About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 7, 2023

Jazz highlights across SoCal this week include Gary Husband, George Benson, Dean Brown, Steph Richards, Mike Clark, Adam Hersh, Scott Kinsey, Angie Wells, Sidney Jacobs, Jamael Dean, Jamie Kime, Benny Benack III, Ronnie Foster, John Stephens,  and Jason Harnell.

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 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. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

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. Vocalist Paoloa Gladys is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. Supasoul is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Bondo is at Ferro in Idyllwild.  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. Keyboardist Jamael Dean is at Seven Nineteen By GS in South L.A. 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.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a new weekly jam session at The York in Highland Park. Bassist Tim Fenton is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. 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. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Vocalist Sylvia Rodriguez is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream benefit for The Innocence Project features pianist Steve Rawlins and vocalist Suzanne Pittson.  Organist Carey Frank is at Verse L.A.

Thursday 8/10 – Gary Husband at The Baked Potato

Drummer Gary Husband is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jimmy Johnson on bass and Michael Landau on guitar. Trumpeter Steph Richards is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood. Pianist Dahveed Behroozi is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Mike Clark is at ETA in Highland Park. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Pianist Will Kjeer is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt fronts the Paul McDonald Big Band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist John Proulx is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Saxophonist Bill Ungerman is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. The New Jet Set is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Friends with vocalist Vi Jordan is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Haile Loren is at The Muck in Fullerton. Vocalist Bobbi DeCarlo is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Daniela Soledade is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Shayna Steele is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist Teddy Bang is is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. 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. 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. Vocalist Lia Booth does a happy hour jazz set at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Friday 8/11 – Adam Hersh w/Mike Moreno at Sam First

Pianist Adam Hersh is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Mike Moreno on guitar, Devin Daniels on sax, Evan Abounassar on trumpet, Mauricio Morales on bass, and Myles Martin on drums. Vocalist Angie Wells is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist/flutist Kaylene Peoples is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Gary Husband is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane fronts a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Nolan Shaheed is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Hotel in San Diego. Bassist Joshua Crumbly is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Matt Politano is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The three-day (Fri-Sun) Long Beach Jazz festival kicks off at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach. Drummer Anthony Fung is at ETA in Highland Park. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Guitarist Ray Fuller has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Papille Gustative in Santa Monica. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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 Stuart Elster 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 New Stix Revue Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Zzymzy Quartet is at Golden Island in San Diego. Trumpeter Alan Satchwell is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. Pianist Sabine Pothier plays an afternoon show at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.  Violinist Susie Hansen’s Latin Band is at Rosemead Park in Rosemead.

Saturday 8/12 – Dean Brown at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Dean Brown is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Gerry Etkins on keys, Brandon Fields on sax, Ernest Tibbs on bass, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums. Drummer Gary Husband is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist Adam Hersh is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at The York in Highland Park. Guitarist Grant Geissman has the early afternoon show at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach, followed by an evening show from vocalist Terrell Edwards. Groove Legacy is at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Pierre Chambers is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Drummer Tina Raymond is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist Davheed Behroozi is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Phyllis Causey is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. The Long Beach Jazz Festival continues at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach. Guitarist Suren Arustamyan is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Sultans Of Swing are at is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Barkley Restaurant & Bar in South Pasadena. Vocalist Daniela Soledade has the free Saturday Latin show at Hancock Park in West L.A. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with flutist Lori Bell. 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/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. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Nothin But The Sax is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Saxophonist Doug Webb and keyboardist Mitchel Forman play a noon concert at Edendale Public Library in Echo Park.  Lizzy & The Triggermen are at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Sabatino’s in Mission Viejo with pianist Brian Clemens.

Sunday 8/13 – George Benson at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach

Guitarist/vocalist George Benson is at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Newport Beach. Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.   Drummer Kevin Winard is at The York in Highland Park. Trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Organist Gregg Karukas is at the South Coast Winery in Temecula with guitarist Adam Hawley and saxophonist Pamela Williams. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Cheryl Barnes and keyboardist Phillip Cabasso are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant does a late afternoon show at the Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts in Ojai. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Andrea Miller. Drummer Dean Mucetti & Rhythm Real are at Bar Bandini in Echo Park. The Long Beach Jazz Festival concludes at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach.  Pool Party opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Vocalist Mindy Austin is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. 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. Son Enrico does a Latin jazz brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Guitarist Ken Song and bassist Karim Yengsep play a brunch at the Paragon Cafe in Costa Mesa.  Vocalist Setsuko Haka does the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank.

Monday 8/14 – Paul Nelson’s Big Ol’ Band at The Write-Off Room

Trombonist Paul Nelson’s 17-piece Big Ol’ Band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Organist Carey Frank is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummers Abe Rounds and Mark Giuliana are at ETA in Highland Park. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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.  The Dark Matter Ensemble and the Scott Heustis Group split a bill at the Oracle Tavern in Silverlake.

Tuesday 8/15 – Wesley Ritenour at Vibrato

Drummer Wesley Ritenour is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Nick Campbell on bass, Otmaro Ruiz on keyboards, and Lee Ritenour on guitar. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist/vocalist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday night jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Leslie Page is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Allison Adams Tucker is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Vocalist Maria De La Vega & The Wayward Five are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A.  Saxophonist Paul Carman and Forbits are at Ferro in Idyllwild.  Charlie & The Blowhards open for guitarist Mark Leggett at TRiP 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. Supasoul is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 8/16 – Charles Ruggerio Plays Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato

Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Bob Reynolds on sax, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Jay Jennings on trumpet. Vocalist Matt Forbes fronts a 13-piece band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Julius Rodriguez is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Drummer Angelo Velaquez is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Drummer Jacob Wendt is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Slim Man is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. 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. Vocalist Eve Elliot is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.