About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of June 26, 2023

June ends and July opens with a SoCal jazz week including Jeff Babko, Noah Haidu, Nduduzo Makhathini, Doug Webb, Paul Peress, Calabria Foti, David Binney, Syndee Winters, Joshua White, Charles Ruggerio, Sara Niemietz, Kristina Aglinz, David Garfield, and Sidney Jacobs.

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 6/26 – 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. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at ETA in Highland Park w/guitarist Pedro Martins. 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.  Keyboardist Vardan Ovsepian is at Tavern On Brand in Glendale with vocalist Gretje Angell.  Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Baked Potato in Studio City hosts a five-band Showcase Night. 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.

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.

Thursday 6/29 – Noah Haidu at Catalina Jazz Club

Pianist Noah Haidu is at Catalina in Hollywood with veterans Buster Williams on bass and Lenny White on drums. Pianist Joshua White is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sara Niemietz is at The York in Highland Park. Saxophonist Jason Fabus leads a group in the music of Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Trumpeter Curtis Taylor is at The Merc in Temecula.  Organist Gregg Karukas is at The Grape in Ventura. Bassist Ian Martin is at The Edmon in downtown L.A. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Meloney Collins is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Violinist Benny Brydern plays the music of Stephane Grappelli at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.  Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera 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 Michael Orenstein 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. Vocalist Isabella Greggio is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego.

Friday 6/30 – Jeff Babko at The Grape

Keyboardist Jeff Babko is at The Grape in Ventura with David Piltch on bass and Tina Raymond on drums. Vocalist Syndee Winters sings the music of Lena Horne at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist David Garfield is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sidney Jacobs has the free Friday jazz show At LACMA in West L.A. Pianist/vocalist Marina Pacowski is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Amber Weekes is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Saxophonist Scott Martin is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Trumpeteter Gilbert Castellanos is at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego.  Keyboardist Brandon Coleman is at ETA in Highland Park.  Drummer Ryan McDiarmid is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. The Cookies are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Naliah Porter is at The World Stage in South L.A. JazzZone is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Draeh Jinae is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino 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. Drummer Mark San Filippo is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Golden Island in San Diego.  Guitarist Duane Allen and vocalist Lauren Koval are at Creme De La Crepe in Rolling Hills.  Pianist Brian Clemens and vocalist Andrea Miller are at Sabatino’s in Mission Viejo.  The Fabulous Esquires are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A.

Saturday 7/1 – Doug Webb at The Grape

Saxophonist Doug Webb plays the music of John Coltrane at The Grape in Ventura with Eric Revis on bass, Theo Saunders on piano, and Tony Austin on drums. Saxophonist David Binney is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Jeff Babko celebrates a vinyl release at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist Stu Hamm is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist/vocalist Napoleon Murphy Brock fronts the Frank Zappa tribute Stinkfoot Orchestra at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Soul Sauce has the free Saturday Latin show at Hancock Park in West L.A. Trombonist Matt Hall plays the music of J.J. Johnson at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Flutist Althea Rene is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Janice Javier is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills 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 Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull plays an evening outdoor show at the Claremont Presbyterian Church.  Keyboardist Ron Kobayashi is at Les Amis in Fullerton.  Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the Paragon Cafe in Costa Mesa.

Sunday 7/2 – Paul Peress at The Baked Potato

Drummer Paul Peress is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jacob Scesney on sax, and Ernest Tibbs on bass. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter Ethan Lavenstein opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Trumpeter Curtis Taylor is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  The San Diego Jazz All-Stars are at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. The Benny Conn Big Band is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The Dean Mora Swingtet is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Bassist Michael Haggins 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. Pianist Todd Hunter has the Sunday afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank featuring vocalist Antonia Bennett. 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. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early Sunday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  Vocalist Jonathan Karrant and pianist Joshua White play an afternoon show at the Encinitas Public Library.  Guitarist Pat Kelley plays a brunch at La Cosecha in Paso Robles.

Monday 7/3 – Graham Dechter and Alex Frank at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quintet at The Baked Potato in Studio City featuring Joe La Barbera on drums, Josh Nelson on keys, and Ralph Moore on sax. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith.  Thruster with bassist Kaveh Rastegar is at ETA in Highland Park.  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. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 7/4 – Ian Roller at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Joshua de la Victoria on guitar, Brogan Dutcher on bass, and Forrest Rice on drums. Guitarist Shea Welsh and vocalist Hope Diamond are at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Euphoria Brass Band plays an afternoon show at Ferro in Idyllwild, followed by an evening performance from bassist Marshall Hawkins. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Shulman is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice.  Leanna & The Jazz Collective are at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown. Supasoul is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 7/5 – Banned From Utopia at The Baked Potato

Banned From Utopia featuring multiple original members of Frank Zappa’s bands begin a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Ray White on guitar/vocals, Robert Martin on sax/keys/vocals, Scott Thunes on bass, Chad Wackerman on drums, plus guitarists Jamie Kime and Robbie Mangano. Pianist Cathlene Pineda and trumpeter Kris Tiner are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Trumpeter Julien Knowles is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Anne Walsh and pianist Tom Zink are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Leonard Patton is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego with trumpeter Curtis Taylor. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at The Creekstone in Idyllwild.  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. 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.  Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.