About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of November 6, 2023

SoCal jazz highlights include Brad Mehldau, Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper & Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington, Hubert Laws, Gordon Goodwin, Dan Weiss & Miles Okazaki, Daniel Szabo, Joanna Wallfisch, Freda Payne, Bob Reynolds, Brent Fischer, Graham Dechter & Alex Frank, and Postmodern Jukebox.

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 11/6 – Graham Dechter & Alex Frank at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quintet at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Barclay Moffitt on sax, Josh Nelson on keys, and Joe La Barbera on drums. Vocalist Spencer Day is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Meloney Collins. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Drummer Issak Weatherwax is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Pianist Richard Turner is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 11/7 – Brent Fischer at Vibrato

Composer/arranger Brent Fischer leads a jazz orchestra at Vibrato in Bel Air with guest vocalists including Denise Donatelli, Marina Pacowski, Dave Tull, and John Proulx. Drummer Kyle Poole hosts the Tuesday jam session at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt is at Venice West in Venice. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown Los Angeles. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Seven Grand in San Diego. 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. Trumpeter John Reynolds is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Supasoul is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 11/8 – Brad Mehldau at Walt Disney Hall

Pianist Brad Mehldau is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard. Postmodern Jukebox is at the Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Mon David celebrates a birthday at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Max Gerl is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Freda Payne is at Vibrato in Bel Air with a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. Keyboardist Quinn Johnson is at 1881 in Pasadena. Pianist Todd Hunter is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Lisa Andrea Torres is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Jerry Mandel is at Bistango in Irvine. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla.  Vocalist Sylvia Rodriguez is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at Seven Grand in downtown San Diego.

Thursday 11/9 – Daniel Szabo at Sam First

Pianist Daniel Szabo celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX with Danny Janklow on sax, Mike Cottone on trumpet, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Brad Rabuchin plays a show at the LACM Garage in Pasadena. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Rachel Eckroth plays a night of solo piano at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist Debbie Torres is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Casino San Clemente in San Clemente. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at The Merc in Temecula. The Pickle Mafia is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Matt Politano is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist/guitarist Allan Harris is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Lynn Cardona is at Porterhouse in El Segundo. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Four And More is at Casey’s Tavern 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. 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 11/10 – Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band at Catalina Jazz Club

Composer/arranger Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Kamasi Washington plays a late night show at the Los Angeles Theatre in downtown L.A. Drummer Dan Weiss and guitarist Miles Okazaki begin a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Joanna Wallfisch is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Drummer Eric Gugisch is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. The Knick Smith Band has the free Friday jazz show at LACMA in West L.A. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Postmodern Jukebox is at the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks. The Pickle Mafia are at Corazon Performing Arts in Topanga. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Setsuko Haka is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Guitarist Cecil Alexander plays the music of Wes Montgomery at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Aristocats are at the Conference Room in Playa Vista. Pianist/vocalist Valentina Shelton is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. Saxophonist Paul Combs is at Golden Island in San Diego. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. The SoCal Jazz Collective is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Leeanna Rodgers. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Albert Lee is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Gabrielito y La Verdad is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Anthony Smith is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Santino Sgambelluri.

Saturday 11/11 – Robert Glasper & Terrace Martin at the Ace Hotel Theatre

Saxophonist Terrace Martin and pianist Robert Glasper split a bill at the Ace Hotel Theatre in downtown L.A. Composer/arranger Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Dan Weiss and guitarist Miles Okazaki are at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Joshua White plays the music of Billy Strayhorn at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Keyboardist David Garfield is at The Grape in Ventura. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Teka is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Theo Saunders is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Guitarist Thomas Blumberg is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room. Vocalist Howie Levine’s “JazzNatra” is at Hawg Heaven BBQ & Gastropub in Pasadena with pianist Mike Saul’s combo and guest vocalist Paula Sargent. Vocalist Phyllis Causey is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Will Salmon is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Geo Trio is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Saxophonist Will Donato is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Jeremy Siskind is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Lizzy & The Triggermen are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Amanda Portella. 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 Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. The Sultans Of Swing are at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Holy Crow is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Janessa Noland is at Books & Records in San Diego.

Sunday 11/12 – Herbie Hancock at the Ace Hotel Theatre

Pianist Herbie Hancock is at the Ace Hotel Theatre in downtown L.A. The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra with special guest flutist Hubert Laws is at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Jazz Butchers open for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Sasha’s Bloc Band is at Catalina in Hollywood with guest vocalists Maiya Sykes and Lavance Colley. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich plays the music of Chick Corea at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Tom Culver is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Lizzy & The Triggermen are at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Rebecca Jade is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Saxophonist/vocalist Austin Gatus is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest vocalist Sophia James. The Itty Bitty Big Band plays a late afternoon show at Collage in San Pedro. Paris Chansons are at Campus Jax in Newport Beach.  Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Irving Flores is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Pianist Robert Turner is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Beth Rohde leads a jazz jam at Barsha in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Rose Gales hosts a vocal jam session at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Liz Cole has the afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. The Idiomatiques play a Sunday brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 11/13 – Dave Slonaker Big Band at The Write-Off Room

The Dave Slonaker Big Band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. The Buddy Rich Big Band with drummer Gregg Potter is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at Gaslamp in Long Beach.  Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Drummer Nathan Hubbard celebrates a CD release at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Allison Adams Tucker does a noon concert at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Drummer Issak Weatherwax is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Guitarist/vocalist Artur Menezes is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Mike DeBellis hosts a jam session at Paddy’s Station in San Clemente.  Bassist Paul Bryan is at ETA in Highland Park.  Pianist/vocalist Eric Ekstrand is at Crown City Dance in Pasadena.

Tuesday 11/14 – Cameron Graves at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Cameron Graves is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Colin Cook on guitar, Derrick Elliot on bass, and Andy Prado, Jr. on drums.  Percussionist Pete Escovedo is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Clarinetist Ken Peplowski is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday jam session at Sam First near LAX. Corcovado with vocalist Natalie Jacob and saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Sultans Of Swing are at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Pianist Joshua White plays a late afternoon show at The Conrad in La Jolla. Postmodern Jukebox is at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo. Pianist Danny Green is at the Senses Bistro 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. Trumpeter John Reynolds is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Seven Grand in San Diego. 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 11/15 – Bernie Dresel BBB at Vibrato

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB big band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Joe Travers is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Rodolfo Zuniga is at Sam First near LAX. Postmodern Jukebox is at Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay in San Diego. Vocalist Dianne Fraser celebrates a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Tim Shaghoian at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. House Of Waters is at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla.  The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Vocalist Sylvia Rodriguez is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. Ori Soaring hosts a jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro.