About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of July 10, 2023

July continues with a SoCal jazz week featuring Mitchel Forman, Josh Nelson & Bob Bowman, Shelley Berg, Geoff Stradling, Gina Kronstadt, George Colligan, Scary Goldings, John Daversa & Tal Cohen, Eric Marienthal, Jeff Parker, Sasha Berliner, Pete Escovedo, Garrett Saracho, and Justo Almario.

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 7/10 – Geoff Stradling StradBand at The Write-Off Room

Pianist Geoff Stradling leads his StradBand big band at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Drummer Joel Taylor is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at Crown City Dance in Pasadena. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Laguna Community Jazz Band is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach.

Tuesday 7/11 – Shelley Berg at Bistango

Pianist Shelley Berg is at Bistango in Irvine featuring saxophonist Rickey Woodard along with Lyman Medeiros on bass and Kevin Kanner on drums. Vocalist Gina Kronstadt is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at 2220 Arts+Archives in downtown L.A. Bassist Ryan Roberts helps lead a benefit for vibraphonist Nick Mancini at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Saxophonist David Binney leads the Tuesday jazz jam at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Bassist Marshall Hawkins is at Ferro in Idyllwild. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Grand Idyllwild Lodge in Idyllwild. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Pinot Noir is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 7/12 – Sasha Berliner at Sam First

Vibraphonist Sasha Berliner is at Sam First near LAX with Nicole McCabe on sax, Paul Cornish on piano, Billy Mohler on bass, and Anthony Fung on drums. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trombonist Richie Rosenberg and keyboardist Scott Healy lead a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist LC Powell. Phi-Psonics is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Drummer Ben Scholz leads a trio at The Grape in Ventura including pianist Bill Cunliffe. Saxophonist Tristan Cappell is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Drummer Alex Snydman is at Seven Nineteen By GS in South L.A. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Keyboardist Scott Wilkie is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Greg Vail 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. Drummer Davey Miller is at Topa Topa Brewing in downtown Ventura. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Scott Johnson is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A.  Blues vocalist Marguaret Love & Her Lovettes are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream benefit for The Innocence Project includes pianist Christian Jacob and guitarist Riner Scivally.

Thursday 7/13 – Josh Nelson & Bob Bowman at Sam First

Pianist Josh Nelson and bassist Bob Bowman lead a quintet at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Thu-Fri) with Matt Otto on sax, Larry Koonse on guitar, and Joe La Barbera on drums. Bassist Benny Rietveld is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Tina Raymond is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Mon David is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Bassist Richie Goods and violinist Chien Chien Lu are at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Miro Sprague is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Joyce Partise is at the Beverly Canon Gardens in Beverly Hills.  Vocalist Lynn Cardona is at the BLVD Restaurant in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.  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/vocalist John Proulx 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 7/14 – Mitchel Forman at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Mitchel Forman is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Simon Phillips on drums, Jimmy Earl on bass, Brandon Fields on sax, and Lenny Castro on percussion. Percussionist Pete Escovedo is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Josh Nelson and bassist Bob Bowman lead a quintet at Sam First near LAX. Pianist George Colligan is at The Grape in Ventura with vocalist Zyanna. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Hotel in San Diego. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at ETA in Highland Park. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Gloria Hendry is at The World Stage in South L.A. Citizen Kitten is at The York in Highland Park. Vocalist Kiki Ebsen and pianist Jeff Colella are at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga.  Vocalists Matt Forbes and Jesse Goddard are at the Dresden Room in Los Feliz.  Vocalist Pierre Chambers is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Drummer/vocalist Tony Jones is at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Bassist Richie Goods and vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu have the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Vocalist Lynn Cardona is at the BLVD Restaurant in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.  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/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. Pianist Allen Takatsuka is at the Zinc Cafe & Market in Laguna Beach.  The Angel Town Combo is at Confluence Park at Five Point in Valencia.  Tino Productions is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The New Stix Revue is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Eric Evans is at Golden Island in San Diego. Trumpeter Alan Satchwell is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang.

Saturday 7/15 – George Colligan at Sam First

Pianist George Colligan leads a group at Sam First near LAX featuring vocalist Zyanna with Dave Robaire on bass and Jonathan Pinson on drums. Pianist Garrett Saracho is at California Plaza in downtown L.A. Scary Goldings is at the Teragram Ballroom in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Justo Almario is at the Little Victory Theater Center in Burbank. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Violinist Nora Germain is at The Creekstone in Idyllwild. Pianist David Benoit is at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad with vocalist Spencer Day. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Teka is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Vocalist Howie Levine is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Brasil Brazil has the free Friday Latin show at Hancock Park in West L.A. The Mocambo Jazz Ensemble is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Grace Kelly has the early afternoon show at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach, followed by an evening performance from vocalist Billy Valentine.  Guitarist Peter White is at the Thorton Winery in Temecula with saxophonists Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at The Grape in Ventura. JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach.  Vocalist Lynn Cardona is at the BLVD Restaurant in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with trombonist Matt Hall. 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 Gary Matsumoto is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. The Wise Guys Big Band Machine is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Patrick Lamb is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Big Butter Jazz Band is at the Wilson Park Amphitheater in Torrance.  Drummer Kevin Crabb is at Tavern 101 in Agoura Hills with vocalist Deena Russo.  Vocalist Beth Rohde is at Tapizon in El Segundo.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Bar 1030 at the Anaheim Westin Resort with pianist Brian Clemens.  Pianist Ron Kobayashi plays a jazz brunch at the Paragon Cafe in Costa Mesa with bassist Karim Yengsep, and later leads a trio at Les Amis in Fullerton.

Sunday 7/16 – John Daversa & Tal Cohen at Catalina Jazz Club

Trumpeter John Daversa is at Catalina in Hollywood with pianist Tal Cohen. Scary Goldings is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Catatonic is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Glenn Cashman opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Saxophonist Eric Marienthal plays a benefit for the High Hopes Head Injury Program at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach with a band including guitarist Lee Ritenour.  Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park.  Vocalist Maria Schafer is at the Norris Pavilion in Rolling Hills Estates. Bassist Tony Newton does a late afternoon show at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro.  Pianist Danny Green is at Panama 66 in San Diego.  Guitarist Miles Jensen and saxophonist Greg Vail are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano with vocalist Andrea Miller. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Slim Man is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Vocalist Steph Johnson is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. A Celebration Of Life Concert brunch for guitarist Barry Zweig is at Catalina in Hollywood.   Little Brazil is at the Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena.  The Gem City Jazz Cats are at Thomas Ridley Central Park Bandstand in Huntington Beach.  Pianist Mike Wofford and flutist Holly Hofmann are at All Saints Church in Pasadena.  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 Allen Takatsuka is at the Zinc Cafe & Market in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Rose Gales hosts a vocal jam session at The World Stage in South L.A. Blues saxophonist Bobby “Hurricane” Spencer 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. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor has the early Sunday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Pianist George Friedenthal plays a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Keyboardist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Organist Carey Frank plays an afternoon gig at the Cara Hotel in Los Feliz.

Monday 7/17 – Dave Slonaker Big Band at The Write-Off Room

The Dave Slonaker Big Band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City with a cast of all-star players including Wayne Bergeron, Larry Koonse, Bob Sheppard, Ron Stout, and Charlie Morillas. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at the Oracle Tavern in Silverlake.  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.  Keyboardist Carey Frank is at ETA in Highland Park.  Guitarist/vocalist Artur Menezes is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.

Tuesday 7/18 – Joey Navarro at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Joey De Leon on percussion, Joey Heredia on drums, Brandon Fields on sax, Augustin Mario Quiroga on guitar, and Alfredo Lopez on bass. Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Kristin Berardi and pianist Miro Sprague lead the Tuesday jazz jam session at Sam First near LAX. The Angel Town Combo is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The Sultans Of Swing are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Corcovado with vocalist Natalie Jacob opens for guitarist Mark Leggett at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Slim Man is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. 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. Drummer Jacob Wendt leads the monthly Tuesday Long Beach Jazz Jam at The Auld Dubliner.  Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 7/19 – Diana Krall at The Hollywood Bowl

Pianist/vocalist Diana Krall is at The Hollywood Bowl with Anthony Wilson on guitar, John Clayton on bass, and Jeff Hamilton on drums. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Lauren Ellis is at Sam First near LAX.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Guitarist Jimmy Vivino is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City.  Guitarist Kay-Ta Matsuno is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Alec Huntley is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Vocalist Emile Welman is at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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. 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.