About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of April 1, 2024

April opens with a SoCal jazz week including Donald Harrison, John Scofield, Ethan Iverson, Kandace Springs, Tierney Sutton, Catina DeLuna, Danny Janklow, Henry Franklin, Calabria Foti & John Proulx, Graham Dechter & Alex Frank, Omar Sosa, Don Randi, Kait Dunton, Elena Gilliam, and Adam Ratner.

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 4/1 – Dechter/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 Joe La Barbera on drums. Vocalist Spencer Day is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento is at Zebulon in Silverlake. 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 Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 4/2 – Calabria Foti/John Proulx at Bayside Restaurant

Vocalist Calabria Foti and pianist/vocalist John Proulx are at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach with Mike Gurrola on bass and Dean Koba on drums. Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Andrea Miller is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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 Sue Palmer is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. The Baked Potato in Studio City features a multi-act Showcase Night.

Wednesday 4/3 – Benjamin Ring at Sam First

Drummer Benjamin Ring is at Sam First near LAX with Shai Golan on sax, Jake Chapman on vibes, Adam Hersh on piano, and Jermaine Paul on bass. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Trumpeter Julien Knowles leads a jam session at The York in Highland Park. Saxophonist Justin Chart is at the Arth Bar & Kitchen in Culver City. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Books & Records in San Diego. 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. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.   Bassist Glen Fisher leads a jazz jam at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Pianist Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Blues guitarist Jamey Arent is at the Cascade Lounge in Palm Springs. Pianist Gary Fukushima hosts the Jazz Jazz student jazz jam at Art Share L.A. in downtown Los Angeles.

Thursday 4/4 – Kandace Springs at The Sun Rose

Vocalist/pianist Kandace Springs celebrates an album release at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat).  Saxophonist Danny Janklow is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Anthony Wilson on guitar, Larry Goldings on keys, and Clarence Penn on drums.  Guitarist Adam Ratner celebrates an album release at Sam First near LAX. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Drummer Ben Scholz is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist Michael Ragonese is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Pianist Joel Wenhardt is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Pianist Ben Rosenblum is at The Merc in Temecula. 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. Pianist Brad Bietry is at The George in Pasadena for happy hour.

Friday 4/5 – Tierney Sutton & The San Gabriel 7 at Catalina Jazz Club

Vocalist Tierney Sutton is at Catalina in Hollywood with the San Gabriel 7 featuring Kye Palmer on trumpet, Glen Berger on sax, Jim Lewis on trombone, Steve Gregory on guitar, Chad Edwards on keys, Jonathan Pintoff on bass, and Randy Drake on drums. Pianist Ethan Iverson is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist/pianist Kandace Springs celebrates an album release at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat) with Icelandic vocalist Geir Olafs. Pianist Brian Hargrove’s Chamber Ensemble is at The World Stage in South L.A. Pianist Konrad Paszkudzki is at Dizzy’s in San Diego with vocalist Olivia Chindamo. Guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Vocalist Kristina Aglinz is at The Grape in Ventura. Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego.  Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Michael Dees. 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 Mikan Zlatkovich is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Gabrielito y La Verdad is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Stan Ayeroff is at Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Deborah Heinzman is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego.  Vocalist Grace Fae is at Hearts & Flame in downtown L.A.

Saturday 4/6 – Ethan Iverson at Sam First

Pianist Ethan Iverson is at Sam First near LAX with Darek Oles on bass and Peter Erskine on drums. Vocalist Catina DeLuna is at the Silverlake Conservatory Of Music in downtown L.A. Vocalist Tierney Sutton is at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Donna Deussen does an afternoon set at The Grape in Ventura, followed by an evening show from bassist Henry Franklin. Keyboardist Don Randi & Quest are at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Icelandic vocalist Geir Olafs.  The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra celebrates founder Horace Tapscott at The World Stage in South L.A.  Pianist/vocalist Peter Smith is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Vocalist Amy Keys is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Incendio is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Pianist Ben Rosenblum is at Collage in San Pedro. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at The Write-Off Room in Studio City. Guitarist Eric Wesling is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vocalist Laila Biali is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. 6 Beats Apart is at the Fullerton College Campus Theatre. Guitarist Dave Askren and saxophonist Jeff Benedict are at the Canyon Crest Winery in Riverside. Vocalist Whitney Shay is at Books & Records in San Diego. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Azo Vino in Covina. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Janessa Noland. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. 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. Alligator Beach is at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica. The Johnny Holiday Show is at the Cicada Club in downtown L.A. Vocalist Ed Romero is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Vocalist Aileen Quinn & The Leapin’ Lizards are at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Saxophonist Jackiem Joyner is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.  Pianist Yuko Mabuchi plays an afternoon show at the Torrance Public Library.

Sunday 4/7 – Donald Harrison at the Moss Theater

Saxophonist Donald Harrison is at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica with Brian Richburg on drums, Dan Kaufman on piano, and Nori Naraoka on bass. Guitarist John Scofield is at the Theatre Raymond Kabbaz in West L.A. Pianist Omar Sosa is at Catalina in Hollywood. Keyboardist Kait Dunton is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Vocalist Elena Gilliam fronts a jazz orchestra for an album release show at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Vocalists Cheryl Bentyne and Rose Mallett headline a “Divas Of The Desert” performance at the Revolution Stage Company in Palm Springs. The SicNarf Big Band is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Guitarist Telemar Sanchez opens for pianist Sam Hirsh’s trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A.  Bassist Max Gerl is at The York in Highland Park.  Saxophonist Will Donato is at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Bassist Mackenzie Leighton is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Guitarist Zo Shah is at Lou Lou’s 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. 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. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski does a brunch at the Hotel Republic in San Diego. Keyboardist/vocalist Freddie Ravel is at Vibrato in Bel Air.

Monday 4/8 – Aaron Janik at The Baked Potato

Trumpeter Aaron Janik is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Chase Jackson on vibes, Joe Cleveland on bass, Javier Santago and Julian Pollack on keys, Colin Cook on guitar, and Gene Coye on drums. Percussionist Poncho Sanchez is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Ben Rosenblum is at the Saddleback College Studio Theatre in Mission Viejo. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara with vocalist Lois Mahalia. 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.

Tuesday 4/9 – The Marlonious Jazz Orchestra w/Josie James at Vibrato

Bassist Marlon Martinez and his Marlonious Jazz Orchestra are at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Josie James. Vocalist Natalie Jacob and saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree spilt a bill at TRiP in Santa Monica.  Galactic Booty Ko is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Vocalist Teryn Re’ is at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Pianist Gerald Clayton hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Pianist/saxophonist Kamau Kenyatta is at the Senses Bistro 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.  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. Guitarist Louis Valenzuela is at Madison On Park in San Diego. 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 4/10 – Andrew Synowiec at The Baked Potato

Guitarist Andrew Synowiec is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Scott Kinsey on keys, Jorgen Carlsson on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Trombonist Nick Finzer plays the music of J.J. Johnson at Sam First near LAX. Pianist/vocalist Marina Pacowski is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Kirsten Edkins is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. Trumpeter Dan Rosenboom is at Vine in Long Beach. Pianist George Kahn is at The Grape in Ventura. Black Market Reverie is at Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach. Guitarist Carlos Velasco is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. 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. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Amanda Portela is at the Hotel Republic in San Diego.