About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of February 19, 2024

February winds down with a SoCal jazz week including The Cookers, Josh Nelson, Kei Akagi, Banned From Utopia, Alphonso Johnson, Brandon Coleman, Justo Almario & Teodross Avery, Jenny Scheinman, Hadrien Feraud, Ambrose Akinmusire, Hannah Marks, Blanco Diablo, and Cathy Segal-Garcia.

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 2/19 – Hadrien Feraud at The Baked Potato

Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Oz Noy on guitar, Chris Fishman on keys, Bob Reynolds on sax, Nate Werth on percussion, and Robert “Sput” Searight on drums. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Michael Lington is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with vocalist Regina Belle. 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.

Tuesday 2/20 – Blanco Diablo at The Baked Potato

Blanco Diablo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Andy Sanesi on drums, Katisse Buckingham on sax, Joey De Leon on percussion, Matt Rohde on keys, Jamie Kime on guitar, and Dave Goodwin on bass. Pianist Scott Wilkie is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Jonathan Pinson hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Marsha Bartenetti is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Vocalist Lauren Koval is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. with drummer Sarah Thawer. 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 Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Beautiful Reflections open for guitarist Mark Leggett at TRiP in Santa Monica. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. The Viewpoint High School Singers are at Catalina in Hollywood.

Wednesday 2/21 – Hannah Marks at Sam First

Bassist Hannah Marks is at Sam First near LAX with saxophonist Nathan Reising, pianist Lex Korten, and drummer Steven Crammer. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays music from Thelonious Monk at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt is at Catalina in Hollywood.  Guitarist Michael O’Neill is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at the Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Keyboardist/vocalist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Collage in San Pedro hosts an open jazz jam led by trumpeter Grant Hungerford.

Thursday 2/22 – Kei Akagi at Sam First

Pianist Kei Akagi is at Sam First near LAX with Darek Oles on bass and Jason Harnell on drums. Violinist Jenny Scheinman is at the Townhouse in Venice. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Bassist Hannah Marks is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Tony Danza begins a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Phyllis Causey is at TBMPAC in South L.A. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Patrick Barnitt is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Mark Kopitzke is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Lamont Van Hook is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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. Pianist Sam Barsh is at Justine’s Wine Bar in downtown L.A.

Friday 2/23 – Josh Nelson at Sam First

Pianist Josh Nelson is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Bob Sheppard and Alex Terrier on saxes, Luca Alemanno on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Saxophonists Justo Almario and Teodross Avery lead a tribute to Dexter Gordon at The World Stage in South L.A. Banned From Utopia is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of three nights (Fri-Sun). Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire is at The Conrad in La Jolla. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Angie Wells is at the La Jolla Community Center. Bassist Brian Bromberg is at The Grape in Ventura. Keyboardist Cameron Graves is part of a multi-act evening at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Jim Caruso’s Cast Party with pianist Billy Stritch is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Vocalist Tony Danza is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Kiki Ebsen is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Flutist Nori Tani is at the Conference Room in Playa Vista. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Melba Miller. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at the OC Fish Grill in Irvine. 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. Pianist Irving Flores is at Golden Island in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Valentina Shelton is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Garners Trio is at Books & Records in San Diego.

Saturday 2/24 – The Cookers at Soka Performing Arts Center

The Cookers are at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo with Billy Hart on drums, Cecil McBee on bass, David Weiss and Eddie Henderson on trumpets, Donald Harrison and Craig Handy on saxes, and George Cables on piano. Pianist Josh Nelson is at Sam First near LAX. Bassist Alphonso Johnson is at The Grape in Ventura. Banned From Utopia is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Brandon Coleman is at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Trumpeter Herb Alpert and vocalist Lani Hall are at the Annenberg Center in Palm Springs. Trumpeter Delbert Anderson and vocalist Mali Obomsawin are at REDCAT in downtown L.A. Pianist Bruce Baker’s Altered Presence Jazz Band is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocalist Claude Hall offers a tribute to Nina Simone at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane and pianist Sabine Pothier are at the Alhambra Performing Arts Center. Vocalist Lia Booth is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at the McKinney Theatre in Mission Viejo. Jim Caruso’s Cast Party with pianist Billy Stritch is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Nutty is at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Guitarist Alex Ciavarelli celebrates a CD release of the music of Oscar Peterson at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Violinist Andrew Finn Magill is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Tony Danza is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Fabulous Esquires are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys are at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Drummer Darrell Voss is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Sacha Boutros. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at B.C.D. In Marina Del Rey.  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 Gary Matsumoto is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Vocalist Chloe Perrier is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena.

Sunday 2/25 – Banned From Utopia at The Baked Potato

Banned From Utopia is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Frank Zappa band alumni Robert Martin on keys/sax/vocals, Ray White on vocals/guitar, Scott Thunes on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums, plus Jamie Kime and Robbie Mangano on guitars.  The Scene Volume 2 at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood features bands led by David Binney, Ben Williams, Brent Canter, Jay Jennings, and Sam Barsh.  The The Stinkfoot Orchestra plays music of Frank Zappa at Venice West. The Cookers and vocalist Veronica Swift play early shows at the Annenberg Center in Palm Springs. Vocalist Stephanie Spruill is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with pianist Tommy Gannon. Nothin But The Sax is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Saxophonist Erisa Nicole is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Vocalist Ty Taylor fronts a trio led by pianist Peter Smith at First Baptist Church in Pasadena for a late afternoon show. 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.  Bassist Ryan Cross is at Delilah in West Hollywood.  Guitarist Ken Song is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.  Pianist Chris Dawson is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. The World Stage hosts the Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session. Vocalist Beth Rohde leads a jam session at Barsha in Hermosa Beach. The Jelly Roll Jazz band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Vocalists Liz Cole and Patrick Barnitt are at 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 Rose Colella has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Mercedes Moore does a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. JP & The Preservationists do a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Sandy Cummings does a jazz brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 2/26 – Eric Marienthal & Grace Kelly at Spaghettini

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guest saxophonist Grace Kelly. The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Phatback, Earl & Me are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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.

Tuesday 2/27 – Cheryl Bentyne at the Bayside Lounge

Vocalist Cheryl Bentyne sings the music of Cole Porter at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach backed by a trio featuring Josh Nelson on piano, Gabe Davis on bass, and Dave Tull on drums. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Keyboardist/vocalist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Fresh Mint Pharaohs are at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Rumproller is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Cookies are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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.  Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells.  Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 2/28 – Max Haymer at Catalina

Pianist Max Haymer is at Catalina in Hollywood with Luca Alemanno on bass and Rick Montalbano on drums. Vocalist Gina Kronstadt & her 12-piece Big Fancy Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Drummer Wesley Ritenour is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Pianist Benjamin Lackner is at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla.  Pianist Gloria Cheng and the Herbie Hancock Institute split a bill at Sam First near LAX.  Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Vocalist Maiya Sykes is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Jim Fox is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. The Supa Lowery Brothers are at the Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A. 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. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Shea Welsh plays a blues night at TRiP in Santa Monica. Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego.