About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of March 13, 2023

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Charles Lloyd, Terence Blanchard & Lalah Hathaway, Tom Scott, Ben Williams, Justin Kauflin, John Daversa, One Shot Deal, Ozone Squeeze, Charles Ruggerio, Lucia Micarelli, Greg Mathieson, Zakir Hussain, and Claude Hall.

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 3/13 – 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. 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.  Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby 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. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream for the Innocence Project includes pianist/vocalist Yve Evans and vocalist Bill A. Jones.

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 nights (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.  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 David Holguin leads a youth jazz jam at the Artbug Gallery in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Logan Hone leads a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro. Trombonist Alex Wasily and trumpeter Jay Jennings are at ETA in Highland Park.

Thursday 3/16 – Ben Williams at Sam First

Bassist Ben Williams is at Sam First near LAX with Hailey Niswanger on sax, Javier Santiago on piano, Andrew Renfroe on guitar, and John Davis on bass. One Shot Deal plays the music of Frank Zappa at The Grape in Ventura. Violinist/vocalist Lucia Micarelli is at the Musco Center in Orange. Brazilian guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento and drummer Julian Cantelm are at Corazon Performing Arts in Topanga. Indian percussionist Zakir Hussain is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Pianist Sergio Mendes is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Pianist Brian Clemens does a CD release show at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with a band featuring 8 pieces and four vocalists.  Saxophonist Benn Claworthy’s System 6 is at Semi Tropic Wines in Costa Mesa.  Flutist Lori Bell is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Julie Newsome is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Pianist Justin Kauflin is at Libretto in Paso Robles.  Estilo Y Gracia is at the Cara Hotel in Los Feliz.  Vocalist Tyrone Perkins is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Lamont Van Hook is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Jive Aces are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna 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. 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. 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 3/17 – Justin Kauflin at Sam First

Pianist Justin Kauflin celebrates a CD release at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Dave Robaire on bass and Christian Euman on drums. Trumpeter John Daversa is at the Newbury Park High School Performing Arts Center. Guitarist Oz Noy and trumpeter Wayne Bergeron guest with the Citrus College Blue Note Orchestra at the Haugh Performing Arts Center in Glendora. Organist Greg Mathieson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Charles Lloyd is at the Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall in San Diego.  Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Carol Bach-y-Rita is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Dante Chambers sings music of Nat King Cole at The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (TBMPAC) in South L.A. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Roberto Montero is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Michael Falcone & The Sinatra Tribute Band are at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Ben Rosenblum is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. French vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Kat Shoemaker begins a three-night (Fri-Sun) run at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. 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. Pianist David Arnay is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Whitney Shay is at Golden Island in San Diego.

Saturday 3/18 – Charles Lloyd at The Soraya

Saxophonist Charles Lloyd celebrates his 85th birthday at The Soraya in Northridge with a pair of trios featuring pianist Gerald Clayton and guitarist Anthony Wilson, plus guitarist Bill Frisell and bassist Larry Grenadier. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard and vocalist Lalah Hathaway perform music from the films of director Spike Lee at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Tom Scott is at The Grape in Ventura. Ozone Squeeze is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Justin Kauflin is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Kathleen Grace and pianist Josh Nelson are at Libretto in Paso Robles.  Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Pianist George Kahn is at the Conference Room in Playa Vista. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. MAETAR is at Corazon Performing Arts in Topanga. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Kat Shoemaker is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. 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 Gary Matsumoto is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Jive Aces are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.

Sunday 3/19 – Claude Hall at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Claude Hall is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jamieson Trotter on keys, Gabe Davis on bass, and Peter Buck on drums. Indian percussionist Zakir Hussain is at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego. Vocalist Samara Joy is at The JAI at The Conrad in La Jolla. Teenage multi-instrumentalist Justin Lee Schultz is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Gold Coast Horns are at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Jazz Explorers 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. Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Andrea Miller. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park.  Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with keyboardist Ron Kobayashi. Pianist Kat Shoemaker is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Keyboardist Carnell Harrell plays a late afternoon show at Harvelle’s in Long Beach. 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. Vocalist Janice Anderson has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Jazz Cartel plays a brunch at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Vocalist Carolyn Martinez has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Saxophonist Dave Victorino does a Latin jazz brunch at Club 23 in Covina. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx does a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 3/20 – The Moment at Oracle Tavern

The Moment will be at the Oracle Tavern in downtown L.A. with Gary Fukushima on keys, Brad Rabuchin on guitar, Chuck Manning on sax, and Brad Dutz on percussion with an additional set from Brad Dutz’s trio.   Coevality is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with John Reicher on guitar, Derrick Elliott on bass, and Andy Prado, Jr. on drums. 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. 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.  Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at ETA in Highland Park.  The SBCC Big Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 3/21 – KaroliNa at Catalina Jazz Club

Violinist/vocalist Karolina Naziemeic celebrates a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood, backed by Tom Ranier on piano, Chuck Berghofer on bass, Ray Brinker on drums, Brian Scanlon on sax, Alan Kaplan on trombone, and Gayle Levant on harp. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Trumpeter Keyon Harrold leads the Tuesday Jazz Jam at Sam First near LAX.  Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Patrick Lamb is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Angel Town Combo is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Corcovado with vocalist Natalie Jacob and guitarist Mark Leggett spilt a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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.

Wednesday 3/22 – Louie Palmer at The Baked Potato

Drummer Louie Palmer is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Nir Felder on guitar, Dennis Hamm on keys, Dan Lutz on bass, and Aaron Janik on trumpet. Drummer Denny Seiwell is at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Gina Kollman celebrates a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood. Blanco Diablo is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Violinist Nora Germain and guitarist Luca Pino are at The Stowaway in downtown L.A.  Pianist/vocalist Kiki Ebsen plays the music of Joni Mitchell at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Ari Silberman is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village.  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. The USC Jazz Honors Combo is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Marguaret Love & Her Lovettes are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.