About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of March 6, 2023

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Branford Marsalis, Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, Bria Skonberg, Jeff Babko, The Esthesis Quartet, Joshua White, Luis Conte, Alan Ferber, Geoffrey Keezer & Gillian Margot, Jason Harnell, Kristin Korb, Michelle Coltrane, and Peter Smith.

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 3/6 – BABA Big Band Nights at The Mint

Lauren Elizabeth Baba returns her Big Band Nights to The Mint in West L.A. featuring the BABA Orchestra, the Joe DiFiore Big Band, and the Alan Ferber Big Band. Percussionist/vocalist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. 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. Pianist Richard Turner, Jr. is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. The Present Quartet and guitarist Scott Heustis share a bill at the Oracle Tavern in downtown L.A.

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

Vocalist Michelle Coltrane and guitarist Shea Welsh split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at The York in Highland Park.  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. Trumpeter Josh Welchez is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village with a band including trombonist Alan Ferber. 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.  Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena.  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. Guitarist Danny Anaya is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Thursday 3/9 – Esthesis Quartet at Sam First

The Esthesis Quartet is at Sam First near LAX with Dawn Clement on piano and vocals, Elsa Nilson on flute, Emma Dayhuff on bass, and Tina Raymond on drums. Bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Trumpeter Herb Alpert and vocalist Lani Hall are at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Geoffrey Keezer and vocalist Gillian Margot are at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Salsa/Jazz group TROMBOR is at Catalina in Hollywood with guest saxophonist Doug Webb. Vocalist Spencer Day is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer Al Williams is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist Mika Krstic is at The Grape in Ventura.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente.  Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist Ian Martin is at The Edmon in downtown L.A. The Jazz Cartel Quartet is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Keyboardist/vocalist Kirk Covington is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna 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 3/10 – Bria Skonberg at The Broad Stage

Trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg is at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Keyboardist Jeff Babko’s “Clam City” project is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Charles Lloyd is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Vocalist/trumpeter Chris Norton is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Greg Poree is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Promoter Cathy Segal-Garcia hosts a free Open House at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood featuring a trio led by pianist Otmaro Ruiz. Vocalist Judith Hill is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist Sabine Pothier is at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist/vocalist Woody Jankowski is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena.  Organist Will Blades is at The York in Highland Park.  Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Guitarist Eric Weisling is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pianist Melonie Grinnell is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Teryn Re’ is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego.  The Esthesis Quartet is at ETA in Highland Park.  Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Leon Bisquera is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.  Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at the Santa Monica College Music Hall in Santa Monica.  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. 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. Pianist Chris Dawson is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Trombonist/vocalist Jonesy Jones is at Golden Island in San Diego.  Vocalists Matt Forbes and Jesse Goddard are at the Dresden Room in Los Feliz.

Saturday 3/11 – Jeff Babko’s Clam City at Sam First

Keyboardist Jeff Babko’s “Clam City” project is at Sam First near LAX with Tim Lefebvre on bass and Mark Guiliana on drums. Pianist Joshua White leads a trio in the music of George and Ira Gershwin at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin and drummer Chris Blondal are at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Trombonist Jacques Voyemant is at The Grape in Ventura. The Esthesis Quartet is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Judith Hill is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Brian Simpson, guitarist Steve Oliver, and saxophonist Jackiem Joyner are at the Westin Resort in Rancho Mirage. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist/vocalist Phillip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Adam “Aejaye” Jackson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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. Pianist David Arnay is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Mambo Craze Cabaret is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A.

Sunday 3/12 – Branford Marsalis Quartet at Segerstrom Samueli Theater

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis plays late afternoon and evening sets at the Samueli Theater at the Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa, backed by Joey Calderazzo on piano, Eric Revis on bass, and Justin Faulkner on drums. Trumpeter Herb Alpert and vocalist Lani Hall are at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Kei Akagi on keyboards and Darek Oles on bass. Vocal jazz A cappella group Accent is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 4 Level Interchange is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Bassist Kevin O’Neal leads a tribute to the late Barbara Morrison at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Kevin van den Elzen’s LAHO group will be at The York in Highland Park. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at Spaghetti in Seal Beach. The CSUN Jazz Combos open for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Irving Flores is at Tio Leo’s in San Diego. Vocalist Mindy Austin is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Guitarist Doug MacDonald plays an afternoon show at the Arthur Newman Theatre in Palm Desert. 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. The SoCal Jazz Collective has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Jazz Cartel plays a brunch at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.  Pianist Karen Hernandez and vocalist Sonji Kimmons have the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank.  Trumpeter Jay Jennings does an afternoon show at the Cara Hotel in Los Feliz.  Saxophonist Dave Victorino does a Latin jazz brunch at Club 23 in Covina.

Monday 3/13 – One Shot Deal at Alvas Showroom

One Shot Deal plays the music of Frank Zappa at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro with Scheila Gonzalez on sax/vocals, Billy Hulting on vibes, Joe Travers on drums, Jame Kime on guitar, Pete Griffin on bass, Matt Rohde on keys, and Ben Thomas on horns/vocals. Organist Ronnie Foster is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Pianist Alec Shulman does a CD release show at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.  Keyboardist Nicholas Semrad is at ETA in Highland Park.  Vocalist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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.  Saxophonist Mike De Bellis is at Paddy’s Station in San Juan Capistrano.

Tuesday 3/14 – Jens Lindemann at Vibrato

Trumpeter Jens Lindemann fronts the Matt Catingub JazzPops Orchestra at Vibrato in Bel Air.  The Herbie Hancock Performance Ensemble with drummer Louis Cole leads the Tuesday night jam at Sam First near LAX.  Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica.  The Glenn Miller Orchestra is at West Ranch High School in Santa Clarita.  Vocalist Ed Romero is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Rumproller 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. 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. The Baked Potato in studio City hosts a multi-act Showcase Night.

Wednesday 3/15 – Charles Ruggerio Plays Monk at The Baked Potato

Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Larry Goldings on keys, Ralph Moore on sax, and Mike Gurrola on bass. Bassist Ben Williams is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two night (Wed-Thu). Saxophonist Jeff Pifher & Socrates’ Trial are at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. P:ianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at The Grape in Ventura. The Jive Aces are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Dennis Wilson is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Lia Booth 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. Guitarist Gabriel Feldman leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.