About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of December 25, 2023

2023 closes with a SoCal jazz week including Poncho Sanchez, Billy Childs, Pink Martini, Brandon Fields, Doug Webb, Julien Knowles, Roy McCurdy, Tony Guerrero & Lia Booth, Andy James, Michelle Coltrane, Michael Orenstein, and Jimmy Branly. 

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 12/25 – No Jazz Events Scheduled

Tuesday 12/26 – Brandon Fields at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Brandon Fields is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, Chad Wackerman on drums, and Lenny Castro on percussion. Vocalist Andy James is at Vibrato in Bel Air backed by a sextet led by pianist Jon Cowherd. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Bassist Billy Mohler is at ETA in Highland Park. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. The Axon Orchestra 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. 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. Supasoul is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Wednesday 12/27 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with Jamie Kime on guitar. Mitchel Forman on keys, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Danny Carey on drums. Pianist Michael Orenstein is at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. 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. Keyboardist Sam Ross is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A.

Thursday 12/28 – Julien Knowles at Sam First

Trumpeter Julien Knowles is at Sam First near LAX with John Escreet on piano, Jermaine Paul on bass, and Jonathan Pinson on drums. Saxophonist Doug Webb is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Nutty is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Flutist Nori Tani is at the Conference Room in Playa Vista. Bassist Marshall Hawkins is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at The Grape in Ventura. JazzZone is at TBMPAC in South L.A. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Mike Greenwood is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. 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. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds do a happy hour show at The George in Pasadena.

Friday 12/29 – Billy Childs at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Billy Childs opens a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jimmy Johnson on bass, Andrew Renfroe on guitar, and Christian Euman on drums. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez opens a three-night (Fri-Sun) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Roy McCurdy is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Chris Speed is at ETA in Highland Park. Vocalist Janice Anderson is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga.  Pianist Theo Saunders is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Golden Island in San Diego. The Garners are at Books & Records in San Diego.  Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. The Phoenyx Big Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Stuart Elster 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. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Vocalist Roman Palacios is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.

Saturday 12/30 – Poncho Sanchez at Catalina Jazz Club

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Catalina in Hollywood for the second of three nights (Fri-Sun). Drummer Roy McCurdy is at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist Billy Childs is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air w/vocalist Lia Booth. Trumpeter Julien Knowles is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Keyboardist Lao Tizer is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Justin Brown leads the last evening of performances at ETA in Highland Park. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Amanda Portela. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego.  Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena.  Vocalist Liela Avila is at Hawg Heaven BBQ 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 Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. The Sultans Of Swing are at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The Dean Mora Orchestra is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena.

Sunday 12/31 – Pink Martini at Walt Disney Hall

Pink Martini with vocalist China Forbes is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. for a pair of holiday shows. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Jeff Babko is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm Big Band are at Vibrato for an evening show, followed by a late show from Gabrielito y la Verdad, Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with vocalist Lia Booth. The Bistro All-Stars are at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Howie Levine does his “JazzNatra” show for two sets at Hawg Heaven BBQ & Gastropub in Pasadena. Strada Swing is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. Tino Productions is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Irving Flores is at Madison On Park in San Diego. The World Stage hosts the Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session.  Vocalist Rose Colella has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Amanda Portela has the brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.

Monday 1/1/24 – Very Good Mondays at Gold-Diggers

Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood with Sarah Thawer on drums, Dominique Xavier on keys, Danny Janklow on sax, Jermaine Paul on bass, and Andrew Renfroe on guitar.  Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic is at Riviera 31 at the Beverly Hills Sofitel Hotel.  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 1/2 – Groove Legacy at The Baked Potato

Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Gary Novak on drums, Travis Carlton on bass, Ido Meshulam on trombone, Sam Meek on guitar, Billy Steinway on keys, and special guest Tom Scott on sax. The Aristocats are at La Puglia in Santa Monica with vocalist Andrea Miller. Beautiful Reflections open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. Supasoul is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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 1/3 – Roberta Gambarini at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Roberta Gambarini opens a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at Catalina in Hollywood, backed by Tamir Hendelman on piano, Chuck Berghofer on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Stubbs Quintet is at Sam First near LAX. GENR8R is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood.