About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of March 18, 2024

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Tigran Hamasyan, Michael Landau, Alfredo Rodriguez, Gordon Goodwin, Oscar Hernandez, Alison, Cardenas & Nash, Jun Iida, Lauren White, Reggie Quinerly, Kirsten Edkins, Tom Luer, Charles Ruggerio, Kescha Potter & Tatiana Tate, and Jeff Pifher.

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 3/18 – Kirsten Edkins at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Kirsten Edkins is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for an album release event with Andrew Synowiec on guitar, Chris Wabich on drums, Sezin Ahmet Turkmenoglu on bass, and Lemar Guillary on trombone. Guitarist Riner Scvially is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. 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 SBCC Big Band is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 3/19 – Jeff Pifher & Socrates Trial at The George

Saxophonist Jeff Pifher’s Socrates’ Trial is at The George in Pasadena. Vocalist Madeleine Peyroux is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Logan Hone is at Zebulon in Silverlake. Corcovado with vocalist Natalie Jacob is at TRiP in Santa Monica along with the MvA Quintet. Vocalist Diane Elder is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Irving Flores is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego with vocalist Kaylee Daugherty. Vocalist Tina Schlieske is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.  The Axon Orchestra is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. 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. Bassist Marshall Hawkins is at Ferro in Idyllwild. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. The Brentwood Upper School Jazz Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Wednesday 3/20 – Tom Luer’s Project Popular at Sam First

Saxophonist Tom Luer’s Project Popular is at Sam First near LAX with Andrew Synowiec on guitar, Andy Langham on piano, Edwin Livingston bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Aaron Serfaty is at 1881 in Pasadena. Bassist Sean Riddle is at The Grape in Ventura.  Keyboardist Cameron Graves is at Townhouse in Venice.  Vocalist Aaron Akins is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Leonard Patton is at Books & Records in San Diego. 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. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. French vocal group Paris Chansons are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter Grant Hungerford leads an open jazz jam at Collage in San Pedro. Guitarist Shea Welsh does a blues show at TRiP in Santa Monica with vocalist Hope Diamond. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Rose Mallett sings the music of Sarah Vaughan at the San Diego City College Saville Theater.

Thursday 3/21 – Lauren White at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Lauren White celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood with Quinn Johnson on piano, Kevin Axt on bass, Chris Wabich on drums, Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, Brian Swartz on trumpet, and Michael O’Brian on guitar.. Drummer Reggie Quinerly celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX. The Frost Jazz Orchestra directed by John Daversa is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Alfredo Rodriguez is at UCSD’s The Loft in San Diego. Trumpeter Jun Iida is at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Meraki in San Diego. The Conejo Jazz Collective is at Bogie’s in Westlake Village. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Christian Wiggs is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist John Opferkuch is at The Merc in Temecula. Trumpeter Joel Schnaper is at Seven Grand in downtown L.A. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Valentina Shelton is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. 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. Vocalist Mando Cordova is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. MaQui is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Pianist Brad Bietry is at The George in Pasadena for happy hour.

Friday 3/22 – Michael Landau at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Keith Carlock. Pianist Oscar Hernandez celebrates a birthday at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Alfredo Rodriguez is at The Nimoy in Westwood. Alison, Cardenas & Nash open a two-night run at Sam First near LAX. Lauren Elizabeth Baba’s latest edition of her Big Band Nights series features the BABA Orchestra, Frost School of Music Big Band, and a big band led by vocalist Genevieve Artadi at Art Share L.A. in downtown Los Angeles. Trumpeter Chris Botti begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) run at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Bassist Marshall Hawkins and pianist Joshua White are at the La Jolla Community Center. Saxophonist Keschia Potter and trumpeter Tatiana Tate are at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane fronts a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist/vocalist Keiko Matsui is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Brenna Whitaker is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Drummer Matt Johnson & The New Jet Set are at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree is at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Jun Iida is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Keyboardist Gregg Karukas is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Lindsey Webster is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Sue Palmer plays an early show at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Saxophonist Dave Victorino is at Azo Vino in Covina. Pianist Carey Frank is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena. 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. Saxophonist Paul Combs is at Books & Records in San Diego. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Douglas Roegiers is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at Golden Island in San Diego.

Saturday 3/23 – Tigran Hamasyan at the Alex Theatre

Pianist Tigran Hamasyan is at the Alex Theatre in Glendale with Evan Marien on bass and Arthur Hnatek on drums. Alison, Cardenas & Nash are at Sam First near LAX. Organist Larry Goldings, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and drummer Bill Stewart are at the Athenaeum Library in La Jolla. The Cranktones are at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vocal group Take 6 is at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. Guitarist Michael Landau is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at The Canyon in Montclair. Trumpeter Chris Botti is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Vocalist Luke Carlsen & The Fresh Rhythm Band are at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist Chris Standring is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Saxophonist Brian Levy is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Pianist Scott Wilkie is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Howie Levine’s “JazzNatra” show is at Hawg Heaven BBQ in Pasadena. Pianist Marc LeBrun is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher is at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Keiko Matsui is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. The Jazz Cartel is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Bassist Justin Grinnell and pianist Melonie Grinnell are at Books & Records in San Diego. Guitarist Jonathan Stout & His Campus Five are at The Grape in Ventura. Bones Of A Saint are at Collage in San Pedro. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Daneen Wilburn. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Hearts & Flame in downtown L.A. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. Jerry Costanzo & His Gotham City Swingers are at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Catalina in Hollywood. The Cosmo Alleycats are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Drummer Matt Johnson & The New Jet Set are at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre for a morning show.

Sunday 3/24 – Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band at Vibrato

Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Groove Legacy is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Trumpeter Jun Iida is at The York in Highland Park. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. 3CO opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Drummer Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Flutist Althea Rene and saxophonist Jeanette Harris are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at the First Baptist Church in Pasadena with saxophonist Allen Mezquida for a late afternoon show. Guitarist Yu Ooka is at the 3355 Asian Grill in Torrance.  Soul Sauce is at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge in Long Beach.  Guitarist Will Brahm is at The Stowaway in downtown L.A.  Vocalist Setsuko Haka is at the View Music Bar in Torrance.  Vocalist Whitney Shay is at Panama 66 in San Diego.  Saxophonist Chris Powe leads a late afternoon jam at ORA in South L.A. Keyboardist Gino Rosaria and vocalist Rebecca Jade are at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Drummer Matt Johnson & The New Jet Set are at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre for an 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 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. Pianist Todd Hunter & The Brazilians have 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. Saxophonist Nick Gomez has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Saxophonist Gerard Nolan does a brunch at the Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Sandy Cummings hosts a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 3/25 – Tom Kubis Big Band at the Gaslamp

The Tom Kubis Big Band is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach with guitarist Peter White. Buzz Wizards are at The Baked Potato in Studio City. 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 Angelo Metz is at Wally’s in Santa Monica. The M.O.B. Jazz Quintet is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 3/26 – Derek Frank at The Baked Potato

Bassist Derek Frank celebrates an album release at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Aaron Janik on trumpet, Anthony King on guitar, Carey Frank on keys, Dan Boissy on sax, Demian Arriaga on percussion, Joshua Ray Gooch on guitar, and Matt Hankle on drums. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. The Aristocats are at La Puglia in Santa Monica with vocalist Elysia Biro. Trio de Janeiro is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Trumpeter David Young is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Bassist Marshall Hawkins is at Ferro in Idyllwild. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 3/27 – Doug Webb at The Baked Potato

Saxophonist Doug Webb begins a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Mitchel Forman on keys, Jamie Kime on guitar, Jimmy Earl on bass, and Danny Carey on drums. Vocalist Andy James is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Guitarist/vocalist Ethan Margolis is at Sam First near LAX. Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Teka is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Jack Wood celebrates a CD release at Catalina in Hollywood. Guitarist Jim Fox is at The Grape in Ventura.  Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trombonist Matt Hall is at Books & Records in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. The Modern Time Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Blues vocalist Marguaret Love & Her Lovettes are at Seven Grand in downtown L.A.  Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena.