About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – The Week Of April 8, 2024

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Chris Botti, Larry Goldings, Benny Green, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jeff Babko, Andrew Synowiec, The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet, Nick Mancini, Luis Conte, The Marlonious Jazz Orchestra, Jenny Scheinman, Charles Owens, Aaron Janik, and Natalie Jacob.

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 4/8 – 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 split 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/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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. Trumpeter John Reynolds is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Guitarist Angie Swan is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. 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. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. 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.

Thursday 4/11 – Larry Goldings at Sam First

Keyboardist Larry Goldings begins a two-night (Thu-Fri) run at Sam First near LAX with Karl McComas-Reichl on bass and Christian Euman on drums. Trumpeter Chris Botti is at The Wiltern in Downtown L.A. Saxophonist Charles Owens is at The Merc in Temecula. Vocalist Susan Krebs is at The Grape in Ventura. Vocalist Castella is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist Christopher Linman is at the Langham Hotel Tap Room in Pasadena.  Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at Madam Bonnie’s in San Diego.  Pianist/vocalist Kirk Andrés Wilson is at Campus Jax in Newport Beach. OHM is at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Norma in West Hollywood.  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 ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. 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 4/12 – Benny Green at Catalina Jazz Club

Pianist Benny Green begins a two-night (Fri-Sat) solo run at Catalina in Hollywood. Percussionist Luis Conte is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Larry Goldings is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at The Grape in Ventura. Guitarist Andrew Synowiec is at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang. Sitarist Paul Livingstone is at The World Stage in South L.A. Guitarist Thom Rotella is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Violinist Leah Zeger is at Bacchus’ Kitchen in South Pasadena. Vocalist Erin Stevenson is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski is at Golden Island in San Diego. Vocalist Veronique Forget is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Vocalist Cheryl Barnes is at Matt Denny’s Ale House in Arcadia.  Guitarist Alex Ciavarelli is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego.  Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy 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 Beverly Jenson. 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. Vocalist Tony Galla is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Euphoria Brass Band is at Seven Grand in San Diego. Vocalist Grace Fae is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank.

Saturday 4/13 – Chris Botti at Segerstrom Hall

Trumpeter Chris Botti is at Renee & Henry Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa with pianist Taylor Eigsti, Zach Moses on bass, Julian Pollack on keys, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown on sax, and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. Bassist/vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello is at the United Theater in downtown L.A. Keyboardist Jeff Babko’s Clam City project is at Sam First near LAX. Pianist Benny Green plays a solo piano show at Catalina in Hollywood. Saxophonist Mike Tomaro leads a 10tet at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo. Pianist Joshua White is at Dizzy’s in San Diego.  Guitarist Andrew Synowiec is at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center.  Keyboardist Rachel Flowers plays an afternoon show at the Museum Of Ventura County in Ventura. Pianist/vocalist Bill Cantos is at Vibrato in Bel Air. The Phoenyx Big Band is at The Grape in Ventura. Pianist George Kahn is at Libretto in Paso Robles. TUBOP is at AFM Local 7 in Santa Ana. Bassist/vocalist Leslie Baker is at the Sherry Theater in North Hollywood. Drummer/vocalist Dave Tull is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Vocalist Natalie Jacob is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Trumpeter Greg Solman is at Azo Vino in Covina.  Trombonist Matt Hall is at Madam Bonnie’s in San Diego.  Guitarist Zo Shah is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Vocalist Grace Fae is at Hearts & Flame in downtown L.A. Guitarist/vocalist Phillip Sayce is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego with vocalist Amanda Portela. 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. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Jumpin’ Joz is at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association. Pianist Peggy Duquesnel plays an early afternoon show at the Alpert Jewish Community Center in Long Beach.

Sunday 4/14 – Los Angeles Jazz Quartet at The Baked Potato

The Los Angeles Jazz Quartet is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Otmaro Ruiz on keys, Chuck Manning on sax, and Darek Oles on bass. Vibraphonist Nick Mancini is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Violinist Jenny Scheinman is at The York in Highland Park. Vocalist Jonathan Karrant is at Catalina in Hollywood. AFM Local 47 in Burbank begins a three-weekend afternoon jazz fest series with groups including the West Coast Jazz Hour Big Band. Trumpeter Greg Adams & East Bay Soul are at Vibrato in Bel Air. b Pianist Danny Green is at Tio Leo’s Lounge in San Diego. Drummer Dean Mucetti & Rhythm Real are at Bar Bandini in Silverlake.  Pianist Sam Hirsh leads a trio and jam session at The Mint in West L.A. Saxophonist Greg Vail is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Keyboardist Nathan Mitchell is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Pianist Tommy Gannon is at Il Sogno Italiano 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. Bassist Leslie Baker plays the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Bassist Karim Yengsep has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist/flutist Cobby Brzeski does a brunch at Books & Records in San Diego.

Monday 4/15 – Blanco Diablo at The Baked Potato

Blanco Diablo is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Matt Rohde on keys, Katisse Buckingham on sax/flute, Jamie Kime on guitar, Joey De Leon on percussion, Dave Goodwin on bass, and Andy Sanesi on drums. Pianist Irving Flores is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Guitarist Dean Grech is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. 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. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Wally’s in Santa Monica.

Tuesday 4/16 – Adam Hersh Plays Allan Holdsworth at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Adam Hersh leads a group in playing the music of Allan Holdsworth at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Andy Waddell on guitar, Max Gerl on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. Vocalist Seth MacFarlane fronts a big band at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Jeff Pifher & Socrates’ Trial are at TRiP in Santa Monica. Bassist Justin Grinnell celebrates the music of Henry Mancini with a group at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is at La Puglia in Santa Monica.  Drummer Kyle Poole hosts the Tuesday Happenings Jam Session at Sam First near LAX.  Vocalist Jonathan Karrant sings songs made popular by Tony Bennett at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Drummer David Whitman is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Drummer Gengis Don is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Adam Wolff 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. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 4/17 – Anthony Wilson at Sam First

Guitarist Anthony Wilson is at Sam First near LAX for the first of two nights (Wed-Thu) with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on viola, Josh Nelson on piano, Paul Bryan on bass, and Jay Bellerose on drums . Pianist Herbie Hancock is at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. Drummer Charles Ruggerio plays the music of Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Dayamir Gonzalez celebrates an album release at Catalina in Hollywood. Vocalist Billy Valentine is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianist Jacob Tyler Bader and guitarist Christian Rodriguez play a lunchtime show at The Conrad in La Jolla, followed by an evening performance featuring multiple jazz pianists from the San Diego area including Mike Wofford and Melonie Grinnell. Vocalist Kaylee Daugherty is at the Hotel Republic 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 Michael Peed is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Collage in San Pedro hosts a jazz jam hosted by trumpeter Grant Hungerford. Guitarist Shea Welsh and vocalist Hope Diamond do an evening of blues at TRiP in Santa Monica.