About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of January 15, 2024

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Cecile McLorin Salvant, Bunny Brunel, SRT, Alan Pasqua & Darek Oles, Miguel Zenon, Stanley Jordan, Will Brahm, Jay Jennings, Marco Renteria, Rayford Griffin w/Patrice Rushen, Bobby West, Steve Rawlins, and Sammy Miller.

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 1/15 – Marco Renteria at The Baked Potato

Bassist Marco Renteria celebrates a birthday at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Dennis Hamm on keys, Javier Leal on guitar, and Louie Palmer on drums with guest vocalist/bassist Marco Mendoza. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest saxophonist Vincent Ingala. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Pianist Richard Turner is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. 

Tuesday 1/16 – Jay Jennings at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Joe Cleveland on bass, Brad Allen Williams on guitar, Julian Polack on keys, and Greg Clark, Jr. on drums. Drummer Kevin Kanner hosts the Tuesday happenings jam session at Sam First in West L.A. Vocalist Liela Avila fronts the Call 2Peace Ensemble at La Puglia in Santa Monica. The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam session at Humphrey’s By The Bay in San Diego. French vocal group Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Keri Kelsey leads an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Guitarist Giovanni Mejia is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Mark Leggett is at TRiP in Santa Monica. The Long Beach Jazz Jam is at The Auld Dubliner in Long Beach. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 1/17 – Will Brahm at Sam First

Guitarist Will Brahm is at Sam First near LAX with Max Haymer on piano, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Rick Montalbano on drums. Pianist Steve Rawlins is at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Katja Rieckermann is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Anne Walsh and pianist Tom Zink are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Vocalist Ira Margolin leads a tribute to Lori Donato at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. 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. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. The San Pedro Jazz Jam is at Collage in San Pedro.

Thursday 1/18 – SRT at Catalina Jazz Club

SRT celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood with Andrew Synowiec on guitar, John “J.R.” Robinson on drums, and Mitch Towne on keyboards. Bassist Marlon Martinez is at Sam First near LAX. Guitarist Will Brahm is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Thu-Fri). Drummer Mark Guiliana plays a solo show at Zebulon in Silverlake. Vocalist Kathryn Bostic is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Jamie Shew is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Sacha Boutros is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Pamela Clay is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Valentina Shelton is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. The Aristocats are at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Maria De La Vega & The Wayward Five are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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 Amanda Portela is at Books & Records in San Diego.

Friday 1/19 – Bunny Brunel Bass Ball 2 at Catalina Jazz Club

Bassist Bunny Brunel is at Catalina in Hollywood with a band including fellow bassists Stanley Clarke, Kyle Eastwood and Armand Sabal-Lecco. Pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles begin a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Bobby West is at The World Stage in South L.A. Drummer Sammy Miller & The Congregation are at The Nimoy in Westwood. Guitarist Jan Rivera is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro with bassist Mohini Dey and drummer Gino Banks. Saxophonist Jordan Ferrin is at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock. The Turtle Island Quartet is at the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center. Guitarist Mike Keneally’s Beer For Dolphins is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Tatiana Eva-Marie is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Guitarist Will Brahm is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist Derek Frank is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Paul Combs is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Books & Records in San Diego. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Quinn Johnson 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. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. Pianist Bruce Baker is at the Shade Hotel Sea Level Restaurant in Redondo Beach. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.

Saturday 1/20 – Cecile McLorin Salvant at Segerstrom Samueli Theater

Vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant does a pair of shows at the Segerstrom Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa. Saxophonist Miguel Zenon is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. Drummer Rayford Griffin is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with keyboardist Patrice Rushen. Pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles are at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist David Garfield is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Bassist Jennifer Leitham is at The Grape in Ventura. Saxophonist Dr. Bruce Eskovitz is at the Industry Cafe & Jazz in Culver City. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Saxophonist Nick Gomez is at Collage in San Pedro. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. The Idiomatiques are at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. Pianist Kat Shoemaker is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Kaylee Daugherty. Pianist Theo Saunders is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room 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. Ella Swings is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. Saxophonist George Rogers is at Libretto in Paso Robles.

Sunday 1/21 – Stanley Jordan at Catalina Jazz Club

Guitarist Stanley Jordan is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Will Brahm is at The York in Highland Park. Bassist Linda May Han Oh is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Vocalist Nita Whitaker is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Ashley Chanel celebrates a birthday opening for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Richard Elliot is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Saxophonist Keith McKelley is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Robert Turner is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The World Stage hosts the Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session. MC3 has the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Guitarist Sam Shepherd plays an afternoon jazz brunch at Jack’s in Dana Point. Belvedear does a brunch at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Louis Van Taylor has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore leads a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.

Monday 1/22 – Aaron Janik at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Aaron Janik is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Julian Pollack and Javier Santiago on keys, Joe Cleveland on bass, Colin Cook on guitar, Chase Jackson on vibes, and Gene Coye on drums. Bassist Linda May Han Oh is at the Townhouse in Venice. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Saddleback College Jazz Faculty including trumpeter Ron Stout plays a show at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. Saxophonist Richard Elliot 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. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood.

Tuesday 1/23 – Bernie Dresel BBB at Catalina Jazz Club

Drummer Bernie Dresel’s BBB Big Band is at Catalina in Hollywood. Bassist Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers are at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Nellie McKay is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Saxophonist David Angel is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Guitarist Adam Ratner is at Tavern On Brand in Glendale.  Gypsy guitarist Stephane Wrembel is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. The Sultans Of Swing are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Cosmosquad is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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.

Wednesday 1/24 – Daniel Rosenboom at Vine

Saxophonist Daniel Rosenboom is at Vine in Long Beach with Joshua White on piano, Billy Mohler on bass, and Shawn Baltazor on drums. Pianist/vocalist Betty Bryant is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Allen Hinds is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Drummer Benjamin Ring is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Nellie McKay is at Catalina in Hollywood. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. Vocalist Maria Schafer is at Garcons de Cafe in downtown L.A. Guitarist/vocalist Rafael Moreira is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Nicole McCabe is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Gypsy guitarist Stephane Wrembel is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Drummer Tom Dante is at Skyloft in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert.