About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of September 18, 2023

Saturday’s Central Avenue Jazz Festival highlights a SoCal jazz week including Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap, Snarky Puppy, Terence Blanchard, Hiromi & Stanley Clarke, Samara Joy, Keiko Matsui, Mark Lettieri & Bob Reynolds, Vijay Iyer, Bebel Gilberto, and the West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band.

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 9/18 – West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band at The Write-Off Room

The West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Phatback, Earl & Me are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Tuesday 9/19 – Bebel Gilberto at Belly Up

Vocalist Bebel Gilberto is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Clarinetist Don Byron is at Sam First near LAX. Vibraphonist Chuck Redd and pianist/clarinetist Tom Ranier are at Bistango in Irvine. Guitarist Dave Hill is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Diane Elder is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Long Beach Jazz Jam celebrates its 10th anniversary at The Auld Dubliner in Long Beach. Jumpin Joz is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 9/20 – Floating Points at The Hollywood Bowl

Floating Points plays music from the late Pharoah Sanders with special guests the Sun Ra Arkestra at the Hollywood Bowl. Pianist Vijay Iyer’s Love In Exile is at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Doug Weiss is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Danny Jonokuchi’s Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The OC Jazz Collective is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia leads a jam session at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Drummer Jacob Wendt is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Greg Uhlman is at ETA in Highland Park. 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.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla.  Vocalist Sylvia Rodriguez is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Ori Soaring hosts a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro. Producer Debra Graff’s latest livestream benefit for The Innocence Project includes trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt.

Thursday 9/21 – Kevin van den Elzen at Sam First

Drummer Kevin van den Elzen is at Sam First near LAX with Sal Lozano and Brian Clancy on saxophones and Eric Sittner on bass. Bassist Benny Rietveld is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero celebrates a birthday at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Guitarist Will Brahm is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Drummer Matt Gordy is at The Merc in Temecula. Pianist Michael Ragonese is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalists Cathy Segal-Garcia and Mon David are at Wingwalker Brewery in Monrovia. Guitarist Carl Verheyen is at the Scherr Forum in Thousand Oaks for an album release show. Vocalist Lia Booth is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Clarinetist Don Byron is at Parks & Market in San Diego. Vibraphonist Jason Taylor is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist John Papadakis sings the music of Tony Bennett at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Stefano & The Inconvenient Truth are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith 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 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 9/22 – Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap at Sam First

Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianist Bill Charlap are at UCLA Royce Hall in Westwood.  Guitarist Mark Lettieri and saxophonist Bob Reynolds (both from Snarky Puppy) are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Steve Tyrell and pianist David Benoit are at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Cuban violinist Dayren Santamaria is at Catalina in Hollywood with vocalist Candi Sosa. Pianist Michael Ragonese celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Joshua White is at The World Stage in South L.A. Saxophonist Ernie Watts has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Drummer Rodolfo Zuniga & Surfaces are at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Drummer Tina Raymond is at The York in Highland Park. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the La Jolla Community Center. Keyboardist/vocalist Keiko Matsui is at The Canyon in Montclair. Saxophonist Stephen Lugener is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Jose Perez is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. Drummer Max Jaffe is at ETA in Highland Park. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Saxophonist Eric Person is at Santa Monica College. Vocalists Takako Morozumi & Yuka Akai are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Tony Jones is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Papille Gustative in Santa Monica. The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Pianist Valentina Shelton 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Vocalist Gretje Angell is at Baltaire in Westwood. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Books & Records in San Diego.

Saturday 9/23 – Central Avenue Jazz Festival at Dunbar Hotel

The Central Avenue Jazz Festival in South L.A. features multiple stages and artists including flutist Hubert Laws, pianist Billy Childs, and the Central Avenue Jazz Experience. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard’s E-Collective and the Turtle Island String Quartet play the music of Wayne Shorter at the Segerstrom Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa. Pianist Hiromi and bassist Stanley Clarke are at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Vocalist Samara Joy is at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Keyboardist/vocalist Keiko Matsui is at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. Drummer Dan Schnelle is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Kait Dunton is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Guitarist Jonathan Stout is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Vocalist Ana Gazzola is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Bassist Billy Mohler is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Amanda Portella. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula for the first of two nights (Sat-Sun). The Fabulous Esquires are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Aristocats are at the Olive & Fig Restaurant & Jazz Bar in Canoga Park. Pianist David Arnay 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. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Catalina in Hollywood. Hebrew Hancock and Beartown split a bill at Collage in San Pedro. Ella Swings is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina.  The Garner Trio is at Books & Records in San Diego.

Sunday 9/24 – Snarky Puppy at the Orpheum Theatre

Snarky Puppy is at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A. Trumpeter Julien Knowles opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Pianist Gregg Karukas is at the Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts in Ojai. Vocalist Janis Mann sings the music of Burt Bacharach at SOhO in Santa Barbara. JazzZone features vocalist Elisa Gomez Taylor and Latin jazz at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Elaine Gibbs is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela plays the music of Pat Metheny at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Keyboardist Brian Simpson and saxophonist Jessy J are at the South Coast Winery in Temecula. Saxophonist Dave Koz is at the Thornton Winery in Temecula. Vocalist Astghik Martirosyan is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Guitarist Yu Ooka is at 3355 Asian Grill in Torrance. Singers LA is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Blues guitarist/vocalist Dennis Jones is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. CSUN Jazz Combos are at The York in Highland Park. 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 Patrick Barnitt does the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Trombone group Slide FX has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach.

Monday 9/25 – Joey Navarro at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Joey heredia on drums, Joey De Leon on percussion, and Augustin Mario Quiroga on guitar. Vocalist Teryn Re’s Big Band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Saxophonist David Binney is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park with drummer Louis Cole. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Bassist Eric Revis is at ETA in Highland Park. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. 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. 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Tuesday 9/26 – Steve Lehman at Sam First

Saxophonist Steve Lehman opens a two-night (Tue-Wed) run at Sam First near LAX with Paul Cornish on piano, Logan Kane on bass, and Damion Reid on drums. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist Martin Guigui plays music from the “Sweetwater” film soundtrack at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is featured in a program of the Music of Miles Davis at the San Diego State Smith Recital Hall in San Diego.  Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. The Angel Town Combo is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Mark Leggett celebrates a CD release at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist James Bianchi is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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 in Studio City features a multi-act Showcase Night.

Wednesday 9/27 – Blues Variant at Catalina Jazz Club

Blues Variant is at Catalina in Hollywood with Michael Feinberg on bass, Benito Gonzalez on piano, Logan Richardson on sax, and Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums. Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Bijon Watson is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Steve Lehman is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Max Walker is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Alex Robinson is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake 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.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla.  Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.