About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of November 27, 2023

November ends and December opens with a SoCal jazz week including John Daversa, Diane Schuur, Peter Bernstein, Yotam Silberstein & Larry Koonse, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Night Watch, Doug Webb, Emile Martinez, Genevieve Artadi, Teodross Avery, Beverly Church Hogan, and the Django Festival All-Stars.

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 11/27 – Doug Webb Plays Stan Getz at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb plays the music of Stan Getz at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Mike Gurrola on bass, and Charles Ruggerio on drums. Pianist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Trumpeter Rick Braun does a holiday show at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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.

Tuesday 11/28 – Marvin “Smitty” Smith at The Baked Potato

Drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chris Lowery on trumpet, Dale Fielder and Ralph Moore on saxes, Francisco Torres on trombone, Adam Ledbetter on keys, Edwin Livingston on bass, and Christian Moraga on percussion. The Herbie Hancock Institute hosts the Tuesday jam session at Sam First with guest saxophonist Dick Oatts. Pianist George Kahn leads a trio at La Puglia in Santa Monica with vocalist Courtney Lemmon. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Teka is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Pianist Mike Wofford and guitarist Bob Boss are at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. The Irvine Barclay Jazz band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Crystal Clulee. The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Kat Edmonson does a holiday show at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Ann Cusack & The Generation Jones Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Bassist Bill Saitta & Jazzgrass are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. 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. Drummer Max Jaffe is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 11/29 – Night Watch at The Baked Potato

Night Watch is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alex Sill on guitar, Jacob Scesney on sax, John Beasley on keys, John Michael Bradford on trumpet, Max Gerl on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Saxophonist Teodross Avery is at the Troesh Conference Center in Riverside. Saxophonist Tristan Cappel is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Aja Monet is at the Lodge Room in Highland Park.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Guitarist David Eastlee is Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Holly Pyle is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia leads a jam session at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. 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.  Vocalist Sylvia Rodriguez is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Vocalist Maximo Marcuso is at Vibrato in Bel Air. San Lyon is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Keyboardist Lee Pardini opens a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at ETA in Highland Park.  Producer Debra Graff’s latest online benefit for The Innocence Project includes vocalists Jerry Costanzo and Joanna Wallfisch.

Thursday 11/30 – Diane Schuur at the Irvine Barclay Theatre

Pianist/vocalist Diane Schuur is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Sam First near LAX begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) “Guitar Festival” featuring Peter Bernstein, Yotam Silberstein, and Larry Koonse. Trumpeter John Daversa’s Big Band begins a four-night (Thu-Sun) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Django Festival All-Stars are at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz in West L.A. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Vocalist Aja Monet is at UCSD’s The Loft in San Diego.  Vocalist Debbi Ebert is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul play a holiday show at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Bassist Richard Simon is at The Merc in Temecula. Trombonist Dan Barrett is at The Grape in Ventura. 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 12/1 – John Daversa Progressive Big Band at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter John Daversa’s Big Band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Sam First near LAX features guitarists Peter Bernstein, Yotam Silberstein, and Larry Koonse. Trumpeter Emile Martinez is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Genevieve Artadi is at the Knitting Factory in North Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Diane Schuur is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Trombonist Josh Brown is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Chris Dawson is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Drummer Scott Amendola is at ETA in Highland Park. Vocalist Marina Pacowski is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Sandra Piller is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Maria De La Vega & The Wayward Five are at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Blake Aaron is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach for a holiday show with vocalist Erin Stevenson. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Barkley Restaurant in South 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 Michael Dees. 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. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Vocalist Adam “Aejaye” Jackson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Staci Griesbach is at the Conference Room in Playa Vista. The Santa Monica College Jazz Vocal Ensemble is at the SMC Performing Arts Center.

Saturday 12/2 – Bernstein/Silberstam/Koonse at Sam First

Sam First near LAX features guitarists Peter Bernstein, Yotam Silberstein, and Larry Koonse in their third of three nights (Thu-Sat) with Mike Gurrola on bass and Joe La Barbera on drums. Trumpeter John Daversa’s Big Band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Diane Schuur is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Lisa Donahey does a holiday show at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. The Queen’s Cartoonists do a holiday show at The Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Saxophonist Michael Lington is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach for a holiday show with vocalist Wendy Moten. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at the Pour House in Monrovia. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Liela Avila is at Hawg Heaven BBQ & Gastropub in Pasadena. 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. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.

Sunday 12/3 – Beverly Church Hogan at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Beverly Church Hogan is at Catalina in Hollywood with John Proulx on piano, Bob Sheppard on sax, John Storie on guitar, Lyman Medeiros on bass, Clayton Cameron on drums, and Luis Conte on percussion. Trumpeter John Daversa’s Big Band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Pianist Bill Cunliffe is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Pianist George Kahn is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Soul Sauce is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. The CSUN Jazz Combos open for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West Hollywood. The Swing Tones do a “Rat Pack Holiday Tribute” show at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Vocalist Lisa Donahey is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Michael Lington is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach for a holiday show with vocalist Wendy Moten. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul do a holiday show at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. The Queen’s Cartoonists do a holiday show at the Pepperdine Smothers Theatre in Malibu. The JazzKatz Orchestra is at Dizzy’s in San Diego with vocalist Whitney Shay. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Saxophonist Art Sherrod, Jr. is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. 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 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.  The World Stage hosts the Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session.  Vocalist Patrisha Thomson does a brunch at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Katie Harris has the afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point.

Monday 12/4 – Geoff Stradling’s StradBand at The Write-Off Room

Pianist Geoff Stradling’s StradBand big band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Drummer Mark Guiliana does a solo show at Zebulon in Silverlake. Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a sextet at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Santa Monica College Jazz Ensemble does a concert joined by guest bassist Stanley Clarke at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center Music Hall. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Adam Hawley is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach for a holiday show. Pianist Tommy Gannon 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 including trumpeter Jay Jennings. 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 SBCC Jazz Combos are at SOhO in Santa Barbara. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 12/5 – Gerald Clayton at Sam First

Pianist Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Ian Roller is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Will Brahm debuts a new album at Zula Den in West L.A. Guitarist Ray Fuller does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Keyboardist Ed Roth is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.  Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.  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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 12/6 – Samara Joy at The Soraya

Vocalist Samara Joy is at The Soraya in Northridge for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with a holiday program. Pianist Matthew Whitaker is at the Spanos Theatre in San Luis Obispo.  Vibraphonist Yuhan Su is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Trumpeter Darrell Leonard’s Line-up big band is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Guitarist Jim Fox is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Arth Bar in Culver City. Vocalist Rose Mallett offers a tribute to Sarah Vaughan at Revolution Stage Company in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura.  Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.  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.