About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of July 31, 2023

August opens with a SoCal jazz week including Chief Adjuah, Larry Fuller, Michael Wolff, Andy James, The West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band, Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruiz, Poncho Sanchez, Cory Henry, Gilbert Castellanos, Trombone Shorty, Brent Canter, Greg Howe, and the weekend’s Summer Swing Nights.

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 7/31 – Brent Canter at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Brent Canter is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Max Haymer on keys, Kaveh Rastegar on bass, and Charles Ruggerio on drums. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with vocalists Rebecca Jade and Javier Colon. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Adam Moezinia is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. 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 Aaron Steele is at ETA in Highland Park.

Tuesday 8/1 – Ian Roller at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Cole Riddle on keys, Brogan Dutcher on bass, Forrest Rice on drums, and David Otis on sax. Pianist Paul Cornish hosts the Tuesday jazz jam session at Sam First near LAX. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at the Redlands Bowl in Redlands. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Heat Quintet is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 8/2 – Josh Nelson & The West Coast Hour Big Band w/Melissa Morgan at Vibrato

Pianist Josh Nelson celebrates a birthday at Vibrato in Bel Air with the West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band featuring vocalist Melissa Morgan. Pianist Will Kjeer is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Will Brahm is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Bassist Derek Frank is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Susan Krebs’ Work Quintet is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Robert Kyle and guitarist Riner Scivally are at Roe Seafood in Long Beach. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Brian Clemens is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Guitarist Robby Krieger & The Soul Savages are at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. 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.  The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Pianist Robert Turner is at Seven Nineteen By GS in South L.A. Vocalist Joelina Garcia hosts the monthly student jazz jam at Artbug Gallery in downtown L.A.

Thursday 8/3 – Michael Wolff at Sam First

Pianist Michael Wolff is at Sam First near LAX with Edwin Livingston on bass and Joe La Barbera on drums. Pianist Cory Henry is at the Ventura Music Hall. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Southwestern College Performing Arts Center in Chula Vista. Drummer Rayford Griffin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Steve Rawlins is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach.  Saxophonist Hafez Modirzadeh is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood.  Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. Gypsy guitarist Luca Pino’s Pinot Noir is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Organist Carey Frank is at The Merc in Temecula. The SicNarf big band is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The Stowaway in downtown L.A.  Bassist Adam Cohen and pianist Todd Hunter lead a group at The Gardenia in West 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. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Sebastiani’s in Huntington Beach. Keyboardist Michael Ragonese hosts a jam at the Rhythm Room in downtown L.A. 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. The Swingin’ Gypsies are at Diamond Palace in San Diego.

Friday 8/4 – Larry Fuller at Bacchus’ Kitchen

Pianist Larry Fuller is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena with John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums.  Drummer Marco Carelli plays the music of Joe Henderson at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Mon David and pianist Josh Nelson are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Alex Hahn has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Guitarist Greg Howe is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Organist Ronnie Foster at The Grape in Ventura.  Saxophonist Chuck Manning is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Aaron Jacobs opens his annual Summer Swing Nights for three evenings (Fri-Sun) at the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo.  Vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is at the Wayfarer Hotel in downtown L.A.  Vocalist Gloria Hendry is at The World Stage in South L.A. Keyboardist Gregg Karukas is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Vernonique Forget is at Golden Island in San Diego.  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 Michael Orenstein 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 Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.

Saturday 8/5 – Jazz Unleashed L.A. at Jerry Moss Plaza

Trumpeter Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott) is at the Jerry Moss Plaza in downtown L.A. with David Binney and Logan Richardson on sax, Joshua Crumbly and Jermaine Paul on bass, Colin Cook on guitar, and Damion Reid on drums. Vocalist Catina DeLuna and pianist Otmaro Ruiz are at Sam First near LAX. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at The Canyon in Montclair. Violinist Benny Brydern is at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Trombone Shorty is at the Greek Theatre in Los Feliz. Bassist Brian Bromberg has the afternoon show at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, followed by an evening performance from vocalist Melanie Taylor. Guitarist Greg Howe is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Mon David is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The Special EFX All-Stars are at the Rancho Campana High School Performing Arts Center in Camarillo. Vocalist Aaron Jacobs fronts Summer Swing Nights at the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. Keyboardist/vocalist Frank McComb is at Catalina in Hollywood. Billy Vera & His Big Band are at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. West African virtuoso Adama Bilorou is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Michael Lington and vocalist Howard Hewett are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Flaco Navaja and the Razor Blades have the free Saturday Latin show at Hancock Park in West L.A. JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Amanda Portela.  Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. 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 Theo Saunders is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. Vocalist Tony Galla is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Gavin Braun is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Pianist David Moscoe is at the Dresden Room in Los Feliz.  Vocalist Dan Olivo is at The Edmon in downtown L.A.

Sunday 8/6 – Andy James at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Andy James is at Catalina in Hollywood with Jon Cowherd on piano, Alex Acuna on percussion, Clarence Penn on drums, John Ellis on sax, Vicente Archer on bass, and Chico Pinheiro on guitar. Guitarists Allen Hinds and Brad Rabuchin are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Tierney Sutton is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The Matt Catingub Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Mara Kaye opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Trombone Shorty is at The Rady Shell in San Diego. Guitarist Adam Hawley is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Aaron Jacobs fronts Summer Swing Nights at the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. The Del Mar Powerhouse Quintet is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianists Brian Clemens and Ron Kobayashi are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. 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. Pianist Todd Hunter has the Sunday afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank with vocalist Liz Cole. 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. Bass Clarinetist Griffin Woodard has the early Sunday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  Saxophonist Nick Gomez plays an afternoon show at Blue Fin Sushi & Teriyaki in Claremont.

Monday 8/7 – Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Danny Carey on drums, Scott Kinsey on keys, Chris Roy on bass, and Andy Sanesi on percussion. Vocalist Kiki Ebsen is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at ETA in Highland Park.  Guitarist Stan Smith and flautist Wilfrido Terrazas split a bill at the Oracle Tavern in Silverlake.  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. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.  Saxophonist Mike DeBellis hosts a jam session at Paddy’s Station in San Juan Capistrano.

Tuesday 8/8 – Benny Benack III at Bistango

Trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III is at Bistango in Irvine with Gary Matsumoto on piano, Alex Frank on bass, and Ryan Shaw on drums. Organist Ronnie Foster is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. Vocalist Natalie Jacob opens for saxophonist Dennis Mitchetree at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist Joe Rozum is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Jazz Butchers at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Melonie Grinnell is at Senses in San Diego. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A.  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.

Wednesday 8/9 – Scott Kinsey at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Katisse Buckingham on sax/Flute, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Vocalist Sidney Jacobs is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Mike Clark is at ETA in Highland Park for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with organist Will Blades and saxophonist Danny Janklow. Saxophonist John Stephens is at Catalina in Hollywood with a group including vocalist Gina Eckstine. Drummer Charles Ruggerio is at The Grape in Ventura. Bassist Marlon Martinez leads a sextet in the music of Billy Shorthorn at Sam First. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia hosts a jam session at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. 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.