About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of May 1, 2023

May kicks off with a SoCal jazz week including Tierney Sutton, Willie Jones III, Michael Landau, John Escreet, Bob Reynolds, Scott Kinsey, Bernie Dresel, Benny Benack III, Grant Geissman, Daniel Szabo, Sergio Mendes, David Garfield, and Sunday’s tribute to the late Gene “Cip” Cipriano at Vibrato.

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 5/1 – Bernie Dresel’s BBB at The Write-Off Room

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band helps open the new Studio City location of The Write-Off Room. 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. 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. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 5/2 – Benny Benack III at Sam First

Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at Sam First near LAX with Christian Sands on piano, Alex Frank on bass, and Joe Peri on drums. The Little Debbies are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Natalie Jacob is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. 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 Jazz Town 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. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego.

Wednesday 5/3 – John Escreet’s Seismic Shift at Sam First

Pianist John Escreet’s Seismic Shift is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with Mark Turner on sax, Eric Revis on bass, and Damion Reid on drums. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at The Grape in Ventura. Five Ten is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Jazz Cartel Big Band is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Indian vocalist Aditya Prakash is at the Cal Poly SLO Performing Arts Center Pavilion in San Luis Obispo.  Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at ETA in Highland Park. Drummer Tim Rachbach is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres 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. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. The Herbie Hancock Institute Ensemble leads a jazz jam at the Artbug Gallery in downtown L.A. Pianist Alexander Anderson starts a new jam session at The Stowaway in downtown L.A.  Producer Debra Graff’s latest online showcase to benefit The Innocence Project includes vocalist Marsha Bartinetti and pianist/vocalist Marina Pacowski.

Thursday 5/4 – 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. Pianist John Escreet’s Seismic Shift is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Jamie Shew is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Guitarist Dori Amarillo is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs with vocalist Lia Booth. Vocalist Crystal Lewis is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Rachel Avalon is at the Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. The Transatlantic Guitar Trio is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Drummer Richard Sellers is at The Merc in Temecula. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at The Night Owl in Fullerton. Saxophonist Bill Ungerman is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The SicNarf big band is at The Grape in Ventura. Percussionist Luis Munoz is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  Keyboardist/vocalist Kirk Covington is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Daddy Diamonds in Hollywood.  Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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 5/5 – Tierney Sutton at Catalina

Vocalist Tierney Sutton is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) including Christian Jacob on piano, Kevin Axt and Trey Henry on basses, Gene Coye on drums, and Serge Merlaud on guitar.  Pianist Daniel Szabo is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Grant Geissman is at LACMA in West L.A. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. The Bill Orcutt Guitar Quartet is at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Brian Hargrove is at The World Stage in South L.A. Drummer Ed Smith is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Brad Allen Williams is at ETA in Highland Park. Violinist Yasmine Azaiez is at Corazon Performing Arts in Topanga. Vocalist Dennis Gittens is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Paul Taylor is at Spaghettini in Seal 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. Pianist Valentina Shelton is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena.

Saturday 5/6 – Michael Landau at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Jimmy Johnson on bass and Gary Novak on drums. Vocalist Tierney Sutton is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Doug Webb plays an afternoon show at The Grape in Ventura, followed by the Phoenyx Big Band.  Vocalist L. Aviva Diamond is at the Conference Room in Playa Vista with pianist Josh Nelson.  Keyboardist Larry Goldings is at Sam First near LAX with tap dancer Melinda Sullivan. Pianist Lao Tizer is at Libretto in Paso Robles.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.  Pianist Celine You leads a trio at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine with vocalist Andrea Miller.  Drummer/vocalist Ralph Dudley is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Sarah Ingraham. 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 Theo Saunders is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Stephanie Ferrero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Daniel Bennett celebrates a CD release with an afternoon performance at the Torrance Public Library.

Sunday 5/7 – Willie Jones III at the Kirk Douglas Theatre

Drummer Willie Jones III plays a show dedicated to the late Billy Higgins at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City with Ralph Moore on sax, Justin Robinson on sax, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Sam Hirsh on piano. Pianist Sergio Mendes is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Vibrato in Bel Air hosts a tribute to the late woodwind master Gene “Cip” Cipriano. Pianist David Garfield is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.  The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra with guest trumpeter Keyon Harrold is at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach for an afternoon show.  Pianist Danny Green is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Pianist Josh Nelson leads a group of USC jazz students opening for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Andrea Miller. The Pasadena NAACP presents a health awareness benefit “Jazz In The Spirit” concert at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Transatlantic Guitar Trio is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. The San Diego Jazz All-Stars are at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. 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 Suzy Oliver has the Sunday afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Janis Mann does a jazz brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  The Jazz Cartel plays a brunch at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Keyboardist Jay Smith has the early Sunday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  Latin vocalist Anita Robles celebrates a birthday with a brunch show at RioZonas Acai in North Hollywood.

Monday 5/8 – Sarcastic Fringehead at The Baked Potato

Sarcastic Fringehead with vocalist Janis Mann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City, featuring Brandon Fields on sax, Andy Langham on keys, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Trumpeter Darrell Leonard’s Line-Up big band is at The Write-Off Room in North Hollywood. Saxophonist David Binney opens for guitarist Adam Ratner at Lonestar in downtown L.A.  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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Ray Briz is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Saxophonist Tim Shahogian is at ETA in Highland Park.  The Saddleback College Jazz Lab Ensemble is at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo.  The SBCC Jazz Combos are at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 5/9 – Nate Smith & Mark Guiliana at Zebulon

Drummers Nate Smith & Mark Guiliana team at Zebulon in Silverlake. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Marsha Bartenetti is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts a jazz jam at Sam First near LAX. Corcovado with vocalist Natalie Jacob opens for saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist John di Martino is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A.  Percussionist Joey De Leon is at 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 Jazz Town Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Leanna & The Jazz Collective are at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. 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. Supasoul is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Keri Kelsey hosts an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood.

Wednesday 5/10 – Arto Tuncboyaciyan at Catalina

Armenian percussionist/vocalist Arto Tuncboyaciyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist/trombonist Aubrey Logan is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Or Bareket is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Maiya Sykes is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Joe Terry is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist/vocalist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Marguaret Love & Her Lovettes are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.