About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of September 4, 2023

SoCal jazz headliners this week include Arturo Sandoval, Alphonso Johnson, Josh Nelson & Anthony Wilson, Ben Williams, Bob Holz, Bob Reynolds, Judy Wexler, Nicole McCabe, Danny Janklow, Jason Harnell, Gordon Goodwin, Munyungo Jackson, Jasmine Tommaso & The SG7, Jazz In Pink, Putter Smith, and Saturday’s 40th Anniversary for the Los Angeles Jazz Society.

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 9/4 – Todd Hunter w/Dionne Warwick at Urban Press Winery

Pianist Todd Hunter celebrates a CD release at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank with a special appearance by vocalist Dionne Warwick. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist Tommy Gannon 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. 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. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 9/5 – Judy Wexler at Vibrato

Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Jeff Colella on piano, Danny Janklow on sax, Brian Swartz on trumpet, Gabe Davis on bass, and Steve Hass on drums. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Elaine Gibbs is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Sam First near LAX hosts its regular Tuesday night jam session, this week led by pianist Gerald Clayton. Flutist Lori Bell is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. 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. 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. Rumproller is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 9/6 – Nicole McCabe’s Lennie Tristano Project at Sam First

Saxophonist Nicole McCabe’s Lennie Tristano Project is at Sam First near LAX with Matt Stubbs on clarinet, John Escreet on piano, Logan Kane on bass, and Jonathan Pinson on drums. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Jasmine Tommaso will be at Catalina in Hollywood celebrating a CD release with the San Gabriel Seven and guitarist Lorenzo Grassi. Trumpeter Byron Stripling and organist Bobby Floyd are at Bistango in Irvine. Drummer Ilya Dynov is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Bernie Dresel’s “BERN” will be at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Saxophonist Alex Hahn leads the monthly Sound Dhaba Youth Jam at the Artbug Gallery in downtown L.A. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. 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. Vocalist Sylvia Rodriguez is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Saxophonist Quinn Dymalski is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream benefit for The Innocence Project includes vocalists Ana Gazzola and Karine Da Silva.

Thursday 9/7 – Bob Holz at Catalina Jazz Club

Drummer Bob Holz is at Catalina in Hollywood with Brandon Fields on sax, Alex Machacek on guitar, and Ralphe Armstrong on bass. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Jazz In Pink is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Guitarist Pat Kelley is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at The Merc in Temecula. The SicNarf big band is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Jacob Wendt is at The Night Owl in Fullerton. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Theo Saunders is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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 9/8 – Arturo Sandoval at Catalina Jazz Club

Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is at Catalina in Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist Josh Nelson and guitarist Anthony Wilson are at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Bassist Alphonso Johnson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Bassist Putter Smith is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Grape in Ventura. Percussionist Munyungo Jackson has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A.  Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm are at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at the Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Pianist Aaron Provisor is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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 Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Drummer Issak Weatherwax is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Mike Boito is at Shanghai Rose in Studio City. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Akusta Kats with vocalist Janet Orsi are at The Wharf in Laguna Beach.

Saturday 9/9 – Los Angeles Jazz Society 40th Anniversary at the Montalban Theatre

The Los Angeles Jazz Society celebrates its 40th Anniversary with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and numerous guest performers at the Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. Bassist Alphonso Johnson is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Josh Nelson and guitarist Anthony Wilson are at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Ben Williams is at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City with vocalist Georgia Anne Muldrow. Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos and saxophonist Charles McPherson play the music of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker at The Rady Shell in San Diego. Pianist Joshua White plays the music of Jerome Kern at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Janis Mann is at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Guitarist Tom Rizzo is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Guitarist Jonathan Stout is at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with flutist Holly Hofmann. Day One of the Oxnard Jazz Festival at Oxnard Beach Park features Spyro Gyra. Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Azo Vino in Covina. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliott are at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Kiki Ebsen and pianist Jeff Colella are at Libretto in Paso Robles. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The Stowaway in downtown L.A. Vocalist Rosie Friedland is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park. Pianist Michael Orenstein is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A.  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. Eternity Jazz is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The Wiseguys Big Band Machine is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A.

Sunday 9/10 – Jason Harnell at The Baked Potato

Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Kei Akagi on keys and Darek Oles on bass. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez and Jazz In Pink are featured at the San Pedro Music festival at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro. Drummer Dan Schnelle is at The York in Highland Park. Drummer Ilya Dynov is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. JazzZone features Soul Sauce at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. The Jazz Butchers open for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Rabbi Blue plays an afternoon show at Campus Jax in Newport Beach, followed by an evening performance from vocalist Gina Saputo. The San Diego Jazz Legends are at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Michael Paulo plays a benefit for Maui at the South Coast Winery in Temecula. Day Two of the Oxnard Jazz Festival at Oxnard Beach Park features Catina DeLuna and Kleber Jorge. Saxophonist Ner De Leon is at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Jonathan Dely is at the Norris Pavilion in Rolling Hills Estates for an afternoon show. Vocalist Mindy Austin is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Jackiem Joyner is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Saxophonist Tom Braxton is at Spaghettini in Seal 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. 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. Vocalist Tom Francini does the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Saxophonist Nick Gomez has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.  Pianist Kat Shoemaker leads an afternoon jam at the jazz Lounge in San Diego featuring the music of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock.

Monday 9/11– Kim & Kayla Waters at Spaghettini

Saxophonist Kim Waters and pianist Kayla Waters are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist/guitarist Kara Grainger is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Eric Ekstrand Ensemble is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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.

Tuesday 9/12 – Groove Legacy at The Baked Potato

Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Paulie Cerra on sax/vocals, Sam Meek on guitar, Billy Steinway on keys, Ido Meshulam on trombone, Travis Carlton on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Drummer Jeff Hamilton is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Night jam session at Sam First near LAX. Billy Vera’s Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Dolphin Hyperspace leads a three-act show at Zebulon in Silverlake. Corcovado featuring vocalist Natalie Jacob is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Julie Zhu is at La Puglia 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. 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.

Wednesday 9/13 – Emilio Lasansky at Sam First

Bassist Emilio Lasansky is at Sam First near LAX with Devin Daniels on sax, Javier Santiago on piano, and Benjamin Ring on drums. Icelandic/Chinese vocalist Laufey is at Catalina in Hollywood. Orgasnist Bobby Pierce is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Jason Goldman & The 7Teen Big Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Telesmar Sanchez is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Ted Howe is at On The Thirty in Sherman Oaks. 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. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Marguaret Love & Her Lovettes are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Rabbi Blue is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Blues guitarist Josh Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.