About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of December 11, 2023

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Manhattan Transfer, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Jane Monheit, Jeff Hamilton, Simon Phillips, John Beasley, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Mike Cottone, David Benoit, Brenna Whitaker, Joshua Crumbly, Dr. Bruce Eskovitz, Rose Colella, and the Jeremy Levy Jazz Orchestra.

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 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. 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. Guitarist Dave Harrington is at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena with vocalist Liz Cole. Bassist Derek Frank is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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.  Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Producer Debra Garaff’s latest livestream benefit for The Innocence Project includes guitarist Allen Hinds and vocalist Maxayn Lewis.

Thursday 12/14 – Jeff Hamilton at Bacchus’ Kitchen

Drummer Jeff Hamilton is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena for the first of two nights (Thu-Fri) with Tamir Hendelman on piano and Jon Hamar on bass. Jason Goldman & The 7Teen Big Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air with guest vocalists Brenna Whitaker, Wyatt Michael, Maria Schafer, and Tia Carrere. Trumpeter Mike Cottone is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Todd Hunter is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. 6 Beats Apart is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Mike Garson does a live recording at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Margo Rey is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist/guitarist Allan Harris is at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Trumpeter Joel Schnaper and bassist Zephyr Avalon lead a quintet at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.  Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at Semi Tropic Wines in Costa Mesa.  Drummer Ted Poor is at ETA in Highland Park. Guitarist Dave Murdy does a holiday show at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party opens a four-night (Thu-Sun) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist/vocalist Valentina Shelton is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at The Merc in Temecula. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale.

Friday 12/15 – Manhattan Transfer at Walt Disney Hall

Vocal group Manhattan Transfer does their final show together as a group at Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, backed by the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Drummer Simon Phillips is at The Grape in Temecula. Drummer Jeff Hamilton is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena.  Pianist John Beasley plays a holiday show for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Jane Monheit is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Pianist David Benoit plays the music of a Charlie Brown Christmas at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Keyboardist Rachel Eckroth is at ETA in Highland Park. Keyboardist Cory Henry is at The Mint in West L.A. Guitarist Peter Sprague plays the music of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at The Conrad in La Jolla for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Saxophonist Kahlil Childs is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Janessa Noland. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina. Guitarist Frank Unzueta is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Saxophonist Dave Koz does a holiday show at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Flutist/vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at Books & Records in San Diego. Trumpeter Jeff Elliott is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Golden Island in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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.

Saturday 12/16 – Spanish Harlem Orchestra at The Broad Stage

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra does a holiday program at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia presents a multi-artist fundraising concert for Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Pianist John Beasley plays a holiday show at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Joshua Crumbly is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Percussionist/vocalist Louie Cruz Beltran is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Vocalist Natalie Hanna Mendoza is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonists Steve Lehman & Mark Turner are at ETA in Highland Park. Guitarist Peter Sprague plays the music of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at The Conrad in La Jolla.  Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Brian Simpson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist Jane Monheit is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Saxophonist Dave Koz does a holiday show at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Ella Swings is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Aaron Provisor is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Amanda Portela 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. The Pepper Moons do a late afternoon holiday show at Pershing Square in downtown L.A. The Jazz Mob is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. The San Diego Youth Jazz Orchestra is at Dizzy’s in San Diego.

Sunday 12/17 – Jane Monheit at Catalina

Vocalist Jane Monheit does a holiday show at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Mike Stern leads a group playing the music of Steely Dan at the Music Box in San Diego. Drummer Jeff Hamilton does a holiday program at Libretto in Paso Robles. Guitarist Yu Ooka is at 3355 Asian Grill in Torrance. The San Diego Jazz All-Stars are at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Steph Johnson is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Pianist Rob Whitlock is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Vocalist Amanda McBroom is at the Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts in Ojai. Vocalist Jane Lynch does a holiday show at the San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Beauty & Essex in Hollywood. Guitarist Joe Bonomassa’s Rock Candy Funk Party is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Freddie Ravel does a holiday show at Vibrato in Bel Air. Keyboardist Scott Wilkie is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. La Compania opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. 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 Donna Deussen has the afternoon brunch at Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Rose Colella has the early brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point.

Monday 12/18 – Teryn Re’ Big Band at The Baked Potato

Vocalist Teryn Re’ leads a big band at The Baked Potato in Studio City in a holiday show. Drummer Mark Guiliana does a solo show at Zebulon in Silverlake. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal and guitarist Lee Ritenour are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Dave Koz plays a holiday show at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. 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.

Tuesday 12/19 – Jeff Parker at Sam First

Guitarist Jeff Parker Gerald Clayton leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX with John Beasley on piano, Eric Revis on bass, and Tina Raymond on drums.   Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Evan Stone is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Lynne Fiddmont does a holiday show at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Rose Colella does a holiday show at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Maria De La Vega & The Wayward Five are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Christian Euman does a holiday show at ETA in Highland Park. Guitarist Mark Leggett is at TRiP in Santa Monica. 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 12/20 – Shai Golan at Sam First

Saxophonist Shai Golan is at Sam First near LAX with Adam Hersh on piano, Jermaine Paul on bass, and David Sirkis on drums. Saxophonist Vinny Golia is at The Grape in Ventura. Bassist Benny Rietveld does a holiday show at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia leads a jam session at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Purple Corduroy is at Seven Grand in San Diego. The Duck Soup Trio plays the music of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Jumpin Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.