About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of March 4, 2024

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Fred Hersch, Bill Cunliffe, Jean-Michel Bernard, Danny Janklow, Jason Harnell, Theo Croker, Nicole McCabe, Ronnie Foster, Katie Thiroux, Graham Dechter & Alex Frank, Issac Wilson, Lisa Hilton, and Todd Cochran.

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 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.  The Kupkasonic Orchestra is at the Barkley Restaurant in South Pasadena. 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 Lisa Hilton is at the Pepperdine Raitt Recital Hall in Malibu.  Drummer Willie Jones III is at the SDSU Smith Recital Hall with a quintet playing the music of Max Roach.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Pianist Helen Sung is at The Soraya in Northridge with the CSUN Jazz Bands. 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). 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.  Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.  Saxophonist Robert Kyle and guitarist Riner Scivally are at Roe Seafood in Long Beach.  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.

Thursday 3/7 – Danny Janklow at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Danny Janklow plays the music of Wayne Shorter at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Alonzo Demetrius on trumpet, Ben Flocks on sax, Luca Mendoza on keys, Jermaine Paul on bass, and Jonathan Pinson on drums. Pianist Todd Cochran is at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Tony Guerrero and pianist Jeremy Siskind celebrate an album release at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Vocalist Storm Large is at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach. Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams is at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Special EFX with guest violinist Karen Briggs is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego.  Guitarist Wayne Wilkinson is at The Merc in Temecula. The Idiomatiques are at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Joel Schnaper is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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. Pianist Max Greenburg is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Blues vocalist Marguaret Love & Her Lovettes are at TBMPAC in South L.A. Marty Lush & His Latin Livers are at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs.

Friday 3/8 – Nicole McCabe at Sam First

Saxophonist Nicole McCabe celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX with Miles Lennox on piano, Logan Kane on bass, and Myles Martin on drums. Organist Ronnie Foster is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Bassist/vocalist Katie Thiroux is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Special EFX is at The Grape in Ventura. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Saxophonist Adam Schroeder is at the Santa Monica College East Music Hall. Guitarist Carl Verheyen is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The Queen’s Cartoonists are at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo. Pianist Issac Wilson is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist Chris Dawson is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Brenda Greggio is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Grace Fae & The Grandbirds are at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Pianist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The Artisocats are at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Kristi King. 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. Bassist Cole Stainburg is at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Maxayn Lewis is at The World Stage in South L.A. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Flutist Eric Evans is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Mara Kaye is at Books & Records in San Diego.

Saturday 3/9 – Fred Hersch + ETHEL at Segerstrom Samueli Theater

Pianist Fred Hersch is at the Segerstrom Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa with John Hébert on bass and Jochen Rueckert on drums, plus the ETHEL string quartet. Pianist Bill Cunliffe plays music of Herbie Hancock at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Magos Herrera is at The Nimoy in Westwood. One Shot Deal plays the music of Frank Zappa at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Boston Court in Pasadena. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Pianist Issac Wilson is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Vocalist Storm Large is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Adryon De Leon is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Chazzy Green is at Collage in San Pedro. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Strada Swing is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Sue Palmer is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Dave Scott. 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. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Guitarist/vocalist Phillip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Royal Flux is at The San Fernando in Glendale. Guitarist Mark Leggett is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Black Diamonds are at Azo Vino in Covina. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Hearts & Flame in downtown L.A. Tears Of Joy are at Keno’s in Anaheim.

Sunday 3/10 – Jason Harnell at The Baked Potato

Drummer Jason Harnell is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Josh Nelson and Gary Fukushima on keys and Michael Mull on sax. Pianist Fred Hersch plays a solo show at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Bassist Lyman Medeiros is at The York in Highland Park. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is at the La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts. Vocalist Sandra Piller is at Catalina in Hollywood. Drummer Jonah Shin opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Guitarist Patrick Yandall 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. Vocalist Katie Harris 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.  Guitarist David marcus does a brunch at Sogno Toscano in Santa Monica.  Abracadabra has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty does a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Son Enrico plays a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 3/11 – Jamie Kime at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Jamie Kime is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Matt Rohde on keys, Chris Roy on bass, Danny Carey on drums, and Andy Sanesi on percussion. 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 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 3/12 – Ian Roller at the Lodge Room

Saxophonist Ian Roller celebrates an album release at the Lodge Room in Highland Park with a 20-piece band. Pianist Paul Cornish and saxophonist Henry Solomon host the Tuesday happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. The Jazz Butchers are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Beautiful Reflections and saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree split a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica. Vocalist Elaine Gibbs is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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 3/13 – Benefit For Beverly Church Hogan At Catalina Jazz Club

Catalina in Hollywood hosts a multi-act benefit for vocalist Beverly Church Hogan, whose home was recently severely damaged in a landslide. Trombonist John Hatamiya is at Sam First near LAX.  Pink Martini is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs for the first of five nights (Wed-Sun). Guitarist/vocalist Val McCallum is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with a group including guitarist Michael Landau. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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. Vocalist Cobby Brzeski is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. The Cloudmakers are at Seven Grand in San Diego.