchestra is at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Kevin Hays is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Catina De Luna and guitarist Kleber Jorge are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at The York in Highland Park. Blanco Diablo is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Guitarist Gonzalo Bergara is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Guitarist Mimi Fox is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Melanie Taylor is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Luke Carlsen is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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. The Jazz Cartel Trio is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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 Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Alan Satchwell is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang.  Pianist Quinn Johnson is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena.

Saturday 3/4 – Azar Lawrence Experience at The Grape

Saxophonist Azar Lawrence’s Experience band is at The Grape in Ventura with vocalist Lynne Fiddmont, Dale Williams on guitar, Chris Lowery on trumpet, Wes Lowery on drums, Munyungo Jackson on percussion, Miguel Alvidrez on bass, and Robert Turner on piano. Drummer Roy McCurdy is at Sam First near LAX. Trombonist Alan Ferber leads a nonet at The York in Highland Park. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Composer Maria Schneider’s orchestra is at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Also Viejo. Keyboardist David Garfield is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Gregg Karukas is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Guitarist Gonzalo Bergara is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Percussionist David Whitman celebrates a CD release at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Strada Swing is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Dan Olivo is at The George in Pasadena. 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 Jazz MOB is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.  Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena.  French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Catalina in Hollywood.

Sunday 3/5 – Vantage Point at The Grape

Drummer Simon Phillips and keyboardist Jeff Babko resurrect their Vantage Point project at The Grape in Ventura with Alphonso Johnson on bass, Brandon Fields on sax, and Walt Fowler on trumpet.  Composer Maria Schneider’s orchestra is at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall in La Jolla.  Vocalist Teryn Re’s Big Band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is at Belly Up in Solana Beach.  Trombonist Ryan Porter is at The Goldfish in Highland Park.  Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio is at The Mint in West L.A. for a set followed by a jam session.  Vocalist Rose Mallett offers an afternoon tribute to Sarah Vaughan at the Arthur Newman Theatre in Palm Desert.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi.  Guitarist Gonzalo Bergara is at Boulevard Music in Culver City.  Pianist Mike Wofford is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Hawg Heaven BBQ 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. Saxophonist Nick Gomez has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Jazz Cartel plays a brunch at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Keyboardist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Guitarist Louie Valenzuela is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.

Monday 3/6 – BABA Big Band Nights at The Mint

Tuesday 3/7 – Michelle Coltrane & Shea Welsh at TRiP

Vocalist Michelle Coltrane and guitarist Shea Welsh split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Saxophonist David Binney hosts the Tuesday night jam at Sam First near LAX.  Saxophonist Greg Vail 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 jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown Los Angeles. Vocalist Keri Kelsey hosts an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood.   The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.

Wednesday 3/8 – Peter Smith at Catalina

Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith celebrates a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood with Mike Gurrola on bass and Reggie Quinerly on drums. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Jon Gordon is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Stephan Crump is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Guitarist Kleber Jorge is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Drummer Eric Gugisch is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum Of Art. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach.