About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of August 21, 2023

Herbie Hancock celebrates Wayne Shorter in a SoCal jazz week including John Pizzarelli, Yellowjackets, Carmen Lundy, Bennie Maupin, Andrew Synowiec & Kait Dunton, Gordon Goodwin, Doug Webb, George Whitty, Sergio Mendes, Cory Henry, Gerald Clayton, Roger Kellaway, and Jay Jennings.

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 8/21 – 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 an 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.  Drummer Aaron Sefaty is at 1881 in Pasadena.  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. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream benefit for The Innocence Project features pianist Bill Cantos and guitarist Allen Hinds.

Thursday 8/24 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, Jamie Kime on guitar, and Danny Carey on drums. Sam First near LAX begins a three-night celebration of the music of Wayne Shorter with Holophonor at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Cory Henry is at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever in Hollywood for then first of two nights (Thu-Fri). Pianist Alexander Anderson is at The District By GS in South L.A. Vocalist Jamie Shew and pianist Jeremy Siskind are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Guitarist Andrew Synowiec and pianist Kait Dunton lead a group at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Mark Winkler is at The Merc in Temecula.  Saxophonist Kirsten Edkins is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Little Wooden Bridge is at The Grape in Ventura. Organist Gregg Karukas is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. 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 8/25 – The Music Of Wayne Shorter at Sam First

Sam First hosts night two of three (Thu-Sat) of the music of Wayne Shorter with Friday artists including Luciana Souza, Otmaro Ruiz, Larry Klein, and Daniel Rotem. Guitarist Andrew Synowiec and pianist Kait Dunton lead a group at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli begins a three-night (Fri-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Cory Henry is at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever in Hollywood.  Guitarist Bruce Forman is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist David Benoit is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Pianist Stuart Elster is at Shanghai Rose in Studio City. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. The YKS Trio is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is at the Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Pianist George Kahn’s Jazz & Blues Revue is at LACMA in West L.A. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the La Jolla Community Center in La Jolla. The Phoenyx Big Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Black Market Trust is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at ALA Tavern Bay in Lake Arrowhead. The Jazz Cartel Quartet is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Wolfsglen in Westwood.  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. Drummer Issak Weatherwax is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Saturday 8/26 – Leimert Park Jazz Festival at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

Vocalist Carmen Lundy headlines an all-day jazz event at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza including Gerald Clayton, Keyon Harrold, Poncho Sanchez, and more. Drummer Anthony Fung and pianist Adam Hersh lead groups in the final night celebrating Wayne Shorter at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist George Whitty is at the Tavern Bay Club in Lake Arrowhead.  Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Sergio Mendes is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Guillermo Marigliano is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock with vocalist Karina Corradini. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Keyboardist Don Randi is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The birthday of Alice Coltrane is celebrated with an event at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Daneen Wilburn. JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Guitarist Jonathan Stout & His Campus Five are at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Josh Nelson plays a solo show at the Upper Mojave USO Building in Ridgecrest. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Pianist/vocalist Freddie Ravel 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 Konrad Paszkudzki is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. Vocalist Sylvia Rodriguez is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Alpha Rhythm Kings are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Drummer Mark San Filippo & The Wayward Five are at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.

Sunday 8/27 – Yellowjackets at Vibrato

Yellowjackets are at Vibrato in Bel Air with Bob Mintzer on sax, Russell Ferrante on piano, Dane Alderson on bass, and Will Kennedy on drums. Saxophonist Bennie Maupin is at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena. Trumpeter Aaron Janik is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Dayramir Gonzalez is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist Roger Kellaway is at the Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts in Ojai. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at The York in Highland Park. Hiroshima is at the South Coast Winery in Temecula. Saxophonist Dave Koz headlines the 2nd annual Smooth Summer Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. Birds open for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. JazzZone is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Erisa Nicole is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Saxophonist Paul Taylor and vocalist Nicole Henry are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Tio Leo’s Lounge hosts a San Diego Bass Summit featuring Marshall Hawkins, Mark Dresser and Rob Thorsen. The Idiomatiques are at SOhO in Santa Barbara. The Gardena Jazz Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary at Rowley Park with headliner saxophonist Boney James. 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. 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. Bassist Leslie Baker does the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Rose Colella has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Howie Levine’s “JazzNatra” has the Sunday brunch at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Vocalist Sandy Cummings does a jazz brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 play an afternoon brunch at The Pour House in Monrovia.

Monday 8/28 – Marlonious Jazz Orchestra at The Write-Off Room

The Marlonious Jazz Orchestra led by bassist Marlon Martinez is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Coevality is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Sharon Marie Cline is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trombonist Joey Sellers leads the Saddleback College Jazz Faculty at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. Keyboardist Greg Manning is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach. 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. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.

Tuesday 8/29 – Bill Cantos at the Festival Of Arts

Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at the Festival Of Arts in Laguna Beach with Hussain Jiffry on bass, John Ferraro on drums, and guest pianist Mari Falcone. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday night jam session at Sam First near LAX. Percussionist Joey De Leon is at the Cana Rum Bar in downtown L.A. The Open Orbit Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. 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. The Baked Potato hosts a four-act showcase night in Studio City.

Wednesday 8/30 – Karl McComas-Reichl at Sam First

Bassist Karl McComas-Reichl is at Sam First near LAX with Joshua White on piano and Christian Euman on drums. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Alex Johnson leads a sextet tribute to the music of Art Blakey at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village.  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. 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 Natalie Mendoza is at Garcons De Cafe in downtown L.A.  Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.