About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of July 17, 2023

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Diana Krall, Jeff Goldblum, Chuchito Valdes, Sara Gazarek, Dave Slonaker, Doug Webb, Bob Sheppard, Charles Ruggerio, Betty Bryant, Thom Rotella, Billy Mohler, Matt Von Roderick, Denny Seiwell, Sylvia Brooks, Karina Corradini, and Lauren Ellis.

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 7/17 – 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. 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. 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 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. Keyboardist Brian Hargrove is at Seven Nineteen By GS in South L.A. The Present Quartet & Voices celebrate a CD release at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. 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.

Thursday 7/20 – Chuchito Valdes at The Baked Potato

Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdes is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Doug Webb on sax, Rene Camacho on bass, and Andy Sansei on drums. Saxophonist Bob Sheppard is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Guitarists Beth Marlis and Josh Workman are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. The Idiomatiques are at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at the Skirball Cultural Center in Bel Air. Vibroso is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Jeff Goldblum is at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego. The Open Orbit Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Ray Fuller is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at The Merc in Temecula. Stefano & The Inconvenient Truth are at Vibrato in Bel Air. 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.  Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Sebastiani’s in Huntington Beach.  Keyboardist Michael Ragonese hosts a jam at the Rhythm Room in downtown L.A. Pianist Stuart Elster 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 7/21 – Jeff Goldblum at Segerstrom Hall

Pianist Jeff Goldblum is at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa with his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra including John Storie on guitar, Alex Frank on bass, Joe Bagg on organ, James King and Scott Gilman on saxophones, and Kenny Elliott on drums. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick celebrates a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Billy Mohler has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Drummer Tim Rachbach is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Pianist Josh Nelson celebrates a CD release at Libretto in Paso Robles for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Violinist Chris Vitas and guitarist Fred Benedetti play the music of Jean-Luc Ponty at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Anibal Seminario is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Papille Gustative in Santa Monica. Flutist Lori Bell is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Cheryl Barnes and pianist Phillip Cabasso are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Justin Joyce is at Golden Island in San Diego. Pianist Anthony Smith is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Santino Sgambelluri. The Martinez Brothers are at the 1901 Speakeasy in Oxnard. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Papille Gustative in Santa Monica. 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 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 Allen Takatsuka is at the Zinc Cafe & Market in Laguna Beach.  Guitarist Horace Bray is at ETA in Highland Park.  Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at The Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Vocalist Tasha Taylor is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Nell Ledbetter is at The World Stage in South L.A.

Saturday 7/22 – Sara Gazarek at Sam First

Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Sam First near LAX for the second of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Miro Sprague on piano, Karl McComas-Reichl on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Karina Corradini is at the Alhambra Performing Arts Center. Jazz Re-Evolution is at The Ford Amphitheater in Hollywood. Nutty is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach with vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim. Pianist Josh Nelson celebrates a CD release at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Orquesta Charangoa has the free Saturday Latin show at Hancock Park in West L.A. Vocalist Regina Belle and saxophonist Paul Taylor are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Donna Deussen is at The Grape in Ventura with guitarist Jim Cox for an afternoon show, followed by an evening show from trombonist Jacques Voyemant. Guitarist Robby Kreiger & The Soul Savages are at Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Darren Rahn is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Jennifer Keith is at The Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Dave Scott. 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.  Guitarist Dave Harrington is at ETA in Highland Park.  French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Catalina in Hollywood. The LA Choro Club is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock.

Sunday 7/23 – Doug Webb Plays “A Love Supreme” At The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb plays the music of John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, Joel Taylor on drums, and Jamie Kime on guitar. Drummer Denny Seiwell plays an afternoon show at the Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts in Ojai. Vocalist Sylvia Brooks is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Jazz Butchers open for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Drummer Marcelo Bucater is at Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena.  Drummer Mark Ferber is at The York in Highland Park.  Pianist Michael LeVan leads a trio at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with guest vocalist Elena Gilliam and Andrea Miller. JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Guitarist Stan Ayeroff is at Cantalini’s in Salerno Beach. Drummer Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Pianist Mike Wofford is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego with flutist Holly Hofmann. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.  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. Vocalist Carolyn Martinez 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 Ben Sachs has the early Sunday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Erin Stevenson does a brunch at Catalina in Hollywood.

Monday 7/24 – Sun Ra Arkestra at Zebulon

The Sun Ra Arkestra is at Zebulon in Silverlake for the first of two nights (Mon-Tue). Pianist Sullivan Fortner is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Drummer Andy Prado is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  The Adam Zilberman Big Band opens for the Tom Kubis Big Band at the Gaslamp in Long Beach.  Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Trumpeter Nate Birkey is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Guitarist Dean Grech 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.  Trio Renacimiento is at Las Perlas in downtown L.A.   Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Tuesday 7/25 – Kathleen Grace & Josh Nelson at Kulak’s Woodshed

Vocalist Kathleen Grace and pianist Josh Nelson are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood with bassist Karl McComas Reichl. Vocalist Jackie Ryan is at Bistango in Irvine with pianist Bill Cunliffe and trumpeter Kye Palmer. The Sun Ra Arkestra is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Percussionist Tito Puente, Jr. is at Venice West in Venice. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Courtney Lemmon is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. The Irvine Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Crystal Clulee. Guitarist Terry Wollman is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.  The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. The Jazz Town Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. 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. The Baked Potato in Studio City hosts a four-act Showcase Night.

Wednesday 7/26 – Bill Cunliffe at Sam First

Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at Sam First near LAX with Mike Gurrola on bass and Mark Ferber on drums. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at the Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Tito Puente, Jr. is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Vocal group Fish To Birds is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Teryn Re is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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 Karine Da Silva is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.