About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of June 19, 2023

Jazz highlights across SoCal this week include Michael Franks, Veronica Swift, Alan Pasqua, Luciana Souza, Mark Winkler, Doug Webb, Denise Donatelli, Jacques Lesure, Luis Conte, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Tull, Makaya McCraven, Nolan Shaheed, Lucia Micarelli & Leo Amuedo, Fabiano Do Nascimento, and Joshua White.

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 6/19 – Andy Prado & The Foos at The Baked Potato

Drummer Andy Prado is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Colin Cook on guitar, Cole Riddle on keys, Ian Roller on sax, Max Gerl on bass, and Alonzo Demetrius on trumpet. Trumpeter Elliot Deutsch’s Pandemonium Big Band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Saxophonist Steve Lehman is at ETA in Highland Park. 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. 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. Drummer Arman Jalalyan is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Organist Wayne Peet is at the Oracle Tavern in Silverlake.

Tuesday 6/20 – The L.A. 6 with Denise Donatelli at Vibrato

The L.A. 6 are at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Denise Donatelli featuring Ira Nepus on trombone, Tom Peterson on sax, Clay Jenkins on trumpet, Rich Eames on piano, Jeff D’Angelo on bass, and Dick Weller on drums. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday jazz jam at Sam First near LAX. The Jazz Butchers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. with drummer Gene Coye. The Sultans Of Swing are at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Drummer Brian Carmody is at Tavern On Brand in Glendale.  Keyboardist Ed Roth 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 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. Charlie & The Blowhards and guitarist Mark Leggett split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monca. Drummer Jacob Wendt leads a jazz jam at The Auld Dubliner in Long Beach. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 6/21 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb begins a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jamie Kime on guitar, Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Danny Carey on drums. Guitarist Fabiano Do Nascimento is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Saxophonist Pedro Valiente is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Chris Wanich is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Devin Daniels is at Seven Nineteen By GS in South L.A.  Vocalists Liz Cole & Craig Cochrane are at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Jerry Costanzo & His Gotham City Swingers are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Stixx Soul is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Drummer Adam Clark is at The Grape in Ventura. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.

Thursday 6/22 – Max Gerl at Sam First

Bassist Max Gerl is at Sam First near LAX with Alonzo Demetrius on trumpet, Max Haymer on piano, Aaron Haggerty on drums, and Daniel Feldman on percussion. Trumpeter Sam Hankins is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Mekela Session is at The District By GS in South L.A.  Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Dave Tull is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Lorraina Marro is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Leslie Page is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Teryn Re’ is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Harvey Wainapel is at The Merc in Temecula. Violinist Fabrice You is at The Edmon in downtown L.A. Rumproller is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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.  Keyboardist Michael Ragonese hosts a jam at the Rhythm Room in downtown L.A.  Pianist Valentina Shelton 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 6/23 – Michael Franks at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach

Vocalist Michael Franks is at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach – vocalist Andrea Miller opens. Guitarist Jacques Lesure plays music from Grant Green and Stanley Turrentine at Sam First near LAX. Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band is at the Thousand Oaks Community Park. Trumpeter Nolan Shaheed is at The World Stage in South L.A. The Highland Park House Band has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Flutist Lori Bell is at the La Jolla Community Center in La Jolla. Plotz! Is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Christina Galisatus is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Gary Brumburgh sings music of The Beatles at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Natalie Jacob is at The Barkley in South Pasadena.  Vocalist Dan Olivo is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Hemisphere is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Renaissance Hotel LAX in West L.A. Strada Swing is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. 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.  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. Percussionist Ian Harland is at Golden Island in San Diego. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Creme De La Crepe in Rolling Hills.

Saturday 6/24 – Veronica Swift at the Segerstrom Samueli Theater

Vocalist Veronica Swift is at the Segerstrom Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa. Pianist Alan Pasqua is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Luciana Souza is at the Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center in downtown L.A. Vocalist Mark Winkler is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Drummer Makaya McCraven is at The Getty Museum in Brentwood. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Dave Tull is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Dan Schnelle is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Trombor has the free Saturday Latin music show at Hancock Park in West L.A.  Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Lobby Lounge in San Diego.  Vocalist Matt Mauser is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Maria de la Vega & The Wayward Five are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Gregory Page is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival opens at The Rady Shell in San Diego with acts including vocalist Michael Franks. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Temecula Wine & Music Festival is at Monteleone Meadows in Murrietta and features acts including saxophonist Michael Paulo, keyboardist Gregg Karukas, and guitarist Steve Oliver. Ella Swings is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Holy Crow is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Lauren Koval. 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/vocalist John Proulx is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. Mambo Craze Cabaret is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A.

Sunday 6/25 – Lucia Micarelli & Leo Amuedo at the Grand Annex

Violinist Lucia Micarelli and guitarist Leo Amuedo are at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. Pianist Joshua White is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Matini In The Morning celebrates “Mother” Miriam’s 85th birthday at Catalina in Hollywood with a show including vocalists Tierney Sutton, LC Powell, Patrick Barnitt, and James Torme.  Pianist Josh Nelson is at The York in Highland Park.  Vocalist Gary Brumburgh sings music of The Beatles at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Low Poly Cactus opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Vocalist Crystal Lewis is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The San Diego Jazz All-Stars are at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival continues at The Rady Shell in San Diego with acts including pianist Keiko Matsui. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at The Pour House in Monrovia. Guitarist Joe LoPiccolo is at the Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena. 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. Vocalist Linda A. Smith 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. Keyboardist Jay Smith has the early Sunday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Sandy Cummings has a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Chef Dave Rozier hosts an evening of blues at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Monday 6/26 – Kristina Aglinz at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Kristina Aglinz is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Todd Hunter on keys, Joel Whitley on bass, and Dimitry Gorodetsky on drums. Saxophonists Eric Marienthal and Michael Lington are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  The Dave Richards Big Band opens for the Tom Kubis Big Band at the Gaslamp in Long Beach.  Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at ETA in Highland Park w/guitarist Pedro Martins.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Tommy Gannon 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. 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.  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.

Tuesday 6/27 – Calabria Foti & John Proulx at Bistango

Violinist/vocalist Calabria Foti and pianist/vocalist John Proulx open the summer Sunset Jazz series at Bistango in Irvine. Vocalist Diane Elder is at La Puglia in Santa Monica, backed by a trio led by pianist Todd Hunter. Vocalist/pianist Christopher Linman is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Natalie Jacob opens for saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Angel Town Combo is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Dean Grech 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. 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. The Baked Potato in Studio City hosts a five-band Showcase Night.

Wednesday 6/28 – Nduduzo Makhathini at Musichead Gallery

South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini is at the Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. Pianist Michael Orenstein plays music of the late Kenny Kirkland at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Mike Garson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist James Torme is at Vibrato in Bel Air with the Dave Richards Little Big Band. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Avery Scanlon is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Dumpstaphunk is at Venice West in Venice. Vocalists Valerie Swift Bird and Karen Celeste Kruz are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Saxophonist/vocalist Paulie Cerra is at The Write-Off Room in North Hollywood. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Julie Zhu 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 Danny Anaya is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A.