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

It’s a big week for SoCal drum fans with multi-night shows from Steve Gadd, Dennis Chambers, and Joe La Barbera, plus Azar Lawrence, Mike Stern, Samara Joy, Matthew Whitaker, Manhattan Transfer, Joshua White, Margherita Fava, Luis Conte, Gerald Clayton, and Geoff Stradling.

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. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. 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. Drummer Justin Brown is at ETA in Highland Park with trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire. 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 Robert Kyle and guitarist Riner Scivally are at Roe Seafood in Long Beach. 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. Saxophonist Garrett Becker is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Vocalist Marguaret Love & Her Lovettes are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.

Thursday 12/7 – Steve Gadd at Catalina Jazz Club

Drummer Steve Gadd begins a four-night (Thu-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood with Michael Landau on guitar, Travis Carlton on bass, Walt Fowler on trumpet/flugelhorn, and Jeff Babko on keys. Italian pianist Margherita Fava is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Samara Joy is at The Soraya in Northridge. Manhattan Transfer is at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. The SicNarf big band is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Samantha Sidley is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor is at The Merc in Temecula. Guitarist Molly Miller is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist Max Greenburg is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza does a holiday show at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The Brad Steinwehe Big Band plays a holiday show at Dizzy’s in San Diego. The Holly Street Stompers are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Vocalist Lynn Cardona is at Porterhouse in El Segundo. 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.

Friday 12/8 – Joe La Barbera at Sam First

Drummer Joe La Barbera opens a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Sam First near LAX with Bob Sheppard on sax, Clay Jenkins on trumpet, Bill Cunliffe on piano, and Jonathan Richards on bass. Saxophonist Azar Lawrence is at The World Stage in South L.A. Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Steve Gadd is at Catalina in Hollywood. PLOTZ! Is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Samara Joy is at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara. Bassist Steve Billman is at Eagle Rock Community Church. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Melissa Morgan is at Libretto in Paso Robles. The Studio Jazz Big Band is at LightSpace Studios in Gardena.  Pianist Gary Matsumoto is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Anthony Smith is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Santino Sgambelluri. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. 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. 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.  Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Vocalist Janessa Noland is at Books & Records in San Diego.

Saturday 12/9 – Azar Lawrence at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge

Saxophonist Azar Lawrence does a live recording at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach with Dennis Nelson on guitar, Robert Turner on keys, Tony Austin and Raymond Johnson on drums, and Weldon Scott on bass. Guitarist Mike Stern opens a two-night (Sat-Sun) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Joe La Barbera is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Steve Gadd is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Joshua White plays the music of Irving Berlin at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Manhattan Transfer is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. Pianist/vocalist Rique Pantoja is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Janis Mann and saxophonist Ernie Watts are at The Grape in Ventura. Trombonist Joshua Brown is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist David Benoit is at the Westin Resort in Rancho Mirage. Pianist Scott Wilkie plays a holiday show at Libretto in Paso Robles. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  The California Feetwarmers are at the Crown Theatre in Pasadena.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The Oak And Vine in Glendale. Pianist Max Greenburg is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Denise Morgan is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalists Alvin Reyes & Eric Baul are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds do a holiday show at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego. 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 Liz Holmes’ Retro Swing Band does an afternoon show at Qargo Coffee in Long Beach.

Sunday 12/10 – Mike Stern at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Mike Stern is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the second of two nights (Sat-Sun) with Leni Stern on guitar, Dennis Chambers on drums, Bob Franceschini on sax, and Jimmy Haslip on bass. Pianist Matthew Whitaker does a pair of shows at The Conrad in La Jolla. Drummer Steve Gadd is at Catalina in Hollywood. Italian pianist Margherita Fava is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Sara Niemietz does a late afternoon show at the Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo. The Corbin Jones Big Band opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer Greg Lewis is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Trumpeter Etienne Charles does a holiday show at the Scripps Research Auditorium in San Diego. Flutist/vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Golden Island in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Pepper Moons do a late afternoon outdoor set at Pershing Square in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Jackiem Joyner is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Matt Mauser and the Pete Jacobs Big Band play an afternoon show at Brea Improv in Brea. 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 Carolyn Martinez has the afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. Bassist Woody DiMarco plays a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 12/11 – Jeremy Levy Jazz Orchestra at The Write-Off Room

The Jeremy Levy Jazz Orchestra is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Drummer Jason Harnell does a solo holiday show at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Jeff Parker is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Crystal Lewis 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. Drummer Issak Weatherwax is at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood.

Tuesday 12/12 – Natalie Jacob & Dennis Mitcheltree at TRiP

Singer Natalie Jacob and saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist/keyboardist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Andrea Miller. Strada Swing is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Maria De La Vega & The Wayward Five are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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.  Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 12/13 – John Escreet’s Seismic Shift at Sam First

Pianist John Escreet’s Seismic Shift is at Sam First near LAX with Mark Turner on sax, Eric Revis on bass, and Damion Reid on drums. Manhattan Transfer is at the Epstein Family Amphitheater in San Diego with the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Pianist Kirk Andres Wilson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist /guitarist Allan Harris begins a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Saxophonist Craig Cammell is at the Oeno Wine Bar in Atwater Village. Blanket Of Clouds is at The Grape in Ventura. Keyboardist Nicholas Semrad is at ETA in Highland Park. Flutist/vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Vocalist Jerry Costanzo is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Daddy Diamond in Hollywood. Blues guitarist/vocalist Josh Smith is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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. The Happiness Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.