About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of February 5, 2024

February continues with a SoCal jazz week featuring Kenny Barron, Delfeayo Marsalis, Blue Note Quintet, Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman, Bennie Maupin, Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, Marquis Hill, Eliades Ochoa & Harold Lopez-Nussa, Veronica Swift, Ann Kelly, Gloria Hendry, Judy Wexler, and Kalia Vandiver.

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 2/5 – Dechter/Frank Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City featuring drummer Joe La Barbera and keyboardist Jordan Seigel. Vocalist Rickie Lee Jones is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Trumpeter/vocalists Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III are at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 2/6 – Ann Kelly at Vibrato

Vocalist Ann Kelly is at Vibrato in Bel Air with Mark Ross on keys, Tim Kobza on guitar, Adam Gust on drums, Jeff Novack on bass, Sean Billings on trumpet, and Ron Dziubla on sax. Drummer Justin Brown hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra are at the UCSD Price Center East Ballroom in San Diego. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Alison Shearer is at Rockwell in West L.A. The Baked Potato offers a six-band Showcase Night. 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. The Kupkasonic Orchestra is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 2/7 – Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra at The Soraya

Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra are at The Soraya in Northridge. Trumpeter Jay Jennings is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Marquis Hill is at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo. Trumpeter Danny Jonokuchi leads a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Tuba player Jim Self and guitarist John Chiodini celebrate an album release at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Guitarist Hunter Bergman and vibraphonist Sasha Berliner lead a quartet at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Gavin Braun offers a tribute to Frank Sinatra at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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. 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. San Lyon is at SOhO in San Diego. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Guitarist Riner Scivally and saxophonist Robert Kyle are at Roe Seafood in Long Beach. The Black Cat Bar in San Diego hosts a jazz jam.

Thursday 2/8 – Chuchito Valdes at The Baked Potato

Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdes begins a two-night (Thu-Fri) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Doug Webb on sax, Rene Camacho on bass, and Joel Taylor on drums.  Vocalist Veronica Swift is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood.  Vocalist Gloria Hendry fronts an 18-piece big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Judy Wexler is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The Blue Note Quintet is at UCSB Campbell Hall in Santa Barbara. Pianist Kevin Hays plays a solo show at Sam First near LAX. Trio De Janeiro is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Tierney Sutton and pianist Tamir Hendelman are at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at The Merc in Temecula. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy’s System VI is at Semi Tropic Wines in Costa Mesa. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Isaiah Harwood is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. The Irvine Barclay Theatre Jazz Band 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. The West Coast Jazz Duo is at Stella’s in Dana Point. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Vocalist Maria De La Vega & The Wayward Five are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Angel & His Mambokat Quintet are are the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.

Friday 2/9 – Kenny Barron at Soka Performing Arts Center

Pianist Kenny Barron is at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo with Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and Savannah Harris on drums. Saxophonist Bennie Maupin is at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in downtown L.A. The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra is at The World Stage in South L.A. The Blue Note Quintet is at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Trombonist Kalia Vandiver is at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Pianist Todd Hunter leads a Brazilian ensemble at Catalina in Hollywood with vocalist Antonia Bennett. Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdes is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist Harish Raghavan begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Ruslan Sirota is at the Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist Josh Nelson is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga.  Pianist Cathlene Pineda is at the Bird Studio at Occidental College in Eagle Rock.  The Supa Lowery Brothers are at B.C.D. In Marina Del Rey.  Guitarist Pat Kelley is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. Pianist George Kahn is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at The Pour House in Monrovia. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Yocoya is at Collage in San Pedro. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Golden Island in San Diego. Pianist Theo Saunders is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Books & Records in San Diego.

Saturday 2/10 – Eliades Ochoa & Harold Lopez-Nussa at The Soraya

Cuban guitarist Eliades Ochoa and pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa are at The Soraya in Northridge with Grégoire Maret on harmonica, Luques Curtis on bass, and Ruy Adrian López-Nussa on drums.  PAKT featuring long-time Brand X bassist Percy Jones is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Tierney Sutton and pianist Tamir Hendelman are at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena. Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center. Cuban violinist Dayren Santamaria is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Julius Rodriguez is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Bassist Harish Raghavan is at Sam First near LAX. The Blue Note Quintet is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer Matt Gordy is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Brazilian vocalist/guitarist Teka is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Drummer Ben Lumsdaine and bassist Anna Butterss open for drummer Jeremy Cunningham at 2220 Arts + Archives in downtown L.A. Vocalist Matt Mauser is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Ginger & The Hoosier Daddys are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. The Dave Stephens Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Lauren Koval. 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. Pianist Aaron Provisor is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Books & Records in San Diego. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina.  Saxophonist Glenn Cashman does a jazz brunch at The Raymond 1886 in Pasadena.

Sunday 2/11 – Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman at Vibrato

Vocalist Tierney Sutton and pianist Tamir Hendelman are at Vibrato in Bel Air. PAKT featuring long-time Brand X bassist Percy Jones is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Alex Terrier and drummer Rodolfo Zuniga open for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Saxophonist Brian Levy is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego.  Saxophonist Justin Chart is at Beauty & Essex in Hollywood.  Pianist Danny Green is at Panama 66 in San Diego.  Vocalist Crystal Clulee is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Bassist Jaco Kimura 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. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski does a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Kat Shoemaker leads an afternoon jam session of the music of Chick Corea at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Drummer Kevin Winard does a jazz brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 do a brunch at The Pour House in Monrovia.

Monday 2/12 – PAKT at The Wayfarer

PAKT is at The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa with Percy Jones on bass, Alex Skolnick on guitar, Kenny Grohowski on drums, and Tim Motzer on guitar. Bayou Degradable is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams is at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.  Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Eric Valentine and vocalist B. Valentine are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The SBCC Big Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  Saxophonist Mike DeBellis leads a jam session at Paddy’s Station in San Clemente.

Tuesday 2/13 – Corky Hale at Catalina Jazz Club

Pianist/vocalist Corky Hale is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Evan Stone is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. The Vivino Brothers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vibraphonist Sasha Berliner leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Natalie Jacob and saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree spilt a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Bassist Logan Kane is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood.  Saxophonist Jerry Mandel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Saxophonist Woody Mankowski & The Sazerac Steppers lead a Mardi Gras celebration at Bacchus’ Kitchen in Pasadena. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Vocalist Keri Kelsey leads an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. 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 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 2/14 – Steve Tyrell at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Steve Tyrell begins a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Jerry Vivino is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Marco Carelli is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air.  Vocalist Howie Levine’s “JazzNatra” does a Valentine’s Day show at Sorriso Bar-Celona in Pasadena.  Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. The Pepper Moons are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Guitarist Stan Ayeroff is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The Happiness Band is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Andrea Marcovicci is at The Gardenia in West Hollywood.  Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Seven Grand in San Diego.