About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of June 5, 2023

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Hermeto Pascoal, Eric Reed, Edward Simon, Grant Geissman, The Los Angeles Master Chorale, Sinne Eeg with Josh Nelson, Scott Kinsey, Al Di Meola, Ernie Watts, Teodross Avery, Michelle Coltrane, Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq, Dayren Santamaria, Joe-Less Shoe, and Anna Mjöll.

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 6/5 – RAD Jazz Orchestra at The Write-Off Room

Trumpeter Ryan DeWeese leads the RAD Jazz Orchestra at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. The Lineage Trio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Busybody and saxophonist Nicole McCabe split a bill at the Oracle Tavern in Silverlake. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Katalyst is at ETA in Highland Park. Flutist/vocalist Cobby Brezski is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Percussionist Roman Islas and guitarist Gerey Johnson are at Spaghetti 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. 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 with bassist Hadrien Feraud.  Drummer Arman Jalalyan is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 6/6 – Ian Roller at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Joshua de la Victoria on guitar, Cole Riddle on keys, Shags on synths, Brogan Dutcher on bass, and Forrest Rice on drums. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday jam session at Sam First near LAX. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. Saxophonist David Borgo is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. The Craig Kupka Big Band with vocalist Wanda Ray Willis is at the Barclay Restaurant in South Pasadena. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Shulman is 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. 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. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Macallans Public House in Brea. Pianist/vocalist Ray Briz is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam session at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 6/7 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a group including drummer Zach Danziger, guitarist Pedro Martins, and bassist Hadrien Feraud. Saxophonist Teodross Avery is at Seven Nineteen By GS in South L.A. Pianist Javier Santiago is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Charles Ruggerio is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at The Magnolia in El Cajon. ADAAWE is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Daniel LeClaire is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Guitarist Eric Shen is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. 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. Drummer Davey Miller is at Topa Topa Brewing in downtown Ventura. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Trombonist Jon Hatamiya leads a youth jam at the Artbug Gallery in downtown L.A. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Thursday 6/8 – Hermeto Pascoal at The Mayan Theatre

Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal is at The Mayan Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Ernie Watts is at The Muck in Fullerton. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Sean Riddle is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Merc in Temecula. Saxophonist Bill Ungerman is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Drummer Brian Carmody plays a jazz happy hour at The George in Pasadena. The Jazz Cartel is at The Original Farmers Market in West L.A. Vocalist Adryon De Leon offers a tribute to Billie Holiday at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Sebastiani’s Italian Bistro in Huntington Beach.  Vocalist Annie Reiner is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Ty Taylor is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Maria De La Vega & The Wayward Five are at Ocean Prime in Beverly Hills. 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. Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Friday 6/9 – Eric Reed at Sam First

Pianist Eric Reed is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Ernie Watts is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Al Di Meola is at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Saxophonist Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Theo Saunders is at LACMA in West L.A. for the free Friday jazz show. Pianist Amy Rowe is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Trombonist Josh Brown is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Eric Gugisch is at The Grape in Ventura with a group featuring percussionist Lenny Castro. Danish vocalist Sinne Eeg is at Libretto in Paso Robles with pianist Josh Nelson. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Wolfsglen in Westwood. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Melba Joyce 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 Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Drummer Mark San Filippo is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Pianist Valentina Shelton is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. Pianist David Arnay is at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. Trombonist Craig Kupka is at Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. Vocalist Keri Kelsey hosts an open mic at the Garden Cafe in Sherman Oaks. Vocalist Tasha Taylor is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Guitarist Hunter Burgamy is at Golden Island in San Diego.

Saturday 6/10 – Grant Geissman at The Grape

Guitarist Grant Geissman is at The Grape in Ventura with Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, Jim Cox on keys, Lyman Medeiros on bass, and Ray Brinker on drums.  The Los Angeles Master Chorale presents an afternoon concert of sacred music of Duke Ellington and Mary Lou Williams, backed by the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra at Walt Disney Hall.  Danish vocalist Sinne Eeg is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena with pianist Josh Nelson. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Eric Reed is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Amy Keys is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Brazil Brasil is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Bassist Max Gerl is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Tom Culver is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres is at 208 Rodeo in Beverly Hills. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the Paragon Cafe in Costa Mesa. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at the Westin Anaheim Bar 1030 with guitarist Dean Grech.  Saxophonist Boney James is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Kaylee Daughtry. 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. Flutist Holly Hofmann is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego.  Pianist David Arnay is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. Alex Mendham & His Orchestra are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Ella Swings is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.  Vocalist Jamie Shew does an afternoon set at Twisted Vine in Fullerton.

Sunday 6/11 – Edwin Simon at The Athenaeum Library

Pianist Edward Simon is at The Athenaeum Library in La Jolla with Reuben Rogers on bass, Adam Cruz on drums, Luis Quintero on percussion, and Magos Herrera on vocals.  The Los Angeles Master Chorale presents an evening concert of sacred music of Duke Ellington and Mary Lou Williams, backed by the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra at Walt Disney Hall.  Violinist Dayren Santamaria is at Catalina in Hollywood. Joe-Less Shoe celebrates a CD release at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Icelandic vocalist Anna Mjöll is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at The York in Highland Park.  Keyboardist David Garfield’s Karizma plays a late afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.  The LA Jazz Society sponsors their annual International Vibe Summit with an afternoon concert at The World Stage in South L.A.  Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Guitarist Doug MacDonald opens for drummer Kevin Kanner’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Mindy Austin is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Will Donato is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Andrea Miller. Vocalist Leonard Patton is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Violinist Susie Hansen is at the Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena. Drummer Dean Mucetti & Rhythm Real are at Bar Bandini in Echo Park. Alex Mendham & His Orchestra are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Jazz Zone does an afternoon show at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Pianist Kat Shoemaker leads a jam session featuring the music of Horace Silver at the Jazz Lounge 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 is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Robert Turner is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Bassist Leslie Baker has the Sunday afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. The Jazz Cartel plays a brunch at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. Abrakadabra has the early Sunday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The UCSB Jazz Big band plays a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Mambo Soul plays an afternoon show at the Solvang Theaterfest Garden in Solvang.

Monday 6/12 – Carey Frank at The Baked Potato

Organist Carey Frank is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jay Jennings on trumpet, Nadav Peled on guitar, and Matt Musty on drums. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm Big Band are at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Pianist Brian Clemens is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Drummer Arman Jalalyan is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale.  Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Mike DeBellis leads a jam at Paddys Station in San Juan Capistrano.

Tuesday 6/13 – Bernie Dresel’s BBB at Vibrato

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Aaron Janik is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Shulman is 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. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Macallans Public House in Brea.  Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 6/14 – Black Whole at The Paramount

Black Whole is at The Paramount in East L.A. with pianist Walter Kemp 3, violinist Scott Tixier, bassist Rishon Odel, saxophonist Brent Birckhead, and drummer Allan Mednard. Drummer Tim Rachbach celebrates a CD release at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Harvey Wainapel is at The Grape in Ventura. Keyboardist Alexander Anderson plays the music of Wayne Shorter at Seven Nineteen By GS in South L.A. Vocalist/trumpeter Gunhild Carling is at Catalina in Hollywood. Billy Vera’s big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Brian Clemens is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village with vocalist Maria Schafer. Blues guitarist Josh Smith at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum Of Art. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Drummer Davey Miller is at Topa Topa Brewing in downtown Ventura. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Guitarist Mike Gamble is at ETA in Highland Park.