About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 14, 2023

August continues with a SoCal jazz week including Brian Bromberg, Eric Revis, Gregory Porter, Charles Ruggerio, Wesley Ritenour, Sara Gazarek, Russell Ferrante, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Kate McGarry & Keith Ganz, Paul Nelson, Michelle Coltrane, Claude Hall, Mark de Clive-Lowe, and Saturday’s Jazz To The Max Fundraiser in Pasadena.

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 8/14 – 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 Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. 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. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Maiya Sykes and trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick lead an evening dedicated to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong at the Vertigo Event Venue in Glendale. Pianist Julius Rodriguez is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Sara Gazarek is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Darrel Leonard’s Line-Up is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Drummer Angelo Velasquez 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. Pianist Ted Howe is at On The Thirty in Sherman Oaks.

Thursday 8/17 – Eric Revis at the Hammer Museum

Bassist Eric Revis is at the Hammer Museum in Westwood with Joshua White on keys and Tina Raymond on drums. Guitarist Cesar Mateus is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Julian Pollack is at Sam First near LAX.  Drummer Wesley Ritenour is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Guitarist Will Brahm is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Jesse Fischer is at The York in Highland Park. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys are at The Muck In Fullerton. Multi-instrumentalist Bob DeSena is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Percussionist Don Littleton pays tribute to Eddie Harris at The Merc in Temecula. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Daddy Diamond in Hollywood. Vocalist Cheryl Barnes is at Wingwalker Brewery in Monrovia. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Four And More is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. 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. Bassist Teddy Bang is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City.

Friday 8/18 – Brian Bromberg at Catalina Jazz Club

Bassist Brian Bromberg is at Catalina in Hollywood with an acoustic evening dedicated to the music of the late Bill Evans’ bassist Scott LaFaro for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Tom Zink on piano and Charles Ruggerio on drums. Yellowjackets pianist Russell Ferrante is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at The World Stage in South L.A. The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Max Gerl is at The York in Highland Park. Pianist Sam Hirsh begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Gregory Porter is at the Epstein Family Amphitheater in San Diego. Guitarist Denys Cristian leads an evening of Brazilian music at The Merc in Temecula.  Drummer Issak Weatherwax at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Howard Hewitt and saxophonist Michael Lington are at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. Spyro Gyra is at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Saxophonist Gavin Templeton is at ETA in Highland Park. Guitarist Scott Heustis is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano 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 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. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Gabrielito y La Verdad is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. The Garners are at Golden Island in San Diego. JazzGrass is at Ferro in Idyllwild. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich and flutist Lori Bell play a noon concert at the La Jolla Community Center in La Jolla.

Saturday 8/19 – Jazz To The Max Fundraiser at Performances a la Carte

Performances a la Carte hosts an all-day musical fundraiser for vibraphonist Nick Mancini and family in Pasadena featuring 50 top-flight L.A. jazz musicians. Keyboardist David Garfield is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Gregory Porter is at Burton Chace Park in Marina Del Rey. Keyboardist Mark de Clive-Lowe is at California Plaza in downtown L.A. Guitarist/vocalist George Benson is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Madeline Peyroux is at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Jazzmopolitan! including vocal group Take 6 is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Vocalist Kate McGarry and guitarist Keith Ganz are at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Brian Bromberg is at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Nathan East has the early afternoon show at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, followed by an evening show from vocalist Tony DeSare. Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The San Diego Smooth Jazz All-Stars are at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad. Keyboardist Oli Silk is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer Christian Moraga has the free Saturday Latin show at Hancock Park in West L.A. 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.  Alex Mendham & His Orchestra are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Jazz Mob is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Vocalist Sylvia Rodriguez is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo.

Sunday 8/20 – Kate McGarry & Keith Ganz at Sam First

Vocalist Kate McGarry and guitarist Keith Ganz are at Sam First near LAX for the second of two nights (Sat-Sun) with Kevin Axt on bass and Clarence Penn on drums. Vocalist Claude Hall offers a tribute to Nina Simone at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Forbits is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Trumpeter Elliott Caine is at The York in Highland Park. Trumpeter Byron Stripling is at The Rady Shell in San Diego. Bassist Blake White is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Brian Park opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. 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. Vocalist Chloe Perrier does a brunch at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. The SoCal Jazz Collective has the early Sunday brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Zuri Alexander does the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. The Side Street Strutters play an afternoon show at the Norris Pavilion in Rolling Hills Estates. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 do a brunch at The Pour House in Monrovia.

Monday 8/21 – Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band at The Write-Off Room

Composer Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. 6 Beats Apart is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Anne Walsh is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal 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. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Tuesday 8/22 – John Pizzarelli at Bistango

Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli opens a two-night (Tue-Wed) run at Bistango in Irvine. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday night jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Courtney Lemmon is at La Puglia in Santa Monica with a duo including pianist George Kahn. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero leads a big band at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Bondo is at Ferro in Idyllwild. Vocalist John O’Hurley is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 8/23 – Herbie Hancock Celebrates Wayne Shorter at the Hollywood Bowl

Pianist Herbie Hancock leads a all-star celebration of the life and music of saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter at the Hollywood Bowl. Saxophonist Doug Webb begins a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at Bistango in Irvine. Guitarist Tom Rizzo is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalists Gabrielle Cavassa and Sage Bava are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Bassist Brandon Fansher is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a new weekly jam session at The York in Highland Park. 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. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Vocalist Sylvia Rodriguez is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Joanna Gerolaga is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Vocalist Donna Greene is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura.