About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of February 26, 2024

February ends and March opens with a SoCal jazz week including Dianne Reeves, Terreon Gully, Yellowjackets, Virgil Donati, Larry Koonse & Larry Goldings, Cheryl Bentyne, Catina DeLuna & Kleber Jorge, Rufus Wainwright, Max Haymer, Vardan Ovsepian, Eric Marienthal & Grace Kelly, Dayren Santamaria, and Tom Kubis.

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 2/26 – 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 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.

Thursday 2/29 – Virgil Donati at The Baked Potato

Drummer Virgil Donati begins a two-night (Thu-Fri) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Andre Nieri on guitar, Junior Braguinha on bass, and Chris Clark on keys. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Yuko Mabuchi is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist/vocalist Marina Pacowski is at The Grape in Temecula. The Billy Vera Big Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Hollywood Film Noirchestra is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Drummer Angelo Velasquez is at The Merc in Temecula. 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 Matt Politano is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist/vocalist Jennifer Hart performs music of Irving Berlin at The Muck in Fullerton.

Friday 3/1 – Terreon Gully at Sam First

Drummer Terreon Gully is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Bob Reynolds on sax, Mike Cottone on trumpet, Ruslan Sirota on keys, and Ben Williams on bass. Drummer Virgil Donati is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane fronts a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Amber Weekes and saxophonist Keschia Potter lead an evening of Women In Jazz at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Victor Gonzalez is at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Guitarist Peter Sprague is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Mmika and pianist Todd Hunter’s trio are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Saxophonist Robert Dove is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Janessa Noland is at Books & Records 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 Kari Kirkland. 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. Guitarist Michael Paik is at the Chess Park Lounge in Glendale. The Nu Stix Review is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Hearts & Flame in downtown L.A.

Saturday 3/2 – Larry Koonse & Larry Goldings at The Nimoy

Guitarist Larry Koonse and pianist Larry Goldings are at The Nimoy in Westwood. Brazilian vocalist Catina DeLuna and guitarist Kleber Jorge are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Rufus Wainwright sings the music of Kurt Weill with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra at the United Theater in downtown L.A. Drummer Terreon Gully is at Sam First near LAX. Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band is at the Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway is at the Pepperdine Smothers Theatre in Malibu. Vocalist Crystal Lewis fronts a big band at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Vardan Ovsepian is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Melonie Grinnell and bassist Justin Grinnell are at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty sings a tribute to Blossom Dearie at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Azo Vino in Covina. Saxophonist Michael Lington is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with vocalist Howard Hewett.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Sarah Ingraham. 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. The Wiseguys Big Band Machine is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Aimee Nolte is at the Sakana Sushi Lounge in downtown L.A.

Sunday 3/3 – Dianne Reeves at Walt Disney Hall

Vocalist Dianne Reeves is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. with John Beasley on piano, Romero Lubambo on guitar, Reuben Rogers on bass, and Terreon Gully on drums. Yellowjackets are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Violinist Dayren Santamaria is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio leads a jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Guitarist Adam Hawley celebrates a CD release at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego.  The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays an afternoon concert at the La Mirada Theater For The Performing Arts.  Keyboardist Kevin Flournoy is at Humphrey’s Backstage 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. Bassist Ryan Cross is at Delilah in West Hollywood. 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. 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. The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays an afternoon show at the La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts.  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. Harwood, Guerin & Trent have the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty does a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Vocalist Giselle Anguizola does a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego. Blues guitarist/vocalist Dennis Jones is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach.

Monday 3/4 – Graham Dechter/Alex Frank Quartet at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jordan Siegel on keys and Jo La Barbera on drums. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  The Glenn Miller Orchestra is at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.  Guitarist Riner Scvially is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Eric Dries is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 3/5 – Theo Croker at The Echo

Trumpeter Theo Croker is at The Echo in Silverlake with Michael King on keys, Eric Wheeler on bass, and Miguel Russell on drums.  Drummer Kyle Poole leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Drummer Evan Stone is at La Puglia in Santa Monica with vocalist Lia Booth. Guitarists Brad Rabuchin and David Becker are at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Alanna & These Fine Gentlemen open for guitarist Shea Welsh at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Pianist Irving Flores is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego.  The Baked Potato features a five-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.  Saxophonists Caroline Davis and Patrick Shiroishi split a bill at the St. Barnabas Harmony Room in Eagle Rock.  Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 3/6 – Jean-Michel Bernard at Vibrato

French pianist Jean-Michel Bernard at Vibrato in Bel Air with Gary Novak on drums, Bob Sheppard on sax, Edwin Livingston on bass, Bob Leatherbarrow on vibes, and Sally Stevens on vocals. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Issac Wilson is at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Storm Large is at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach for them first of two nights (Wed-Thu). Pianist Lisa Hilton is at the Pepperdine Raitt Recital Hall in Malibu. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. 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. Just Jazz presents a student jam at ArtShare L.A. in downtown L.A. led by saxophonist Alex Hahn. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. The Black Cat Bar in San Diego hosts a jazz jam. Just Jazz presents a student jam at ArtShare L.A. in downtown L.A. led by saxophonist Alex Hahn.